BATH LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING	January 13, 2025

The Bath Board of Education met for an organizational meeting January 13, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the Middle School IMC with the following members present: Mrs. Ernest, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Leidy, and Mr. White. Absent: Mrs. Kelley.

Mr. Leidy nominated Mrs. Ernest for President of the Board of Education.

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CLOSE THE NOMINATIONS FOR PRESIDENT: Mr. White motioned to close nominations for Board President. Mr. White moved and Mr. Kennedy seconded the motion to close the nominations for President of the Board. Vote on the motion was as follows: Mrs. Ernest, yes; Mr. Kennedy, yes; Mr. Leidy, yes; Mr. White, yes; motion carried.

MOTION TO ELECT PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD: Mr. Kennedy moved and Mr. White seconded the motion to elect Mrs. Ernest President of the Board. Vote on the motion was as follows: Mrs. Ernest, yes; Mr. Kennedy, yes; Mr. Leidy, yes; Mr. White, yes; motion carried.

Treasurer Joel Parker administered the Oath of Office as President to Mrs. Ernest:

Do you solemnly swear and affirm that you will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Ohio; and you will faithfully and impartially discharge your duties as President in and for the Bath Local District, Allen County, Ohio to the best of your ability, and in accordance with the laws now in effect, and hereafter enacted during your continuance in said office and until your successor is chosen and qualified?

I do, __________________________________

Mr. White nominated Mr. Leidy for Vice President of the Board of Education.

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CLOSE THE NOMINATIONS FOR VICE PRESIDENT: Mr. Kennedy motioned to close nominations for Vice President. Mr. Kennedy moved and Mr. White seconded the motion to close the nominations for Vice President of the Board. Vote on the motion was as follows: Mrs. Ernest, yes; Mr. Kennedy, yes; Mr. Leidy, yes; Mr. White, yes; motion carried.

MOTION TO ELECT VICE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD: Mr. Kennedy moved and Mr. White seconded the motion to elect Mr. Leidy Vice President of the Board. Vote on the motion was as follows: Mrs. Ernest, yes; Mr. Kennedy, yes; Mr. Leidy, yes; Mr. White, yes; motion carried.

Treasurer Joel Parker administered the Oath of Office as Vice President to Mike Leidy:

Do you solemnly swear and affirm that you will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Ohio; and you will faithfully and impartially discharge your duties as Vice President in and for the Bath Local District, Allen County, Ohio to the best of your ability, and in accordance with the laws now in effect, and hereafter enacted during your continuance in said office and until your successor is chosen and qualified?

I do, __________________________________

BATH BOARD OF EDUCATION	January 13, 2025

Board President Committees for 2025 are as follows: Athletic – Jessica Kelley and Rick Kennedy
Building & Grounds – Rick Kennedy and Stephanie Ernest Finance – Phil White and Jessica Kelley
Policy – Mike Leidy and Phil White

Student Achievement Liaison – Jessica Kelley Legislative Liaison – Phil White
Legislative Liaison Alternate – Rick Kennedy

25-01-05	ESTABLISH BOARD MEETING DATE AND TIME: Mr. Leidy moved and Mr. Kennedy seconded the motion that the Board will meet on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 P.M. in the Middle School IMC, located at 2700 Bible Road, unless otherwise denoted. The day and time of the board meeting may be scheduled at the convenience of the board members. The Administration and Treasurer’s office would respectfully request the regular monthly board meeting be scheduled during the second or third week of each month in order that the previous month’s financial records can be available for the board’s review at the regular meeting. The Lima News shall be the designated as the official newspaper for publication of notices required by law to be made in a newspaper. All board meeting dates and times will be posted to our school calendar housed on our district website: www.bathwildcats.org The scheduled dates are:
Tuesday, January 13*	Tuesday, July 15 Tuesday February 18	Tuesday, August 19 Tuesday, March 18                                                     Tuesday, September 16 Tuesday, April 15                                                       Tuesday, October 21 Tuesday, May 20	Tuesday, November 18 Tuesday, June 24*                                                      Tuesday, December 16

Vote on the motion was as follows: Mrs. Ernest, yes; Mr. Kennedy, yes; Mr. Leidy, yes; Mr. White, yes; motion carried.

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REAPPROVE TREASURER AS RECORDS OFFICER: Mr. Kennedy moved and Mr. White seconded the motion to designate the Treasurer, or in his absence, the person designated by the Superintendent, as the Public Records Officer, for purposes of compliance with public records requests and training requirements of R.C. 109.43 and 149.43. Vote on the motion was as follows: Mrs. Ernest, yes; Mr. Kennedy, yes; Mr. Leidy, yes; Mr. White, yes; motion carried.

ESTABLISH MEETING DATE & TIME FOR THE DISTRICT RECORDS COMMISSION: Mr. Kennedy moved and Mr. Leidy seconded the motion that the District Records Commission is defined by board policy EHA, and is comprised of the President, Superintendent and Treasurer. The proposed date is July 15, 2025 at 6:00 p.m., prior to the regular board meeting. Vote on the motion was as follows: Mrs. Ernest, yes; Mr. Kennedy, yes; Mr. Leidy, yes; Mr. White, yes; motion carried.

ESTABLISH SERVICE FUND: Mr. Kennedy moved and Mr. White seconded the motion to approve the following resolution, certifying the student count of 1,567 for the purpose of establishing a service fund:

WHEREAS, R.C. 3315.15 provides the setting aside from the general fund a sum of two dollars ($2.00) for each child enrolled or twenty thousand ($20,000) or whichever is greater, such a sum of money to be known as the “Service Fund” to be used only in paying the expenses of members of the Board of Education actually incurred in the performance of their duties, or of their official representatives when sent out of the school district.

BATH BOARD OF EDUCATION	January 13, 2025

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Bath Local School District does hereby establish a Service Fund, such fund is to be set aside as an account within the General Fund and there is hereby appropriated for the purpose of said Service Fund, the sum of twenty thousand ($20,000) which amount shall be incorporated into the appropriations of this school district for the year 2025.

Vote on the motion was as follows: Mrs. Ernest, yes; Mr. Kennedy, yes; Mr. Leidy, yes; Mr. White, yes; motion carried.

25-01-09	ADOPT STANDING AUTHORIZATIONS OF CALENDAR YEAR: Mr. White moved and Mr. Kennedy seconded the motion to approve the following standing authorizations for calendar year 2025, effective January 1, 2025:

1. Advance on Tax Settlements – authorization for Treasurer to secure an advance from the County Auditor when funds are available and payable to the school district.
2. Payments of Bills – authorize the Treasurer to pay all bills within the limits of the appropriation resolution as bills are received and when the merchandise has been received in good condition.
3. Employment of Temporary Personnel – authorization for the Superintendent to employ such temporary personnel as needed for emergency situations, as determined by the Local Superintendent. Substitute personnel daily rate during personnel emergency to be double the regular substitute pay.
4. Appointment of Purchasing Agent – authorize the Local Superintendent to serve as the purchasing agent for the school district.
5. Use of Facsimile Signature Plate – authorize the use of a facsimile signature plate to sign all checks, salary notices and contracts for 2025.
6. The Bath Local Schools Board of Education agrees to participate in the following federal programs:
516 – IDEA-B	551 – Title III 572 - Title I	584 – Title IV-A 590 – Title IIA
7. Authorize the Treasurer to make advances to State and Federally Funded Programs provided funds are returned to the General Fund.
8. Public Records - Approve the Treasurer to be the board volunteer to attend public records access training required for Board members for each term of office.
9. Authorize the Treasurer to purchase $20,000 Public Official Bond for the Treasurer’s position. 10. The Treasurer will be appointed to fulfill the public records training as required by the Ohio
Revised Code.
11. To authorize, Joel Parker, Treasurer, and Mike Estes, Superintendent, all financial powers at Chase Bank.
12. Authorize as a public purchase, the purchase of food, drink or minor gifts relating to: professional development meetings, staff meetings, in-service days, opening day, appreciation days, athletic events, student incentives or other events as approved by the Superintendent.
13. Letter of Resignation - Authorize the Superintendent to accept letters of resignation prior to Board meetings.
14. Adopt existing bylaws and policies for its our own operation and the operation of the school system

Vote on the motion was as follows: Mrs. Ernest, yes; Mr. Kennedy, yes; Mr. Leidy, yes; Mr. White, yes; motion carried.

BATH BOARD OF EDUCATION	January 13, 2025

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BOARD MEMBERS RATE OF PAY: Mr. Leidy moved and Mr. White seconded the motion to approve Board members be paid $125.00 per meeting, with a maximum payment of 15 meetings per year. Vote on the motion was as follows: Mrs. Ernest, yes; Mr. Kennedy, yes; Mr. Leidy, yes; Mr. White, yes; motion carried.

LEGAL COUNSEL: Mr. White moved and Mr. Kennedy seconded the motion of the Superintendents recommendation that the Bath Local Schools Board of Education appoint Scott Scriven, LLP as legal counsel for calendar year 2025 in accordance with ORC 3313.203 and 3313.47. Vote on the motion was as follows: Mrs. Ernest, yes; Mr. Kennedy, yes; Mr. Leidy, yes; Mr. White, yes; motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Leidy moved and Mr. Kennedy seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. Regular Board Meeting- Monday, January 13, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. and February 18, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. Vote on the motion was as follows: Mrs. Ernest, yes; Mr. Kennedy, yes; Mr. Leidy, yes; Mr. White, yes; motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 6:17 p.m.

_________________________________________________ PRESIDENT

________________________________________________ TREASURER