CAC Minutes – December 20, 2004

Monday, January 24th: Next CAC Meeting @ the BOE (former city hall) Building, 7:30.

Refer to this official publication of the CAC minutes for any changes on the venue of the meetings.

Attendees (18): Tom Smanik (presiding); Tom LeChaix (BOE); Dr. Jim Costanza (Superintendent); Mark Pepera; Bridget Ebenger-Balla;

Kevin Kanareff; Dan Walsh; John Doucette; Eddie Williams; Linda Wade; Zahab Adenwalla; Nancy Breckenridge;

Carrie Tate; Andy Call; Marcia Columbro; Garn Anderson; Polly Schmauch; Jean Seasholtz; Leslie Brusk

Absent with notice: Sherman Bishop; Lee Field-Starks; Anne Pevnev; Katie Lowry

Absent without notice: Katie Lowry

The following are the minutes from the December 20th, 2004 meeting at the Board of Education building:

Call To Order

The December 20, 2004 meeting was called to order by Tom Smanik at 7:35 p.m.

Approval of Agenda

The agenda were approved with no additions or corrections by Tom Smanik.

 The motion was granted by Andy Call and seconded by Jean Seasholtz.

Approval of Minutes

The November minutes were approved with no additions or corrections by Tom Smanik.

The motion was granted by Andy Call and seconded by Leslie Brusk.

Special Guest, Mark Pepera’s Report – Financial Overview of the Westlake School District

School District Budget -

• Mark prepares a 5 year fiscal forecast. This is a dynamic document. It has changed 3 times so far during the 2004-05 school year.
• The Crocker Park project’s tax revenue has been difficult to estimate. This isn’t uncommon for the estimates for a project of this nature to be a guessing game. Mark has been in contact with the county auditor and the city to help develop good ballpark tax revenue estimates.
• The property were stores are open as of 1-1-05 will be valued. These stores will generate tax revenue. The taxes are received on a calendar year basis.
• The District used a very conservative approach with the Crocker Park project.
• The District received a letter from the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) warning them that the current budget will be operating in a negative unreserved fund balance beginning in the 2007 fiscal year. The District is to file an avoidance strategy proposal with the ODE by January 31, 2005.

School District’s Revenue Needs –

• Last levy was passed in 2000 and it was a 5.5 mil replacement levy. 1 mil generates $1.2 million. This levy was projected to last 3-4 years. It is now in its 5^th year.
• Of the $40 million dollar budget, 83-84% is for personnel. Most of the personnel are under contract.
• The District’s revenue stream isn’t fixed and the property taxes have been static. Expenses are going up, but not at an abnormal rate.
• In 2003-04 and 2004-05 because of a significant decrease in property taxes the district cut $500,000 from each of the aforementioned fiscal years. These cuts didn’t impact the District’s instructional plans.

Financial Advisory Committee –

• Recently created to assist the Board with the levy issue
• This committee is made up of 12 citizens with various financial and civic backgrounds
• They will have a formal report in February

Superintendent's Report by Dr. Jim Costanza:

Performing Arts Center Update -

• Still on target for early February turnover

• Gas is now connected.
• Installation of lighting and sound system is going on.
• They are currently interviewing for the auditorium position.
• Would like the CAC’s input on the rental and license agreements. Comments should have been sent to Jim or Tom by 1-7-05.
• Ticketing software – does anyone have any contacts or insight?
• The orchestra shell will be delivered Feb. 21^st
• The usage of the facility will coincide with its opening

Board of Education Report by Tom LeChaix:

Other Westlake District News -

• Community survey the Board conducts every 2-3 years was recently completed. It contained levy and Red Brick building questions. They should have the results at the end of January.
• The Red Brick survey conducted by the Ad Hoc committee was basically 50/50 on what to do with the building.
• January and February’s retreat will be used to talk about PAC operations.

Unfinished Business:

New Member Appointment -

• Linda Wade was appointed to member status. The motion was approved by Kevin Kanareff and seconded by John Doucette. It was passed unanimously.

Committee Reports:

Communication

• Want to place the CAC minutes on the website.
• Zahab Adenwalla will be the committee’s liaison with the District’s technology person, Albie Weiss
• The committee wants to make the CAC’s website more dynamic and to create a database reference for the CAC to assist with research and contact information.

District Safety

• Met with Gary Slocum, Director of Business Affairs to evaluate the district’s safety plan. The confidentiality of this plan and who is allowed to view it is currently in question. They are going to talk to other cities to see how they have dealt with the problem.
• They will also be looking at bus safety and controlled access to buildings.

Healthy Foods

• On Nov. 22^nd, talked with head cook. Found that she had no formal training. She prepares the menus and Gary Slocum reviews them.
• Pop machines in schools disqualify them from federal subsidies.
• She invited them to take a tour and to sample the foods they serve.
• They are going to look into the Governor of Arkansas program
• Chef Rocco, the celebrity chef also came out with cookbooks for schools

Levy Committee

• The final format of best practices guidelines will be presented to the Board in January.

PAC V - Gala

• Scheduled from March 6^th.
• Tickets to be available in January?

PAC V – Ribbon Cutting

• Planned for Saturday, March 5^th, 2005
• Ribbon cutting in the afternoon and evening performances by the school bands

New Business

• Roster update – Leslie Brusk’s email ends in org

Adjourn

The December 20th meeting was adjourned by Tom Smanik at 9:03 p.m.

Corrections/missing items/amendments will be made in the next meeting as needed.

Minutes taken by Bridget Ebenger-Balla 
Secretary - CAC
Issued 1-19-05