LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS / Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights
OCTOBER 15, 2024, work session
- Strategic Plan Goal 3 update
- Weapons at the high school
- Board comments on weapons screening
President Jodi Sourini, Gabe Crenshaw, Dan Heintz, Malia Lewis, and Phil Trimble were present. Also present were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. and adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Strategic Plan Goal 3 update
Four individuals provided an update on Strategic Plan Goal 3, which focuses on family and community engagement, partnerships, and communication.
Communications: Supervisor of Communications Cathan Cavanaugh reported on an ambassador program in which the high school links a student ambassador with families who are considering enrollment; tours are provided to eighth-grade students at their request. She also reported on Smore, a new software tool that is available to principals to produce weekly newsletters for families. Smore is used now in kindergarten through eighth grade and will soon be available at the high school. The software enhances newsletter appearance and content and has translation and accessibility capabilities. The district sends quarterly newsletters to all households in the district. The newsletters are available also on the website, as are monthly Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) newsletters.
Finalsite, a company that provides web and other communications services, is currently redesigning the district website. The new website is scheduled for completion by July 2025.
Partnerships: Supervisor of Community and School Partnerships Nancy Peppler reported that the Community Learning Centers now include Oxford and Noble schools to provide wrap-around services for families. Partner organizations include Holden Arboretum, MetroHealth, Home Repair Resource Center, Lake Erie Ink, Family Connections, the Food Bank, and Vision to Learn. New partner organizations also offer after school enrichment, often possible because of PTA fundraising. Summer programming was available for Noble and Oxford students.
The Food Bank is providing weekend backpacks for 60 students at Noble and Oxford.
Vision to Learn, which provides free glasses to eligible students and families, as well as exams and replacement glasses, has been established at Oxford and will be expanded to other schools this year.
The MetroHealth Wellness Center at the high school saw 1,413 students, with a goal to see 2,500 students this year. The transportation department will take elementary school students to the high school for health visits. Students, families, and staff can be seen for flu shots, physical exams, preventative and urgent care, and follow up. MetroHealth and mobile dentists offer dental services; mobile dentists saw 381 students last year.
A new partnership with the Heights School Foundation will fund a mental health navigator to work with school social workers and families to make referrals and provide follow-up to ensure that students receive needed services.
Partnerships across all buildings increased by 19 percent last year. Community partner organizations are now required to apply for partnership status that aligns with the district mission and building goals. Events are planned for school staff and families.
Treasurer Gainer reported that the district is required to report to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce on the use of Student Wellness and Success Funds, 50 percent of which must be used for physical and mental health services. The district received $429,174 this biennium.
Family and community engagement: Family Engagement Specialist Lisa Hunt said that 700 people attended the Heights Family Resource Center (FRC) grand opening, and 23 partner organizations participated. The center is open on Tuesdays, 4-7 p.m., and by appointment. Morris Ervin, Jr., of Rise through Reflection, will speak at next FRC event.
A scorecard has been developed to measure family engagement. Each building must have a family engagement plan to ensure families have access and opportunities to support PBIS efforts.
Weapons at the high school
Superintendent Kirby discussed events involving weapons at the high school and metal detector implementation. The Safe School Advisory Committee met in January 2024 to discuss metal detectors and cell phone policy. The committee recommended not using metal detectors daily. In the spring, the administration assessed available detectors and policy options.
On Sept. 3, a loaded gun was found at the high school. Superintendent Kirby met with Assistant Superintendent Paul Lombardo and then parents and staff to discuss implementing metal detectors in the high school. On Oct. 7, another loaded weapon was found at the school. Staff recovered the weapon and turned it over to police. The superintendent then instituted an administrative guideline for screening, and random screening was begun of a fixed number of students on random days. On Oct. 10, another weapon was found. A calamity day was called for Friday, Oct. 11, to prepare to initiate daily screening.
On Monday, Oct. 14, students were screened at the Cedar Road entrance. Students stood in line for more than an hour, but this problem was solved by Tuesday. The district will explore other types of detectors as it upgrades the system. Students have adjusted well so far.
School communications must not release the identity of the involved students. Ms. Kirby said she reported to families that police took the weapons and made an arrest. The administration worked closely with law enforcement. A parent meeting is scheduled for Oct. 17.
Metal detectors are recognized as just one tool for safe schools. Wrap-around services, more after school clubs, and the district’s Trust-an-Adult program are important as well, as are mental health, family support, and community partnerships.
Board comments on weapons screening
All board members agreed that metal detectors or other screening are necessary for the safety of students and staff. Phil Trimble said that despite initial reluctance to use metal detectors, he and all community members with whom he has discussed the issue support using detectors for school safety. Gabe Crenshaw said that everyone should be screened, not just students. Screening should be required for all those attending the Oct. 17 meeting. Mr. Heinz noted that “see something, say something” worked when the students reported the presence of weapons to trusted adults. He agreed the district should not let the public know how the weapons were found. He repeated his call for implementing a gun safety curriculum. President Sourini said the board members could attend and observe the parent meeting but cannot engage as a board. She called for an immediate executive session to further discuss security measures.
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.