Bay Board of Education Sept. 27 meeting notes

This report contains member observations and selected highlights of the Sept. 27 meeting of the Bay Village Board of Education. It is not an official statement by the League of Women Voters, nor does it represent the official minutes of the meeting.

Bay Village Board of Education President Lisa Priemer called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Bay Middle School cafeteria. This larger space allows for more seating and better acoustics than the Middle School Library. Other Board members in attendance were Vice-President Dave Vegh and Mr. Paul Vincent. Mrs. Beth Lally and Dr. Scott Schultz were not in attendance.

Certified and Classified Personnel: Several staff contracts were approved, including the following for certified staff: extended day contracts at Normandy for a Lego Club (students will pay $4 per class session); a long-term sub for the Middle School; a home instructor; family medical leave contracts; special project contracts; summer special project contract; supplemental/pupil activity contracts for lacrosse and basketball; and extended leave with use of sick time.

Classified staff contracts include the following: the Middle School head custodian; Westerly long-term substitute aide; adult workers and aftercare teacher at Glenview and a substitute educational aide. Classified resignations were accepted and there were changes in contracts for aides at Normandy and maintenance at the Middle School. Special Project contracts included recertification for bus drivers; an educational aide substitute for Wild Summer Reading Camp 2021; educational aide/paraprofessional and Westerly aide for afterschool chorus. Family and Medical Leave was granted for a Westerly School Aide. The full list of approved contracts can be found at: go.boarddocs.com/oh/bvcsd/Board.nsf/Public.

Coca Cola Agreement: The annual contract with ABARTA Coca-Cola Beverages LLC was renewed.

Substitute Rate of Pay: To attract more qualified substitute teachers, the Board voted to increase the pay for substitute certified teachers to $110/day for days 1-20 and $120/day for days 21 and over. This brings our district into line with the substitute pay scales in comparable districts. Additionally, the Board authorized the hiring of four long-term building substitutes.

Additionally, the Board approved a contract with Rachel Wixey & Associates that will give our district access to a much larger pool of certified substitute teachers.

Superintendent Update: Interim Superintendent Char Shryock reported that Homecoming 2021 was a resounding success. She cited the week-long activities that were intended to connect with the community. Highlights included the food truck progressive dinner at various school buildings, Light the Night at the High School, the Bay Band joining with the Rocky River band at halftime of the Friday game and hearing the memories of alumni. The Chalktoberfest will be rescheduled due to rain.

Shryock asked that the Board approve the BTA MOU regarding time needed for PublicSchool Works, BrightBytes data system, and the OhioES teacher evaluation system. That was approved.

Westerly staff were recognized for their work in that school being named a National Blue Ribbon School for the second time. With only 16 Ohio schools recognized and 325 schools nationwide, this is quite an honor. Westerly was cited for its academic accomplishments and working together as a team, especially as it adapted to COVID protocols.

Shryock made corrections to misinformation going around the community as follows:

1. The decision to require masks is not tied to interest in ESSER funds. The decision was made based on data patterns and trends that are being closely monitored by the District.
2. The District’s Blended Learning Plan has been on file with the Ohio Department of Education since last year. This school year, it was decided that Bay Village is better served by the in-building learning model. The District renewed the existing Blended Learning Plan this year to allow for more options if necessary. There is no plan to use that option, but if it were, it would be a joint leadership decision that would include the whole District leadership team as well as the Board of Education. However, she emphasized that the in-place learning model is what Bay Village does best.

Home of the Rockets Update: Supt. Shryock and Treasurer Meghan Rohde reported that the construction timeline has had to be adjusted and extended due to supply chain issues and contractors’ availability. Shryock and Rohde meet weekly with the construction company to monitor the situation.

Treasurer’s Report: Rohde gave detailed information about the Triennial update that is mandated by the Department of Taxation and Equalization and how that will affect the District. She talked about the changes to the State funding formula as well.

Public Comments: Several people had taken a ticket to speak at the meeting, but when those numbers were called, no one chose to speak.

Mrs. Priemer reminded the audience of the League of Women Voters forum where community members can hear from the candidates to the BOE. It will be held Wednesday, Oct. 6, at 6:30 p.m. in the Bay High School auditorium.

The next regular Board meeting will be Monday, Oct. 25.