Berea Independent
March 17, 2025 7:00 PM
BEREA INDEPENDENT BOARD OF EDUCATION
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I. CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
II. RECOGNITION
II.A. National Honor Society
III. COMMUNICATION
III.A. Board Report
III.A.1. Superintendent Report
III.A.2. Financial Report
Attachments
III.B. Superintendent Search-Board Discussion
III.C. Audience Comments
IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Actions Taken

Motion Passed:  Approval of the agenda as written with one revision--move V.D. Out of State Field Trip Request to VI. Business/ Action Items for Board Consideration passed with a motion by Ms. Sarah Rohrer and a second by Mr. Nathaniel Hackett.

Member Votes
Dr. Jacqueline Burnside Yes
Mr. Nathaniel Hackett Yes
Mr. Tom McCay Yes
Mr. J. Morgan Yes
Ms. Sarah Rohrer Yes
V. BUSINESS/CONSENT ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION
Actions Taken

Motion Passed:  Approval of the Business/Consent Items for Board Consideration passed with a motion by Ms. Sarah Rohrer and a second by Mr. Nathaniel Hackett.

Member Votes
Dr. Jacqueline Burnside Yes
Mr. Nathaniel Hackett Yes
Mr. Tom McCay Yes
Mr. J. Morgan Yes
Ms. Sarah Rohrer Yes
V.A. Minutes
Rationale

Approve the minutes of the board meeting on February 17, 2025. Requested by Christine Knight, Secretary, and recommended by Dr. Diane Hatchett, Superintendent.

Attachments
V.B. Financial Reports
Rationale

Approve the financial reports of the Elementary, Middle School, High School, Food Service and General Fund, including the Orders of the Treasurer. Requested by Nathan Sweet, Director of Operations and recommended by Dr. Diane Hatchett, Superintendent.

Attachments
V.C. Draft Budget Presentation
Rationale

Approve the 2025-2026 Draft Budget. Requested by Nathan Sweet, Finance Director, and recommended by Dr. Diane Hatchett, Superintendent.

Attachments
VI. BUSINESS/ACTION ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION
VI.A. Out-of-State Field Trip Request (5th Grade)
Rationale

Approve the out-of-state field trip for the 5th grade class to go to the Cincinnati Zoo on May 22, 2025. Requested by Kimberly Mills, teacher, Kimberlee Coyle, Elementary School Principal, and recommended by Dr. Diane Hatchett, Superintendent.

 

Funds have been raised, including funds for fuel costs.

Actions Taken

Motion Passed:  Approve the out-of-state field trip for the 5th grade class to go to the Cincinnati Zoo on May 22, 2025, passed with a motion by Mr. Tom McCay and a second by Mr. Nathaniel Hackett.

Member Votes
Dr. Jacqueline Burnside Yes
Mr. Nathaniel Hackett Yes
Mr. Tom McCay Yes
Mr. J. Morgan Yes
Ms. Sarah Rohrer Yes
VI.B. Superintendent Survey Results and Recommended Qualities
Rationale

Accept Superintendent Search Survey results and approve recommended qualities that the screening committee will vet, including: 

  • Preferred superintendent experience with evidence of honesty and integrity;
  • Evidence of strong budgeting/finance experience
  • Evidence of strategic planning/visionary leadership
  • Evidence of strong community commitment with high visibility as schools/events and the ability to work with local leaders
  • Evidence of strong communication skills
  • Requested by Kathy Fields, KASA Representative, and recommended by Nathan Sweet, Director of Operations.

Actions Taken

Motion Passed:  Accept Superintendent Search Survey results and approve recommended qualities that the screening committee will vet passed with a motion by Dr. Jacqueline Burnside and a second by Mr. Nathaniel Hackett.

Member Votes
Dr. Jacqueline Burnside Yes
Mr. Nathaniel Hackett Yes
Mr. Tom McCay Yes
Mr. J. Morgan Yes
Ms. Sarah Rohrer Yes
VI.C. Superintendent Search Applicant Number
Rationale

Approve interviewing (____) Superintendent applicants. Requested by Kathy Fields, KASA Representative, and recommended by Nathan Sweet, Director of Operations.

Actions Taken

Motion Passed:  Approve interviewing 5 Superintendent applicants passed with a motion by Dr. Jacqueline Burnside and a second by Mr. Nathaniel Hackett.

Member Votes
Dr. Jacqueline Burnside Yes
Mr. Nathaniel Hackett Yes
Mr. Tom McCay Yes
Mr. J. Morgan Yes
Ms. Sarah Rohrer Yes
VI.D. Schedule Special-Called Board Meeting
Rationale

Schedule the March 31, 2025, Special Called/Closed Session to discuss screening committee recommendations, superintendent applicants, and interview dates. Requested by Kathy Fields, KASA representative, and recommended by J. Morgan, Board Chair.

 

Actions Taken

Motion Passed:  Schedule the March 31, 2025, 7 PM Special Called/Closed Session to discuss screening committee recommendations, superintendent applicants, and interview dates passed with a motion by Ms. Sarah Rohrer and a second by Mr. Nathaniel Hackett.

Member Votes
Dr. Jacqueline Burnside Yes
Mr. Nathaniel Hackett Yes
Mr. Tom McCay Yes
Mr. J. Morgan Yes
Ms. Sarah Rohrer Yes
VI.E. Solar Project Options
Rationale

Rationale: Scenario #1 (District moves forward with solar project)

? District will use unspent construction dollars to pay debt service due 6/1/25

? District will issue bonds to replace proceeds used to pay debt service

? Tax rebate from Federal Government will be used to retire Series 2025 bonds or second bond issue will be structured for level repayment amounts

Scenario #2 (District does not move forward with solar project)

? Board will approve resolution to redeem a portion of the outstanding bonds

? District will fund an escrow account to retire an amount of bonds equal to the amount of unspent proceeds

? Escrow account will be held by paying agent and funds will be invested in US Treasuries.

? Escrow account will pay debt service due on redeemed bonds and pay them off automatically on their first call date 6/1/31.

? District’s outstanding payments will be reduced by the portion of debt now paid by the escrow account. 

Approve Option 1 or Option 2 concerning Solar Project Options, requested by Nathan Sweet, Director of Operation, and recommended by Dr. Hatchett, Superintendent.

Attachments
Actions Taken

Motion Passed:  Approve Option _ concerning Solar Project Options was tabled until March 31 Special Called Meeting passed with a motion by Mr. J. Morgan and a second by Ms. Sarah Rohrer.

Member Votes
Dr. Jacqueline Burnside Yes
Mr. Nathaniel Hackett Yes
Mr. Tom McCay Yes
Mr. J. Morgan Yes
Ms. Sarah Rohrer Yes
VI.F. 2024-2025 Amended School Calendar
Rationale

Background: The 2024-2025 school calendar needs to be amended due to weather closure dates extending the school year.

Approve amended 2024-2025 school calendar. Requested by Kyle French, DPP, and recommended by Dr. Hatchett, Superintendent.

 

Attachments
Actions Taken

Motion Passed:  Approve amended 2024-2025 calendar passed with a motion by Mr. Nathaniel Hackett and a second by Mr. Tom McCay.

Member Votes
Dr. Jacqueline Burnside Yes
Mr. Nathaniel Hackett Yes
Mr. Tom McCay Yes
Mr. J. Morgan Yes
Ms. Sarah Rohrer Yes
VII. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Actions Taken

Motion Passed:  Approval to adjourn the meeting passed with a motion by Mr. J. Morgan and a second by Dr. Jacqueline Burnside.

Member Votes
Dr. Jacqueline Burnside Yes
Mr. Nathaniel Hackett Yes
Mr. Tom McCay Yes
Mr. J. Morgan Yes
Ms. Sarah Rohrer Yes
IX. 2025 Meeting Schedule
Rationale

All meetings will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Kennedy Theater except for work session meetings and those noted which will take place in the Central Office.

 

2025 Meeting Schedule

Monday, January 27, 2025                   Kennedy Theater

Monday February 17, 2025                  Kennedy Theater

Monday, March 17, 2025                      Kennedy Theater

Monday, March 31, 2025                     Kennedy Theater (Special Called Meeting)

Monday, April 21, 2025                       Kennedy Theater

Monday, May 19, 2025                        Kennedy Theater

Monday, June 16, 2025                       Central Office

Monday, July 21, 2025                         Central Office

Monday, August 18, 2025                    Kennedy Theater

Monday, September 15, 2025              Kennedy Theater

Monday, October 20, 2025                   Kennedy Theater

Monday, November 3, 2025                Central Office (Assessment – Work Session)

Monday, November 17, 2025               Kennedy Theater

Monday, December 15, 2025               Kennedy Theater