LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS / CH-UH Board of Education meeting highlights
JUNE 13, 2023 regular meeting
- Recognition and awards
- School spotlight
- Summer school
- Mathematics pilot curriculum
- Policies: Group C, second reading
- Resolution against HB 103
- Treasurer’s report
- CTE strategic plan
- School Calendar
Present were President Beverly Wright, Dan Heintz, James Posch, and Jodi Sourini. Malia Lewis was not present. Also present were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. The meeting lasted about one hour and thirty minutes.
Recognitions and awards
Students received awards for the Creative Heights District Art Show, the Scholastic Art and Writing Competition, and the Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition. Also, arts students were recognized for their participation in the Beachwood Arts Council’s Ileen Kelner Juried High School Art Show. Mills May (Heights High ‘22) was recognized for selection in December 2022 to represent the Ohio House 9th District in theOhio House of Representatives High School Student Art Exhibit.
Also recognized were the Heights High School 2023 winning Academic Challenge team, Leadership Playbook 2022-2023 Student-Athlete of the Year Nominee Owen Bisker, and Tiger team members of the month.
School Spotlight
The June Spotlight featured Principal Patrick Carpenter of Nobel Elementary School, who presented Nobel School’s family and community engagement work during the 2022-2023 school year. The elements for student success align with the college and career readiness program AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), Community Learning Center framework, National Network of Partnership Schools, and the PTA Partnership, all of which seek to create an inclusive school atmosphere to promote equity. Over the past year, Nobel School has emphasized promoting fun events and afterschool enrichment.
Summer school
Dr. Christina Bauer, director of curriculum, provided the number of students enrolled in the summer school programs: 393 kindergarten through fifth grade, 195 middle school, 142 high school, and 19 in the algebra middle school bridge program. Summer reading lists are posted on the web site.
Mathematics pilot curriculum
Mathematics teachers for grades six through twelve will pilot new programs during the first semester of the 2023-2024 school year. Publishers have worked with secondary school teachers piloting the program and will provide refresher sessions in August. Kindergarten through fifth-grade teachers will receive training in October for the second quarter pilot.
Policies: Group C, second reading
Group C comprises 29 policies relevant to, but not limited to, public comments at board meetings, restrictions regarding tobacco use and vaping on school campuses, and technology use by teachers and students. Action on Policies: Group C will take place at the July meeting.
Resolution against HB 103
Mr. Heintz presented, and the board approved, a resolution against Ohio House Bill (HB) 103 and the requirement that school systems purchase and use “American Birthright: The Civics Alliance’s Model K-12 Social Studies Standards” because the National Council for Social Studies has determined that it “would have damaging and lasting effects on the civic knowledge of students and their capacity to engage in civic reasoning and deliberation.” President Wright warned that HB 103 proposes a new social studies learning standard and would drastically alter the teaching of civics and history. She also warned against Ohio HB 8, which would require school personnel to “out” their LGBTQ students to their parents. Copies of the resolution will be delivered to Speaker of the House Jason Stephens, Senate President Matt Huffman, and the office of Governor Mike DeWine.
Treasurer’s report
Mr. Gainer announced that the Ohio Senate has released the biennial budget. He stressed the need to advocate for what the district needs. Mr. Gainer presented the difference between what the House had proposed and the Senate’s substantial reductions. The budget returns to the House but must be presented to Governor DeWine by June 30. The governor is allowed line-item vetoes.
CTE strategic plan
Superintendent Kirby met with CTE (Career and Technical Education) teachers and staff to review the strategic plan draft. An updated plan will be presented to the board at a July meeting.
School calendar
The board approved calendar changes for the 2023-2024 school year. The first day of school is August 23, 2023.
LWV observer: Rosemarie Fairman
Documents for all board meetings can be accessed from the Board of Education webpage: www.chuh.org/BoardofEducation.aspx. Go to “BoardDocs” in the menu; on BoardDocs go to “MEETINGS” in the top menu; click on “Agenda.” Board meetings are livestreamed on the district’s YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/CHUHSchools) and recorded for later viewing.