Troy City Schools board hears construction progress, accepts donations and approves personnel and building names

Troy City School District board members on Nov. 13 received a detailed construction update, approved routine business including personnel and facility namings, and moved into executive session to discuss personnel.

Peterson Construction project manager Ty Solfery told the board that work at the district's multiple school sites is progressing. On the north site, foundation block and masonry bearing work are complete and steel has been set in the gym, Solfery said. He described underground plumbing activity and said crews expect slab-on-deck work and additional masonry in coming weeks. "We're neck and neck," Solfery said of competing crews on mirrored sites and added that masonry work will ramp up in March, weather permitting. On the west site, Solfery said crews are building off-site and on-site detention basins and moving large amounts of earth; on the south site he said grading and utility relocation are nearly complete and a building permit is anticipated before crews shift there.

Board members praised the contractor's communication with neighbors and the district. One member said, "If there's a question, it gets answered," noting quick turnaround from staff and contractors on project queries.

Separately, a committee representative reported on the Career Center's performance metrics: 5 out of 5 overall, 4 out of 5 on achievement, a 98.2% graduation rate, with 45% of graduates pursuing postsecondary education and 76% obtaining job placement. The committee speaker also flagged regional economic activity, including an announced Amazon-related project; the speaker reported a $50 million pilot payment tied to that project split between the city and schools and noted a separate potential project between Troy and Piqua that could involve a $100,000 pilot payment. The speaker said UVCC would receive $3,750,000 over 15 years as part of the Amazon arrangement.

On consent items, the board approved the Oct. 13 regular and Oct. 23 special meeting minutes after a motion by Missus Davis, and later approved the district's financial reports for October. Fiscal officer Mister Price said the district is tracking well for the fiscal year and that the district received its second quarterly income tax settlement, running roughly 2% above the prior year through the first two quarters.

The board also approved a "then-and-now" certification under Ohio Revised Code 5705.41, a procedural authorization that allows the fiscal officer to certify certain expenditures made without prior certification. A motion to accept the superintendent's report on gifts passed; the superintendent reported monthly donations totaling $11,204.33 and fiscal-year-to-date donations of $67,004.76.

Members voted to approve names for the district's new buildings after reviewing architectural mock-ups and discussed a final proofing step to verify spellings prior to permanent inscription. The board then considered personnel items in Exhibit D, including recognition of a long-serving educator described as having 24 years with the district and multiple leave requests. The board adjusted the agenda to add a retirement item for Jackie Lynn Pool (noted as completing the school year on 05/29) and approved the personnel slate.

Before adjourning into executive session for personnel discussion, the chair noted that no decisions would be made in executive session. Motions to enter executive session were moved and approved on recorded roll calls.