Board Meeting Recap for August 2024
Forest Hills School District is utilizing these articles as a way to communicate specific action taken at regular Board of Education meetings throughout the year. The Board of Education met on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at Mercer Elementary School to discuss a variety of topics relevant to students, staff and the community.
The official agenda and related attachments for this meeting can be found on the FHSD BoardDocs page here. You can watch a full recording of the meeting on YouTube here.
Superintendent Update
Superintendent Larry Hook began his portion of the meeting by sharing details about the various back-to-school events and staff professional development sessions that have taken place in the past two weeks. He discussed the excitement among staff members, parents and family members, as well as students as everyone prepares for the start of a new school year.
Mr. Hook also took time to provide an update on summer construction and maintenance projects that were part of the Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan. Anyone interested in learning more about the summer projects can read this article on the district website, and anyone interested in additional information about the Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan can visit the dedicated webpage here.
The superintendent also provided an update on the district’s recently revamped Strategic Plan, which is being rolled out across all buildings with the start of the 2024-2025 school year. You can read the Strategic Plan on the district website here, and you can learn about the FHSD Culture Blueprint here.
Board Action
The Board of Education often reviews and votes on a variety of actions that impact different departments throughout the school district. The following action items presented by department representatives were voted on together as part of the “consent agenda.” For specific information about any of the following items, you can find the meeting agenda and attachments here.
The following items in the consent agenda were approved by the Board of Education.
Human Resources
- 8.1 Supplemental Salary Schedule
- This item approves the supplemental salary schedule for 2024-2027, which you can view here.
- 8.2 Human Resources Report
- The report covers a variety of topics including retirements, resignations and appointments of different staff members. The August report also included two collective bargaining agreements approved by employee labor organizations. You can learn more about contract negotiations that have been taking place over the summer in this article on the district website.
- You can view the report here and find related attachments here.
Business Operations
- 9.1 Repair Proposal for IHM Mobile Units
- This item approves repairs for two mobile units at Immaculate Heart of Mary School (IHM), which were purchased with Auxiliary Services funds in 2000 and 2010. The cost is expected to be $31,800 to cover flooring repairs and decking replacements. These are state funds designated to IHM, for which FHSD serves as the fiscal officer.
- You can view the proposal here.
- 9.2 Resolution Declaring Impractical Transportation (Revised)
- This resolution lists certain non-public schools where transportation has been declared impractical. Families of students attending those schools will be offered payment in lieu of transportation, pursuant to state law.
- You can read the resolution here.
- 9.3 Transportation / Bus Stops 2024-2025 School Year
- 9.4 Resolution to Award Contract for Operations Center Asphalt
- This resolution approves a contract to the lowest responsible bidder, Pinnacle Paving & Sealing, LLC, for the Asphalt Resurfacing Project at the Operations Center. The cost is estimated at $77,859, and the project's bid was opened and read on Thursday, July 18, 2024.
- You can read the full resolution here.
Teaching and Learning/Curriculum
- 10.1 Outdoor Education Program (Camp Kern)
- This item approves the continuation of the district’s Outdoor Education Program at Camp Kern for the 2024-2025 school year. The program is open to all fifth grade students at a cost of $175. Provisions are in place to provide full and partial scholarships for students who need financial assistance to attend camp at the building level. You can view the dates for the program here.
- 10.2 2024-2025 Fee Schedule for High School (REVISED)
- This item approves the 2024-2025 Fee Schedule for High School, which was revised to reflect a cost increase from The College Board for AP Course Exam Fees from $99 to $100. You can view the full fee schedule here.
- 10.3 Hamilton County Educational Service Center Contract for Services - IHM 2024-2025
- The item approves contracted services for Immaculate Heart of Mary School (IHM) that are to be performed by the Hamilton County Educational Service Center for the 2024-2025 school year. The cost is estimated at $341,728.40, and it is to be paid through federal and state funds designated to IHM, for which FHSD serves as the fiscal officer.
- You can view the contract here.
Technology
- 11.1 Forward Edge IT Professional Services Agreement
- This item approves the support contract with Forward Edge for technology support services for the period of July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025. The annual cost will be $79,000, and you can view the statement of work here.
Treasurer Update
- 12.1 Workers' Compensation Settlement
- The terms of this settlement are required to be kept confidential.
- 12.2 Treasurer's Report
- Treasurer Alana Cropper’s June and July reports provided information on the following items:
- Donations
- Five-Year Forecast
- General Fund Revenue
- General Fund Expenditures
- General Operating Cash Balance
- Permanent Improvement Fund
- Investment Income Snapshot
- Past Month Reconciliation
- You can find the June Cash Position Report here. You can find the July Cash Position Report here.
- Treasurer Alana Cropper’s June and July reports provided information on the following items:
Board Discussion
The Board of Education voted to appoint Dr. Simmons as a delegate and Dr. Strickler as an alternate to represent the district at the Annual Business Meeting of the Ohio School Boards Association, which will be held on November 11, 2024.
Approved Minutes
The Board of Education approved minutes for the following meetings, which you can view by clicking the link associated with each meeting. After clicking the appropriate link, you will need to then click “View Minutes” under Agenda Item Details, next to the category titled “Minutes.”
- Regular Meeting - June 26, 2024
- Special Meeting - July 10, 2024
- Special Meeting - July 24, 2024
- Special Meeting - July 29, 2024
