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Tri-Valley Board unanimously approves CARES Act spending, broadband contract update and routine personnel actions
Summary
At its Oct. 8, 2020 meeting the Tri-Valley Local Board of Education voted unanimously to use CARES Act funds for COVID-19 response expenses, approve a $25,000 annual increase to an internet services agreement with LACA, and adopt multiple personnel and program changes including a 5% insurance premium increase.
The Tri-Valley Local Board of Education on Oct. 8, 2020 voted unanimously on a series of routine actions, including authorizing use of CARES Act funds for COVID-19-related expenses, approving an update to an internet services agreement with LACA that raises annual costs by $25,000, and adopting several personnel moves and program changes.
Board members Eddie Brock, Susie Cameron, Scott Ford, Martha Prince and Scott Welker cast the unanimous roll call votes that carried each resolution. The meeting opened at 5:30 p.m. and adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
Most consequential for immediate operations was Resolution #20-276, which authorizes the district to use CARES Act funds (Funds 507 and 510) for eligible COVID-19 expenditures incurred between March 1 and Dec. 31, 2020. The minutes list eligible uses as including technology devices for staff and students (laptops/Chromebooks and accessories), student desk dividers, cleaning equipment and supplies, personal protective equipment, additional substitute staffing for aides and custodians, and individual academic resources to reduce shared-material use. The minutes state that the superintendent or his designee may approve other necessary expenses related to the pandemic response.
Under Resolution #20-275 the board approved a Service Order update to the district's Internet Services Agreement with LACA to allow for expanded broadband service for the district at an annual increase of $25,000 over the previously approved rate. The minutes identify the dollar increase but do not define LACA or provide contract documents in the body of the minutes.
Personnel and staffing items were numerous. The board approved a roughly six-week leave of absence for high school teacher Kimberly Buday beginning on or about Nov. 26, 2020 (Resolution #20-277). It issued a one-year limited classified contract to Melinda Lemmon, a part-time assistant cook at Adamsville Elementary, effective Oct. 12, 2020, and a one-year limited classified contract to Matthew Wagner as full-time assistant custodian at the high school, effective Oct. 26, 2020 (Resolutions #20-278 and #20-279). The board also accepted the supplemental resignation of Laura Seward as varsity softball head coach (Resolution #20-280) and approved the slate of winter-season coaches across boys and girls basketball, swimming and cheerleading as presented (Resolution #20-281).
The board approved stipends of $750 per Resident Educator Mentor for the 2020–21 school year (Resolution #20-282) and approved professional leave requests as presented (Resolution #20-283). Under Resolution #20-284 the board accepted a $1,000 donation from Nashport PTO to purchase student agendas for Nashport Elementary students in grades 2–6. The board also approved a 5% increase to health/medical and prescription drug premium rates paid by the board and employees, effective Jan. 1, 2021 (Resolution #20-285).
On governance items, the board adopted Resolution #20-287 updating a prior ban of Jason Schaumleffel from district property; the minutes reference an attachment to that resolution but provide no further detail in the recorded motions. The board appointed Susie Cameron and Scott Ford to a committee to study an extracurricular drug testing policy to be effective at the start of the 2021–22 school year (Resolution #20-288). The meeting concluded with a unanimous motion to adjourn at 6:20 p.m. (Resolution #20-289).
Votes at a glance: Resolutions #20-272 through #20-289 were each approved by unanimous roll-call votes; the minutes record five 'yes' votes (Eddie Brock, Susie Cameron, Scott Ford, Martha Prince, Scott Welker) on each motion. Where the minutes note attachments (for example the ban update), the board adopted the referenced document as presented.
Next steps: The minutes do not specify implementation dates beyond those noted (e.g., leave start, insurance effective Jan. 1, 2021). Several items (the CARES Act spending authority, the LACA service order, the ban resolution and the Scottie Kids Club operational changes) rely on staff for implementation or reference attachments not reproduced in the minutes.
