Following is the summary of the June 28, 2004, Board of Education meeting:

• Tom Dunn presented to the board the new math curriculum for grades 9-12. Changes have been made to better prepare students for success on the Ohio Graduation Test.
   
• Marion Stout discussed many board policy changes for the board to consider adopting at the July meeting.
   
• Jill Wilson presented to the board a plan to provide literary coaches at the elementary schools, the stipends to be paid for out of grant funds.
   
• The board approved the minutes from the May board meeting and approved the financial report for May.
   
• The board approved temporary appropriations for fiscal year ’05 to enable the district to operate fiscally prior to an actual budget being approved.
   
• Because the County Budget Commission has not issued an Official Amended Certificate of Estimated Resources for fiscal year 2005 (this is customary at this time of year), it is necessary to begin operations for fiscal year 2005 with a temporary appropriation. The board approved this action.
   
• The board approved supplemental appropriations necessary for closing fiscal year ’04, which adds spending authority to one or more funds at one or more line items within each fund. During fiscal year 2004, several funds have received and will have expended differing revenues than were anticipated when the permanent appropriation for fiscal year 2004 was adopted on September 15, 2003. We now have requested from the Miami County Budget Commission an Official Amended Certificate of Estimated Resources for fiscal year 2004 with the appropriate revenues for each of these funds stated. This approval allows the district to close fiscal year 2004 with the appropriate appropriations in each fund.
   
• The board approved appropriation modifications for fiscal year ’04. An appropriation modification does not increase or decrease monies available for expenditure in any fund, but moves monies already appropriated from one line item to another within a fund. The appropriation modifications eliminate deficit balances in individual line items. Deficit balances in line items are not allowed.
   
• The board advanced funds from the General Fund to eliminate any negative line item balances that existed as of the close of fiscal year ’04, because no fund can end the fiscal year in a deficit balance position. Where that situation occurs, the board must advance funds to another fund from the General Fund to eliminate that deficit with the expectation that at the beginning of the following fiscal year the fund receiving the advance will return that amount of money to the General Fund.
   
• The board transferred $37,908.01 from the General Fund to eliminate a deficit in the area of Food Services.
   
• The board approved the closure of four inactive student activity accounts at the high school and moved balances from those accounts to the General Fund.
   
• The board tabled a “then and now” purchase order to pay the Montgomery County Educational Service Center $12,312.77 for services provided to our students during fiscal year 2002-2003. This amount was unexpected and as such a prior purchase order had not been prepared, thus making it mandatory that board approval for payment be received. The board expressed its displeasure at the MCESC for this late billing and asked that the reason for it be researched and presented at the next meeting.
   
• The board accepted gifts totaling $12,446.07, bringing the year-to-date total to $59,245.96. Dr. Dolph made special reference to three Hook students, Jason Myers, Scott De Meo, and Victoria Adams for donating $13.42 to the Hook computer lab. They raised this money by manning a lemonade stand.   View this month's gifts.
   
• The board selected George Dearth as a delegate to the Annual Business Meeting of the Ohio School Boards Association and Jim Wilson as an alternate to that meeting.
   
• The board approved the district (grades seven through twelve) joining of the Ohio High School Athletics Association for the 2004-2005 school year.
   
• The board approved allocation of funds for Federal Grant Programs.
   
• Ohio and federal law requires school boards to approve annually the free and reduced-price lunch program, so the board did so.
   
• The board approved student fees for 2004-2005. The general fees for the elementary and secondary schools remain unchanged from last year ($30 at the elementary schools and the junior high and $25 at the high school). The only changes to occur were in three specific classes at Troy High School. In two of those three classes, the fee is less for next year than this past year.
   
• The pay-to-participate program was again approved at the same rates as last year.
   
• The board approved Board Policy EGAC (Telecommunications Services), which Marion Stout presented to them last month.
   
• The district’s property, fleet, and liability policies expire on June 30, 2004. The district has received quotes from three carriers, and the board approved the recommendation that we renew our policies with Indiana Insurance for FY2005 at a cost of $121,297.
   
• Because of an unusually large class moving through the high school, we must purchase additional math books to meet student numbers in Informal Geometry and Geometry. The book currently being used in those classes is the second edition of Discovering Geometry. This book is now available in its third edition form. Since the math department is on the schedule to receive new textbooks for the 2005-2006 school year, the high school math department head, Wayne Nirode, has suggested that we purchase the latest edition for all students at this time, eliminating the need to purchase some books this year, then all new books next year. This is the fiscally responsible thing to do and the board approved the purchase of 370 Discovering Geometry, 3rd Edition textbooks.”
   
• The board adopted three resolutions that are required by law in preparation for placing a bond issue on the November ballot. They passed a resolution for ranking professional design firms and authorizing negotiation of professional design services agreement for a permanent improvement project; a resolution for requesting a fiscal officer to certify maximum maturity of bonds; and a resolution declaring the necessity of issuing bonds and submitting the question to the electors of the school district.
   
• During the second hearing of the public, Fay McNerney, speaking on behalf of the board of the Academic Booster Club, thanked the board for its support of the Gifted program and expressed appreciation to the board for its efforts in finding a replacement for Mary Deem.
   
• Routine personnel items were approved.  View personnel agenda items [PDF].

Following is the summary of the May 10, 2004, Board of Education meeting:

• The board held a private reception prior to the meeting in honor of this year’s retirees. Then during the meeting, George Dearth, speaking on behalf of the board, thanked and congratulated the two retirees who did attend (Marian Moeckel, THS science and George Snyder, TJHS Language Arts). The board also wishes to congratulate and wish the best of luck to other retirees Chuck Barrett (Social Studies, THS) and Fred McMullen (IT, THS); Mike Frilling (Physical Education, TJHS); Betty Cole (Kindergarten) from Hook; and Mary Deem, (District Gifted Coordinator). Also retiring were bus drivers Bump Avey and Lee Frasure. Congratulations, thank you, and best of luck to all these retirees and their families.
   
• The board recognized Troy Junior High students Kristen Altenburger, Allison Parker, Sarah Scriven, Caitlin Strachan, and Courtney Zulauf, who comprise the school’s Community Problem Solving Club, for winning their division in the Ohio Future Problem Solving State Bowl for their club project, which entails fighting to make restaurants in Troy smoke free. They will compete in the Future Problem Solving International Conference June 3-6 in Lexington, Kentucky. These students have garnered attention for their efforts locally through presentations to City Council.
   
• Troy Junior High’s Power of the Pen winners, under the direction of Lorrie Kubaszewski and Pat Morris were recognized for their efforts.
   
• Marion Stout presented a new telecommunications policy for board approval. This is being done because telecommunications use, in particular cell phone use, will be a point of emphasis with the state auditor next fiscal year.
   
• In the Treasurer’s Report, the board approved the minutes from the regular meeting of Monday, April 12, 2004, and the minutes of the special meeting of Friday, April 30, 2004.
   
• The board approved the financial report from April.
   
• The board accepted gifts totaling $1,438.86, bringing the year-to-date total to $59,245.96.   View this month's gifts.
   
• The Board of Education is required to approve the issuance of a diploma from Troy High School to every student who completes all graduation requirements of the Troy City School District Board of Education and of the State of Ohio Board of Education and who has satisfied all financial obligations to the Troy City School District. The board so approved the issuance of a diploma to all students who fulfill these requirements.
   
• The board adopted a resolution memorializing the State Superintendent to waive Monday, January 26; Tuesday, January 27; Tuesday, March 16; and Thursday, March 18, 2004 as days of instruction at all of the schools operated by the Board of Education of the Troy City School District. These days were missed due to inclement weather.
   
• The board approved the application for two waiver days for next school year.
   
• The board approved a Memorandum of Understanding with TCSSA to adopt a new classification of Health Clinic LPN, a classification that has become necessary because of the increasing numbers of medically fragile students needing specialized care.
   
• Routine personnel items were approved.  View personnel agenda items [PDF].
   
• During a discussion on facilities, the board took no official action. However, they did come to consensus on a few items. They are:
  • Build new science facilities at THS.
  • Do additional, as-yet-undetermined renovations to THS.
  • Build a multi-purpose facility/gymnasium at THS.
  • Reopen Forest as a K-5 building.
  • Reconfigure Van Cleve into a sixth grade building.
  • Build additional rooms and cafeteria on to Concord.

  Again, these are the general concepts on which the board reached consensus. The specifics are to be determined and the official actions, of which there are two that must be taken at board meetings, are to come. During its discussion, the board did say that its intent is to ask for no higher than 2 mills on the November ballot to fund these projects.
   

• The board heard a complaint from a parent and George Dearth directed him to follow the appropriate complaint procedures.

Following is the summary of the April 12, 2004, Board of Education meeting:

• A moment of silence was held for Dale D. Grove and Cassa Johnson. Mr. Grove passed away Saturday, March 27. He began his employment as a bus driver with Troy City Schools in 1953. His employment continued until his retirement in 1991. Ms. Johnson passed away on April 10th. She taught at Kyle Elementary from 1961-1986.
   
• Diane Lawrence, from Strategic Visioning, reviewed the results of the recently completed professionally administered telephone survey conducted about school facilities. Four hundred Troy adults were polled, the objective being to try to determine what the residents of Troy are willing to support with respect to a facilities initiative.
   
• Vonda Alberson from the architectural firm of Fanning and Howey presented the many different options that have been discussed as part of the facilities discussion. Both of these presentations generated a great deal of discussion, the extent of which is too extensive to summarize in this report. The board meeting, complete with the presentations and follow-up discussions, will be aired on Channel 10 on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and Thursday at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
   
• In the Treasurer’s Report, the board approved the minutes from the regular meeting of Monday, February 9, 2004, and the minutes of the special meeting of Monday, March 1, 2004.
   
• The minutes from both the regular March meeting and the April 2 special meeting were approved.
   
• The board approved the financial report from March.
   
• The board advanced $70,000 to the Permanent Improvement Fund from the General Fund to cover the roof projects to be done this summer. This money will be replaced in the General Fund when the Permanent Improvement Fund balance permits it.
   
• The board approved supplemental appropriations and appropriation modifications.
   
• The board accepted gifts totaling $16,592.25, bringing the year-to-date total to $57,807.10.   View this month's gifts.
   
• In accordance with law, the board approved three requests to use our school buses for non-routine use. The Troy Strawberry Festival is requesting to use our buses on June 5 and 6, 2004, Cookson Elementary is requesting to use our buses on June 8, 2004 to transport 4th and 6th grade students to a Dayton Dragons Game, and Heywood Elementary is requesting to use our buses on June 24, 2004 to transport 4th & 6th grade students to a Dayton Dragons Game as part of a student incentive program. Law authorizes the use of buses to provide transportation to and from events, which are school or local community sponsored, and which are open to the public. The Strawberry Festival Committee and Parent Teacher Organizations from Cookson Elementary and Heywood Elementary will pay all costs associated with the use of our buses.
   
• The board approved an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with TCEA on the complaint procedure. This MOU was written to clarify the complaint procedure outlined in the negotiated agreement.
   
• The board approved the purchase of K-6 Language Arts materials resulting from the recently completed curriculum study.
   
• Routine personnel items were approved.  View personnel agenda items [PDF].

Following is the summary of the March 8, 2004, Board of Education meeting:

• A moment of silence was held for Cheri Dunston, Board of Education receptionist, who died suddenly and unexpectedly on Thursday, February 26. Cheri began her employment with Troy schools in January 1989, had been a part of the Troy schools family for fifteen years, had worked closely with many of our staff members during her time here, and was a vital part of our operations. Our thoughts and prayers go to her family. She will be sorely missed.
   
• Jill Wilson told the board that at a meeting last Friday members of the elementary language arts committee determined that the Houghton Mifflin Language Arts program was the series to adopt for next year. This was informational only. The board did not act on this recommendation.
   
• At the last board meeting, Don Pence and Marion Stout were charged by the board with researching the potential savings that could occur by building a new high school and closing three elementary schools. Their research did not indicate that such a savings would, in fact, occur, particularly if all-day kindergarten were a part of the plan. As part of his plan, Don also reminded the board that our five-year financial projections indicate a $5.7 million deficit in Fiscal year ’07. He also shared that on Election Day in March 206 school districts had 228 issues on the ballot, with 107 of those issues passing (47%). Don’s research of school districts’ five-year financial forecasts, which can be found on the ODE web site, indicates that by Fiscal Year ’06 308 districts are projecting deficits and that on June 30, 2006 575 of 612 districts are projecting that their expenditures will exceed their revenues, making this an educational financial crisis of monumental proportions.
   
• In the Treasurer’s Report, the board approved the minutes from the regular meeting of Monday, February 9, 2004, and the minutes of the special meeting of Monday, March 1, 2004.
   
• The board approved the financial report from February 2004.
   
• The board received two bids for the Troy High School roof replacement project. The bids were received from Enterprise Roofing and Sheet Metal Company of Dayton and Harold J. Becker, Co., Inc. also of Dayton. The bid from Enterprise was approved at a cost of $298, 806.
   
• The board also received two bids for the roofing project of Van Cleve Elementary School. Again, bids were received from Enterprise Roofing and Sheet Metal Company and Harold J. Becker, Co., Inc. The bid from Enterprise was approved at a cost of $194,998.
   
• Ohio Revised Code requires boards of education to approve tax rates each year after the Ohio Budget Commission has authorized them. On February 25, 2004, the Miami County Budget Commission authorized our tax rates for tax year 2004. The taxes for tax year 2004 to be levied and collected during calendar year 2005 are:
   

  Fund	Mills	Revenue
  Ten-Mill Limitation:
  General Fund	4.50	$ 3,016,460.00
  No Limitation:
  General Fund – Cont	24.90	19,838,570.00
  General Fund – Cont	3.75
  General Fund – Cont	3.50
  General Fund – Exp TY’04	5.90
  General Fund – Exp TY’05	5.80
  General Fund - Exp. TY'06	4.50
  Capital Improvement – Exp. Ty’08	1.10	657,716.00
  Hayner Levy – Exp TY’05	.65	407,930.00

  
  
  
• The board accepted gifts totaling $16,211.20 for the past month, bringing the year-to-date total to $41,214.85.   View this month's gifts.
   
• The board approved Board Policy IGBE (Remedial Instruction). The policy now discusses achievement and proficiency tests instead of just proficiency tests.
   
• Last month Dr. Dolph presented a proposal to the board suggesting changing attendance zones to assist in addressing overcrowding at Concord Elementary School. This shifting of zones would impact Concord’s enrollment to the point that it would be approximately what it was during the 1989-90 school year. The board adopted this proposal, but amended it by allowing students already attending specific schools to continue attending those schools (Heywood and Van Cleve were also affected) until they leave the 6th grade. Parents who decide to take advantage of this “grandfather” clause will be responsible for transporting their children to that school, however. Younger siblings of those students who are not yet enrolled in school will not be “grandfathered” in.
   
• Due to the fact that the district has had difficulty attracting qualified candidates for school psychologist because of a non-competitive salary schedule, the board approved the adoption of a separate salary schedule for school psychologists. This was worked out with TCEA through an MOU.
   
• Routine personnel items were approved.  View personnel agenda items [PDF].

Following is the summary of the February 9, 2004, Board of Education meeting:

• Dr. Dolph presented a policy on student intervention. This is a required policy. One currently exists, but needed to be altered to include “achievement tests” as well as “proficiency tests.”
   
• Dr. Dolph also presented a proposed change in attendance boundaries for Concord students. The proposed changes include:
  1. Students who reside east of 25-A and who live south of the Van Cleve boundary would attend Kyle Elementary. This accounts for approximately 18 students.
  2. Students who live on Diana Dr. and Timberlane and currently go to Heywood would move to Van Cleve. This affects one student.
  3. Students who live in Hawk Circle and Windridge Place would attend Heywood. This is approximately nine students.
  4. Students who live on, and to the north of McKaig, east of Stanfield, and south of 41 would attend Heywood. This accounts for approximately 29 students.
  5. Students who live north of West Stanfield and east of Washington Road would attend Hook. This zone would be bordered on the north by the end of the district and to the east it would touch the current Hook district. This affects three or four students. It should be noted that students who live on Washington Road would continue to attend Concord.
  The board did not act on this proposal. It will act next month. Dr. Dolph also noted that this addresses the short term overcrowding problem at Concord, but is not a long-term solution. The board still needs to determine its long-range facilities plan.
   
• The board approved the Treasurer’s Report and Financial Report.
   
• The board accepted $24,057.94 in gifts this month, bringing the yearly total to $25,003.65.   View this month's gifts.
   
• The board approved a resolution adopting a plan under the Ohio Public Employees Deferred Compensation Program administered by the Ohio Public Employees Deferred Compensation Board for participation by “eligible employees” of the Troy City Schools. Earlier this year, the board adopted the Ohio Association of School Business Officials plan. Since this is a private plan, the board also must provide for its employees, upon request, a public plan. This approval meets this mandate.
   
• The district has received a request from the Northern Miami Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross to enter into a partnership to provide our facilities as mass care shelters in the event of a disaster in our area. The board approved this arrangement.
   
• Routine personnel items were approved.  View personnel agenda items [PDF].
   
• The board entered into a lengthy facilities discussion. Members of the Central Office administration were charged to investigate the cost of two versions that have arisen out of the myriad of discussions that have taken place and to report back at the March meeting. Version I is the construction of a new high school, turning the current high school into a 6, 7, and 8th grade middle school, turning the current junior high into a large elementary school, thus allowing a couple of elementary schools to be closed. Version II is taking sixth graders out of the elementary buildings and housing them in either (a) a sixth grade wing addition to the junior high or (b) in an existing building that can be used by reopening Forest. Build a science wing (or like addition) to the high school and additional gymnasium space. Opening space in elementary buildings is being driven by the desire to offer all-day kindergarten to our students.

Following is the summary of the January 12, 2004, Board of Education meeting:

• Don Pence, acting as President Pro Tempore, presented certificates of election to Messrs. Dearth, Trostle, and Wilson and they executed the oath of office. The certificates of election must be retained in the minutes of this meeting.
   
• George Dearth was elected President of the board.
   
• James P. Wilson was elected Vice-President of the board.
   
• The board set the dates of regular meetings for 2004. All meetings will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the Board of Education office on the following dates, except for November 15, 2004, which will begin at 5:00 p.m.:
  • Monday, February 9, 2004
  • Monday, March 8, 2004
  • Monday, April 12, 2004
  • Monday, May 10, 2004
  • Monday, June 28, 2004
  • Monday, July 12, 2004
  • Monday, August 9, 2004
  • Monday, September 13, 2004
  • Monday, October 11, 2004
  • Monday, November 15, 2004
  • Monday, December 13, 2004

  Special meetings may be called on dates other than these. Such meetings must be publicized ahead of time, however, and must also be open to the public.
   

• Members of the board were appointed to the following committees:
  • ATHLETIC COUNCIL—JAMES P. WILSON & REV. JAMES C. WILSON
  • BUSINESS ADVISORY COUNCIL—REV. JAMES C. WILSON
  • CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS COMMITTEE—GEORGE DEARTH & JAMES P. WILSON
  • CITY RECREATION BOARD—GEORGE DEARTH
  • HAYNER BOARD—GEORGE DEARTH
  • MDECA GENERAL ASSEMBLY—DOUG TROSTLE
  • OSBA LEGISLATIVE LIAISON—STEPHEN LUCAS
  • UPPER VALLEY JOINT VOCATIONAL SCHOOL BOARD—STEPHEN LUCAS & DOUG TROSTLE
  • NEW CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE—DOUG TROSTLE & STEPHEN LUCAS
     
• The board declared its intention to proceed under the alternative tax document format provided under Section 5705.281 of the Ohio Revised Code.
   
• The board adopted a resolution declaring that it has reviewed and approved the documents and information prepared by the Treasurer/CFO of the district for submission to the Budget Commission of Miami County.
   
• In honor of Board Recognition Month, Dr. Dolph recognized the board members for their efforts on behalf of the students and staff of the district.
   
• Rhonda Mills gave a presentation explaining her role as an academic coach in the district’s three Title I elementary schools.
   
• Jill Wilson discussed the K-6 language arts and math courses of study.
   
• The board approved the Treasurer’s and financial reports.
   
• The board approved supplemental appropriations and appropriation modifications.
   
• The board accepted $945.71 in monetary donations.   View this month's gifts.
   
• The board adopted the 2004-2005 calendar. School begins for students on Tuesday, August 24th and the last day for students is Thursday, June 2nd.
   
• The board approved the purchase of textbooks for the language arts department at the high school.
   
• The board approved the K-6 language arts and math courses of study.
   
• The board held a lengthy discussion on facilities. Discussion points were:
  1. All day kindergarten should be investigated further. We need to find space to accommodate this initiative.
  2. We have to respond to the growth in the western part of the city in both a short-term and long-term fashion. Short-term means that overcrowding needs to be addressed next year through one of two means; use of modulars or moving students. Input is sought from the Concord parents and staff. Long-term decisions will be influenced by the short-term solutions.
  3. A science wing at the high school should be a high priority.
  4. Additional recreational space at the high school is needed.
  5. Our constituents have told us that neighborhood schools are important to them.
  6. We need to review our older, less efficient, non-accessible facilities.
  7. Board members discussed ideas on facilities they have heard from a variety of constituents, including building a new high school, building a new building to accommodate growth west of town, closing inefficient facilities, setting up a kindergarten center, etc.

  Dr. Dolph asked the board to be prepared to offer direction at the February board meeting. To accomplish this goal, the board set a work session for Tuesday, January 27th at 6:00 p.m. during which more specific plans will be determined.
   

• The board approved a one-year extension to Dr. Dolph’s contract, carrying it through July 31, 2006.
   
• Routine personnel items were approved.  View personnel agenda items [PDF].

Following is the summary of the December 8, 2003, Board of Education meeting:

• Hook principal, Shirley Sheffer, explained to the board how Hook won $10,000 worth of books from Target’s Library of Books promotion. A mother whose children formerly attended Hook and have since moved, won a $5,000 shopping spree from Target for herself and chose to donate $10,000 for library books that was also part of the grand prize to Hook as a result of the positive experience her family had at the school.
   
• The board approved the Treasurer’s Report and the Financial Report. As part of his report to the board, Don Pence discussed the negative impact on local funding that the increase in cuts in business inventory taxes that are still being contemplated in Columbus would have. He also indicated to the board the devastating impact to not only the state economy, but to local educational funding as well, if the referendum being pushed by Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell, who is intent on repealing the temporary 1% sales tax, moves forward. Senator Kevin Coughlin, from Cuyahoga Falls, has also introduced legislation to repeal this tax. Again, this move would have serious repercussions for our district.
   
• During the Superintendent’s report, Dr. Dolph acknowledged the $13,550.00 in monetary gifts donated to the district during this past month. This brings the year-to-date total to $67,298.29.   View this month's gifts.
   
• The board approved a new English As a Second Language policy.
   
• The board approved a policy stating that its members shall be compensated at the maximum rate permitted by law effective January 1, 2006, not to exceed twelve meetings per year. In addition, members will be compensated at the maximum rate permitted by law for attending approved training programs/seminars that relate to service as a district board member.
   
• George Dearth’s term on the Upper Valley Joint Vocational School’s Board of Education has expired. The board approved Stephen Lucas to join the UVJVS’s board.
   
• The board established January 12, 2004, at 7:00 p.m. as the date of its first meeting of the new calendar year.
   
• The board approved the routine personnel items.  View personnel agenda items [PDF].

Following is the summary of the November 17, 2003, Board of Education meeting:

• Tom Dunn provided for the board an update on what the secondary staff has done this year with respect to the K-12 Teacher Expectations that were presented to them early in the year in an effort to prepare students for success on the Ohio Graduation Test.
   
• Tom Dunn also discussed the 9-12 language arts course of study, which the board adopted later in the meeting. Jim Wilson thanked the staff for all their efforts in aligning our courses of study to state standards.
   
• Dr. Dolph told the board about a letter he had received from the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education, commending THS art teacher Paula Benfer for her efforts in presenting on assessments at a recent conference.
   
• Dr. Dolph thanked the community for its approval of the permanent improvement replacement levy earlier this month.
   
• Dr. Dolph also mentioned to the board the fact that a couple of classes in Concord are too large for comfort and that the board needs to consider how to address this situation should it continue. He mentioned that the two most obvious possibilities are (a) moving students or (b) creating space to accommodate more students.
   
• George Dearth presented a certificate to Don Pence for being selected as a finalist by the Ohio Association of School Business Officials for Treasurer/CFO of the Year
   
• The board approved the Treasurer’s Report.
   
• The board approved the Financial Report.
   
• During the Superintendent’s report, Dr. Dolph acknowledged the $4,093.80 in monetary gifts donated to the district during this past month. This brings the year-to-date total to $53,748.29.   View this month's gifts.
   
• The board authorized execution and performance of ratification of a one-year extension of the Southwestern Ohio Educational Purchasing Council’s natural gas program in an effort to control the increase in natural gas costs.
   
• Last month the board approved the advertising and receiving of bids for three school buses through the Southwest Ohio Educational Purchasing Council (EPC) for the purchase of three school bus chassis and three school bus bodies. The bid for three stock unit buses from Cardinal Bus Sales is the lowest bid at $173,744.00, which includes two trade-in buses. The board approved this bid.
   
• The board approved two new policies that are required by law; Policy IE (Organization of Facilities for Instruction) and Policy KBA (Public’s Right to Know). Policy books are located in the offices in all the schools.
   
• The board approved the routine personnel items.  View personnel agenda items [PDF].

Following is the summary of the October 13, 2003, Board of Education meeting:

• Wayne Nirode, math teacher and department chair at Troy High School, was recognized for his outstanding achievement of winning the Milken Educator Award. Wayne was one of one hundred teachers nationwide so honored.
   
• In an update on elementary curriculum and instruction, Jill Wilson talked about the activities implemented this year at the elementary level, all of which are designed to improve instruction and give students the best possible chance of success on state-mandated tests.
   
• Dr. Dolph discussed minor changes the board will be asked to make in two board policies next month.
   
• Dr. Dolph and Don Pence discussed the upcoming 1.1 mill permanent improvement replacement levy and the important role the money generated by this levy plays in our ability to adequately maintain our buildings.
   
• The board approved the minutes of the regular meeting of September 15, 2003 and of the special meeting help on September 29, 2003.
   
• The board approved this month’s financial report.
   
• During the Superintendent’s report, Dr. Dolph acknowledged the $2023.59 in monetary gifts donated to the district during this past month. This brings the year-to-date total to $49,654.49.   View this month's gifts.
   
• The board adopted a proclamation for American Education Week, scheduled for November 16-22. This year’s theme for American Education Week is “Great Public Schools for Every Child—America’s Promise.”
   
• The board approved a contract with Christian Academy Schools in Sidney for transportation. This contract states that we will give the Christian Academy Schools the standard subsidy we receive from the state rather than transport the students ourselves.
   
• The board also approved the city’s request for non-routine use of school buses. The city has requested that two of our buses be used to transport the Springfield Symphony and our student choir from Hobart Arena to the high school for a meal and back to Hobart Arena during the Home for the Holidays Concert.
   
• The board also approved reimbursing the transportation costs to the parents of two students who attend St. Christopher School in Vandalia. This reimbursement comes from funds provided by the state in lieu of our district actually transporting these students.
   
• The board approved the routine personnel items.  View personnel agenda items [PDF].

Following is the summary of the September 15, 2003, Board of Education meeting:

• In the only presentation of the evening, Don Pence presented to the board the state-mandated five-year financial plan. For those interested in the financial standing of the district, Don’s presentation, which lasted approximately twenty minutes, can be seen in its entirety when the board meeting is rebroadcast on Channel 10 on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and Thursday at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
   
• The board approved the minutes of the regular meeting, which was held on August 11th, and the special meeting, which was held on August 19th.
   
• The board approved the financial report for the month.
   
• The board approved the appropriations from July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2004 (Fiscal Year 2004).
   
• The board accepted gifts for this month. The dollar amount for this month’s financial gifts totals $2,267.39, bringing the year-to-date total to $47,630.90.   View this month's gifts.
   
• The board agreed to continue in its bus replacement cycle by purchasing three chassis and three school bus bodies. The district will again participate in the Southwestern Ohio Educational Purchasing Council’s school bus purchasing program. This allows us to join forces with other school districts in the greater Miami Valley area that are purchasing buses. By participating in this program, the Council advertises and receives bids for school buses on behalf of many districts, hopefully resulting in more competitive pricing.
   
• Every year, as required by Ohio law, the Board of Education approves a contract with Troy Christian Schools for pupil transportation. Ohio law requires that we provide resident pupils who attend chartered private schools in the Troy City School District with transportation on the same basis that we provide transportation to our own pupils. In most school districts, this means that private school pupils are transported to and from school on public school buses, and this is the case with St. Patrick’s Elementary School. However, for years Troy Christian School has agreed, as is permitted by Ohio law, to operate its own buses, and we have given Troy Christian School the standard subsidy for the transportation of their pupils. We receive that subsidy from the state and pass it directly to Troy Christian.
   
• The board approved the routine personnel items.  View personnel agenda items [PDF].

Following is the summary of the August 11, 2003, Board of Education meeting:

• Wayne Nirode, THS math Department Head, gave a presentation to the board during which he discussed what the math department has done to align its course of study to the state’s Academic Content Standards.
   
• The board approved the minutes from the regular meeting held on July 14th and the special meeting held on July 25th.
   
• The board approved the financial report.
   
• The board approved a then-and-now purchase order to the Montgomery County ESC. Our district entered into a contract with the Montgomery County ESC to provide services for certain special needs students of the district for fiscal year 2002-2003 at a cost of $190,553.23. The cost of $213,269.71 for these services exceeded the contract amount by $22,716.48. The Montgomery County ESC has invoiced the district for the excess cost, and we are bound to pay it even though a purchase order had not been prepared for this additional amount.
   
• The board approved the school bus stop schedules for 2003-2004.
   
• The board approved a modification of board policy for enrolling foster student. The enrolling agency is now required to provide discipline records when a foster student is enrolled. The board also charged the administration with looking at the admission policy for all students and giving them the same stipulation with respect to disclosure of discipline information.
   
• The board approved the7th and 8th grade language arts course of study and the accompanying textbook, Holt’s “Elements of Literature.”
   
• The board took the first step towards putting a 1.1 mill replacement permanent improvement levy on the November ballot.
   
• Recent tax legislation has opened the door for school districts to offer additional retirement savings options to employees. The Ohio Association of School Business Officials (OASBO) has developed a plan known as the OASBO 457 Plan. This plan would greatly benefit those staff members who elect to participate by allowing them to defer compensation without reducing the amount they can contribute to a 403(b) account. Because this is a formal plan, unlike 403(b) plans, a plan document is required. OASBO has developed the master plan, which enables school districts across the state to join the plan and use the existing documents. The board adopted this plan.
   
• The board approved routine personnel items.  View personnel agenda items [PDF].
   
• The board scheduled a special meeting for Tuesday morning, August 19th at 7:30 a.m. to take the second step towards putting a PI replacement levy on the ballot.

BOE MINUTES ARCHIVE
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