Sycamore board approves winter policy updates and awards contract for high-school track; routine finance items passed

At its regular meeting, the Sycamore Public Schools Board of Education approved a package of winter policy updates on second read and awarded a contract for the high-school track replacement.

Board member Mrs. Bidder moved to amend the superintendent agenda to add a grouped vote on the winter policy updates; the motion was seconded by Mr. Balant and approved by roll call. The board then voted to approve the winter policy updates on a grouped second-read motion; the roll-call vote recorded five yes votes from board members present.

The board also approved an agreement with the Mottz Group to replace the track at the high-school soccer field. The administration said the project is funded in the district'026 permanent improvement fund and that the Mottz Group was procured through a state-term resolution that locks pricing via a consortium; the board approved the contract by roll call.

Other routine actions approved by roll call included the personnel consent agenda (including approved leaves of absence and several new hires for the upcoming year), donations to the district, summer-school tuition rates (unchanged from last year) and the monthly financial report for the period ending Feb. 28. The treasurer noted tax-advance timing had recovered, described state performance supplements versus full fair-school-funding implementation, flagged a roughly 9% increase in healthcare premiums this year, and highlighted higher contracted transportation costs for special-needs routes as an expenditure pressure.

Before adjourning to executive session on personnel matters under Ohio Revised Code 121.22(G)(1), the board discussed levy planning and proposed holding community listening sessions and PTO outreach in advance of any levy decision. The board then moved into executive session and did not reconvene for additional public business that evening.