The New Bremen Local Board of Education met in regular session at 6:00 p.m. in the Community Room.

Roll Call:  Mrs. Michele Bambauer, Mr. Scott Bertke, Mrs. Shelly Busse, Mr. Cory Suchland, and Mrs. Suzanne Wells. Also present were Superintendent Jason Schrader, K-6 Principal Diane Kramer, 7-12 Principal Marcus Overman, and Treasurer Jill Ahlers.  

President Cory Suchland led the pledge of allegiance.

Ernesto Benitez, Sean LaFleur, Mitchell Moeller, Ian Frey, and Cole Hemmelgarn, members of the high school choir, performed several songs.  Mrs. Patty Ruckman, High School Choir Director, accompanied the group on the piano.  

Mr. Stacy Overly from Public Finance Resources provided a report on the district’s Five-Year Forecast, updated from the forecast filed in October.  The actual 2018 taxable values and one additional quarterly income tax distribution were included in this update, as well as updated census counts for employee health insurance plans. These updates resulted in little forecast change from October filing.  When compared to the forecast filed last spring, the October, 2018 and current updated forecast indicate considerable improvement.  Mr. Overly noted that much of the improvement is related to the outlook for higher collections from the District’s 1% local school income tax.  In addition, reductions in estimated spending have also contributed to overall forecast improvement. A significant part of the reduction in estimated spending is related to revised fringe benefit estimates which reflect savings from transitioning health insurance plan design. Other factors include savings through staffing reductions, purchased services, and transitioning the cross-categorical unit in-house.
In summary, Mr. Overly noted that the current forecast continues to call for growing operational deficits, however given healthy cash balance reserves, the District has some time to weigh available options to address its need. Mr. Overly concluded by stating that the District understands the importance of striking a balance between revenues and expenditures in order to maintain healthy finances, while at the same time providing quality instructional programming for its students.

Summary of Five-Year Forecast – Updated December, 2018

A public hearing is required for input on school calendar days and options.  Mr. Rob Fleming, community member, was present to share his concern regarding the early start for the 19/20 school year.       

K-6 principal, Diane Kramer, submitted the following report:

1.	Continuous improvement
•	Lauren Link and I started a five day training on PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports).  It is a requirement through HB 318 that within three years, any building serving pre K-grade three is required to implement a PBIS curriculum designed to make schools a more effective learning environment.   

2.	Instruction
•	Interim Reports for the second nine weeks were sent home on Friday, November 16th.
•	Monday we received the results of the Third Grade State Reading Test that was administered in October.  Our overall passage rate was 73% with 90% meeting the requirements of Third Grade Reading Guarantee. Results from fall 2017 were 64%/88% and fall 2016 were 70%/87%.  All students will be administered the test again in the spring.  Students who did not pass will be invited to after school intervention which will take place two days a week starting in February.  

3.	 School Operations, Resources and Learning Environment
•	Our kindergarten and first grade students attended the production “Biscuit” at the high school auditorium on Friday, November 16th.  A special thank you goes out to Lock One Community Arts for sponsoring this activity free of charge.
•	All of the senior class composites from the elementary building have been taken down, frames removed, and brought to Lange Photographics for scanning.  The scanning process should be completed by the end of January.  We will then put the pictures back in frames and hang back up in the hallways.  Thank you to the New Bremen Historical Society for assisting us with this process.
•	Brian Puthoff, Jason Schrader and I went through each room in the elementary starting the process of cataloguing the fixed structures in the building that will either be auctioned off, brought to the new building, or demolished.  This will assist with the demolition bid.  

4.	Collaboration
•	Darlene Gilberg’s 4th grade students are completing their unit on entrepreneurship with a project making and selling chocolate covered pretzel rods.  Students learned about the steps involved in starting their own business with all proceeds being donated to charity.

5.	Parent and Community Engagement
•	On Tuesday, November 13th, kindergarten held their second Project Ease student/parent program.  This lesson focused on sounding out words and writing words using “kid” spelling.
•	Rotary Career Day was held November 13th.  Several juniors in our area job shadowed teachers in the elementary and middle school.
•	On Tuesday, November 20th our kindergarten classes held their annual Grandparents Day program.  Students sang songs for their grandparents and served them punch and popcorn.  After the program grandparents were invited to visit the kindergarten classrooms and meet the teachers.  We had over 200 grandparents in attendance.
•	Our annual second grade musical was held Thursday, December 76h at 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.  This year’s musical was entitled How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  Miss Smith, the second grade teachers, and students did a great job!
•	The New Bremen Teacher’s Association sponsored a breakfast with Santa on December 8th.  Money raised from the breakfast goes towards the NBTA Scholarships.
•	The Middle School Band Concert will be held December 13th at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
•	Cardinal Pride is sponsoring a Santa Shop this week for grades K-5.  This is an opportunity for students to purchase inexpensive Christmas gifts for family members.

6.	 Special Education
•	Planning is underway for service delivery for the 2019-2020 school year in regards to our special education population and where/how student needs can best be met.

7-12 principal, Marcus Overman, submitted the following report:

Continuous Improvement
-	Dr. Scott Grant of Triple Threat Leadership came on Friday, December 7th to speak to students in grades 6-12.  His message focused on adding value, building relationships, and creating opportunities, while teaching the proper ways to utilize social media.  
-	Students participated in another Leadership & Character Building session on December 5th.  The focus of our discussion was on Effective Communication.  Middle School students will have their second session coming up on December 11th.  

Instruction
-	End of Course Retakes have been scheduled for January 7th and 8th.  Letters were sent home to parents giving them the option to retake or not.  A list of about 10 students has been compiled for the retakes.  
-	The Ohio Senate Committee recently passed the same graduation flexibility standards for the Class of 2019 and 2020.  Students who could benefit from this have been notified and parents have been contacted to best meet the needs of each student.  
-	Conversations are picking up with staff and students on the topic of scheduling for next year.  I am working on finalizing the course offerings and getting those to teachers to update course descriptions.  I plan for the scheduling process to begin soon after our return from the holiday break. 
-	ACT Prep
o	A big emphasis of mine has been including ACT Prep into our school.  Heather Powers in the Cube helped to set up an ACT Question of the Day for the month of December.  When we come back from break, there will be different ACT Prep activities that are held to help students prepare for the assessment.  

-	Exams
o	High School - Exam schedules have been distributed to students.  Seniors and juniors will have the opportunity to exempt one exam if they meet the necessary criteria.
o	Middle School – Will have exams for core classes this year. 

School Operations, Resources & Learning Environment
-	Thanks to Ben Kramer for the work he did this year with National Honor Society.  Congratulations to the following students for being inducted into the NHS this year: 
Kira Bertke, Nolan Bornhorst, Grant Brautigam, Brooke Dicke, Jessica Fledderjohann, Ian Frey, Ashton Heitkamp, Jenna Heitkamp, William Kaiser, Hannah Kramer, Sarah Parker, Sydney Paul, Taylor Paul, Macy Puthoff, Ashton Ritter, Riley Schieb, Cassandra Stachler, Logan Suchland, Aaron Vonderhaar, Patrick Wells, Brianna Wideman, Alli Wilker, and Julie Wilker
-	Maria Homan recently conducted a Blood Drive.  We had 30+ students donate blood.  Thanks to Maria for organizing this event.  

Collaboration
-	The One-to-One Committee has held several meetings recently.  Brian has done a wonderful job in leading these meetings throughout.  The committee has worked to make informed decisions on the LMS and device we will move forward with.  
-	Lauren Link, Diane Kramer, Linda Kremer, and myself recently sat in on a conference call with a couple ESL specialist.  We gained several new ideas that we can use to best serve our ESL population moving forward.  We found to be on the right track with many of our current practices, but also found some refinements to make it better. 

Parent & Community Involvement
-	The first ever Cardinal Character Award will be given out at the January 4th basketball game against Versailles.  I will be presenting at an upcoming Rotary Meeting to ask for a $25 donation for each award winner.  
-	The current 7th grade students profited over $4,500 for the Washington D.C. trip through their cookie dough fundraiser.  
-	Student Council will be hosting a gingerbread house competition at the high school on December 14th.  The money raised from the competition will be used to purchase gifts for less fortunate families in the community.  Thanks to Loresa Burden for organizing this event.  

Athletics
-	The winter season is underway.  I want to wish best of luck to all of our athletes and coaches this sports season. 
-	Changes to game operations for home basketball games have been put in place this year to make for a better experience and a more efficient operation.  

Updates from previous meeting
-	Guest Speakers at Graduation
o	I have spoken with several principals in the area.  The only schools who invite guest speakers to speak at graduation are New Knoxville and St. Marys.  Both said their guest speakers are distinguished alumni who come back to provide a 5-10 minute speech.  Marion Local, Coldwater, St. Henry, and Celina do not have guest speakers. 

Upcoming Events
December 13th 
-	Real Money Real World
December 17th-21st
-	Exams
December 27th
-	Tri-Star Tour 1:00-2:00
January 4th
-	End of Quarter
January 7th
-	EOC Retakes
January 8th
EOC Retakes

Athletic Director, Gary Jones, submitted the following report:

Athletic Department Update December 2018
1.	The new football scoreboard and signage has been delivered. The softball and baseball boards should be delivered within the next few weeks. The installers will put up the boards sometime after the ground has frozen. Thank you again to our sponsors; Cotterman & Company Inc., First National Bank, Minster Bank and NKTelco

2.	The new scorers’ tables have arrived and are being used at our home basketball contests at the high school. Thank you to our sponsors; First National Bank and Western Ohio True Value

3.	The die cut banner for the volleyball State Runner Up season this past fall has been ordered.

4.	Important upcoming dates for the winter season.
•	January 5th Mini Cheer Clinic vs. Mississinawa Valley
•	February 14th Senior Night for Girls basketball, bowling and swimming
•	February 22nd Senior Night for Boys basketball and cheer 
•	February 22nd Pop Rocks from Troy will perform their jump rope routine at halftime of our varsity game with Coldwater
•	February 23rd and 24th Ben Homan 5th/6th Grade Boys Basketball Tournament  

Technology Director, Brian Puthoff, submitted the following report:
•	One to One Update 
Learning Management Systems – The One to One Committee has spent several weeks researching what we feel will be the best Learning Management System (LMS) for New Bremen Schools. It was decided that Schoology would be the best fit for us with regard to a true Learning Management System. However, we also brought in Eric Griffith, a certified Google Trainer, and he demonstrated how Google Classroom can be used as a small-scale LMS as well. Based on all of our research, the Committee feels that Google Classroom as a small-scale LMS will be the best product to start with. This will, more effectively, allow our faculty to begin to move towards the Blended Learning Environment that is required in a One to One initiative. In addition, Google Classroom and Google Educational Tools are all free to school districts. Therefore, the Committee plans to postpone recommending a true LMS (like Schoology) and are officially recommending that we start with Google Classroom and Google Education. (FYI: New Bremen Schools is already a “Google School District” and all of the necessary tools for Google Classroom are already in place.)

Professional Development – The One to One Committee feels that the best action the district can take to better prepare out staff and students for having one to one devices is to provide ample amounts of Professional Development. The April 18th PD day is now dedicated to providing Google Classroom/Google Education training to our entire K-12 staff. On that day, we are bringing Eric Griffith back into our district to help train our entire staff. Holding this training in April provides our teachers with ample time to prepare lessons for the following school year. In addition to April 18th, we will be providing more professional development during our Teacher In-Service days in August at the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year.

Devices – The Committee is also recommending that we continue purchasing Chromebooks and we are officially recommending Chromebooks as our primary device for our One to One implementation. (Our alternative option was iPads.) Our students are already using Chromebooks and Chromebooks are less expensive than iPads. In addition, Chromebooks are far easier to manage from a classroom teacher’s perspective, as well as from a technological perspective.

Implementation Points – Finally, the One to One Committee is recommending that we begin to implement one to one Chromebooks starting next school year in both grades 5 and 9. Our recommendation is that every year, students in grades 5 and 9 will be provided with a Chromebook. Within four years, every student in grades 5-12 will have a Chromebook. This does mean that students will have their Chromebook replaced with a new one as they enter high school. The Committee does recognize that this recommendation comes at a large expense. If the district is only able to provide one grade with Chromebooks each year, the Committee would recommend that we start with 9th grade and we could start adding 5th grade at a later date. We are currently working on creative ways to fund both grades 5 and 9.

There are many decisions that still need to be made in regard to implementing a One to One project here at New Bremen. The One to One Committee will continue to meet throughout this school year to tackle all of these decisions. I would personally like to thank all the members of the committee for all of their hard work thus far: Becky Keller, Dan Kanney, Diane Kramer, Jen Sniegowski, Kate Timmerman, Marcus Overman, Polly Rodgers, Sarah Ross, Shannon Heckman, Shelly Busse and Theresa Newbright. Thank you!

Treasurer Recommendations
1.	Approve the Regular School Board Meeting minutes on November 14, 2018.
2.	Approve the General Fund Paid Bills . . . . . .	   $	92,897.65	 
3.	Approve the Lunchroom Fund Paid Bills . . .    	   $	10,290.76	 
4.	Establish Fund #499 for the School Safety Grant received and increase revenues and appropriations by $4,265.75. 
5.	Establish student activity account for the Cross-Categorical Unit (200-934A). Increase revenues and appropriations by $200.00.
6.	Establish account for the Gilbane Escrow account (010-917E) and increase revenues and appropriations by $5,000.00.
7.	Accept the following donation and increase estimated revenues and appropriations accordingly:
•	$1,619.32 from Ms. Dianne Komminsk to purchase two computers to be used by the Elementary Lego League (Fund 019-9008)
•	$5,000.00 from First National Bank in New Bremen for new scorer’s tables in the high school gym  (Fund 300-950A)
•	$5,000.00 from Western Ohio True Value Hardware for new scorer’s tables in the high school gym  (Fund 300-950A) 

Thank you for your generosity and continued support!

18-82		Motion by Bertke second by Suchland that the board approve the motions contained in the Treasurer’s recommendations as presented. Upon the call of the roll, the vote was as follows: Bambauer, yes; Bertke, yes; Busse, yes; Suchland, yes; Wells, yes. Motion Carried.

Superintendent’s Recommendations

1.	Organizational Board Meeting
The N-B Board needs to establish a date for the organizational meeting and the January School Board Meeting:
a. 	The Administration would suggest combining these two meetings into one meeting as listed below.  A budget hearing is no longer required due to legislation that allows county auditor’s to waive the budget filing.  Auglaize County has formally waived the budget filing for Auglaize County.
b.	By law, the organizational meeting must be held during or before the first fifteen (15) days of January.
c.	Appoint a President Pro-Tem to preside over the Organizational Meeting until such time as a new Board President is elected:  Mr. Cory Suchland
                  Meeting                                Date             	   Time                   Place             Organizational Meeting	  	January 9, 2019    	7:00 PM	Elem Library
January Monthly Meeting	  	January 9, 2019 	7:15 PM	Elem Library

***The January Organizational and Regular Board meetings will be held in the Elementary Library.

2.	OSBA Membership
Authorize the school district membership with the OSBA.  New Bremen is a Charter Member since 1955.  This would include membership services and subscriptions to the OSBA Journal and Briefcase for the Board Members, Treasurer, Principals, and Superintendent.  

3. 	Accept the retirement resignation of Susie Kramer, effective May 31, 2018.  Mrs.  Kramer has been an employee of New Bremen Schools for 30 years. Thank you Mrs. Kramer for your years of service.

4.	2019-20 Calendar
Approve the 2019-20 calendar as presented in the agenda packet.  

18-83		Motion by Busse second by Bertke that the board approve the items contained in the Superintendent Recommendations as presented.  Upon the call of the roll, the vote was as follows: Bertke, yes; Busse, yes; Suchland, yes; Wells, yes; Bambauer, yes.  Motion carried.  

A.	Resolution
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF MONIES FROM THE BOND RETIREMENT FUND TO A SPECIFIC PERMANENT IMPROVEMENT FUND
[RC 5705.14(C)(2)]
WHEREAS, there is presently an unexpended balance in the Bond Retirement Fund of the School District relating to the High School bonds as of December 31, 2018, all indebtedness, interest, and other obligations for the payment of which such fund exists having had final payment December 1, 2017; and
WHEREAS, Ohio Revised Code Section 5705.14(C)(2) allows the School District to transfer a portion of such monies to a specific permanent improvement fund, even if all of the obligations payable from the Bond Retirement Fund have not been retired, provided the County Budget Commission where the School District is located approves the transfer and determines that such monies will not be required to meet the obligations payable from such fund; and
WHEREAS, the determination of the Budget Commission shall consider all of the following: the balance of the Bond Retirement Fund; the outstanding obligations payable from such fund; and the sources and timing of such fund’s revenue.
WHEREAS, in order to request the Budget Commission's approval, a resolution authorizing the transfer of funds must be passed by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of its members; and
WHEREAS, this Board has determined that it is necessary to transfer all of the unexpended balance in the Bond Retirement Fund as of December 31, 2018 to a specific permanent improvement fund as follows: all of the balance to the High School Special Cost Center in the Permanent Improvement Fund.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE NEW BREMEN LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, AUGLAIZE, MERCER AND SHELBY COUNTIES, OHIO, TWO-THIRDS OF THE MEMBERS ELECTED THERETO CONCURRING, THAT:
Section 1. 	The Treasurer of the Board is hereby authorized and directed to execute and deliver, on behalf of the Board, this Resolution and the Certificate of Treasurer attached hereto, and any such additional instruments, documents, agreements, contracts, certificates, and other papers as may be necessary or appropriate in order to carry out the intent of this Resolution.
Section 2. 	The Treasurer of the Board is hereby directed to forward a certified copy of this Resolution to the County Auditor of Auglaize County, Ohio, as Secretary of the Auglaize County Budget Commission.
Section 3. 	It is hereby found and determined that all formal actions of this Board concerning and relating to the passage of this Resolution were adopted in an open meeting of this Board, and that all deliberations of this Board and of any of its committees that resulted in such formal action were in meetings open to the public in compliance with all legal requirements, including R.C. Section 121.22.

18-84		Motion by Wells second by Suchland that the board approve resolution as presented.  Upon the call of the roll, the vote was as follows: Busse, yes; Suchland, yes; Wells, yes; Bambauer, yes; Bertke, yes.  Motion carried.  

	Other Old Business Items:

A.  School Board Member Compensation
According to advice from the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA), school boards should discuss in December the compensation of board members prior to the organizational meeting in order to avoid a conflict with the Ohio Revised Code.  The ORC indicates that board members cannot have a change in their compensation during his/her current term.  In December – 1997 the Board approved increasing the compensation to $40 per meeting not to exceed 24 compensated meetings effective January 1, 2000.

18-85		Motion by Bambauer second by Busse that the compensation per board meeting remains at $40.  Upon the call of the roll, the vote was as follows: Suchland, yes; Wells, yes; Bambauer, yes; Bertke, yes; Busse, yes.  Motion carried.  

  Informational Items

A.	AMBE Update – Mrs. Shelly Busse provided an update on the Auglaize Mercer Business Education Alliance, an organization which works to align schools with the needs of the area and educate our young people on the opportunities existing in the surrounding region.  AMBE hosted the Inspire Senior Career Concert which was an event to allow seniors to explore local job opportunities and connect students and businesses. AMBE will also be hosting the Talent Connection in March and piloting a job shadow for teachers.  AMBE representatives are also educating students on the requirements for Job Readiness Seal and the advantages of earning the Job Readiness Seal.

B.	Garmann-Miller – Building Project Update – Mrs. Mandy Niekamp and Mrs. Hannah Holtzapple presented a fly-through of the updated building plans for the building project.  

C.	Schools Closed for Christmas Holidays
The New Bremen Schools will be closed for the Christmas Holidays beginning Monday, December 24 through Wednesday, January 2.  School will resume on Thursday, January 3, 2019.

D.	Current Superintendent Committee Appointments -
1.  Tri Star Career Compact Advisory:	 	Bertke					
2.  Cardinal Pride Representative:   		Bambauer				
3.  Athletic Council Representatives (2):    	   	Suchland/Busse		
4.  OSBA Legislative Liaison/Delegate:		Bertke				
5.  NBTA Negotiations Committee (2):     	   	Wells/Busse			
6.  Village Annex/Abatement/CIC member:	Bertke				
7.  Finance Committee Representative:		Suchland			
8.  Buildings/Grounds Committee Rep (2):	   	Bertke/Wells 			
9.  Student Achievement Liaison (OSBA):		Suchland				
10. Technology Committee Rep:			Busse	 			
11.	Ag Advisory Committee Rep:			Bambauer			
12. New Bremen Education Foundation:		Busse				
13. Music Boosters (new for 2019):						

E.	Class composites have been brought to Lange to be photographed for the digital imaging. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped with disassembling the frames.

F.	Met with the Levy Committee last week to update them on the building project.

G.	Conducted a walk-thru of the elementary building and identified the items that are fastened and secured which will be sold at the auction.  The tentative auction date has been scheduled for June 13, 2020. 

H.  Mr. Schrader reported a saw will be purchased so that Mr. Jeremy Krieg can begin taking down trees on the Fairground Farm property.

I.   A bus is scheduled to be purchased in July, 2019.  We are researching whether this will be a diesel engine or gas engine bus. 
		 
18-86              Motion by Bambauer, second by Bertke to adjourn to executive session for the purposes of Matters Required to be Kept Confidential by Fed/State Law at 8:09 p.m.  Upon the call of the roll, the vote was as follows: Wells, yes; Bambauer, yes; Bertke, yes; Busse, yes; Suchland, yes. Motional Carried.
	
18-87              Motion by Bambauer second by Busse to return to regular session at 8:30 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
		 
18-88	         Motion by Suchland, second by Bambauer to adjourn the meeting at 8:31 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.

				
			President							Treasurer