LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS / Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights
JANUARY 7, 2025, organizational and regular meetings
- Organizational meeting
- Awards and recognitions
- Public comment
- Superintendent’s report
- Policy readings
- Treasurer’s report
Present were Gabe Crenshaw, Dan Heintz, Malia Lewis, Jodi Sourini, and Phil Trimble. Also present were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. The organizational meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. and the regular meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Organizational meeting
The board elected Malia Lewis as president; Gabe Crenshaw, vice president; and Phil Trimble, treasurer pro tem.
The board approved the consent agenda, which included setting meeting times and dates for the first and third Tuesday of each month, board renumeration, and OSBA membership. Board members are paid $125 per meeting by state law, with a $5,000 maximum annually.
Outgoing President Jodi Sourini adjourned the organizational meeting and newly elected President Lewis then called to order and presided over the regular meeting.
Awards and recognitions
Sherry Dewer, class of 1964, received the Heights Schools Foundation Volunteer of the Year.
January is School Board Member Recognition Month. The superintendent thanked board members for their commitment and supportive service.
Student Cadre members senior Shania Smith and freshman Tyler Wilson gave updates on sports teams and the winter vocal music concert. Both students talked about what the Heights united theme means to them personally. They also announced several events and dates including:
- On Jan.16, an event will be held for students interested in the College Credit Plus Program. Those in grades seven through 12 are eligible to participate to earn college and high school credit.
- The CTE (Career Tech Education) application is open until Jan. 17 for current sophomores. Students can apply for the career of their choice.
- The application for the General Community Scholarship Program is open until Jan. 17. Students must apply for the general scholarship before they can apply for any other community scholarships.
- On Jan. 28, a meeting for those seeking assistance completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application will be held.
Public comment
Four community members spoke against Ohio House Bill (HB) 8. A vicar at Peace Lutheran Church in Cleveland Heights asked the board not to enforce HB 8 if passed by the state legislature because privacy, safety, and trusted adults are needed for students struggling with gender identity and other personal issues. He described his personal experience with this issue. Another individual, a Pride in the Heights organizer, asked the district not to enforce HB 8 because it violates Title 9. He believes the requirement for transportation for religious activity will be challenged. He said lives were at stake, speaking from personal experience with suicidal thoughts when growing up. A third individual stated HB 8 erodes trust between students and the community. For some students, this bill endangers their safety. Ohio law already allows parents to opt out of any objectional content for their students. He asked the board to protect LBGT youth. A fourth person said that when he was a student, he did not feel safe at Heights schools. Enforcement of HB 8 is dangerous for children.
A parent asked the board to drop the Antidefamation League as an educational resource and partner for social justice work. She said ADL is not a civil rights organization but is against people of color, gender equality and critics of Israel. She is pleased that educators at Heights schools are teaching the truth about Israel and Palestine.
Resident Angel Fasolo objected to the board employing Reggie Willliams as legal counsel, saying he is not a district employee but fails to disclose that fact when engaging in district activity. He is a defendant in one of the lawsuits.
Superintendent’s report
Superintendent Kirby announced that the midyear survey for families on district initiatives is open through Jan. 20. The second academic quarter ends Jan. 10.
Policy readings
Dr. Paul Lombardo, Asst Superintendent Human Resources & Operations, gave the Group A final reading of attendance and religious expression policies, which the board then approved. The attendance policy was amended to allow the superintendent to waive the requirement that parents file a request for religious absence within 14 days of the start of the semester. Mr. Heintz said a state legislative mandate that all districts allow students to be absent from school for religious reasons required the policy changes. President Lewis said free expression is consistent with district practices. Superintendent Kirby stated that staff training regularly addresses changes due to legislative action.
Dr. Lombardo also presented updates of the first reading for Group B, comprising 39 policies. No board action was required. These include policies to clean up outdated language, student and parent rights per Senate Bill 29 meetings, some financial matters, and an updated artificial intelligence (AI) policy. NEOLA provides templates for districts to update policies due to legislative changes.
Treasurer’s report
Mr. Gainer discussed his Three Things. “Finance at a Glance” is the new quarterly dashboard posted to the district website. It includes sources of revenue, expenditures, monthly cash balances, student enrollment, percentage of budget spent, and the five-year forecast. Second, the Schools of Ohio Risk Sharing Authority (SORSA) is a liability insurance pool managed by insurance professionals. The district is one of 106 member districts. Third, bank reconciliation is performed monthly. The audit for fiscal year 2024 was completed by Dec. 31 and will be available next month.
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.