Olentangy board unanimously approves consent agendas; treasurer reports AAA rating, $2.3M expected E-rate reimbursement and $705,000 window contract

The Olentangy Local School Board on Feb. 20 approved consent agendas covering minutes, donations, the January 2025 financials, updated FY25 appropriations, personnel items, student overnight and out-of-state trips, and facility business items including a recommended contract award for window replacements.

Treasurer Mister Jenkins presented the financial highlights and campoigned the board to consider several finance items. He said Standard & Poor’s assigned the district a triple-A credit rating with a stable outlook, a rating Jenkins described as the highest possible from S&P. Jenkins said the rating reflects positive operating results, a robust reserve position and a manageable debt profile; he noted the district anticipates roughly 5,500 students from about 7,000 homes in development over the next five to ten years.

Jenkins also reviewed the district’s federal E-rate funding work. He said the district spent about $5.7 million on technology leases in the most recent funding year and has a funding commitment decision letter for approximately $2,300,000 in E-rate reimbursement for those purchases; the district also expects roughly $130,256 in reimbursement for Internet services costs.

The board accepted the recommendation to award a contract to Capital Aluminum and Glass Corporation for window replacements at five buildings, for a contract amount of $705,000; the work is part of the district’s capital plan and will cover five buildings listed on the agenda.

The treasurer asked the board to authorize legal counsel to file a slate of board-of-revision complaints on certain commercial properties. Jenkins said the filings are targeted at commercial properties where recent arm’s-length sales appear materially higher than the county auditor’s assessed or taxable value; he said the district does not file on residential properties and that the approach follows district Policy 6225. The board authorized counsel to file the complaints.

Board President Mister Lester called for roll-call votes on the consent slate and the separate treasurer resolutions; each motion was approved on roll-call with all voting members recorded as "Yes." The superintendent consent agenda — which included two administrative employment approvals (promotion of Melissa Abramovitz to Technology Service Desk supervisor and hire of Lorraine Yabara as a mental-health specialist), one retirement (Julie Leonard), student trips and the window-contract recommendation — also passed on a roll-call vote with all members recorded "Yes."

The board then voted to enter executive session under Ohio Revised Code §121.22(g)(1) to discuss the employment and compensation of a public employee; the motion passed on roll call, and the board returned only to adjourn without further substantive action.

Votes at a glance - Approval of treasurer consent items (minutes, donations, January financials, FY25 appropriations): approved (roll call: 5 Yes, 0 No) - Authorization for legal counsel to file board-of-revision complaints (commercial properties): approved (roll call: 5 Yes, 0 No) - Approval of superintendent consent items including hires, retirement, student trips and the Capital Aluminum and Glass Corp. window contract ($705,000): approved (roll call: 5 Yes, 0 No) - Motion to enter executive session under Ohio Rev. Code §121.22(g)(1): approved (roll call: 5 Yes, 0 No)

The board adjourned after returning from executive session; no additional substantive votes were recorded that evening.