HAMMONDSVILLE - Larry Crow remained the president of the Edison Local Board of Education during Thursday's reorganizational meeting at Stanton Elementary School.
Scott Lockhart will maintain his position as vice president of the board, and Dennis Menoski will continue to serve as treasurer of the board.
Also during the reorganizational meeting, the board decided to switch the meeting day from the third Thursday to the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m., and there is going to be more emphasis on meeting at Edison High School because the public is more able to attend at that facility, said Dave Quattrochi, superintendent.
In other matters, the board passed a resolution reducing the compensation board members receive per board meeting from $125 to $100 and discussed further possible cuts to the pay later in the year. The financial cut will commence after Jan. 1, 2014.
"The public needs to know that we're starting at the top to address budget concerns," said Crow. "We're in a very difficult situation fiscally at this time."
"We need to let the public know that we are making sacrifices," said Frank Marcino, board member.
During the regular board meeting that followed, Quattrochi took time to address the series of public meetings that will be held this month regarding the 9.45-mill levy that will reappear on the March 6 ballot, after it failed on the Nov. 8 election ballot.
"I want to hold five or six meetings around various areas to discuss our federal, state and local income.
"We'll talk about where (the money) is going and provide breakdowns into every aspect of our budget, and we'll give it concretely. We'll compare and analyze ourselves compared to other school districts and what they are doing," said Quattrochi. "We just want the public to know exactly where we are at, about the cuts that will be made if it (the levy) doesn't pass and we just want to get feedback from them."
Quattrochi said that dates should be available for the public next week and said that he would like to start the meetings on Thursday, but will be no later than Jan. 23, and that the information will be made available as soon as possible.
"It's these precincts that really hurt us in the election, so we need to go to them," said Lockhart.
In other matters, the board passed a resolution rescinding the issuance of a five-year contract to Quattrochi from Aug. 1 through July 31, 2017.
They noted that when the contract was offered in 2011, Quattrochi was not eligible under new Ohio Revised Code until Jan. 1, 2012.
The board passed another resolution issuing a five-year contract to Quattrochi through July 31, 2017,
The board also recognized Menoski who was presented the Ohio Auditor of State award, which is given for exemplary financial reporting.
"Dennis has been an excellent treasurer for us, and we're extremely pleased with his performance and service to the district," said Crow.
The board also:
Established a service fund for the board of education in the amount of $5,000.
Confirmed mileage rate reimbursement paid to board members shall be set at the rate by the Internal Revenue Service regulations.
Approved participation in the Ohio School Boards Legal Assistance Fund and authorized the treasurer to pay the LAF the $250 fee.
Approved continuing membership in the Educational Tax Policy Institute for the membership year beginning Jan. 1.
Approved an overnight field trip for band students attending the Kent State University Honors Band and Wind Ensemble event today and Saturday.
(Kins can be contacted at jkins@heraldstaronline.com.)
