Indian Lake Board members got an update on the district’s food services, considered the calendar for next school year and postponed discussion of a renewal levy until later this year.
Board members considered the 2023-24 Indian Lake Schools calendar that was chosen by staff members and presented by Superintendent Dr. Rob Underwood. The first day of school would be Aug. 30. Dr. Underwood explained that the district requires a later start date than usual this year because of the HVAC project that will be happening at the high school.
“We need the entire summer to get that work done. Since we’re starting later, that obviously makes us end later, so the Board of Education is going to consider a Friday night graduation for May 24, 2024, because that is Memorial Day weekend. We’ve received feedback from our public that a Sunday graduation on Memorial Day weekend is challenging for families.”
After a period of public comment, board members will vote on the calendar at next month’s meeting.
Board members also discussed the possibility of placing the district’s current five-year operating levy on the ballot for renewal later this year. The property tax levy was first passed in 2013-14 and renewed again in 2018. That renewal expires at the end of 2024.
The May primary ballot is the earliest the district could have asked voters for another renewal, but board members voted to postpone discussions until summer to give the community ample time to consider the measure.
“We won’t be asking for any kind of additional money. It’s actually the same amount of money the levy collected in 2013. We feel like we’ve done a good job, despite inflation and our economy, of living within our means and again, we’re not asking voters for any additional money,” said Dr. Underwood.
With this move, the earliest voters could see the renewal levy on the ballot is the 2023 November general election.
Indian Lake Food Service Director Brenda Oda also offered an annual update. She explained that participation in purchasing breakfasts and lunches is down somewhat since meals are no longer free as they were during the two years following Covid-19.
She reports that the district’s three cafeterias serve approximately 400 breakfasts and 900 lunches daily. Roughly 36 percent of Indian Lake students receive free/reduced cost meals.
Finally, board members enjoyed cupcakes in honor of January as Ohio School Board Appreciation Month.
In other action, the board:
• accepted the resignation of Amy Kesecker, four-hour elementary cook, effective Jan. 3; and approved a four-hour elementary cook contract for Eva Core Skaggs, starting Jan. 18;
• extended supplemental contracts to: Sarah Kinsey, Emily Sroufe, middle school track; and approved volunteer wrestling coach Steven Pummel;
• accepted the following donations: an anonymous donation of $1,000 to the Student Needs Fund, $4000 from the Indian Lake Watershed (Hitmakers) to the music department; $2,228.38 from the AMVETS; $360 from RV Wholesalers/Indian Lake’s Greatest Hits, $558 from Women of the Moose, $1,000 from Indian Lake Boaters Helping Boaters, and $350 from Darla Myers for the school lunch program;
• accepted three Logan County Electric Cooperative Energizing Education grants that totaling $969.44, and established those grant funds;
• adopted a resolution in accordance with Senate Bill 216, permitting the district to administer the third-grade English Language Arts assessments in paper format for the 2023-24 school year; and
• approved the agreement with Logan County Board of Developmental Disabilities for preschool and K-12 Special Education Services.
The next board meeting is 6:30 p.m. Feb. 21 in the board office.