LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS / Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights

AUGUST 27, 2024, work session

  • Consent agenda
  • Strategic plan goal four, staff
  • Strategic plan goal five, operations
  • Strategic plan goal five, finance

Present were President Jodi Sourini, Gabe Crenshaw, Dan Heintz, Malia Lewis, and Phil Trimble. Vice President Malia Lewis attended by Zoom due to illness. Also present were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. and adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

Consent agenda

The board approved the consent agenda with discussion on the following:

  • Heinz was thankful that the district fortified the façade of its buildings after the recent façade collapse of other buildings in the community.
  • Education alternative work comprises services that special needs students receive from the community, such as occupational therapy. The district has a high percentage of special needs students per capita because the state does not require that private schools funded through the voucher system accept students with special needs. The staff supporting the students is large and well trained.
  • The board expressed concern about the recent loss of two special education teachers; Kirby will execute an inquiry regarding the reason for the resignations.
  • The five-year forecast will be sent to the state in November.

Strategic plan goal 4, staff

Assistant Director for HR and Operations Dr. Paul Lombardo reported on three key performance indicators (KPIs) for Goal 4, Valued Professionals and a Culture of Excellence: Caring, Quality, Diverse, Collaborative. This goal focuses on attracting and retaining a diverse, highly trained, caring staff. 

KPI 1: Increase support and services to staff to enable them to support the behavioral needs of students to reduce the number of threat assessments and out of school removals.

In 2023-2024, 144 threat assessments were conducted. The majority were transient and did not result in out-of-school removals. The assessments were required mainly in grade five through middle school. Out-of-school removals decreased by 20 percent compared to 2022-2023. A platform for online learning is available for students who are removed from school for behavior issues. The board wants more data about context and the number of students involved. 

Administrators assess safety daily, perform climate walkthroughs, which are followed by meetings with principals and building staff. Last year, administrators conducted 20 walkthroughs and security personnel, 11 walkthroughs. Also, staff is giving attention to safety at athletic and other large, school events.

The new cell phone policy has been aligned with the student code of conduct and approved by the CH-UH district office of civil rights. It is currently being implemented in the middle schools. Staff have observed that students’ engagement in communications is better and they seem to have accepted the policy.

Action steps for 2025 will include quarterly meetings with principals to review threat assessments; meetings will also occur with high school athletics personnel, building administrators, and security for activity planning. Weekly climate walkthroughs will continue. Other steps will involve working with the District Safe Schools Advisory Committee; increasing Title IX training for student and staff; and increasing student athlete GPA through tutoring and study programs.

KPI 2: Increase by 30 percent the certified staff members of color hired into open positions by building. 

In 2023-2204, seven of 11 buildings met this goal. Districtwide, 36.15 percent of those recruited were certified staff members of color.

Recruitment and marketing efforts included attending teacher job fairs that have more diverse applicants and creating the Pathways for Paraprofessionals program for staff, with financial incentives and scholarships for teachers of color. Student pathways were developed to encourage students to become educators through career and tech programs. The district is also partnering with community organizations to identify candidates, promote job openings on social media and websites frequented by diverse audiences, and assemble a diverse recruitment team.

KPI 3: Achieve 90 percent annual retention of staff. 

Seven of 11 buildings achieved the goal, with 93 percent retention districtwide. 

Retention efforts included surveying current staff, building a “touching base/stay interview,” establishing affinity groups, developing a comprehensive onboarding program for classified staff through the first six to 12 months of employment, holding monthly meetings for new staff, and continuing to develop a staff wellness program. 

The board received good feedback about new staff orientation events. The board asked for more data tracking minority applicants as they go through the application and interview process. 

Strategic plan goal 5, operations

Director of Business and Operations George Petkac presented updates for goal 5, Operational Resources: Finances, Technology and Facilities.    

KPI 1: Increase supports and services to staff to reduce out-of-school removals by 15 percent each year for three years.

Operations works to maintain school facilities to ensure a safe, healthy, and conducive learning environment by allocating adequate personnel and financial resources supported by an effective work order system. Operational staffing is at 95 percent. The work order system is reviewed daily. Budgeting is sufficient to maintain operations. Climate walkthroughs include attention to the maintenance needs of each building. 

 KPI 2: Meet planned business project schedule 100 percent of the time.

Personnel endeavor to meet the planned project schedules 100 percent of the time. They review projects and budget in accordance with the 10-year plan and make adjustments as needs arise. They ensure that projects are ready to begin at the school year end and are completed by the start of the next school year as best possible. 

Outside contractors perform 95 percent of capital improvement projects. Equity concerns can be considered for hiring, but safety issues must be the priority.

KPI 3: Use technology to support student learning in 80 percent of all classrooms.

Devices are provided to students in kindergarten through third grade, who do not take them home. Starting in fourth grade, students take their devices home. Networks and student devices are maintained according to life cycle plans, with a goal for student devices to last five years. The IT staff and interns provide repair and maintenance services. 

KPI 4: Continue to strengthen district network and systems and minimize cyber attacks or threats. 

IT is implementing cyber security measures through user education and planning with Ohio Cyber Reserve.

Strategic plan goal 5, finance

Treasurer Scott Gainer presented financial updates for goal 5. The five-year forecast reflects a positive cash balance through 2028. Cessation of ESSER funds was offset by resignations and retirements. Advocacy concerning the Fair School Funding litigation continues. Mr. Gainer was deposed for the litigation last year. 

The finance department will continue to identify financial data for inclusion on the district website, and Mr. Gainer will continue the “3 things” presentations.

The department is waiting for the county to determine the increase in funds payable to the district from recent property value reappraisals and increased tax assessments.

LWV observer: Paula Goodwin

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.

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Volume 17, Issue 10, Posted 2:37 PM, 10.29.2024