LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS / Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights
JULY 11, 2023 regular meeting
- Recognitions and awards
- Consent agenda
- Policies Group C
- State budget
- Superintendent’s comments
- Five-year-forecast
- Finance - three things
Present were Board President Beverly Wright and members Dan Heintz, Malia Lewis, James Posch, and Jodi Sourini. Also present were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. Public meeting ran 52 minutes before the board adjourned to executive session.
Recognitions and awards
Each year, OHSPRA (Ohio School Public Relations Association) honors individuals, school districts and others for outstanding contributions in school communications. The Cleveland Heights-University Heights district (CHUH) won four awards including Best of the Best Student Video, "Your Opinion of Me is Not My Responsibility" by Alexandra Shepherd Boike ’23, and Friend of Education Award to Krissy Gallagher
Consent agenda
The board approved several consent agendas that included, among other items, a memorandum of understanding for a partnership between the Cleveland Heights University Heights District (CHUH) and the Jackson Public Schools in the submission of a federal grant application to fund recruitment and retention, professional development, instructional leadership teams, and more. It relates to CHUH goals for diversity and equity in education.
Policies Group C
Dr. Lombardo, assistant superintendent, human resources and o2sperations, presented the third reading of Policies Group C The board approved Policies Group C, which is relevant, 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.
State budget
Dr. Lombardo said that if the new Ohio state biannual budget necessitates restructuring of the CHUH budget, a new timeline for rewriting policies will be created, if needed. Mr. Heintz said The state bienniel budget may also the include a restructuring of the elected Ohio State Board of Education
Superintendent’s comments
Many retreats and meetings were held to review the 2022-2023 school year performance and to prepare for the 2023-2024 school year. School leaders have received feedback to reflect on data and plan for next year. Specific action will focus on building a positive school climate.
The Equity Ally Academy begins July 19 and will educate participants about CHUH’s equity efforts and provid ways to partner with equity goals. All families and community members are invited to participate.
Superintendent Kirby introduced new CHUH Leaders: Sean Patton, Compliance/Title IX Officer; Dr. Andrea Walker, Fairfax Elementary School Principal; Kristen Riley, Boulevard Elementary School Principal; Toni White, Assistant Principal, Oxford Elementary School; and Dr. Michael Jenkins, Director of Curriculum and Instruction.
Five-year-forecast
Mr. Gainer presented estimates for fiscal years 2023, 2024, and 2025.The Fair School Funding Plan enacted in the Ohio budget will be phased in and impact the five-year forecast.
Finance - three things
Mr. Gainer presented the following three things about district finances and Ohio school
- Temporary appropriations refer to a budget that needs to be passed on July 1 to start the school year. The Permanent budget will be approved Oct 1.
- The Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) is available on the district website. [PAFR’s are designed to be more accessible to the general public and those without a background in finance]
- Excess Cost Reimbursement relates to cost accounting for educating students with disabilities who may need to attend a different school district to meets the student’s needs.
The next board meeting will be a special meeting July 18.
LWV observer: Rosemarie Fairmanchu
Documents for all board meetings can be accessed from the CHUH 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.