Board approves treasurer's forecast and $14,582.39 bank-fee certificate; transportation payment drawn-out vote

TROTWOOD, Ohio — At its Feb. 19 meeting the Trotwood-Madison City Board of Education approved several finance items presented by the treasurer and debated an in-lieu transportation payment required by state law.

The board voted to authorize payment of bank fees to PNC Bank totaling $14,582.39 for calendar year 2025 after the treasurer explained the charges and said the finance office will compare alternate banking structures. The motion for the PNC certificate passed on roll call.

Later in the meeting the board approved the five-year financial forecast presented by Geo Evans, with roll-call votes recorded as the motion passed.

The board also considered required in-lieu of transportation payments. The item prompted debate about the fairness of the statute and produced a split outcome: during discussion some members initially voted against the resolution, one member abstained citing a family conflict, and a board member described a 'protest vote' against what they called state policy harming public schools. Subsequent roll call recorded Simmons, Gist and Lumpkin voting yes, Currington abstaining and Cherry voting no; the chair announced the roll result.

Board members discussed the potential legal and financial consequences of not approving the transportation payments and one member said they would change their vote to avoid litigation. The meeting minutes will list the formal tallies. The board also accepted a $2,000 donation from Wright Memorial chapter 212 of the Air Force Association to support STEM programming.

Actions recorded during the meeting included authorization to pay PNC bank fees and approval of the treasurer's financial forecast; other personnel and routine items on the agenda were also approved.