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Board approves routine business, accepts $750,000 donation and appropriates funds for capital project
Summary
The Berkshire Local Board of Education approved routine governance items, accepted several donations including a $750,000 gift earmarked toward an ODOT garage, and approved financial amendments and personnel/contracts; motions carried by roll call.
At its regular meeting, the Berkshire Local Board of Education approved a slate of routine governance, fiscal and personnel items and publicly accepted several donor gifts, including a $750,000 donation earmarked toward an ODOT garage project.
During the treasurer’s report, S1 read donations recommended for board approval: miscellaneous electronics from Paul Chase; a $750,000 donation from "Preston Otto" toward the ODOT garage; three $1,000 donations from Marie Loves in memory gifts; and $250 from Greg and Kelly Reinhardt. The board moved to accept the donations and approved them by roll call.
The board also approved a set of financial amendments and appropriations, which S1 described as including the appropriation of the Preston Otto $750,000 to Capital Projects and adjustments to Title I and Title II accounts; S1 said two grants were received (from the Retired Teachers Association and from Martha Holdings Jennings). A roll-call motion approved the amendments.
Chair (S3) and superintendent (S4) led a series of other routine actions: approval of meeting schedules, committee appointments, depositories, legal notices, substitute lists, contract approvals attached to Green Hill Group, Cardinal Local Schools, Victoria Ware and the ESC of Northeast Ohio, and the first-and-final reading of policy 2265 described in the meeting as protecting freedom of belief. Each motion was moved, seconded and approved by roll call.
Personnel items were presented by the superintendent (S4): the board approved listed certified and classified personnel actions, volunteer approvals and authorized superintendent offers of employment consistent with prior practice. The board also accepted a superintendent-submitted resignation as presented.
On the tax-budget authority item, the board approved an alternative fiscal 2026 tax budget and authorized the treasurer to amend the certificate of estimated resources and coordinate with the county auditor to request advances as outlined in the motion.
Votes at a glance: - Election of president (motioned SEG 035): John Manfredi nominated and confirmed (motion passed by roll call). - Election of vice president (motioned SEG 061): Jody confirmed as vice president (motion passed by roll call). - Acceptance of donations including $750,000 Preston Otto gift (motioned SEG 950): approved by roll call; appropriation to Capital Projects (motioned SEG 993): approved by roll call. - Approval of policy 2265 (first and final reading) (motioned SEG 1112): approved by roll call. - Multiple other routine motions (agendas, minutes, contracts, stipends, substitute lists, liability coverage): all approved by roll call per the meeting record.
Board members discussed facilities items including modular building progress—punch-list walkthrough scheduled for Friday at 8 a.m., ramp installation this week, and an anticipated occupancy-permit application once concrete sets, with a target of occupancy by the end of next week. The superintendent said the Prestons will attend the February meeting to be publicly thanked for their donation.
The meeting concluded after routine announcements and a roll-call adjournment.
