LEXINGTON BOARD OF EDUCATION

         Regular Meeting

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

7:00 p.m.

The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the boardroom at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 17 2014. Mr. Robert Whitney,

President, called the meeting to order. Roll was called by the Treasurer. 

Roll Call – Members present: Mr. Loren Blackstone, Mr. Jeff Heck, Mr. Keith Stoner, Mrs. Sue Weirich, Mr. Robert Whitney -------5

VISITORS / COMMUNICATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

Mr. Whitney welcomed visitors to the meeting and asked if any visitors would  like to be recognized. Visitor Kevin Sainiak asked

to be recognized and asked about the conversion of calamity days to hours.

Mr. Ziegelhofer explained that  the District has converted to hours and that the new contract on the agenda for approval this evening

includes the first 5 days waived as in the past and caps the total number of makeup days at 5 days, as applicable.

Student Representative Joel Nirmalnath provided the student report to the Board, covering athletics, drama club, music concerts, jazz band,

last day of school December 19 prior to winter break,

and a financial meeting for prospective college students held at the beginning of December. 

Mr. Secrist added that four outstanding senior were recently honored at the Rotary Club for their outstanding academic achievements.

Mr. Whitney shared an e-mail received by the District regarding an ALS patient who resided in the District.

The e-mail shared that this individual had recently passed away.However, the e-mail shared that prior to his passing,

the children and bus driver that would go past the house each day would wave to him,

and the e-mail shared that this was a daily bright spot for him in his final days before he passed.

Mr. Whitney shared that it’s encouraging to receive positive notes such as these highlighting the great kids that are a part of our District.

Mr. Whitney shared a letter from OSBA regarding becoming a member of the Legal Assistance Fund offered by OSBA for calendar year 2015. 

Mr. Whitney shared information from Pepple & Waggoner regarding upcoming workshops in Columbus and Independence.

Mr. Whitney also shared other communications, including various publications and magazines.

 FINANCIAL ITEMS  

74-14   Motion by Mr. Blackstone seconded by Mr. Heck to approve the following financial items:

                 1. The minutes from the November regular meeting were approved.

2. The monthly financial report for November 2014 was presented.

3. Accepted a donation of carpet valued at $237.38 from Floorcraft for the high school display case.   

4. Approved renewal with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield for medical, Rx, and dental insuracne administrative services for calendar year 2015 at the following rates:

Medical/Rx Administrative fees of $48.10 per employee per month (same as CT 14)

Dental Administrative fees of $4.89 per employee per month (same as CT 14)

Specific Stop Loss Administrative fees of $6.99 per employee per month (new for CY 15) 

5. Approved Specific Stop Loss coverage (after $100,000) through HCC Life Insurance Complany at a premium of $107.87 per employee per month (12.5% decrease from CY 14). Treasurer Jason Whitesel explained that the District was able to work with CBIZ, the District's insurance consultant, and Anthem to negotiate administrative fees for calendar year 2015 that are unchanged from 2014. Additionally, Mr. Whitesel explained tha the District was able to obtain market quotes from other providers for Stop Loss coverage.  In doing so, the District was able to increase Stop Loss coverage from a $2 million cap to an unlimited cap as well as include prescription drugs within the coverage terms.  These changes further secure the District's self-insurance plan against future unexpected catastrophic health care costs. In obtaining market quotes from other providers, the District was able to secure Stop Loss coverage from HCC Life Insurance Company at a premium of $107.87 per employee per month, which represents a 12.5% decrease from calendar year 2014.  This represents a savings of approximately $140,000 for the District versus similar Stop Loss coverage terms offered by Anthem.

Mr. Heck shared that with the changes that are part of the Affordable Care Act, it is important that the District secures the plan against unexpected costs as the District would be liable for any costs that exceed $2 million if no change was made to the Stop Loss cap.

6. Approved the 2015 medical and dental insurance funding rates. Mr. Whitesel shared that the 2015 medical insurance funding rates represent a modest 2.69% increase over 2014 funding rates. Mr. Whitesel also shared that while the dentail increase is somewhat higher, this is due ot the expansion of orthodontic coverage, and that the combined medical/dental funding rate increases represent a very reasonable 3.3% increase for 2015.

           Roll Call – Yea:  Mr. Blackstone, Mr. Heck, Mr. Stoner, Mrs. Weirich, Mr. Whitney---------5

               Nay: None --------------------------------------------------------------------------------0 

          Motion adopted 

PERSONNEL

75-14   Motion by Mr. Stoner, seconded by Mrs. Weirich, to approve the following personnel items:

       Certified

Retirement:  Approved the retirement of Joni Hassmann, Eastern Elementary, effective at the conclusion of the 2014-2015 school year.

Continuing Contract: Approved a continuing contract for:

Lynn Walters - Western Elementary

Kayla Heimann - Eastern Elementary

                Employment:  Approved the employment of the following:

                  Jen Cavalier - Jr. High  Academic Challenge - co-advisor

                  Tommie Roseberry - Jr. High  Academic Challenge - co-advisor

      Jessica Wilging - Tutor for high school student, twice per week, $20.00 per hour, pending successful completion of

      all pre-employment requirements

Classified

Resignation: Approved the resignations of:

Buddy Essick - 2nd shift high school custodian, effective November 28, 2014

Martha Perry - Food Service, six-hour general help position, effective December 19, 2014

            Employment: Approved the recommendation to employ the following:

Amy Young - Before/after school tutor at Western, two (2) hours per week, $20.00 per hour, effective November 17, 2014 - April 30, 2015

Liz Savka - Before/after school tutor at Western, 1 1/2 hours per week, $20.00 per hour, effective November 17, 2014 - April 30, 2015

Martha Perry - High school second shift custodian at step one of the custodial pay index, tow year contract, effective December 22, 2014

Sherri Johnston - Eastern Elementary, educational aide, one year contract, effective, January 5, 2015

Valerie Hunter - Eastern Elementary, educational aide, one year contract, effective, January 5, 2015, pending successful completion of all pre-employment requirements

Rose McDaniel - Substitute, back-up "On Bus Instructor"

Josiah McCarther - Tutor high school student, $9.00 per hour, total of ten hours to begin December 17 and run through January 16, 2015

Liz Savka - After school tutoring, 2 hours per week, $20.00 per hour, effective January 5, 2015 - Thursday, April 23

Amy Richwine - After school tutoring, 2 hours per week, $20.00 per hour, effective January 5, 2015 - Thursday, April 23

Edwina Brownell - After school tutoring, 4 hours per week, $20.00 per hour, effective January 5, 2015 - Thursday, April 23

Jane Goodall - After school tutoring, 4 hours per week, $20.00 per hour, effective January 5, 2015 - Thursday, April 23

Deb Ray - After school tutoring, 4 hours per week, $20.00 per hour, effective January 5, 2015 - Thursday, April 23

Other Business:  

Tuition Student:  Approve to waive the tuition for Karen Lively for the remainder of her senior year per Board policy due to Karen's family moving out of the district.

        Coaching Recommendations: Accepted the recommendation of:

Ralph Baker - Varsity boys' track head coach

John Leskovich - Assistant track coach

        Approved the recommendation to calculate the daily rates for three year-long substiture teachers (Natasha Repp, Amanda Hopkins, Lou Tommelleo)

        on the negotiated minimum annual salary of $35, 000 as of day 61 as a substitute teacher in the same position.

Approved the three (3) year tentative agreement with the Lexington Teachers' Association

Approved the three (3) year tentative agreement with the Lexington Support Association

Approved the salary and fringe benefit proposals for Administrators, Supervisors, Coordinators and all other non-union employees.  Visitor Pat Cannon asked to be recognized and asked whether administrators will be paying 88-12 for insurance.  Mr. Ziegelhofer explained that the administrators' salary recommendations include the same 88-12 for insurance and 2% pay increases as included with the LTA agreement.

Authorized for the Treasurer to advertise for bids for two new buses.  Mr. Heck asked about the previous years, which included the purchase of only one bus. Mr. Ziegelhofer indicated this was due to other PI projects and added that the purchase of two buses per year gets the District on a 15 year cycle as opposed to a 30 year cycle for the District's bus fleet.

Substitute Lists: Approved the revised Lexington substitute list & the complete substitute list dated 12/4/14 as presented by MOESC.

OSBA: Approved the recommendations to joing OSBA for calendar year 2015.

Approved the new District Wellness Policy

Roll Call – Yea:  Mr. Stoner, Mrs. Weirich, Mr. Blackstone, Mr. Heck, Mr. Whitney------------5 

                            Nay: None -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------0  

            Motion adopted 

Scheduled the meeting for the January Organizational and January Regular Meeting for January 14, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.

         ADJOURNMENT

    76-14 Motion by Mr. Heck, seconded by Mr. Stoner to adjourn.                                  7:45 p.m              

               Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Heck, Mr. Stoner, Mr. Blackstone, Mrs. Weirich, Mr. Whitney -----------5

                                 Nay: None-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0

                             Motion adopted.   

                                                                                                  Treasurer_________________________________

                                                                                                   President_________________________________