Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 3-20-2018

MARCH 20, 2018

 

  • MSAN report
  • Middle school discipline and security

 

President Jim Posch, Vice President Jodi Sourini, Dan Heintz, Malia Lewis and Beverly Wright were present. Superintendent Talisa Dixon and Treasurer Scott Gainer were also present. Minority Student Achievement Network (MSAN) students and administrative staff from the middle school also attended.The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. and was adjourned at 9 p.m.

MSAN report

The Heights Minority Student Achievement Network (MSAN) students reported on the MSAN National Student Conference, which they hosted October 18-21, 2017. The national group of more than 33,000 students, established in 1999 with Heights being among the 15 founders, works to close the achievement gap among diverse groups across the United States. The network’s goals are to encourage more minority students to seek out and take advanced and AP courses, and to enroll in early college courses. Heights students meet after school every two weeks to discuss issues pertaining to African American issues, such as kneeling during the national anthem. They have the support and encouragement of the staff and attend a summer boot camp.

The conference was held at the Beachwood DoubleTree hotel with 260 students from 21 districts. The chapters discussed their action plans and visited Kent, Cleveland State and Case Western Reserve Universities, as well as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The students presented strategies to develop positive attitudes toward studies, including service opportunities, mentoring, and connecting with the middle schools. They told the board that minority student enrollment has increased in upper-level classes.

Middle school discipline and security

Principal Jeff Johnson and middle school administrative staff presented strategies to alleviate many discipline problems, including a recent bomb threat, that have arisen in the middle school. The security plan was discussed. Parent and PTA involvement, additional staffing, staff professional development and working with disruptive students were all mentioned as aspects of potential strategies. Alternative educational sites for some students are being studied. The district wants the public to know they are listening, but much work must be done.

Upcoming meetings include a regular board meeting on April 10, 2018, and a work session on April 17, 2018. All meetings are at 7 p.m. and are held at the board of education offices.

LWV Observer: Lillian Houser.

To receive regular email postings of full reports, send an email to mbarnes9515@gmail.com or join through Google groups using “lwv-chuh observer reports” as a search phrase.

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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