Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 9-5-2017

SEPTEMBER 5, 2017

  • Recognitions
  • Board administrative policies
  • School events and superintendent activities
  • Middle school field trip
  • Before- and after-school programs
  • Change orders
  • Transportation
  • Routine finance matters
  • OSBA representation
  • Grants received
  • New board handbook

President Ron Register, Vice President Kal Zucker, Jim Posch, Eric Silverman and Beverly Wright were present, as were Superintendent Talisa Dixon and Treasurer Scott Gainer were also present. The meeting began at 7 p.m. and adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

Recognitions

Hosa competitors: Superintendent Dixon recognized Heights High senior Yidiayah Box and graduate Sydney Williams for their first place award in the Ohio competition of HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), which made them eligible to attend the International Leadership Conference in Orlando this summer. Box spoke at the board meeting, complimenting her instructor Casey Graham and the Heights school and community for her opportunities. Williams was unable to attend.

Middle school IB team: Leslie Garrett and Melissa Garcar, International Baccalaureate (IB) program specialists, Jeff Johnston, Monticello Middle School principal, and Patrick McNichols, Roxboro Middle School principal, were recognized for achieving middle school IB world school authorization.

Board administrative policies

The first reading of the board administrative policies was presented. Many of the policies remain the same. Board member Zucker wondered whether the DACA ruling would affect any students.

School events and superintendent activities

Superintendent Dixon said she visited all Heights school buildings and announced the Sept. 10 high school open house. Food for the victims of Houston's hurricane will be collected during the open house. Sept. 7, is curriculum night. Dixon plans to hold coffee chats at various coffee shops to talk to the public throughout the year. Various workshops will be held at Heights High.

Middle school field trip

The board approved the middle school Washington, D.C., field trip Nov. 8–10. More than 100 students from both Roxboro and Monticello middle schools will visit historical sites that they will study during their eighth-grade year.

Change orders

PMC Regency staff member Fred Rogers presented slides explaining 10 change orders, totaling $288,736. Of this amount, $82,621 was for unforeseen circumstances, including utility rerouting, auditorium diffusers, and patching. Design clarifications totaled $206,115, including patching and painting stairways, roof drains and piping removal, a new stage face, courtyard monument care, staining new doors, swapping fixtures on doors and repairing kitchen ceiling door bulkheads.

Before- and after-school programs

The board authorized execution of a lease agreement between the board as landlord and the Right at School organization, which provides before- and after-school programming.

Transportation

The board also approved school bus routes for the 2017–18 school year, including special education routes and separate service routes.

Routine finance matters

The board approved a summary of cash balances by fund for the month ending July 31, 2017, the five-year forecast for fiscal years ending June 30, 2018 through June 30, 2022, and permanent appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018.

OSBA representation

The board appointed Ron Register as delegate and James Posch as alternate for the annual business meeting of the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) Nov. 12–14, in Columbus.

Grants received

The board voted to accept nine federal grants for a total of $4,826,737.30, ranging from $18,239 (Title III – limited English proficient) to $2.07 million (Title 1 - Basic). The remaining seven grants included funding for early childhood special education and career tech.

The board also approved a grant from the state of Ohio for $120,000 for early childhood education and $4,000 from the Children's Hunger Alliance.

New board handbook

The board will receive a handbook for new board members but is awaiting feedback on a draft version.

LWV Observer: Lillian Houser.

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These reports contain member observation and selected highlights of public meetings and are not official statements of the Heights Chapter of the League of Women Voters of Greater Cleveland. This disclaimer must accompany any redistribution of these reports.

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Volume 10, Issue 10, Posted 12:02 PM, 09.20.2017