Board hears treasurer on stalled band-trailer vendor, approves financial items and donations
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Summary
Treasurer Julie told the board a vendor contracted to build two band trailers (Defender Trailer) has gone silent and may be insolvent; the district placed a half payment and has a federal complaint filed via counsel (Pebble and Wagner). The board approved November financials, multiple service agreements, asbestos abatement, a postage lease, and several donations including Precision 1 windows and a $2,500 literacy donation.
Treasurer Julie reported to the New Philadelphia City Board of Education on Dec. 9 that the district issued a purchase order to Defender Trailer for two band trailers but the company has become unresponsive and the district's attorneys (named in the transcript as Pebble and Wagner) have filed a federal complaint because the vendor may go bankrupt.
Julie said each trailer cost $16,006.90 and the district put a down payment (half of the cost) on the order. She told the board she would return with a request to complete purchases or otherwise make the band whole if replacement trailers are needed; she cautioned there was no immediate expectation of receiving replacement trailers this school year.
As part of consent and finance items, Julie asked the board to approve the November 2025 financial statements and related reports, a CDW service order for Google Workspace ($9,300), Cardinal Group asbestos abatement at 312 Dawson Lane ($8,200), an Ohio School Boards Association service agreement for policy resources ($2,784), a fire and security proposal ($4,619.30), and a 60-month postage-machine lease with Quadrant Leasing totaling $14,004.65 (presented as a multi-year lease broken into monthly payments).
The board also accepted several donations: Precision 1 Windows is providing and installing eight windows at East Elementary valued at $5,434.72, the Quaker Ladies donated $885 for baseball uniforms, and Mr. and Mrs. Elmer McClave donated $2,500 for PK–5 literacy programming. The transcript shows the board moved, seconded and approved these items by roll call; the roll call recorded affirmative votes from the listed board members and the motion carried.
On the band-trailer vendor, Julie said the district had already been pursuing the matter for about six months, that trailers were originally expected in July, and that the district will seek recovery of funds from any remaining vendor assets as part of bankruptcy proceedings.
No amendment or formal purchase authorization to replace the trailers was recorded at the Dec. 9 meeting; Julie indicated a future agenda item would request authority to purchase replacement trailers if necessary.
