OTSEGO LOCAL SCHOOLS
Superintendent's Weekly Update - May 18, 2018
The Board of Education held their regular monthly meeting last night. The highlights are below.
Informational Items
Recognized Otsego Junior High and High School Students of the Month for May:
6th Grade – Gracee Pitchford, Daniel Shanahan; 7th Grade – Chesney Kuron, Nicolas Griffin; 8th Grade – Olivia Tansel, Seth Davies;
Freshman – Ethan Lenox, Sophomore – Joseph Putnam, Junior – Will Gase, Senior – Hailey Asmus
Student Board of Education Update
Recognition of Student Board Members - Seniors, Nathanial Digby and Joseph McQuillin, have been student board of education members for the past two years. We cannot thank them enough for their service over the past two years. I believe this is a great learning experience for the students and for the administration. Nathanial and Joseph gave the board great perspective and ideas over the past two years that will help us for many years to come. Thank you Nathanial and Joseph!
Discussed the Summer Food Service Program - Information below.
Treasurer’s Financial Reports / Recommendations
A. Approved the Financial Report
B. Approved the Five Year Forecast with Assumptions for the May 2018
This week we presented our updated Five Year Forecast to the Board of Education. We have had to make some minor adjustments from our fall forecast. At the time of our fall forecast we were still working on a labor agreement with our employees, and still projecting receivables from property and income taxes. The main adjustments we made were:
Revenue
We increased our General Property Tax as we collected a little more than we expected, up 1.7% from last year. This year we collected $4,466,361, a $74,128 increase over last year. For forecasting purposes, we have predicted this number to stay flat.
We increased our Income Tax also, collecting 7% more than last year. We have benefitted from recent economic growth. We have collected $2,884,422 this year, $202,320 more than last year. We have forecasted this to grow at 1% a year through the forecast. Predicting income tax collection requires speculating on national, state, and local economic variables. Keeping our growth at 1% allows us to not rely on factors out of our control.
Expenses
We had to increase our Personnel Services from the fall. At the time of the fall forecast we were still working on a labor contract. We have seen an increase over last year of 7.4%, this is due to steps, raises, and added teachers to accommodate for increased enrollment numbers. This year we are anticipating we will spend $8,700,000, future years will have smaller increases, but like all schools, this is our largest expense and will continue to climb. This makes up 56% of our total budget.
We also had to increase our Employee Benefits line. Our employees have agreed to insurance plans that will save the district money, but that did not take effect until January 1st. So this current year’s numbers have 6 months of the older insurance plan’s costs. We have seen an 8.1% increase over last year. Added employees increase this line item also. Similar to our Personnel Services, this line continues to grow each year. We are thankful that our employees have agreed to cost saving insurance programs, this will minimize the rate of future growth.
Our Purchased Services costs will be lower than last year. We are anticipating we will have a 1.3% reduction from last year. We are investigating more cost saving plans to lower our electrical costs, which represents about 20% of this total.
Summary
We have seen growth in our revenues, but not at the rate we have seen growth in our expenses. We will deficit spend this year for the first time since Fiscal year 2009. We are actively looking at numerous cost saving initiatives, analyzing all of our expenses to validate their necessity and looking for reduction possibilities. Even with these cost saving measures, we are approaching a situation where our cash reserves will not be enough to support operating in a deficit and will have to ask for new money. We have been very fortunate as a district and have had to ask for new operating money since 2002. We have been very efficient with our money, and used it to create one of the best educational environments in our area. Our full forecast and assumptions are available on our website.
C. Increased appropriations for Fund 019 by $1,000
D. Approved the Drug Testing Agreement with Great Lakes Biomedical for the 2018-2019 school year
E. Approved all donations to Otsego Local School District
Superintendent Recommendations
A. Approved the list of graduates for the Class of 2018
B. Approved membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) and agreement to conduct Otsego athletic programs in accordance with the Constitution, Bylaws, Regulations, Interpretations and Decision of the OHSAA for the 2018-2019 school year.
C. Approved the purchase of 500 chromebooks with HP Financial.
D. Approved the 2018 Final Appropriations for the Weston Library
E. Approved the contract with ADR Propane
F. Approved the Technical Services Agreement with NBEC
G. Approved the additional courses for the High School Program of Studies
H. First reading of the Athletic Coach’s Handbook and Athletic Code of Conduct
I. Final reading and approval of the OES Extended Care Handbook, OES Preschool Parent Handbook, OES Student Handbook
J. Final reading and approval of NEOLA board policy revisions
K. Approved a resolution in opposition of HB 512 Click here for more information
The Board approve the employment of the following personnel:
Resignations:
Bruno Mendieta, bus driver, effective May 3, 2018
2017-2018 School Year Substitute Non-Teaching Employee:
Melinda Amos
2017-2018 School Year Supplemental Contracts:
Deborah Bowers Art Competition Advisor
Jennifer Rank Art Competition Advisor
2017-2018 Volunteers:
Zac Gregory
Non-Certified Employees One-Year Limited contract for 2017-2018 School Year:
Lorrie Mayer Bus Driver
Certified Employee One-Year Contract for 2018-2019:
Jocelyn Blaufuss
Classified Employees One-Year Limited Contract for 2018-2019:
Jane Alexander Assistant to the Treasurer/Accounts Payable
Bonnie Armitage Administrative Assistant
Donna Baker Bus Driver
Christopher Feather Bus Driver
Classified Employees’ Contracts for 2018-2019:
Continuing:
Helen Bonnough, Kelly Dennen, Rachel Hitt, John Serrato, Wendy Soto, Amy Williams
Two-Year Limited:
Cheyane Donald, Rebecca Eiben, Robin King, Crystal Louy, Ashley Madden, Tim McKenzie, Cindy O’Dell, Nicole Schwab, Randy Tolles, Joyce Wright
One year Limited:
Lorrie Mayer
2018-2019 School Year Supplemental Contracts:
Brandon Fitch Cross Country - High School
2018-2019 School Year Substitute Non-Teaching Employee:
Joe Brown, Matt Shanahan
FREE SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM
FREE Summer Food Service Program
Otsego Local Schools will host our first Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) beginning Monday, June 4th. The nation-wide program is designed to serve FREE meals to ALL students 18 years and under during the summer season. The U.S. Department of Agricultural has designated Grand Rapids and Weston as eligible sites for the summer of 2018. We are excited to announce that we have partnered with the Weston Library as the lunch sites this summer!
The FREE program is available Monday-Friday and runs from Monday, June 4th until Friday, August 10th. No meals will be served July 2nd to July 6th or Wednesday, July 25th. Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to Noon. and has the required five USDA components, which are milk, fruit, vegetable, meat, and bread. All families are encouraged to participate in this program, NO SIGN-UP or REGISTRATION is required. The USDA estimates over 200 million lunches will be served across the country this summer.
Site Locations:
Weston Public Library
13153 Main Street
Weston, OH 43569
Grand Rapids Branch of the Weston Library
17620 Bridge Street
Grand Rapids, OH 43522
Times meals are served:
11:30 am to Noon
Click Here for USDA and Otsego Program Information
If you have any questions about the program, please contact Jeanne Jeffers, Director of Food Service, jjeffers@otsegoknights.org or 419-823-4381 ext. 1104.
Weston Public Library Summer Reading Program
Knight In Shining Armor Nominations
Knight In Shining Armor Nominations
Please use the following form to inform OHS Student Council about a family in need within the school district. While the family does not need to have students in the district, we do ask that they are a member of the Otsego Community. Please use this form to share information about their current situation as well as how they can best be assisted.
Please be sure to understand that while Knight in Shining Armor (KISA) would love to help all community members in need, we are still a new program, and may not have the funds to do so. With that being said, we will consider each request on a case by case basis. Filling this form out does not guarantee that we will be able to assist the family, but we will try our hardest to do so!
Here are some things that we have done with KISA funds:
- School supplies were purchased for multiple families.
- Gas money has been provided to get to and from medical treatment.
- Food cards have been provided to help families afford meals while going through medical treatment.
- Cash donations have been made to families to help assist in paying bills during medical treatment.
- Gift cards and supplies have been provided to help make ends meet after housing emergencies have occurred.
Please refer to this link at any point during the year as a need arises, and KISA will do their best to help out!
FFA Barn Raising Event
ATHLETICS
GOLF FUNDRAISER
Girls Basketball Camp Info
PUNT PASS AND DRIBBLE CAMP
WESTON PUBLIC LIBRARY INFORMATION
COMMUNITY EVENTS SECTION
Because cancer is the largest killer of children from disease in the United States - 38 children die every week.
Kids should be living life, not fighting for it.
Please support my challenge by making a donation through my fundraising page.
https://greatcyclechallenge.com/Riders/RoyChase/m
All funds raised will support Children's Cancer Research Fund to continue their work to develop treatments and find a cure for childhood cancer.
Thank you.
Roy Chase
Bowling Green Parks and Rec Summer Events/Camps:
______________________________________________________________________________________________
2018
Rhythm on the River
Sponsored by the Grand Rapids Historical Society
Programs at M.J. Wright Pavilion on Towpath
[In case of rain, concerts moved to Old Fire Station]
DC Taylor
Acoustic Guitar Duo – 50’s Through Today’s Hits
Dudley Yetter and Chris Watson
4:00 p.m., Sunday, June 17
Toraigh
Traditional Irish Folk Music
4:00 p.m., Sunday, June 24
Bliss
Acoustic Rock/Folk
4:00 p.m., Sunday, July 1
Quartet Bernadette
Unique Blend of Jazz, Pop and
Gems from the Great American Songbook
Quartet of Four String Instrument Players
4:00 p.m., Sunday, July 15
Buddy Love and the Coconuts
Fun, Energetic, 50’s and 60’s Rock Band
4:00 p.m., Sunday, July 29
North Coast Big Band
Jazz~Swing Music~Big Band Sound
Director: Gary Keller
4:00 p.m., Sunday, August 26
Ol’ Creek Road
Folk Band Playing Bluegrass, Gospel, Americana, 1970’s Tunes
4:00 p.m., Sunday, September 9
Otsego Swing Choir and Otsego Marching Band
4:00 p.m., Sunday, October 7
Local High School Organizations
Directors: Brien Sewell and Rich Dubler
4:00 p.m., Sunday, October 7
Questions, Concerns, Comments, or Rumors
Otsego Board of Education
President: Elizabeth Gorski jegorski@frontier.com
Vice President: Judy Snyder jasnyder715@gmail.com
Board Member: James Harter jameslharter@gmail.com
Board Member: Mark Tolles mdt814@cs.com
Board Member: Brad Anderson banderson.otsego@gmail.com
Adam Koch, Superintendent
Email: akoch@otsegoknights.org
Website: www.otsegoknights.org
Location: 18505 Tontogany Creek Road, Bowling Green, OH, United States
Phone: 419-823-4381
Twitter: @AdamKoch_Otsego
Lisa Austin, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent/EMIS Coordinator
Email: laustin@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Lauri Dunham, Special Education Director
Email: ldunham@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Stephen Bihary, School Psychologist
Email: sbihary@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Luke Swartz, Technology Director
Email: lswartz@otsegoknights.org
Website: www.otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Katrina Baughman, Elementary Principal
Email: kbaughman@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Twitter: @KBaughman723
Mike Wiley, Assistant Elementary Principal
Email: mwiley@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Twitter: @PrincpalWiley
Kevin O'Shea, High School Principal
Email: koshea@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Twitter: @KosheaOHS
Jon Rife, Junior High Principal
Email: jrife@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Twitter: @OJHS_Principal
Tom Ferdig, High School Athletic Director and Assistant Principal Grades 6-12
Email: tferdig@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Eva Vasher, Director of Transportation and Custodial
Email: evasher@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Jeanne Jeffers, Director of Food Service
Email: jjeffers@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Twitter: @Otsego_Cafe
Rick Haskins, Director of Maintenance
Email: rhaskins@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381