CH-UH school board seeks Facilities Accountability Committee members

In a Nov. 20 news release, received by the Heights Observer on Dec. 2, Angee Shaker, director of communications for the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District, announced that the board of education is seeking ten Heights residents to serve on its Facilities Accountability Committee.

The term of service is estimated to coincide with the anticipated completion of renovations to Cleveland Heights High School in 2017.

The nomination period opened on Nov. 20 and the deadline for nominations is Dec. 20. Prospective committee members can nominate themselves.

Below is the full text of the news release.

The mission of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District’s Facilities Accountability Committee (FAC) is to monitor and regularly report to the Board of Education regarding the status, progress and expenditure of funds for Phase 1 of the District’s comprehensive plan, as authorized by District voters as Issue 81 in November 2013. 

The FAC’s responsibilities include: monitoring the implementation of, and revisions to, the Facilities Master Plan; as well as monitoring the status of construction, financing and fundraising, monitoring proposed and actual construction costs, and facilitating community engagement in school planning, construction contracting and construction workforce.

Membership on the FAC will be limited to residents and a Board liaison and will be strictly voluntary. The initial ten (10) members of the FAC will be appointed by the Board of Education from applications received through an open nomination process. 

The nomination process for membership to the FAC will be open from November 20 - December 20, 2013.  Final selection of FAC members will be voted on and announced at the January 7, 2014 meeting of the Board of Education. 

Nominations should be submitted via email to the Office of the Superintendent at the Cleveland Heights – University Heights Board of Education to Areda Walker: a_walker@chuh.org. Self-nominations are permitted. Information included in the nomination should consist of:

  1. Name
  2. Address
  3. Relationship with the CH-UH School District, if any (alumnus, parent, PTA membership, etc.)
  4. Professional knowledge or areas of expertise (finance, sustainability, architectural design, construction, community engagement, etc.)
  5. Other current community involvement

In making the selection of initial FAC members, the Board of Education will attempt to include diverse representation from a cross-section of stakeholders including parents, non-parent residents, business owners, labor members and other community members, as well as a diverse geographic and demographic representation. Any subsequent additions or changes to the roster of FAC members will be based on recommendations from the FAC, to be approved by the Board of Education.  

Prospective members should expect to serve on the FAC at least until completion of the renovations to Cleveland Heights High School (2017).  By December 31, 2016, the Board of Education will begin a process of either expanding the FAC, or empanelling a new, separate committee, to monitor Phase 1 renovations to Monticello and Roxboro Middle Schools. 

Once empanelled, the members of the FAC will be required to hold their first meeting, with public notice, by January 31, 2014. The FAC meeting schedule will be posted on the Board of Education website and circulated to members of the media. Materials, meeting notes and products of the FAC will be made publicly available. 

The FAC will report to the community on any and all matters they view as in the community’s interest, including the outcomes of the specific commitments made as part of the Facilities planning process:

  • Completion of Phase 1 renovations to Heights High School, and Monticello and Roxboro Middle Schools, within the budget of $157 million. 
  • Completion of all Phase 1 work within five years (by 2019)
  • Minimum LEED Silver certification
  • Increased energy-efficiency in renovated buildings
  • ADA (American Disabilities Act) compliance of renovated buildings
  • The relocation of Career/Technical programs to Heights High School
  • Preservation of the core architecture of historic buildings
  • Ensuring the design of new construction is consistent with the historic design of existing structures 
  • Enhanced safety and security in renovated buildings
  • Competition pool with community access
  • Maximize EDGE participation – diverse hiring practices

Kim Sergio Inglis

Kim Sergio Inglis is editor-in-chief of the Heights Observer. She lives in the Shaker Farm Historic District in Cleveland Heights.

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Volume 7, Issue 1, Posted 10:37 AM, 12.03.2013