Board Meeting

Tri-Rivers Career Center
Wednesday, January 14 - 6:30pm - 7:30pm

    1. Call the Organizational Meeting to Order
    Mr. Eric Park, President Pro-Tem

    2. Roll Call
    Mrs. Tammi Cowell, Treasurer/CFO

    ___ Mr. Choina     ___ Mr. Landon             ___ Mrs. Pinney
    ___ Mrs. Dyer       ___ Mr. McFarland        ___  Mrs. Plotts
    ___ Mrs. Ehret      ___ Mr. McKinniss         ___ Mr. Sims
    ___ Mrs. Good      ___ Mr. Park
          


    3. Pledge of Allegiance
    Mr. Eric Park, President Pro-Tem

    4. Oaths of Office
    Tammi L. Cowell, Treasurer/CFO

    Oaths of Office to new and returning Board of Education members.


    5. Nomination for President

    President Pro-Tem Eric Park will call for nominations for President.
    ____________ placed the name of ____________ in nomination.
    ____________ placed the name of ____________ in nomination.
    ____________ moved the nominations be closed.
    ____________ seconded the nominations be closed.
    Discussion
    Roll Call:

    ___ Mr. Albright     ___ Mrs. Good         ___ Mrs. Pinney
    ___ Mr. Choina      ___ Mr. Landon        ___ Mrs. Plotts
    ___ Mrs. Dyer        ___ Mr. McFarland   ___ Mr. Sayers
    ___ Mrs. Ehret       ___ Mr. McKinniss   ___ Mr. Sims                                                                                                                                                             ___ Mr. Park

                                      


    6. Election of President

    ____________ moved to elect ____________ President of the Tri-Rivers Board of Education.
    ____________ seconded the motion.
    Discussion
    Roll Call:

    ___ Mr. Albright     ___ Mrs. Good         ___ Mrs. Pinney
    ___ Mr. Choina      ___ Mr. Landon        ___ Mrs. Plotts
    ___ Mrs. Dyer        ___ Mr. McFarland   ___ Mr. Sayers
    ___ Mrs. Ehret       ___ Mr. McKinniss   ___ Mr. Sims                                                                                                                                                             ___ Mr. Park


    6.1 Administer Oath of Office
    Tammi Cowell, Treasurer/CFO

    7. Nomination for Vice President

     President will call for nominations for Vice President.
    ____________ placed the name of ____________ in nomination.
    ____________ placed the name of ____________ in nomination.
    ____________ moved the nominations be closed.
    ____________ seconded the nominations be closed.
    Discussion
    Roll Call:.

    ___ Mr. Albright     ___ Mrs. Good         ___ Mrs. Pinney
    ___ Mr. Choina      ___ Mr. Landon        ___ Mrs. Plotts
    ___ Mrs. Dyer        ___ Mr. McFarland   ___ Mr. Sayers
    ___ Mrs. Ehret       ___ Mr. McKinniss   ___ Mr. Sims                                                                                                                                                             ___ Mr. Park


    8. Election of Vice President

    ____________ moved to elect ____________ Vice President of the Tri-Rivers Board of Education.
    ____________ seconded the motion.
    Discussion
    Roll Call:

    ___ Mr. Albright     ___ Mrs. Good         ___ Mrs. Pinney
    ___ Mr. Choina      ___ Mr. Landon        ___ Mrs. Plotts
    ___ Mrs. Dyer        ___ Mr. McFarland   ___ Mr. Sayers
    ___ Mrs. Ehret       ___ Mr. McKinniss   ___ Mr. Sims                                                                                                                                                             ___ Mr. Park


    8.1 Administer Oath of Office
    Tammi Cowell, Treasurer/CFO

    9. Public Participation/Introduction of Guests and Their Comments

     "This meeting is a meeting of the Board of Education in public for the purpose of conducting the School District's business and is not to be considered a public community meeting. Public participation is governed by Board bylaw 0169.1 - Public Participation at Board Meetings."


    10. Organizational Meeting Recommendations

    ____________ moved to approve the following items.

    ____________ seconded the motion.

    • Board Compensation at $125.00 per meeting for all meetings during 2026, this will include mileage for all meetings at the approved IRS rate effective on the date of travel. Mileage will be reimbursed semi-annually through payroll.
    • Regular meeting dates and times for the Tri-Rivers Joint Vocational School District Board of Education will be held on the _____ (day) of the month. The meetings will be held at _____ p.m. at Tri-Rivers Career Center, 2222 Marion-Mt. Gilead Road, Marion, Ohio. The exceptions will be the April 2026, June 2026 and July 2026 meetings, which will be held on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, Wednesday, June 24, 2026 and July 22, 2026. The Annual Records Commission Meeting will be held in January prior to the Organizational Meeting. The date and time of a regular meeting of any given month may be changed provided such change is made by resolution during some preceding regular meeting or by the President should an emergency situation develop. All Board members will be notified of such changes and appropriate steps taken to notify the public. The regular meeting for January 2026 shall be held following the organizational meeting on January 14, 2026.

    Board Committees for 2026 will be as follows:

    2025 Audit/Finance Committee

    Bob Haas

    Mick Landon

    Jim McFarland

    Ted McKinniss

    Eric Park

    Gary Sims

    Tammi Cowell, Treasurer-Chair

    Daniel Kaffenbarger, Interim Superintendent

    2025 Policy Committee

    Bob Haas

    Mick Landon

    Jim McFarland

    Ted McKinniss

    Eric Park

    Gary Sims

    Jennifer Lawson, Director of Operations

    Tammi Cowell, Treasurer 

    Daniel Kaffenbarger, Interim Superintendent-Chair

    2025 Strategic Planning Committee

    Tara Dyer

    Mick Landon

    Pam Pinney

    Glenna Plotts

    Keith Rogers

    Chris Solis, Principal

    Jen Lawson, Director of Operations

    Tammi Cowell, Treasurer

    Daniel Kaffenbarger, Interim Superintendent-Chair

    2025 TDA Sponsor Oversight Committee

    Debbie Good

    Bob Haas

    Ted McKinniss, Chair

    Tammi Cowell, Treasurer

    Daniel Kaffenbarger, Interim Superintendent

    2025 Superintendent Advisory Committee

    Tara Dyer

    Shelly Ehret

    Jim McFarland

    Eric Park

    Glenna Plotts

    Gary Sims

    Chris Solis, Principal

    Tammi Cowell, Treasurer

    Daniel Kaffenbarger, Interim Superintendent-Chair

    Discussion
    Roll Call:

    ___ Mr. Albright     ___ Mrs. Good         ___ Mrs. Pinney
    ___ Mr. Choina      ___ Mr. Landon        ___ Mrs. Plotts
    ___ Mrs. Dyer        ___ Mr. McFarland   ___ Mr. Sayers
    ___ Mrs. Ehret       ___ Mr. McKinniss   ___ Mr. Sims                                                                                                                                                             ___ Mr. Park


    10.1 Committee Appointments for Legislative Liaison and Student Achievement Liaison

    2025 - Bob Haas and Tara Dyer


    11. Adjourn Organizational Meeting

    ____________ motioned to adjourn the Organizational Meeting.
    ____________ seconded the motion.
    Roll Call:

    ___ Mr. Albright     ___ Mrs. Good         ___ Mrs. Pinney
    ___ Mr. Choina      ___ Mr. Landon        ___ Mrs. Plotts
    ___ Mrs. Dyer        ___ Mr. McFarland   ___ Mr. Sayers
    ___ Mrs. Ehret       ___ Mr. McKinniss   ___ Mr. Sims                                                                                                                                                             ___ Mr. Park


    12. Budget Hearing
    Tammi Cowell, Treasurer/CFO

    12.1 Budget Hearing Discussion

    13. Call to Order the Regular January Board of Education Meeting

    14. Roll Call

    ___ Mr. Albright     ___ Mrs. Good         ___ Mrs. Pinney
    ___ Mr. Choina      ___ Mr. Landon        ___ Mrs. Plotts
    ___ Mrs. Dyer        ___ Mr. McFarland   ___ Mr. Sayers
    ___ Mrs. Ehret       ___ Mr. McKinniss   ___ Mr. Sims                                                                                                                                                             ___ Mr. Park


    15. Report

    16. Motion to Amend Agenda (if needed)

    ____________ moved to approve the motion to amend this agenda.
    ____________seconded the motion.

    19.14    Approve paying Adena Corporation $268,013.00 for the Construction Trades Academy fabric building.


    Discussion
    Roll Call:

    ___ Mr. Albright     ___ Mrs. Good         ___ Mrs. Pinney
    ___ Mr. Choina      ___ Mr. Landon        ___ Mrs. Plotts
    ___ Mrs. Dyer        ___ Mr. McFarland   ___ Mr. Sayers
    ___ Mrs. Ehret       ___ Mr. McKinniss   ___ Mr. Sims                                                                                                                                                             ___ Mr. Park


    17. General Discussion of Agenda, Addendum and Other Items

    Items 18-19.1-19.14 and 20.1-20.13 listed below under the Consent Agenda are considered by the Board to be routine and will be enacted by the Board in one motion in the form listed below. There will be no discussion of these items prior to the time the Board voters on the motion unless members of the Board, staff or the public request specific items to be discussed and removed from the Consent Agenda. The Superintendent, Treasurer and administrative staff recommend approval of all Consent Agenda items.

    Discussion
    Roll Call:

    ___ Mr. Albright     ___ Mrs. Good         ___ Mrs. Pinney
    ___ Mr. Choina      ___ Mr. Landon        ___ Mrs. Plotts
    ___ Mrs. Dyer        ___ Mr. McFarland   ___ Mr. Sayers
    ___ Mrs. Ehret       ___ Mr. McKinniss   ___ Mr. Sims                                                                                                                                                             ___ Mr. Park


    18. Minutes of the December 17, 2025 Regular Board Meeting

    19. Treasurer's Business and Report
    Tammi Cowell, Treasurer/CFO

    19.1 Service Fund

    To approve the Board of Education Service Fund set at $7,500 for 2026.


    19.2 Purchasing Agent Approval

    To approve Daniel R. Kaffenbarger as Purchasing Agent for Tri-Rivers Joint Vocational School District effective January 1, 2026 through the 2027 Organizational Meeting.


    19.3 Authority to Hire Employees Pending Board Confirmation and Accept Resignations

    To authorize Superintendent Daniel R. Kaffenbarger to hire employees for existing or newly created positions pending board confirmation at its next regular or special meeting called for the purpose and to accept resignations of current employees on behalf of this board effective January 1, 2026 through the 2027 Organizational Meeting.


    19.4 Treasurer Transactions Approval

    So that advances can be secured quickly by the Treasurer to cover current expenses or to invest, it is recommended by the Treasurer to cover current expenses or to invest, it is recommended that the Treasurer be granted the authority outlined in the motion below: Section 1. Be it Resolved by the Board of Education of the Tri-Rivers Joint Vocational School District, State of Ohio: That the Auditors of Marion, Morrow and Union Counties be and they are hereby requested to issue an order to the Treasurer of their respective Counties to pay the Treasurer of this Board of Education such funds as they may be available for distribution by their respective County Treasurer. Section 2. That the President and/or Vice President be and is he/she is hereby authorized to sign and the Treasurer to countersign the necessary documents to secure advances and also the secondary documents to secure the semi-annual settlement with the above county Treasurer's during the calendar year 2026. Section 3. That the authorization herein conferred shall extend to any advances that may be requested during the calendar year 2026. Section 4. That the Treasurer of the Board be and he/she is hereby authorized and directed to certify a copy of this resolution to the County Auditors of the above said Counties and make such other certifications and reports to these County Auditors as may be necessary to make this resolution effective.


    19.5 Investments Procedure

    To approve the Treasurer of the Tri-Rivers Joint Vocational School Board be granted the authority and responsibility to determine the funds, to determine the length of time to invest such funds, to secure bids from eligible financial institutions and to invest the interim funds in certificates of deposit in the eligible financial institution or institutions submitting the highest rate of interest for each proposed investment in treasury bills or notes in compliance with applicable statutes.


    19.6 Tax Budget Approval

    The projected tax budget for FY27 is based on the five-year forecast presented in November 2025. To approve the Tri-Rivers Joint Vocational School District Tax Budget for the period July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 as proposed by Treasurer/CFO, Tammi L. Cowell and Interim Superintendent Daniel R. Kaffenbarger.


    19.7 Posting of Interest

    To authorize the Treasurer/CFO, Tammi L. Cowell, to allocate interest earnings on bank accounts and investments to the following funds: 001 Fund- General,006 Fund- Cafeteria, 007 Fund-All,008 Fund- All


    19.8 Payment of Bills

    To approve the Treasurer paying bills due as long as the amount of payment is within the established appropriations. A complete history of bills paid will be provided for board approval each month during regular Board of Education meetings.


    19.9 Blanket and Super Blanket Purchase Orders

    To approve the use of Blanket and Super Blanket purchase orders for amounts not to exceed $300,000.00 per order for all non-grant funds and amounts not to exceed the Grant Award per order for all grant funds for fiscal year 2027. The Treasurer may issue "super blanket" purchase orders (certificates) for any amount for expenditures and contracts from a specific line-item appropriation account in a specified fund for most professional services, fuel, oil, food items and any other specific recurring and reasonably predictable operating expense. Such a purchase order (certificate) shall not extend beyond the fiscal year. 


    19.10 Financial Report

    19.11 Paid Bills

    19.12 FMLA Requests
    • To approve intermittent FMLA request from Brian Schaadt, approximately 12 weeks beginning December 12, 2025.
    • To approve FMLA request from Aaron Stewart, up to 12 weeks beginning December 17, 2025.
    • To approve intermittent FMLA request from Jodi Rogers, up to 12 weeks beginning January 6, 2026.

    19.13 Conference Request Expenses

    To approve reimbursement for conference hotel expenses for Jennifer Lawson, Dave Mack and Cody Hawkins in the approximate amount of $7,766.65. 


    19.14 Adena Corporation

     Approve paying Adena Corporation $268,013.00 for the Construction Trades Academy fabric building.


    19.15 Discussion

    20. Superintendent's Report and Recommendation

    Items listed below under the Consent Agenda are considered by the Board to be routine and will be enacted by the Board in one motion in the form listed below. There will be no discussion of these items prior to the time the Board votes on the motion unless members of the Board, staff or the public request specific items to be discussed and removal from the Consent Agenda. The Superintendent and administrative staff recommend approval of all Consent Agenda Items.


    20.1 Employment

    Substitutes for the 2025-2026 school year

    • Maria Edler, Full-Time Rotational Substitute, $150 per day
    • Josh Gallagan, substitute support for Interactive Media, $115 per day, 3 days per week, beginning February 2, 2026

     

    Adult Education

    • To approve making a correction to the salary/step of Catherine Irons, Nursing Instructor, effective with her 2025-2026 contract, Step 20.

    20.2 Administrative Contract Notification

    According to state law, boards of education must notify all administrators up for contract renewal that their contract is up for possible renewal, and they have the option to discuss their contract with the board.

    To authorize and direct the Treasurer/CFO to notify the following administrator in writing that their contract expires on the date indicate and they may request a meeting with the Board of Education to discuss the Board's reasons for renewal or non-renewal of their contract.

    Dr. Emeline Kelly, Adult Education Director of Nursing

    Amy Randolph, Special Education Career Intervention Coordinator

    Jennifer Sheridan, Student Services Career Coordinator


    20.3 Authority to Approve Out of State and Overnight Field Trips and/or Meetings/Conferences Pending Board Confirmation

    To authorize Superintendent Daniel R. Kaffenbarger to approve overnight and out of state field trips and overnight and out of state meetings or conferences pending board confirmation at its next regular or special meeting on behalf of this board effective January 1, 2026 through the 2027 Organizational Meeting.


    20.4 Donations
    • To accept a donation 2 Testo Combustion Analyzers valued at $1,445.00 each from Johnstone Supply to be used for Adult Education instruction.
    • To accept a donation of miscellaneous items from Cardington Home and Auto to be used by Maintenance/Custodial Services, valued at $5,420.12.

    20.5 Out of State Conference Requests
    • To approve Molly Clapper, Director of Special Education & Pupil Services, to attend the ACTE National Policy Seminar in Washington D.C., March 22-25, 2026.
    • To approve Nikki Hamilton, Financial Aid Coordinator, to attend the Federal Student Aid Conference in Washington D.C., March 3-6, 2026.

    20.6 Ohio Education Policy Institute

    To approve membership in the Ohio Education Policy Institute.


    20.7 Micro-Purchase Threshold Resolution

    To approve the Micro-Purchase Threshold Resolution as attached.


    20.8 Seniority List

    To approve the 2025-2026 Seniority List.


    20.9 2025-2026 Emergency Operations Plan

    To approve the 2025-2026 Emergency Operations Plan.


    20.10 Contract for Organizational Assistance

    Sharon DeLay, not to exceed $20,250.


    20.11 Contract with Obviam

    To enter into a contract with Obviam to perform an internal and external test assessment and onboarding with regard to Cybersecurity.


    20.12 Job Description

    To approve the job description for Lead Custodian.


    20.13 Special Board Meetings

    To approve January 21, 22 & 28, 2026 as Special Board of Education Meetings. The meetings will be held in Executive Session with no action taken during those meetings.


    21. Discussion

    School Board Appreciation Month


    22. Executive Session

    ____________ moved to enter into Executive Session.
    ____________ seconded the motion.
    WHEREAS, as a public board of education may hold an executive session only after a majority of a quorum of this board determines by a roll call vote to hold such a session and only at a regular or special meeting for the sole purpose of the consideration of any of the following matters:
    1.In accordance with ORC 121.22G1- The appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion or compensation of a public employee or official, or the investigation of charges or complaints against a public employee, official, licensee, or regulated individual.
    2.In accordance with ORC 121.22G2- The purchase of property for public purposes, or for the sale of property at competitive bidding.
    3.In accordance with ORC 121.22G3- Conferences with an attorney for the public body concerning disputes involving the public body that are the subject of pending or imminent court action.
    4.In accordance with ORC 121.22G4- Preparing for, conducting, or reviewing negotiations or bargaining sessions with public employees concerning their compensation.
    5.In accordance with ORC 121.22G5- Matters required to be kept confidential by federal law or regulations or state statutes.
    6. In accordance with ORC 121.22G6- Details relative to the security arrangements and emergency response protocols for a public body or a public office.
    Therefore,
    BE IT RESOLVED that the Tri-Rivers Joint Vocational School District Board of Education, by a majority of the quorum present at this meeting, does hereby declare its intention to hold an executive session on item(s) ______ as listed above.
    Discussion
    Roll Call:
    ___ Mr. Albright     ___ Mrs. Good         ___ Mrs. Pinney
    ___ Mr. Choina      ___ Mr. Landon        ___ Mrs. Plotts
    ___ Mrs. Dyer        ___ Mr. McFarland   ___ Mr. Sayers
    ___ Mrs. Ehret       ___ Mr. McKinniss   ___ Mr. Sims                                                                                                                                                             ___ Mr. Park
    The Board entered into Executive Session at __________.


    23. Executive Session Concluded

    Executive Session concluded at ________.


    24. Adjourn

    ____________ made a motion that the meeting be adjourned.
    ____________ seconded the motion.

    Roll Call:

    ___ Mr. Albright     ___ Mrs. Good         ___ Mrs. Pinney
    ___ Mr. Choina      ___ Mr. Landon        ___ Mrs. Plotts
    ___ Mrs. Dyer        ___ Mr. McFarland   ___ Mr. Sayers
    ___ Mrs. Ehret       ___ Mr. McKinniss   ___ Mr. Sims                                                                                                                                                             ___ Mr. Park

    Meeting declared adjourned at __________.
    Next Meeting is ____________.

     


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