Parma City School District Board Of Education Meeting 3-12-2026

0016:00 Mrs. Sebastian. Welcome to the March 12th, 2026 Parma City School District Board of Education regular meeting. At this time, I would like to invite while they're already here. Okay. So, at this time, I would like our Densler Student Council to lead us in the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Stay there. Good evening, everyone. We're so happy to be here this evening. This is our Densler Student Council made up of 24 students from grades two through four. These students display leadership qualities and represent their classes well. Student Council's involved in many activities each year. This year, the fourth grade representatives spoke at our annual Veterans Day Assembly explaining

002the different branches of the military. Students also collected and sorted canned foods PEA canned food drive. And before election day, all representatives made chocolate-covered pretzels for our annual election day bake sale. The profits earned were donated to VFW Post 572. Students have made holiday greeting cards for nursing homes and our very own Parma Senior Center. And just today, these students have organized and bundled positive notes for parents to send encouragement for our third and fourth graders on their OST testing dates. So, they're quite a busy group and I'd like to acknowledge and thank Mrs. Paltiani and Mrs. O'Malley who worked very hard with this group over the years and they are the staff monitors for this group. So, I want to take a picture. I'm going to take a picture. Good. And again, thank you

003to the Board of Education for having us. Great job, guys. Thank you, Denzel Student Council and and staff. Thank you so much. We appreciate you. Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Dr. Early. Present. Ms. Kerpec. Present. Mr. McTaggart. Mrs. Sebastian. Present. Mr. Reyes. >> Present. Before we move into the agenda, I want to thank everyone for the time and preparation that goes into reviewing our materials in advance. The agenda and supporting documentation were distributed earlier this week via email to support thoughtful discussion and effective decision-making as a board. Adequate review helps us work efficiently together and ensures we're prepared for any action items this evening. This aligns with our board policy 0123. 0123. Which reflects our shared commitment to being informed on the issues before us. With that in mind, can we confirm that all members

004have received and reviewed the materials for tonight's meeting? Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Dr. Early. Yes. Ms. Kerpec. Yes. Mrs. Sebastian. >> Yes. Mr. Reyes. Yes. Thank you. I move to adopt resolution 2026-03-120, approval of board meeting agenda. Second. We have a motion and a second to adopt resolution 2026-03-120. Are Are any questions or comments from the board? Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Mrs. Sebastian. Yes. Ms. Kerpic. Yes. Dr. Early. Yes. Mr. Reyes. Yes. I move to adopt resolution 2026-03-121, approval of the written record of proceedings from the February 26, 2026 special and regular Board of Education meetings. Second. We have a motion and a second to adopt resolution 2026-03-121. Are there any questions or comments from the board? Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Mrs. Sebastian. Yes. Ms. Kerpic. Yes. Dr. Early. Yes. Mr. Reyes.

005Yes. Resolution 2026-03-121 has been approved. Do we have any amendments? Yes, we do. We have one amendment at the 5:00 meeting, the board discussed which emergency levies to stop collecting on, and the amount of cuts over 3-year period. So, that's going to replace the resolution 2026-03-144. Thank you, Mr. Nucio. I move to adopt resolution 2026-03-122, adoption of amendments. Second. We have a motion and a second to adopt resolution 2026-03-122. Are there any questions or comments from the board? Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Mrs. Sebastian. Yes. Ms. Kerpic. Yes. Dr. Early. Yes. Mr. Reyes. Yes. Resolution 2026-03-122 has been approved. That now takes us to business of the board. Um so this is resolution 2026-03-123 board meeting time change resolution. Um I move to adopt resolution 2020 I'm sorry. I read too much. I apologize. I

006move to adopt resolution 2026-03-123 board meeting time change resolution. Second. We have a motion and a second to adopt resolution 2026-03-123. Are there any questions or comments from the board? Ms. Sebastian. Yes, Mr. Reyes. Thank you. Um So I'm just curious why why we change this to 5:00 p.m.? Ms. Sebastian, if I may. Yes. Um I had brought this up at our last meeting. Every meeting we've had this year has gone until 8:00 um or 9:00 or later. Um and personally that's really difficult for me. I have a young child at home. Um I just think due to the length of our meetings, that it would make sense to move them up to be an hour earlier, so we are able to conduct business at a better time for I mean I'm going to say

007myself and I believe the rest of our board, but also our community members who want to comment, want to observe our meetings, so they're not also sitting here until 8:00 or 9:00 at night. Do you have a follow-up, Mr. Reyes? >> Yes, I do. Thank you. Um so it was it was any other consideration taken in for this uh resolution? Ms. Sebastian. >> Yes. Um yes, I spoke to uh Dr. Hunt, to Mr. Nucio, um and Dr. Cruz to ensure that the 5:00 start time would align with their schedules as well, and um I received no pushback from them. Co- Co-speaker Mrs. Sebastian? Yes. So, since the meeting the organizational meeting we approved the time and location of the meetings, we've In order to change it, we put this resolution on there for the times

008we just that are listed up there. And we figured if the board would like to discuss want to approve this or they want to make some changes to this, they can at this time. So, it's not set that it has to be 5:00, but you can have a discussion now to change it if you want to change it to a different time. That's all I had. Mrs. Sebastian? >> Yes. Um last week or the week before, I can't remember the exact date, I emailed the board in its entirety expressing concern about the meetings, the length of the meetings, and um how late into the evening specifically that they go. I also am a mother of young children, and the later evenings create a conflict for me. So, I would be in support of moving the

009meeting up, whether it's even to 5:30, like 5:00, 5:30, but anything we can shift would be helpful. Thank you. I would agree with that, but I'm also I just want to be open. I'm also neutral in having a discussion, and you know, if that doesn't work for the majority, then this is this is why it's here for us to discuss. So. Mrs. Sebastian? Yes. Um Dr. Earley, you had said 5:00 or um 5:30. Um my hope was um actually earlier than 5:00, so I would um I would be pretty set on a 5:00 time um just because again, like the length of our meetings is is pretty lengthy, and I know we have a lot to accomplish, and I would never want to I mean you know, we we have a lot of executive sessions

010we've been going into lately and all of that. So, I do feel pretty firm in a 5:00 start time being appropriate. Um that way when we're talking in like we're talking about adding special meetings or adding executive sessions to them we're not on such a time constraint. Mr. Sebastian. Yes, Dr. Early. So, I I am fine with the 5:00 start time. Um as the email that I sent everyone, I think another a couple of other options we can consider for the future is having special meetings on different days than the board meetings itself and also consider having separate days for executive session as well to accommodate the length of the meetings. Um I don't remember if I put in my email or not. There's a lot of research to support the length of meetings specifically

011around board meetings, nonprofit meetings and typically after the 2-hour mark they become a lot less effective. The efficiency of the board members itself um can impact the decision-making that happens in those times. I know those lengthy meetings are very cognitively strenuous on me personally. So, I'm hopeful that um we can find ways to have shorter, more productive meetings even if in my opinion that means we have more frequent meetings. Thank you, Dr. Early. Um I I would just also like to say um for community members who attend meetings of the board um it historically um we've had many changes to the times. Um it's been 5:00 um in the past, it's been 7:00, it's been 6:00. Um and it's very difficult to accommodate to the needs of you know, we have Parma, Parma Heights, and

012Seven Hills communities. Um so, um I just want to acknowledge that we we do encourage the community to come out and and we know that none of those times would accommodate everybody. So, um I'm also in agreement though um to the 5:00, but I also can be flexible if that's not the will of the board. Ms. Sebastian. Yes, Mr. Reyes. >> Thank you. Uh so, I guess I understand everyone's concerns here. I know we all have children, so I understand uh the late meetings. Hopefully they get quicker as we all learn. You know, we're we got three brand new members, so uh but but my concern is is the community being able to come here at 5:00. I know a lot of people work up to 5:00. Um so, trying to get here at 5:00

013could be even more more of a challenge for them. Um and then my second concern is, you know, we're voting on this before the public has a chance to to to speak on it. Um so, if we do vote on it, I just ask that we move it to a later time in in in today's meeting to see if there's anyone from the public that might want to weigh in on it. Are you yielding the floor now? >> Yep. Thank you. Uh Ms. Kerfoot. Yes, Ms. Sebastian. Um I just wanted to ask, do we have any requests for public comment pertaining to this? We do not. Thank you. Ms. Sebastian. I'm I'm sorry. I am hearing things from all different angles. Um is somebody addressing me? Are you addressing me? Okay. Could you? Thank you.

014>> But we have not Okay, so I think there's some confusion on Okay. Okay. Okay, thank you. Okay, so do we have any more comments, Mr. Rios? I move that we table this resolution to after public comment. At the motion, there's no second, so >> Well, I I I believe you'd have to ask is there a second. Yeah, it You second. I second. We have a motion and a second to Can you be specific? To move this resolution to after public comment. >> To move this resolution to after public comment. I'm not sure where we'd move it in the or you I guess it's the move mod of amending the agenda to move this resolution to somewhere else in I guess you have to be where? In what section? I'm just asking that we table

015the resolution to after public comment. So, I I just want to clarify. I think Mr. Nucio is saying in order to do that, we're going to have to amend the agenda because the agendas are already been set with the resolutions. So, we would have to go back and amend. Is that correct? Yes, correct. To move the to correct to amend the agenda to include this so in somewhere else in the I don't know. Let's see where public comment is. Wherever So, it would be directly after public comment. Yes, you have you'd have to amend the agenda to do so. Okay. Mr. Reyes, is that what you want to do? If that's what's needed, yes. I'd like to amend the agenda to move this resolution to be voted on after public comment. >> I'm sorry. You

016have to say I motion, too. Thank you, Mrs. Sebastian. >> Mhm. I'd like to make a motion to move this resolution to be voted on after public comment. >> To amend the agenda. To amend the agenda to after public comment. Thank you. Second. We have a motion and a second to amend the agenda to include this resolution after public a public comment. Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Mr. Reyes. Yes. Dr. Early. Yes. Ms. Kurpik. No. Mrs. Sebastian. Yes. The motion has has passed. So, we will address that resolution when we will come back to that resolution after public comment. Correct. Yes. >> Okay. Okay, so um we are to our live streaming discussion. Um this is not a resolution. Um this is just a discussion. So uh I open up the floor. Mr. Sebastian. Yes,

017Mr. Ares. >> Thank you so much. Um so looking at the the uh resolution that we were just going to approve or I'm sorry, vote on resolution 2026-03-123. Um went back to look at the original resolution that we passed at the organizational meeting. And in that resolution, it states the public may view meeting meetings live by by vi- I'm sorry. Need a second here. This doesn't get easier. The public may view the meetings live by visiting the district's Facebook page at facebook.com/parmaschools or the district's website at parmacityschools.org or parmacityschools.org/board. Um so my question is if if we have this language in this original resolution that we passed at the organizational meeting, uh why isn't it included in the second uh resolution to change the times? I'm really not clear on your question. So at the

018organizational meeting, we passed this resolution 2026-01-07, which has the regular board meeting dates and times. And it also has the public may view meetings live by visiting the district's page um Facebook page or website. Uh, so my question is why isn't that language in this second I'm I'm sorry. Um, why isn't that language in the second resolution as well? The resolution that you that we just, uh, postponed, is that that the resolution that you're 2026-03-123? >> It's probably a better question for that time. So, I I didn't hear what you said. I said I apologize. It's probably a better question for when we vote on the resolution. It is, but I I mean I can answer it now. >> Sure. So, that resolution is just specific to the times. That resolution was our organizational meeting.

019So, it's a different I mean I would and I can look to Mr. New CEO, too. Um, so it's a different resolution. That resolution that we are going to speak about is specific to just changing times. It had that that was I think the resolution Mr. Reyes, who we don't have a I and I Mr. Reyes, it's really hard to address your comments when we don't have a copy of what you're looking at. So, I I don't I can't see what you're looking at. Can I speak, Mrs. Sebastian? So, 2026-03-123 is the time change and location change from the media center to here. And if that's all it's addressing on that issue. Uh, I could I could probably ask that question when we pass when we vote on the resolution. Um, but I guess the

020point I'm trying to get at is, you know, the board made this resolution and passed it at the organizational meeting to allow the live streaming the public to view meetings via live streaming. Um, yet I was told that the live streaming decision was operational. So, how could it be operational when we have a resolution stating that the public may view the meetings live? Once again, Mr. Reyes, we don't have a copy of what you're looking at, so I can't I can't do anything without the information. Um but in in light of moving forward and again, we can't address that, but in light of moving forward, the discussion is to talk about what we feel about like it is an operational decision. Um and I I think what you're reading here is saying that um this

021is and I Mr. Nucio, you're going to have to I don't know if you have a copy of this, but um I think what Mr. Reyes is saying is because it says that the public may view the meetings live by visiting the district's Facebook page and facebook uh dot com for my schools or the district's website. Um I I don't believe that's the body of the resolution and what we're voting on. I think that's like a piece of it. So, can you provide some clarity to that cuz I didn't see that's what he was >> Yeah, I think what we're voting on is time change in the location. Okay. So, do we want to Do you have any more questions besides that? >> Yeah, maybe I'm asking this the wrong way and I apologize. I

022get so nervous in these meetings. Uh I get tongue tied, so let me try to clarify. My question is I was told the decision to end the live stream was operational. Yet, we passed that in a resolution to allow the public to view the meetings live. Mr. Reyes, I I to for clarity, that is not what the body of the resolution is about. That is the organizational meeting, the times and I again, let me see. So, what I'm saying is that is just approving the schedule. That's what the resolution reads. Resolution 2026 just for clarity -01-07 2026 schedule of regular board meetings. It is not a policy on live streaming. Does that make sense? I understand, but it's a resolution that we passed with the language in it. I hear you, but the body of

023what we were voting on was the 2026 schedule. That's the title of regular board meetings. So, in light again, in light of moving forward, I would really like to open up the discussion for our thoughts. Not We're not voting on it, but our thoughts on whether or not we want to move forward with a different format. Do we want to keep it the same? And and asking Dr. Hunt to weigh in on that. Because this is an administrative decision. I guess that's where I'm getting a little bit confused is um I'm hearing administrative and operational, but yet this language is in the resolution that we passed. So, I don't think that we can just I'm not an attorney, so please don't take this word these words um in that in that sense, but if we

024pass the resolution, it should be everything that's in the resolution, not just parts of it. Mrs. Sebastian, if I may. >> Um could we keep this conversation just focused to how we all feel about live streaming, what we want to do about it going forward, and then if we want to have another conversation about resolutions and about if we are not following like verbatim what's in the resolution, we can I definitely think we can have that conversation. Um I think there might be a better spot on the agenda for it, but I would like to just focus right now on the thoughts of live streaming. Thank you, Ms. Kerpec. I would agree. Do you have anything to add? No. I previously shared in the public forum my thoughts on the matter. So, I'll yield the

025floor. Uh Mrs. Beschen, I Yes. I'm sorry. I have more to share if I if I may. >> Yes. >> That's okay. Um I would be in support of having our meetings like um having the video recording come back. Um I have heard some um feedback from the public of it being difficult to determine who is speaking with only the audio. Um and I went back and I listened and I agree with that. It is difficult and I don't feel that it's very transparent for us to only have audio when it's hard to know who's talking. Um I don't I don't That wasn't a consideration of mine previously. I had never thought about that. Um so, for that reason, I think that it is Excuse me. I think that it is important that we do

026have the video streaming. I don't believe that it has to be a live stream. I don't think that there's um I mean, I don't think there's anything different from us posting it live versus us posting it the next day. Um so, my thought is I would be in support and I think it would be good to bring back the video, but I don't necessarily believe that it has to be a live stream like we did previously. Thank you, Ms. Kerpic. Um if I could just add to that, um I I also think that, you know, there were some um some things that, you know, like you pointed out with not being able to see, you know, who who is talking um or knowing who is talking. Also, um I think I you know, just and

027again, this is just a discussion and then I, you know, I think we need to talk to uh administration about what what they feel after they've heard our discussion. But I believe that live streaming was um something that was started during COVID. Um I have historically attended board meetings myself. Um and so pre-COVID um there was no live streaming. You had to attend board meetings. Um and then those board meetings were videotaped and they were posted on Pack TV. Um and you were able to view them there. So I would you know I I I would uh like Dr. Hunt to consider um a happy medium with taping them and then posting them, but I am not I I I would not be I I I really would I I don't think the live streaming's

028necessary. Dr. Hunt. Thank you. It'll be very easy easy for us to um tape and post the video. And we could do that as soon as the next meeting. Uh so I would are there any more comments or questions? Okay. So um I make a motion to end discussion. Call the question, yeah. I don't think >> calling the question. We're just discussing. >> think you need to make a motion. It's just >> I don't have to? >> No, you we just go to the next topic. >> zealous. Yeah. Okay. Okay, so then we are so then we are going to move on to our next discussion then. So I just want to be clear then um our not this meeting, but our next meetings will be um videotaped and then posted on our website. I

029just want to be clear. Mrs. Sebastian, may I just ask a clarifying question? I'm sure I know the answer. Um, our special meetings will be recorded and posted as well, too, then? If that's what you'd like, we can do that. Oh, if Again, very easy for us to video tape and post, and I I want to say we post on our YouTube channel, which runs through our site, so I don't know if that's semantics, but we we do post videos, and we will do that as I'm hearing the discussion beginning March 26th. And if we have anything um, like a special meeting in between, we will be prepared to record and post that, as well. Perfect. Thank you. We are now going to move into our discussion, um, and I just want to be clear

030before um, we start this discussion on evaluation tools. Um, these are evaluation tools that the board is looking at to evaluate the superintendent. I just want to be clear that that is all we can discuss are the tools. Um, anything else would throw us into um, an executive session, and we're not doing that. So, um, just if you can be mindful of just discussing, uh, the tools that we would be using. So, I'm going to go ahead and open the floor. Ms. Sebastian. Yes, Dr. Early. So, I would like to thank you for sending an email to the board in its entirety with a few recommendations for tools that we could use. Um, I would like the board to consider, however, an an additional option beyond the tools that were emailed to us. Um, I

031think for this school year and for the following school year, we should consider using a consultant to assist with the facilitation of collaborative evaluations of the superintendent and the treasurer. So, the specific firm that I'm recommending that we discuss and potentially at a future meeting consider resolution for is Leadership and Learning LLC to support our board and the evaluations of the superintendent and the treasurer. Um that organization is led by a previous superintendent with 26 years experience within several districts in Northeast Ohio. Um he operates as a facilitator through this process with the administrator of that specific evaluation and the board. So he uses the foundational components of the evaluation as the Ohio Superintendent Evaluation System. Um within our district we use the Ohio Principal Evaluation System and the Ohio Teacher Evaluation System. So the

032Ohio Superintendent Evaluation System was created by a committee of superintendents through Columbus. So through this process though the facilitator simplifies that um process which if everyone looked over the Ohio Superintendent Evaluation System it's very comprehensive. Um there's a lot to it. So he simplifies that process and ties it with goal setting. So there would be two meetings that would occur each school year. Uh the first meeting would be a collaborative goal setting with the board members and the administrator whether it's the superintendent or the treasurer. Then the second meeting would be the sum- summative assessment to review progress towards goals and make modification for the following year. Um the evaluations themselves are provided in draft for feedback and accuracy of our records and it's it really focuses on a collaborative approach. Um I know we

033have Dr. Hunt's uh first evaluation scheduled already. If we decide to move forward with this and a resolution is approved um this consultant is available for that meeting. So I think it's something that we should consider moving in to the evaluation cycle. I yield the floor. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Early. Uh, Mrs. Session. Ms. Kerbec. I think that's a great idea. I mean, especially having uh, three new board members um, and this being the first time about, you know, the first time evaluating, the first time Scott's being evaluated by our uh, Board of Education here. I think that would be super helpful. I really like that it would be, you know, a third party, um, someone unbiased. And yeah, we could stick with our um, the date that we we've all, you know, all

034already committed to. So, I'm in support of this. Yeah, thank you for doing the legwork on that. Thank you, Ms. Kerbec. Mr. Reyes. Thank you, Ms. Session. Uh, no, I also like the idea, too. I think with three new board members, this is uh, this is this would be a good good way for us to get our our our policies and our procedures established and help us for next next years to come. So, thank you for looking at it. Thank you, Mr. Reyes. And I just like to say too, one of the evaluation tools that we were proposing tonight was actually um, uh, the superintendent's evaluation system that would actually be a part of what he was using. Is that correct? So, that was something that we were looking at. Um, and I I mean,

035I I would be in agreement, too. And I think also, um, it does not have to be a continuous um, uh, contract with Is it a contract? I just want to make sure that we're we would have to This would be something that we board approved. Yes. So, we would need a resolution. Yeah, so we would have the net when when the special meeting to evaluate to evaluate Ms. um, the sorry, Dr. Hunt. We'd have a resolution first to approve this firm and then the firm you could meet with the firm in executive session after that. Okay. Um so also, I guess you know going on what I was saying is once we had that set in place, I think we would be comfortable. We would already have the goals and the evaluations in motion,

036and then that's something that we could probably uh look at doing ourselves in the next year. So my thoughts, and I would I would love to hear what everyone thinks, is I know we're specifically in our agenda talking about the superintendent evaluation. I believe we should do it for the superintendent evaluation and the the treasurer evaluation. Um I would say the resolution, so for the treasurer evaluation though, we would use the Ohio treasurer evaluation system. Again, same foundational concepts. Um the resolution then would need to be to approve those I guess it would be and I can find out from the consulting firm like the specifics of that if >> we need We need one resolution, or would it be two separate resolutions? It could be one resolution. >> Okay. So just for clarity, Mr.

037Nucio, you're saying that we could do that resolution before our executive session. Yes. We can I wish I do it we can we can adopt it. Okay. Okay. So is everybody good with that moving forward? I am. Excuse me, I am. Okay, thank you. Yes, thank you. Yeah, yes. Okay. Okay. So um we are now going to hand the floor over to uh information to the board, Dr. Hunt. I believe we're going to actually, it's not going to be Dr. Hunt. It's going to be Dr. Cruz. >> It'll be me first. >> first. I'm sorry. I need to skip over you. And then Dr. Cruz. Dr. Hunt. >> Just a few items. >> floor, yes. >> items for the board. First, um had an outstanding experience uh over the weekend narrating the Carnival of Animals

038for the Parma Symphony Orchestra. Um that was Sunday at Valley Forge High School. Auditorium was packed. Uh if you've not been to the Symphony Orchestra here, I would encourage you to go see them. They have a show in May. I don't have the date in front of me, but uh you can certainly uh see the advertisements. They'll be pushing out some information on that. And if you want to watch the uh YouTube video, you can go to our YouTube site and see the the this weekend's orchestra and my fantastic narration. Uh I also had the opportunity uh this week to speak to our teaching professions class, also at Valley Forge High School. Um I wanted to share with you that several of our students recently participated in the Ohio Educators Rising State Conference that's held

039in Columbus. Uh the conference brings together hundreds of high school students across the state who are interested in pursuing careers in education. Our students had the opportunity to participate in competitions, attend professional learning sessions, and connect with peers who share a passion for teaching. Uh experiences like this help strengthen the future educator pipeline and provide our students with valuable leadership and career exploration opportunities. And of course, a potential pipeline into our classrooms here in Parma City Schools. So, an outstanding program and wanted to make sure that you heard a little bit about that. Uh we also uh this past weekend held the uh Kindergarten Kickoff Carnival. That was on Saturday at uh Pleasant Valley Elementary. Again, a fantastic turnout uh for that day. And I want to make sure that I thank Clifford the Big

040Red Dog, Mr. Reyes, who volunteered uh to be on site in that outstanding warm costume for the morning. So, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Reyes. Uh Perogi dinner was also last Friday. Uh again, outstanding uh turnout. And want to thank everyone who participated in pulling that together. Uh the food was outstanding. We have two things upcoming on March 18th, uh titled community conversations. Previously, you may have may recognize these as town halls. Uh March 18th at Valley Forge High School in the media center. We're going to be talking about our finances, our future. Uh and on March 19th, the Chamber of Parma Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting the state of the schools uh address uh at Normandy High School from 11:00 to 2:00 for members of the chamber, and we'll be presenting the state

041of the schools uh at that time. And that's all I have, and so I'm going to turn it over to Dr. Cruz and Mrs. Ermete uh for the KLA presentation. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Hunt. Good evening. So, we have the slides behind you, but they were also emailed to you and then the handout you have as well. So, I know it's a little awkward to turn around. Dr. Cruz, do you want us to hold questions until your the presentation's over, or would you like us to just jump in whenever? I'm good with jumping in. Whatever >> Whatever you want. >> Thank you. I might lose my train of thought, but you'll help me get back. Try not to. >> It's okay. It happens anyway. All right, so KLA uh we're here to talk about

042this tonight. We have an um item on the a resolution on the agenda tonight where um we're asking the board to consider increasing the tuition cost, so we wanted to give a little bit of background information about um KLA. This is our teaching and learning team who has been working on um Kindergarten Launch Academy shift this year. Me, um Megan McCaskey, Amy Zermatt, and Laura Sevilik over at First Step. We always look at our district goals to keep us focused on why we're here. That first one being increasing student achievement, which is a big part of the work that we that we do, improving transparency in our communities, which is why we're here to talk through this, and practicing fiscal responsibility. And we will highlight some of the ways that this shift does allow us

043to practice fiscal responsibility. Um one of those Well, we'll get there. So, we'll talk a little bit about our why, explain what KLA is, and then talk through some of the highlights of the program. So, as a teaching and learning team, we believe in early childhood education. We understand that these experiences and these early interventions allow for our students to grow academically and socially, and we value that has been a part of our district with our preschool program and with Kindergarten Launch Academy. When we think about how we can help students, we know that intervening early is one of the best ways to support their growth. When we think about fiscal responsibility, and we know that as students move through their time in elementary and middle school, if they are trying to catch up on

044skills or are lacking skills that they need to be successful, not only is that difficult for them, but it comes at a cost to the district. And so, when we think about early intervention and early childhood experiences, we consider this an upstream approach where we are working to try to prevent those future needs of additional intervention specialists, additional specially designed instruction. That's our goal is to try to provide these early childhood academic and social experiences to our community so that they can our community of students so that they can then be more successful in elementary, middle, and high school. When we looked at the current KLA model, Kindergarten Launch Academy, it was designed about 5 years ago. And it was designed for students who had already met the kindergarten age requirement. And so, that limited

045enrollment to students who would also be going to kindergarten the following year, but hadn't met that birthday cutoff. So, the way that it was designed was designed to allow young 5-year-olds, young kindergarteners, to be able to experience kindergarten twice. So, they attended Kindergarten Launch Academy for a year and then moved into a kindergarten classroom. We recognize that this limited access to many students. Students who would be going to kindergarten the following year were not able to participate in Kindergarten Launch Academy. They already had to be of kindergarten age. So, we have been looking at this for the last couple of years is how could we expand these early childhood opportunities to students who are 4 and 5 years old, not just already having met kindergarten school age. This discussion started as a way to expand

046these opportunities for students and this year when we really started working with Mrs. Saville and Mrs. McCaskey we really started diving into the details and the logistics of how we could make this work. And what we realized was not just opening up the access to students who were four so we could have a pre-K but it also became a way that we could look at cost savings. We are not required to have a kindergarten launch academy. In fact, it's pretty unique. It is not a requirement by the state. The way we have our preschool structured, preschool allows for us to have a tuition-based model. So, kindergarten launch academy has been happening in the district for the last five or so years at a cost to our general fund. We've we've employed teachers and aides. The

047students have been a part of our encore our arts classes and that has come at a cost to the district. An important cost because again, we believe in allowing providing early childhood experiences but it has come at a cost. So, to allow for us to maintain and sustain this program, shifting it to the preschool model allows us to not only open it up to more students who will benefit from a pre-K experience but it allows us to offset the cost with a tuition-based model. I just wanted to stay on topic so I wanted to stop you there. Um and you may or may not have the answer to this. So, um you know, as we were looking in in our special meeting, um we're facing cuts. Yes. Um and so would KLA the way it

048is, would that have been something that was looked at? I I just for clarity. Absolutely. So, KLA as a kindergarten program would have been Yes, it was something that was considered as a cut as a cost savings. Mhm. So, what is KLA? We have our definition here. Kindergarten Launch Academy is a pre-kindergarten option for students who are entering kindergarten the following year. KLA provides students with a foundational year of early childhood learning before attending a standard kindergarten classroom. So, I'm going to turn it over to Mrs. Zermatt. So, she was here at the beginning of KLA when it first started in our district. So, she's going to give you a little side-by-side comparison of what KLA has been the last few years and then what the shift is that we're proposing for next year starting

049in 2026-2027. Thank you, Dr. Cruz. As um Dr. Cruz talked about, I've been around since we kind of initiated the thought around Kindergarten Launch Academy. And one of the things that really was the why back then that still is the why is what Dr. Cruz talked about. We wanted to help build our students confidence and success in both early foundational skills, but then also as their trajectory in terms of kindergarten and just honestly understanding that our students needed this extra support. We believed in it. The teachers helped create this and one thing I want to say um is that the ones that have been here since the beginning as well as past and present KLA teachers are fabulous human beings who adore what they do and have done great things with this program. That to

050be said, there are some things that we realize that we can even continue to improve upon as well as expand. So, in terms of what it was and where we would like to head, as Dr. Cruz talked about, one of the biggest pieces is the students were completing 2 years of kindergarten. We were retaining them in our system and in their files they would be known as going through kindergarten twice, which in most cases they needed that extra time, but in reality what we wanted to find is there is another way to provide them that opportunity to gain the skills. We also currently have them at located at three elementary buildings. We were able to kind of combine and cluster so that some of the kids who would be ending up together would be able

051to kind of like follow that cluster. But that came with the ability not to have it at all buildings. The elementary day Monday through Friday, in comparison what we're looking forward is we would like to have one location and a preschool where students are able to have that pre-K experience. Really will allow us to expand and really help them master some of those skills in a setting that they still will um find success. We are looking at Monday through Friday for both the previous, but also what we're looking towards for our um KLA at First Step. It would include a preschool instruction as well as enrichment, which we'll talk about in a little bit. When we were looking at another big piece for what they're experiencing right now, they were expected to get exposed to

052kindergarten standards. And that is a lot for a early 5-year-old to try to experience. When we shift it to preschool, we're going to be focused on both early learning standards, but then slower um kindergarten readiness, so that we can prepare them and be more appropriate. Just staying on topic. Um are we hoping that that will improve our early literacy scores as well? Okay. Correct. Because they were intended to take and they had to take every kindergarten assessment, and that was what was aligning to our report card and that early literacy score. They will still be required because there is state assessments with preschool, but it'll be more aligned and appropriate to what the skills we're working on. So, in EMIS, will they be decoded for preschool, not for kindergarten, so they won't qualify for ramps

053or anything of that nature? Exactly. Thank you. Yes. For clarity, cuz I'm an acronym police, so that's our education management information system. Okay, just for anybody that needed to know that. Exactly. So, as we spoke to, we currently for KLA, it's that early 5-year-old they had to be five. We're opening it up to 4-year-olds and 5-year-olds. So, they have to be at least 4 years old by the start of the school year. And that's purposeful because we also would like them to be going to kindergarten the next year because it really is a true pre-K experience, building that foundation, being able to provide that exposure and and stamina building for what kindergarten will be is really what a true pre-K classroom is really about. We will still have the requirements that it will be a

054residency requirement of all just like all of our pharmacy schools students. And it will be a gen ed classroom, which means that it'll have both peers as well as um students with disabilities that the general education setting is their least restrictive environment. So, we briefly talked about the need to look at the tuition for both peer models for our current preschool classrooms as well as peer models and um students with disabilities for kindergarten launch academy with the shift. Um one of the things to point out is that our committee really did take a look at not only considerations of what shifting the program and making sure that we are fiscally responsible would allow so that we weren't adding additional costs and we were looking at trying to offset some of those costs, but also the

055understanding that as we are talking through this and the conversations with Mrs. Sevilik over the years the discussions surrounding trying to ensure we could sustain some of the things related to First Step always went around still there would be the need possibility to continue to increase in in smaller increments some of the tuition even for peer models before KLA was um going to be shifting to First Step. So, around that same time because we are looking at kindergarten launch academy and what the tuition based model could look like, we did reach out to other districts or reach out to other um preschool settings and from what we currently have which is $600 a year for peer models, that by far was already extremely low in comparison to our area childhood based centers. The increase that

056we're proposing is an increase for peers for just the AM or PM would be $800 a year. And in comparison when we would reach out to the other um districts in all honesty, that would be a month in in some situations. So, the comparison of being able to provide this opportunity is still where we felt that it was enough that our families wouldn't feel it as much as the other um preschool settings. Kindergarten Launch Academy, as we talked about, would be a little bit more of an extended enrichment opportunity. Meaning, and we'll get to the the breakdown a little bit, but because we would still have that preschool instruction, just like our AM and PM, but it would be extended to include lunch, recess, and then some enrichment opportunities, there would be a more cost

057than just the 800 a year. So, we're proposing $1,500 for peer models. So, that would still mirror the $800 and that 2 and 1/2 hours of instruction in the morning, and then that extension of lunch and recess or play, as well as the enrichment readiness opportunities, would be that 700. That's how we got to the 1,500. In terms of students with IEPs, as we know, it is a service we provide already for that preschool instruction. So, the AM or the PM option of that 2 and 1/2 hours of preschool instruction, there would be no tuition costs for those students. Where the cost comes in is that extension or that enrichment time. That would include the lunch, the recess or play, as well as their opportunities for the enrichment or readiness activities. And so, that's where

058we're trying to um continue to be able to be um cost savings or or cognizant of being able to provide opportunities because it will be able to be offsetting some of the costs. I just um I I don't know if this is a question, uh more of a concern um in messaging, um, especially, um, for the students with disabilities and on IEPs, um, I can see where there might be um, there or could be some confusion on the enrichment part and when we're talking about specially designed instruction and what that looks like. Um, so how do you, um, is there is there any thoughts and I I know you mention mentioned Miss McCaskey, are there any thoughts how that messaging is going to go out because I don't know if it's clear in what we're

059seeing, but I I'm not saying that that's not going to come after. Make sense? Kind of. Was there a question in there? Yes and no. Yeah, I I guess it did form into a question. >> it Okay, so we as a preschool for the as long as the preschool has been existing in this current form, we do not charge any tuition for students who receive specially designed instruction. And all of our students with disabilities, that that's the case. When we are looking at the structure and the ratios in our classrooms, we want to provide an opportunity that allows for our students to be included in an inclusive setting. So, the the tagline of gen ed classroom really has it it's not really a great description, but that's what it's called in preschool land. It's an

060inclusion classroom where we have students with disabilities who are right alongside their peers. So, calling it gen ed is not it's just not great because it doesn't really describe that. But what a KLA day will look like is still 2 and 1/2 hours of of preschool instruction, which is part of in some students part of their specially designed instruction where they would receive accommodations or support, and then that enrichment part is the additional. But we aren't splitting up the KLA day. So, for students who whose parents choose So, a parent could say of a of a 4-year-old who's going to kindergarten next year, "My child really just needs some time half day with preschool instruction, and they're going to be a a peer model, and they could choose the AM or PM time." There could

061be a parent of a 4-year-old who says, "I would like for my child to be a part of the KLA and have that additional kindergarten readiness time." And that's their choice. But, that KLA classroom will stay as one class all day. We're not splitting them up, so they will be one classroom for that. That will be their classroom designation. So, I don't know if I answered your question completely, but the specially designed instruction part is built into that half-day preschool, which is why if a student is on an IEP in a KLA classroom, they're not paying for that portion of the day. Good. I'm glad you clarified that. But, I guess the messaging part and and and So, these are going to be discussions and IEP meetings, and so I'm just wondering what that looks

062like moving forward. So, the IEP team always has to consider the least restrictive environment for the for the student. And in this case, we would be looking at that least restrictive environment being in an inclusive setting that allows the student to have exposure to their peers' standards with support and with the specially designed instruction on their particular individualized goals. I guess I'm sorry. I I should be clear. I mean, so you worked with Mrs. McCaskey. >> Yes. So, has there been So, I'm I'm hoping that that's been discussed with their supervisors and what that's going to look like when these questions, cuz they will, come up at I agree with you okay so there is good messaging across. Well, I don't know if it's good messaging. That'll be okay. We can do to be determined.

063>> been messaging. Um, I'm not going to claim it's good just yet, but absolutely. And we we recognize that with change, there's always a lot of exploration and a lot of concern anytime there's a program change or a shift in life. And so we are here to to learn with our our teachers, with our our families. We held um we met with the building leadership team at uh First Step. That is the that's typically where Mrs. Zearfoss and I go towards is the building leadership team to be able to have those representatives in a smaller group to be able to work with them and understand the needs of that particular building. We met with them. Um, we I should say Mrs. Zearfoss um went to the uh preschool PTA meeting to get feedback from the

064stakeholders at that meeting. Um, we have had many conversations with our our families and our staff. Um, but but change is hard and we are taking what has been a solid program and moving it to another building and that is for the staff at at First Step, we anticipate that they will welcome this KLA program with open arms just as we would when there's a shift in any teacher that has to move for whatever reason into another building. We would expect that as colleagues that they would be open to them coming to that building. And and that's what we're hopeful for. We know that change is hard again and there's going to be some difficulties to work through in terms of um you know, using the copier, making space, whatever it is, laminating, become whatever

065the whatever the the thing is in that building. Um, and they'll work through that. And Mrs. Saville is a strong leader who will be able to bring the staff. Um, this is this is a preschool program. This is not a unique, um, program that is is something different than what is already happening. Neither are the same age peers in that room. building. And I just want I want to clarify with the questions that I'm asking. Um, and I I I I'm just saying this for for everyone to understand. Um, we're not voting on whether or not KLA is going to happen. Um, because again, that's that's an administrative decision. Um, we're talking about the tuition piece. But I I I'm appreciating the discussion. I just wanted to clarify that. Oh, sorry. Go ahead, Dr. Early.

066I was wanting to ask if you could expand a little bit upon upon, um, what the enrichment part of the day is going to look like. Is that what This is a great transition. We love it. Thank So, now I'm going to talk about the proposed daily experiences. Thanks, Dr. Early, for that assist. Um, as we spoke to, the day will be Monday through Friday. The time range is 9:00 a.m. to 1:45. And as we talk through a little bit more about what some of the experiences will be, you'll kind of see how it fits in. But 2 and 1/2 hours, like we spoke to, for that preschool academic instruction. And one thing I want to point out that I think, um, we really are trying to ensure that we bring along from what was

067really successful about what current Kindergarten Launch Academy was, is that a lot of the academic pieces that prepared them for that second year of kindergarten were because we built it in in a way that was a little bit more appropriate for what our early um, early learners really need. We're building that stamina, but not negating the fact that we need to start building that foundation of academics even in preschool. Tied alongside play and that opportunity to kind of grow in your social aspects, too. So, that to be said, when we go through that what even the preschool instruction or some of the enrichment pieces, all of that's interweaving that will kind of see where a maybe 3-year-old preschool classroom doesn't have as heavy of academics where a pre-K classroom kind of ups the ante a

068little bit, but in a kind, graceful kind of way for that's appropriate. So, as the day kind of looks in terms of that 9:00 to 1:45, once we get closer to providing the teacher and the staff and the the billing logistics, some of that organically gets built, but I'm going to give you the overview. So, they will follow the district calendar, First Step building activities, and then the main focus for the enrichment is about reinforcement. It's about building those foundational literacy skills, not new instruction, but just finding ways to enforce it and in all honesty through ways that they may not even know that they are learning in terms of that reinforcement. Um kindergarten readiness isn't about necessarily like flash cards and and building it's about independence and social skill development that allows them to

069feel confident, too. Some of the things that relate to enrichment also will be um like exploration. So, STEAM activities where it has to do with arts and music, things that will connect them to um the skills in a variety of ways. Do you have any questions about what else the daily experiences of instruction look like? Yeah, I'm curious. Um, well, then I'm assuming the Ohio kindergarten learning standards will be used to drive some of that planning during the day for kindergarten. >> So, the Ohio early learning standards are the preschool standards, but what a pre-K curriculum. So, that's that's a good point. So, currently we use a curriculum called Creative Curriculum, which is an approved um preschool curriculum by the state of Ohio. It involves the early learning standards, which a lot have to do

070with some of the early literacy skills, um things related to math, but then also social play and fine motor skills. All the things that really are like kindergarten standards, but a little bit more of that progression of not the expectation where in kindergarten it's like you need to know this as a standard. In early learning standards, it's more of like, "Here's where we're progressing to at a more developmentally appropriate rate." So, currently we use the Creative Curriculum, which early learning standards a little bit less on the clear academic standards. They have another program that is Creative Curriculum, but pre-K edition. And it is created with the intention of that year before kindergarten. So, it kind of combines. It has the the theme-based and the curiosity and the play, but then moments of explicit instruction for

071some of those what in your mind was kindergarten standards, but it's like at a a little bit lower progression rate. So, is it more of exposure? Exactly. >> Okay. So, where you're looking at mastery by the end of kindergarten, pre-K is that exposure and it gets a little bit more progressive as you go through with the intention that they're coming in not knowing everything, but they're coming in with that foundation that really can set them off to grow even more. And my last question about the daily experience, you mentioned the importance of with our early learners like learning non-academic skills. There was reference to that. Is there any integration of like social emotional learning that will happen during this? >> Yes, actually we already currently use Second Step early like the preschool edition of the

072early learning and actually current KLA was using Second Step and it was the preschool edition. So, one thing to note is that when we created like the curriculum for current what KLA looks like, it actually was a combination of curriculum of preschool and kindergarten. And now we're just basically buying a curriculum that does it for us. So, it's kind of nice that we don't have to to put together every piece because it's combining those standards organically. Thank you. >> Mhm. So, as we talked about, we were able to kind of explain even more in detail at our preview night for KLA. We had 60-some people on a virtual. I think that might have been my record of ever having an info night with that many folks and it was it was great because the questions

073also prepared them for us kind of launching the enrollment process. So, we as a district were able to kind of have one date that opened up registration for a variety of programs we offer and it was March 2nd. So, we opened up that registration and it is now open. We have roughly I think 34 applicants already for Kindergarten Launch Academy. From that is where the discussions about staffing ratios and making sure that we're meeting the requirements of both preschool and then meeting the needs of um um being able to staff and then look at what it looks like in terms of at first step and classrooms and so on and so forth. But, as we spoke to earlier, Kindergarten Launch Academy is still one option for our students who are peer models we or for

074students with disabilities AM or PM is still available as an option. This was just an application specific to Kindergarten Launch Academy, especially with us shifting we wanted to make sure we had it a little bit separate so we can continue the the clarity and conversations surrounding how to fill the classrooms to meet the needs of of everybody who's who's coming there. So, that is overall the enrollment process and we're excited it's open still. We will be notifying the first round the first phase um by mid-April cuz as you spoke to um Mrs. Sebastian the IP teams at they're applying and then the conversations are happening where the teams can sit down with the families and talk through things. So, that's why we wanted to give ourself enough time to be able to provide that opportunity.

075And this is the last part. So, with anything whether it's a shift, whether it's a new program there are things we constantly are working through. And in all honesty if we had every detail figured out to every little point we're not then being authentic to what it means to to really work with understanding students, understanding staff because there are things that we want to take slower so that we do it right cuz of the impact it can have. So, right now we have figured out quite a few things, but there are things that we want to continue to work through and we are as a is both a KLA team, but then also with um Mrs. Sevilik as it is her her building that that is being um welcoming our Kindergarten Launch Academy. So, some

076of the things related to day-to-day logistics about times and when things will occur, those are still being worked through. We are working with our nutrition supervisor, Emily Gladish. She is fabulous and she is helping us so that we ensure that we are meeting the nutrition requirements that preschool brings as well as just the day-to-day logistics to be able to achieve this. On core, that enrichment time, those are things that we will continue to work through cuz in all honesty, one of the things I really truly feel like makes any type of shift or curriculum or program successful is the involvement of the teachers. And the teachers, once we know the staff, will be helping us assist what this looks like as well as once we get to know the students. Building level logistic logistics, classrooms,

077and staffing, those are all in the works. It's just not at the point yet. One other note, when I spoke about the creative curriculum materials, um the state of Ohio actually offers an opportunity to use some grant funds, which I will always want to not have to spend money and be able to provide this opportunity. So, we are I submitted a grant. We're waiting for that final approval. Um and I'm hoping for both our current preschool as well as Kindergarten Launch Academy curriculum that will be covered by the grant. So, fingers crossed that happens. And then curriculum mapping, which is where teachers really get involved to build the program of what we want instructionally. So, that is all the things in works. We have much more work to do, but we're very excited um to

078be able to bring this to life and continue the great work of of Kindergarten Launch. So, that, any questions besides The last one, I just um kind of question, comment, maybe both. Um so, you know, I'm I'm going back and reading some of the eligibility on on KLA. And the way it's written and the way I understand it, I just want to make sure. Um it sounds like um for students with disabilities, um, students who have IEPs, it looks like it may be opening the continuum a little bit for them, which I'm excited very excited about because when we talk about exposure, it is vital for students with disabilities, especially at that young age. So, um, I think that needs to be said that that puts another piece on the continuum for them. That's a

079very good point. Thank you. >> I have a couple of questions. Um So, I don't know much about this program, so I'm just trying to understand. So, right now it's it's in three separate buildings, is that correct? >> Correct. Three separate elementary buildings, yes. >> Elementary buildings, okay. Do you know what the current uh enrollment is for that? I do. Roughly in that So, over the years it's ebbed and flowed. Um, we actually started with two classes and then the enrollment went up and we had three. Um, we are at roughly about 12 in each class, 13, around there. Um give or take a student. So, roughly you're looking at 40 some students and the hope would be that and and just from what we've gotten for registration, right, we're hitting that number um already.

080So, that was one of the goals, too, is that we wanted to provide the opportunity um, like Dr. Cruz said, to expand and be able to get more kids because we want to build the foundation. Okay. And do you know how many how many students we can we can house at uh Pleasant View? So, so the current time thought process is that we currently have three classrooms at the different elementaries. The goal to start would be we can fill up to three classrooms at First Step. And do you know what the current cost is for this program? The current cost of like kindergarten launch academy >> I'm sorry, to the district, yes. I wouldn't It would be >> You wouldn't All right, Mr. Nuncio, a question for Mr. So, typically we say that a teacher

081costs with benefits, I mean They're anywhere The starting salary for teachers is 44,504, I think it is. That's the base, but they also have benefits. We also have to pay the tax We We have to pay um Medicare and there's pension and workers' compensation. So, probably about $65,000 a teacher, and I believe they said there was three teachers, so that's 180 190 195,000 there for teachers. And I think there was three aides. Aides, of course, don't get paid as much, but the insur- They have insurance, so that's I would say probably 40,000, maybe per aide, if there's three aides. That'd be another 120,000, so we're close 120 We're close to what, 300 and 315,000, I think I believe it is. That's the approximate cost, plus there's would be cost for the food, but that's not

082in the general fund. But, if you're just looking at general fund costs over 300,000. Okay. So, so moving it to Pleasant View, would it increase the cost? Increase >> than what we currently No. No increase. No. And especially with the the Before we weren't having tuition a tuition-based model for for our students who are currently in Kayla, and here we'll be shifting to a tuition-based model to offset even more of the costs. Okay. And that was actually my next question. So, I see it says um the current tuition is 600. So, is that 600 for the entire year? >> It is. And then so so we're we're we're we're we're changing that to now have three different tuition structures. Is that what Is that what we're doing? Uh no, it would be it's 800. We're

083moving from the 600 who for current peer models Mhm. Um who are receiving like an AM that 2 and 1/2 hours of preschool instruction. So, that's like a $200 a year change. Um where the other change is is we don't have a current tuition for Kindergarten Launch Academy. So, the 1500 is the tuition we're proposing for the year for Kindergarten Launch Academy. I think you said three. Thank you. different options. It's like three different depending on if you're IEP or AM or PM. So, I get yeah, just So, and then then Dr. Cruz was pointing out one other thing where the third one may come in. Um the the currently students with disabilities for that AM or PM do not have a tuition cost. They will still not have a tuition cost for that preschool

084um instruction that half-day part of it technically. It's the extended time that includes lunch and the enrichment that does now have that tuition cost tied to it if that makes sense. So, >> Okay. three I guess in a way. Thank you. Thank you. Just one last question. Um moving forward um and I I just again with all the decisions that um the administration has to make moving forward um I sustainability um at First Step, what does that look like for KLA? I think this is us trying to ensure sustainability. Um I think the reality is is that the preschool need for instruction is always there, but this is us a way to be able to ensure it for both students with disabilities, but then also peers to have an opportunity as well. So, I mean

085that's the goal, sustainability. Thank you. Mhm. I know. Thank you. Thank you both. I just have to find my place. I think we are now at uh committee meeting reports. So, uh I do not believe there was a business report. Uh communications and community relations, Dr. Early. Yes, we met as a committee on March 4th. Um during that time we discussed the upcoming community engagement session, the community conversations, which is happening next week on March 18th at Valley Forge. Um a good portion of the meeting was spent finalizing details surrounding that uh community conversation event. Um during our committee meeting, we also discussed the change in location to the audi- auditorium for the board meetings. And we also began to have conversations surrounding like student participation during board meetings and what that looks like, such

086as the Pledge of Allegiance. We talked about recognizing students from the CTE competitions and winter sports. And we had conversations surrounding recognizing retirees in the future um May meetings. So, we didn't necessarily to discuss any new business during the committee. It was wrapping up a lot of loose ends from the previous committee meeting. So, at our upcoming meeting, our next meeting is March 23rd at 12:30 p.m. at Arlington. That is open to the public. Um some of the items that we're going to be discussing that are on the agenda, assuming we get through the agenda, is finalizing the recognition schedule for April and May. Again, with CTE, winter sports, classified and certified retirements. Uh we're going to be revisiting the the request to be heard forms that we use at the board meetings. Um specifically

087looking at our district policy 1069.1. We are going to be reviewing the website structure to try to increase accessibility um and looking at different examples. And then I think those are the three main items that we will discuss during that. Well, thank you, Ms. Sebastian. Thank you, Dr. Early. Uh is there any questions for Dr. Early for him to move forward? Okay, so uh we do not have curriculum uh committee report. Uh finance, uh Mr. Reyes, but I know Mr. Nuncio usually does the report, right? So, no no report. Okay. And then policy. Who I just for clarification, who does the policy report? Um I know you have my name listed on there, but I don't I normally do the communications and community relations report. I had just asked Dr. Early if she could do

088it because I wasn't at that last meeting. So, it's policy, Mr. Reyes? Mr. Reyes, are you policy? I I can be if I can be if needed. I I believe that was I think we need to have a conversation about this because I know there was some confusion before about it because I think Nick I think you had um presented My business. Yeah, I Sorry, finance. >> you had presented finance previously. Or you were supposed to be presenting finance and then I think you had presented finance, but I think that was I don't know. I think we need to talk about these again. Okay, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Mr. Reyes is saying he doesn't mind you doing that. >> me to do. Yeah, I can. >> Yeah, but you

089don't have a report tonight. No, I don't have a plastic we don't have a No, no report. >> I think it was initially designed because there were five committees, so we each had one to report on. So, I think if like if we were to have Nick doing we just have to reestablish who's doing you know, who's who's doing what, but I just think we should have a conversation about that. >> Okay, we can do that. Okay. Thank you. Um with that being said, we're going to move to communications. Um I can just start at the end. Mr. Reyes, do you have any communications? No, I don't. Thank you. Ms. Kerpec? I do not have any today. Thank you. Um I do. I just wanted to um acknowledge that um we uh started our elementary

090tours. Um so, I had the pleasure of visiting um many of our elementary buildings. Um um I'm just going to echo uh what Dr. Hanna said about um you know, I know there has been I think this is one of one of your did you knows. Um however, you know, there's talk about consolidation um you know, within the community. Can we consolidate? Um I would welcome the community to look at our buildings, our elementary buildings. Um there is not a space left unturned, and I applaud the staff and the principals, um the staff in the buildings um that are able to make it work. Um student spaces are cramped as well as adult spaces are cramped. So, um I just I I wanted to say that and just all the hard work that I seen

091in the buildings. Um it really I said this before, but it grounds me walking in there and seeing um we are going to be visiting um I think next week we are going to make our way to Parma Park. Is that correct? I think we're doing Parma Park next week. Um so and then there's a couple buildings that we've missed, but we're going to get to them because um it doesn't work for everybody's schedule. So also I had the opportunity as well to attend our uh kindergarten registration um uh with Clifford and it was a great opportunity. I love seeing all the smiling faces in the families so exciting. Um they're walking in the buildings excited to be there. So it was a pleasure to be there. And then also I had the opportunity to

092attend a Parma Council PTA meeting last night. Um and uh lots of great information and good things happening um at Parma Council PTA. So that's all I have for communications. Do you have anything, Dr. Early? Yeah, I just want to say um great job to the Sword and Shield staff. We went to the pierogi dinner um Rob and I last Friday and as always we've gone on for years and they always do a great job. Um the kids are always really excited and proud of the work that they do. So I enjoyed that and then thank you to the staff of Thoreau Park for inviting us to read during Read Across America week. So I got to read to Ms. King's classroom. I got lots of lots of hugs, lots of sharing. Um it's one

093of my favorite parts about the elementary building are how excited the kids are just to learn and to experience new things and meet new people. So I really appreciated getting invited to do that and it was a good reminder of my why in education which is uh the kids. Thank you, Dr. Early and I just want to say too um I I forgot that part. I'm sorry, but we I had the opportunity of being at Thoreau Park myself and I don't know if everybody knows this, but um they also reach out to not only Board of Education, but our superintendent, our administration, community, um uh elected officials. Um it's just you know when some of these board meetings are very difficult to be able to see again like you said the why of what we

094do and again seeing the staff in the buildings and working so hard so yes that too being able to go read at Thorough Park. Uh treasure? I do not have anything tonight. Okay and I do not think we have a Parma Council of PTAs report tonight. So that takes us now to um public comments for items on the agenda. So this is the invitation to the public to address the Board of Education with comments um concerning agenda items to be adopted this evening. So at this point we are going to open up the meeting to the public to address the board on tonight's agenda items. I don't think I have to ask if we have any request to be heard forms cuz I think I have them right here is that oh we have more.

095Okay on agenda items. Okay. Oh okay. Okay. Okay but this is the right one. So Kevin Kusmaul are you speaking tonight? Okay. Oh yeah. And just one second Mr. Kusmaul before you speak. Just I didn't go through our our typicals but I'll just do the shortened version so you have 3 minutes to speak. Please just address the presiding officer. Thank you. Oh is that on? I think it is now. Thank you, Madam President. I also attended the pierogi dinner and it was a success as it always is for the district. I'm speaking on the discussion that was in relation to the live streaming resolution. For the background of the live streaming, nine years ago when I was on the board, it was in fact live stream back then and prior. And when I left the

096board, the board at that time did move the meeting times to 7:00 p.m. But they did go to Facebook live and that was the prerogative of that board. Board meetings have fluctuated from 5:30 to 7:00. But I was shocked that there was not just a discussion, but there was a resolution to move the meeting times. I I think a discussion is always good. Board member Kerpec, Madam President, cited that she brought this forward cuz an earlier time accommodated her schedule and there was a discussion around that. I would argue a 5:00 board meeting is difficult for many members of the public to attend. It's difficult, especially with as board members mentioned, with children and taking into consideration that if you have a work session, you're looking at 4:00 p.m. start time most likely unless you're

097scheduling it on another date. So, a 5:00 board time I believe would not provide the public the chance to see this body in progress and to be present for it. With transparency being something that this board has worked for and many boards have worked for, I think that this would be a regression in another direction for non-transparency. So, I would ask the board to consider 5:00 being too early to start a time. And the time that I have looked regularly scheduled board meetings previously, there were some exceptions that did start at 5:00, but common practice was 5:30 to 7:00 ranging in that time frame given on situations, but a blanket 5:00 p.m. start with then a 4:00 most likely start time for a work session for community members to make it to something like that.

098I I would believe, in my opinion, also as an elected official, would be very difficult for for transparency and for public participation. So, I would I would ask the board to take that into consideration if they're going to vote later today. Also, given the fact that the community really did not have much input in this. There were three topics for discussion tonight. Two of them did not have any resolution attached to it. There was only one that did. And under your meetings, you can change the time, but in the effort of transparency for this board, I would ask that you'd maybe get a little more input than changing an hour earlier so the community can still try to participate given the fact the meetings are not right now video recorded. Uh they're audio recorded only,

099but that is that is what I would like to say. Thank you, Madam President, for the time. Thank you, Mr. Kusmaul. I I don't think this one is. I think I Is That's what I thought. It got messed up. Okay. Okay, Sharon Fitzic, I'm sorry. Good evening. Sharon Fitzic, 6495 Gale Drive, Seven Hills, Ohio. I would like to speak on resolution 2026-03123, um talking about the time change for our Board of Education meetings. I agree that a 5:00 meeting may be difficult for some community members to attend. I also agree that 3-hour Board of Education meetings are not productive. With that said, I do appreciate the focus and the reminder that Board of Education members be prepared for our Board of Education meetings. So, could we consider a resolution to plan a time to limit

100board discussions? I am not sure what that would look like. Obviously, I do not know the answer to this question. I'm just suggesting a possible solution to solve the problem of our lengthy Board of Education meetings. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Physic. Heather Akachi. Uh good evening. Heather Akachi, 2716 Ingleside Drive, 44134. So, y'all know me and I wear many different hats. I want to speak about the Resolution 2026-03-123. Uh tonight I am here as a community member and a parent. In my many years in the district, I have attended many board meetings at many different times. And as a community member, I feel that the decision about what time the board should meet should be up to the discretion of the board and what works best for them. As a community member, I make

101the adjustment when I need to be here and I feel I need to be there. And I'm hoping that other community members can work with that aspect, too, where the focus should be on what business you guys need to do at hand versus making sure that everybody and our how many thousands of people and parents in this district can be here. So, please, I also want to state that work sessions have started as early as 4:30 at times, so it's not a difference of if you moved it to 4:00 or that thing. It's not asking for a 12:00 work session. Um and also being able to, as mentioned, having the work session or um your executive sessions on another evening or opportunities that should be looked into. But I'll be obviously my number one support

102is that whatever decision you make should be the discretion of what the majority of the board members can work with. Thank you. Thank you, Mrs. Akachi. Thank you to everybody who spoke tonight. Um at this time, we are going to um Oh, I'm sorry. I move to adopt uh we are going to move into executive session. So, I >> I stop you, Mrs. Spector? >> Yep. Yep. Our since Mr. Reyes made >> Oh, that's right. Our resolution. I apologize. Yeah. >> Could we vote on that because that's what is motion was >> I was just running down the list and I forgot that that resolution was there. Okay. So, um do we I have to go back to that resolution number, right? Let me see. 23 Okay. It's It's 123, you said? Mhm. Yep, I

103got it. Okay. So, I move to adopt resolution 2026-03-123 board meeting time change. Second. We have a motion and a second to adopt resolution 2026-03-123. Are there any questions or comments from the board? I just wanted to reiterate my previous opinion on this that I'm very much in support of this. I also appreciate what Dr. Early had mentioned about possibly scheduling work sessions and scheduling um executive sessions on different days. Um I obviously heard the concern about having a 4:00 work session um which was, you know, never anything we ever had said would happen, but I just wanted to reiterate that we could most definitely have those on different days, and I would be in support of that as well. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Kerpec. Okay, roll call, please, Mr. Nusio. Mrs. Bastian. Yes.

104Ms. Kerpec. Yes. Dr. Earley. Yes. Mr. Reyes. No. Resolution 2026-0 >> Mhm. >> Do you really? Yeah. I think so. Yeah. Yeah, I know. It's all right. It is now 8:13 p.m. and we will reconvene the March 12th, 2026 Parma City School District Board of Education meeting. I move to adopt resolution 2026-03-125. Board resolution to approve the tentative agreement between the Parma City School District Board of Education and the Ohio Association of Public School Employees Safety and Security Local 405. Second. We have a motion and a second to adopt resolution 2026-03-125. Are there any questions or comments from the board? Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Mrs. Bastian. Yes. Ms. Kerpic. Yes. Dr. Early. >> Yes. Mr. Reyes. >> Yes. Resolution 2026-03-125 has been approved. Uh so, we are at old Nope, we just did old

105business. The curriculum. >> Yeah. Now, we're So, there's no items for business tonight. Is that correct? Correct. Okay. So, now we are at curriculum. Which is me. So, let me get there. Oh, it's you. Did it change? I have the wrong Okay. All right, curriculum, Dr. Early. Thank you. All right, I motion to Sorry, my script is not Is that this one we're doing? 126 I know I have that, but Yeah, I motion to All right. I move to adopt resolution 2026. Thank you. Thank you, Bethany. I move to adopt resolution 2026-03-126 approval of effective leadership academy materials for summer school program. Second. We have a motion and a second to adopt resolution 2026-03-126. Are there any questions or comments from the board? Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Dr. Early. Yes. Ms. Kerbeck. Yes. Mr.

106Reyes. Yes. Mrs. Sebastian. Yes. Resolution 2026-03-126 has been approved. I move to adopt resolution 2026-03-127 approval to increase First Step preschool peer model student tuition and establish tuition for kindergarten launch academy within First Step preschool. Second. We have a motion and a second to adopt resolution 2026-03-127. Are there any questions or comments from the board? Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Dr. Early. Yes. Ms. Kerbeck. Yes. Mr. Reyes. Yes. Mrs. Sebastian. Yes. Resolution 2026-03-127 has been approved. I move to adopt resolution 2026-03-128 approval of overnight out-of-state field trip for the Normandy High School wrestling district tournament on March 8th. Second. We have a motion and a second to adopt resolution 2026-03-128. Are there any questions or comments from the board? Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Dr. Early. Yes. Ms. Kerpec. Yes. Mr. Reyes. Yes. Mrs. Sebastian.

107Yes. Resolution 2026-03-128 has been approved. I move to adopt resolution 2026-03-129 granting authority to the administration to enter into a contract Kids Link for the 2025-2026 school year. Second. We have a motion and a second to adopt resolution 2026-03-129. Are there any questions or comments from the board? Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Dr. Early. Yes. Ms. Kerpec. Yes. Mr. Reyes. Yes. Mrs. Sebastian. Yes. Resolution 2026-03-129 has been approved. I move to adopt resolution 2026-03-130 granting authority to the administration to enter into a contract with the family for the 2025-2026 school year. Second. We have a motion and a second to adopt resolution 2026-03-130. Are there any questions or comments from the board? Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Dr. Early. Yes. Ms. Kurbat? Yes. Mr. Reyes? Yes. Ms. Sebastian? Yes. Resolution 2026-03-130 has been approved. I

108move to adopt Resolution 2026-03-131, approval of an overnight field trip to Toledo, Ohio on April 16th through 17th, 2026. Second. We have a motion and a second to adopt Resolution 2026-03-131. Are there any questions or comments from the board? Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Dr. Earley? Yes. Ms. Kurbat? Yes. Mr. Reyes? Yes. Ms. Sebastian? Yes. Resolution 2026-03-131 has been approved. I move to adopt Resolution 2026-03-132, approval of overnight out-of-state field trip to Nashville, Tennessee on May 6th through May 10th, 2026. Second. We have a motion and a second to adopt Resolution 2026-03-132. Are there any questions and comments from the board? Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Dr. Earley? Yes. Ms. Kurbat? Yes. Mr. Reyes? Yes. Ms. Sebastian? Yes. Resolution 2026-03-132 has been approved. I move to adopt Resolution 2026-03-113, I'm sorry, 133, approval of memorandum

109of understanding between College Credit Plus Program, the Parma City School District, and Cuyahoga Community College. Second. We have a motion and a second to adopt Resolution 2026-03-133. Are there any questions or comments from the board? Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Dr. Earley? Yes. Ms. Kurbat? Yes. Mr. Reyes? Yes. Mrs. Sebastian? Yes. Resolution 2026-03-133 has been approved. I move to adopt resolution 2026-03-134, approval of memorandum of understanding between Credit College Plus Program, the Parma City School District, and Kent State University. Second. We have a motion and a second to adopt resolution 2026-03-134. Are there any questions or comments from the board? Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Dr. Earley? Yes. Ms. Kirpek? Yes. Mr. Reyes? Yes. Mrs. Sebastian? Yes. Resolution 2026-03-134 has been approved. I move to adopt resolution 2026-03-135, approval of an overnight out-of-state field trip

110for the Normandy High School Marching Band to Disney World on March 20th through 27th, 2027. Second. We have a motion and a second to Uh uh We have a motion and a second to adopt resolution 2026-03-135. Are there any questions or comments from the board? Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Dr. Earley? Yes. Ms. Kirpek? Yes. Mr. Reyes? Yes. Mrs. Sebastian? Yes. Resolution 2026-03- 135 has been approved. Do any other board members have anything further to discuss regarding curriculum this evening? This concludes curriculum. Thank you. I'm sorry, could just be patient with us for 1 second. I did. >> Okay, um that moves us to finance. Um Mr. Is that you, Mr. Reyes? Yes. Thank you, Ms. Sebastian. I move to adopt resolution 2026 -03-136 approval of supplemental appropriations. Second. We have a motion and a

111second to adopt resolution 2026-03-136. Are there any questions or comments from the board? Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Mr. Reyes. Yes. Dr. Early. Yes. Ms. Sebastian. Yes. Resolution 2026-03-136 has been approved. I move to adopt resolution 2026-03-137 ratification of investments. Second. We have a motion and a second to adopt resolution 2026-03-137. Are there any questions or comments from the board? Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Mr. Reyes. Yes. Dr. Early. Yes. Ms. Sebastian. >> Yes. Resolution 2026-03-137 has been approved. I move to adopt resolution 2026-03-138 authorizing filing of complaint against evaluation of real property for tax year 2025 against permanent parcel number 441-27-001. Second. We have a motion and a second to adopt resolution 2026-03-138. Are there any questions or comments from the board? Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Mr. Reyes. Yes. Dr. Earley. Yes. Mrs.

112Sebastian. Yes. Resolution 2026-03-138 has been approved. I move to adopt resolution 2026-03 -139 authorizing filing of complaint against evaluation of real property for tax year against permanent parcel number 442-13-001. Second. We have a motion and a second to adopt resolution 2026-03-139. Are there any questions or comments from the board? Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Mr. Reyes. Yes. Dr. Earley. Yes. Mrs. Sebastian. Yes. Resolution 2026-03-139 has been approved. I move to adopt resolution 2026-03-140 authorizing filing of complaint against evaluation of real property for tax year 2025 against permanent parcel number 444-23-026. Second. We have a motion and a second and a second to adopt resolution 2026-03-140. Are there any questions or comments from the board? Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Mr. Reyes. Yes. Dr. Earley. Yes. Mrs. Sebastian. Yes. Resolution 2026-03-140 has been approved. I move

113to adopt resolution 2026-03-141 authorizing filing of complaint against evaluation of real property for tax year against permanent parcel number 442-33-006. Second. We have a motion and a second to adopt resolution 2026-03-141. Are there any questions or comments from the board? Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Mr. Reyes. Yes. Dr. Earley. Yes. Mrs. Sebastian. Yes. Resolution has been approved. I move to adopt resolution 2026-03-142 authorizing filing of complaint against evaluation of real property for tax year against permanent parcel number 552-25-037 and 552-25-048. Second. We have a motion and a second to adopt resolution 2026-03-142. Are there any questions or comments from the board? Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Mr. Reyes. Yes. Dr. Earley. Yes. Mrs. Sebastian. Yes. Resolution 2026-03-142 has been approved. I move to adopt resolution 2026-03-143 resolution accepting the amounts and rates as determined by

114the budget commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the county fiscal officer. Second. We have a motion and a second to adopt resolution 2026-03-143. Are there any questions or comments from the board? Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Mr. Reyes. >> Yes. Dr. Early. Yes. Mrs. Sebastian. Yes. Resolution 2026-03-143 has been approved. I move to adopt resolution 2026-03-144, a resolution declaring this board's intent to implement certain budget cuts and cease collection of a certain ad valorem property tax levies for certain years upon approval by the by the school district's electors at the election to be held on May 5th, 2026, of the question of a 1.75% school district income tax on the earned income of individuals residing in the school district for a continuing period of time effective January 1, 2027. I

115second approving the um resolution as amended. We have a motion and a second to adopt resolution 2026-03-144 as amended. Are there any questions or comments from the board? Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Mr. Reyes. Yes. Dr. Early. Yes. Mrs. Sebastian. Yes. Resolution 2026-03-144 has been approved. Do any other board members have any items to discuss for finance? This concludes finance. Thank you, Mr. Reyes. We'll now move to human resources with Dr. Early. I move to adopt resolution 2026-03-145, approval of the following certificate certificated exhibits, confirmation of certificated replacements, confirmation of stipend amounts, confirmation of supplemental appointments, approval of certificated non-compensatory leaves of absences, acceptance of certificated resignations. Second. We have a motion and a second to adopt resolution 2026-03-145. Are there any questions or comments from the board? Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Miss Miss

116I'm sorry, Dr. Early. Yes. Mr. Reyes. Yes. Mrs. Sebastian. >> Yes. Resolution 2026-03-145 has been approved. I move to adopt resolution 2026-03-146, acceptance of certificated retirements. Second. We have a motion and a second to adopt resolution 2026-03-146. Are there any questions or comments from the board? Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Dr. Early. Yes. Mr. Reyes. Yes. Mrs. Sebastian. Yes. Resolution 2026-03-146 has been approved. I move to adopt resolution 2026-03-147, approval of the following classified exhibits, confirmation of classified replacements, confirmation of classified changes, acceptance of classified resignations, approval of classified non-compensatory leaves of absence. Second. We have a motion and a second to adopt resolution 2026-03-147. Are there any questions or comments from the board? Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Dr. Early. Yes. Mr. Reyes. Yes. Mrs. Sebastian. Yes. Resolution 2026-03-147 has been approved. I move

117to adopt resolution 2026-03-148, approval of OSHAA girls and boys basketball playoff workers rates. Second. We have a motion and a second to adopt resolution 2026-03-148. Are there any questions or comments from the board? Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Dr. Earley. Yes. Mr. Reyes. Yes. Mrs. Sebastian. Yes. Resolution 2026-03-148 has been approved. I move to adopt resolution 2026-03-149 approval of classified long-term leaves of absence in accordance with provisions of ORC 3309.41. Second. We have a motion and a second to adopt resolution 2026-03-149. Are there any questions or comments from the board? Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Dr. Earley. Yes. Mr. Reyes. Yes. Mrs. Sebastian. Yes. Resolution 2026-03-149 has been approved. I move to adopt resolution 2026-03-150 authorization to release from employment during probationary period classified employee. Second. We have a motion and a second to adopt

118resolution 2026-03-150. Are there any questions or comments from the board? Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Dr. Earley. Yes. Mr. Reyes. Yes. Mrs. Sebastian. Yes. Resolution 2026-03-150 has been approved. Do any other board members have anything further to discuss regarding human resources tonight? This concludes human resources. Thank you, Dr. Earley. Uh you're taking policy, too. So, uh Dr. Earley, policies. Thank you. I move to adopt resolution 2026-03-151 approval of the following revised policies, policy 5112, entrance requirements, policy 5223, release time for religious instruction during the school day. Second. We have a motion and a second to adopt resolution 2026-03-151. Are there any questions or comments from the board? Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Dr. Early. >> Yes. Mr. Reyes. Yes. Mrs. Sebastian. Yes. Resolution 2026-03-151 has been approved. I move to adopt resolution 2026-03-152, approval of

119the following revised policies, rescind policy 2260-03, notice of non-discrimination and complaint procedures, including title two, title five six, title seven, title eight, and section 504. Second. We have a motion and a second to adopt resolution 2026-03-152. Are there any questions or comments from the board? Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Dr. Early. Yes. Mr. Reyes. Yes. Mrs. Sebastian. Yes. Resolution 2026-03-152 has been approved. I move to adopt resolution 2026-03-153, approval of the following new policies, policy 2431-06, name, image, and likeness NIL in athletics. Second. We have a motion and a second to adopt resolution 2026-03-153. Are there any questions or comments from the board? Roll call, please, Mr. Nucio. Dr. Early. Yes. Mr. Reyes. Yes. Mrs. Sebastian. >> Yes. Resolution 2026-03-153 has been approved. >> Do any other board members have anything further to discuss regarding

120policy tonight? That concludes policies. Thank you, Dr. Earley. Um, we are now going to move to um, any information that is requested by board members. Seeing none, we are going to move into our public comment portion of our meeting. So, just before we get started, um the Parma City School District Board of Education is a decision-making body. We value community community input and appreciate those who have taken the time to participate this evening. We will now move to the agenda item public comments. Public participation is welcome. And any concern dealing with education in the Parma City School District may be addressed at this time. Public comment is intended to allow the board to listen. The board will not engage in dialogue or debate during this portion of the meeting. When recognized, speakers state their name

121and address for the record and direct all remarks to the board president. Each speaker will be allotted 3 minutes with a maximum of 30 minutes total for public participation. A timer will be used to ensure fairness, order, and consistency. I will indicate when your time is concluded and will provide a visual sign or one of us will provide a visual sign when 15 seconds remain if needed. Once the 3 minutes have ended, the speaker must stop. This will be adhered to um, and we will not allow for any extra time. Um, just making sure that we have equity across the board. This time limit will be enforced uniformly and without exception in accordance with the board policy 0169.1. Request to be heard forms are required to be submitted in advance by completing a request to

122be heard form and submitting it in person to the administrative secretary. Only those who have completed this process will be permitted to speak. Individuals may not register others to speak during public comment. Administration may attempt to answer questions at the conclusion of a speaker's comments. However, many cases additional information may be needed to fully address the concern. Questions may be referred to the superintendent or the treasurer for further investigation or study. Information is not readily available. A district administrator or appropriate designee may follow up within 72 hours. That 72 hours is a goal. Sometimes there are things that happen within the district that does not allow for administration to get back within that 72-hour time frame. So, I just want to make sure we outline that that is a goal. As outlined in board policy

1230169.1, in some instances, a response may be provided at a future regular meeting. To ensure respectful and productive environment, comments must be directed to the board president. Speakers are asked to refrain from defamatory, obscene, abusive, derogatory, irrelevant, repetitive, or disruptive remarks, including verbal criticism or complaints against any individual employee of the district. Personnel matters and certain student-related issues are governed by board policy and law cannot be addressed in a public forum. The presiding officer may terminate a speaker's privilege of address if, after being called to order, the speaker persists in improper conduct or remarks. Individuals who do not adhere to these expectations may be asked to stop speaking and, if necessary, to leave the meeting. If a speaker is unable to complete their comments within the allotted time, additional information may be shared with board

124members via email. At this time, we will proceed with public comment. When called, please come to the microphone. And again, it will be limited to total 30 minutes due to the board scheduled executive session this evening. Um, we will have to tightly adhere to that. So, with that being said, I am calling up Jennifer Jugler. Perk and 6831 Greenbrier Drive, Parma Heights. I would make like to make it clear that I'm speaking as an individual this evening. Good evening. I would like to take a moment to sincerely thank school board members, President Sebastian, Vice President Kurpik, board member Dr. Early, and board member Reyes, who visited my classroom last month. Your presence meant a great deal not only to me as an educator, but especially to the students who had the opportunity to interact with

125you. When students see the individuals responsible for guiding and supporting their schools take an active interest in their learning, it sends a powerful message. Your visit showed them that their education matters, and that the leaders in our district truly value the work happening in our classrooms each day. It reinforced for them not p- It reinforced for them that public education is important and they have people advocating for their success. I would also like to extend an open invitation to Mr. McTaggart, who wasn't able to be there. Um, and it's you guys as well. Um, to please attend anytime that you would like. Our classroom would be honored to welcome you in the future so you can experience firsthand the learning, curiosity, and enthusiasm our students bring each day. Thank you again for your time, your

126support, and your continued dedication to promoting and strengthening public education. It truly makes a difference for our students in our community. Thank you for your time. Thank you, Mr. Jugler. Next we have Martin Stanzeck. I have a loud voice, so can I just sit here rather than walk there? Yeah, so in order to have and and for access, I mean, is that Is that okay? For recording, yeah. For recording purposes, they asked that you come up here, Mr. Stanzeck. I apologize. I will learn to sit in the front row next time. Martin Stanzeck, 5500 Lorain Drive. I hear a lot about transparency, and as I asked at the last meeting, I would just like to have a definition of letter from you guys in terms of what Parma schools consider transparency. Transparency can be many

127things. I just want to know from the school board or from the school what their definition is. Thank you, Mr. Stanzeck. Brenda Mitchell, 5004 Torrington. Um hello again, board. I loved listening in on these KLA program changes tonight. Why was there not this amount of care and discussion um given to the PAGE program? I hope you all know and understand how hurtful and downright disrespectful it is as a PAGE parent to sit here and realize how little thought was given to cutting our program. I thought that by by tonight there might be a formal announcement when it comes to the vote by the board on February 12th. There hasn't been any recognition that this vote did pass by the board or by the administration. Sending an email to select parents about this is doing a

128disservice to our to our students and to the rest of our families. It feels very apparent to us that you are delaying any kind of information till the very last minute, not realizing that parents and families need to make these accommodations for their students when it comes to where they will be attending school next year. A lot of enrollment dates for private schools, STEM, other schools um are coming up within literally this week or next week and we haven't gotten a single answer. Um so we need to figure out what we're doing. You are leaving us with no time to make these decisions. I honestly find it kind of ridiculous that we as parents have to be the ones to come up with the suggestions for this program, whether it be moving the program to

129another school for the next school year or what the other plans are going to be. The KLA program has an enrollment of 40 students we learned tonight over three different schools. And look at the amount of care that went into tonight's presentation about the future of the program. They talked to parents. They talked to the teachers. They talked to admin. It was it was a cohesive and wonderful a get-together and and really taking into consideration what parents and teachers had to say. Never once was that given any thought to the PAGE program. KLA program has been around for about 5 years. PAGE has been around it's 3 years now. Um I would like to end my statement tonight by asking a general question to the board and feel free to just internalize and assess it

130at your own time. When you listen back or watch these board meetings, are you embarrassed? Because the as a member of this of this community, I feel embarrassed for you. The level of disrespect, condescension, pettiness, and downright childish behavior that happens at these board meetings make me feel really embarrassed. You as a board and administration have lost all respect in our community and I know that you all see that. We have seen what you think of your community members members for first hand these last 2 months. We haven't got any sort of formal apology for how this situation has been handled. We have barely gotten a single straight answer from administration about our program. We're just at this point we're disheartened and completely disappointed. That's it. Thank you, Ms. Mitchell. Marcus Mitchell, 5004 Torrington Ave.

131The more we've come to these meetings, the more I'm realizing how involved we are as parents in this community. We moved to Parma 8 years ago. Yeah. 8 years ago and from the beginning we've done everything we can to invest in our child and the community. Serving and volunteering on the PTA, being a part of the PTA. It it always taught us something. It always showed us how hard it is to get things done. And I always go back to a lesson I think we've all learned when we were in a math class in school. You have to show your work. You can't just jump to the end. You can't just say, "Hey, this is the conclusion." You have to show your work. And that's what it feels like we've been asking is, "Can you

132show your work?" Like jumping to the conclusion hasn't helped anybody. And when we ask you to show your work, when anybody asks you guys to show your work, it's it never comes off as though it's not a personal thing. You know, you guys serve five members to act as one, and it's not one person attacking another. You represent the same organization. And I think the most alarming thing I've seen and felt is getting things done doesn't need to be as hard as it's been. And we live in a time where everything is getting difficult, everything is getting very personal. I take my child's education very personally. His future is what I care about. I don't care about any of your futures on the board. I don't. I don't want you to. I want you to

133care about these kids. At the end of the day, this district needs hope, and needs people looking at the future and saying, "This is what we're going to do, regardless of if I'm here." And that that's a legacy, not saying, "Yes, I've served as a member of a board for multiple years." Making a difference is about doing something now. And there's a lot of talk with plans, and that's what I keep hearing. And we're voters. We don't We don't want plans. We want decisions. We want things we're actually going to say, "Yes, that's what we want." Not "Okay, I guess yes, I'll give you permission to think about it some more and make a plan." That's it it's not getting us anywhere. And I look around and I think about all the ways that education

134was when I grew up. I came up through the school system when standardized testing was first being introduced. And how that was an experiment. They weren't sure how that was going to work. But they did it. And things felt more decisive then. It's like, right now, the court of public opinion seems to have a stronger impact than just facts. And doing things in a way that lets people say, "Hey, I have faith in them because they're just making choices even if they're hard." But back them up. Tell us why you made those choices. Show your work. Because if I remember correctly, you didn't get any points if you didn't show your work. Thank you, Mr. Mitchell. Liliana, I want to make sure I say that Jimenez? I'm sorry. Correct me again. Okay. Thank you. Um

135hello. My name is Liliana Jimenez and my address is 906 Wexford Avenue. I have three children here in uh the PSCD uh school. Uh my daughter, Nathalia, spoke. She attends Page. Although many parents realize Sorry. Um that this administration has a lack of empathy and attention for our families um who attend Page School. Um first, the board letting the superintendent close a program without a board vote, which goes against his contract, and he should be removed from his position because it goes against the >> We cannot talk about I'm I'm sorry. I'm sorry. We cannot talk about personnel issues. I'll have to stop you. Okay. >> going. Um we would like to say that um the Board of Education um cannot cancel a program without a vote, and he did cancel the program without the

136board's vote, and then it was voted, and we were we are aware that it did pass, and we still haven't heard anything about it. Parents have emails and asked for meetings and we try and we keep trying and we keep trying to see what is going to happen to our children's programs and we do not hear anything about it. We ask if it can be put in a different school. We ask if there's a curriculum that can be done. We ask if there's any way that we can have our children still have the same type of learning which they are getting at Page because our children learn at a faster rate because of their their scores, because of the way they learn, because they're advanced. And we need our children cannot just be put into

137a regular classroom and have 1 hour of gifted services. Um Our children are our future and they're questioning us and they're wondering what is going to happen to their friends and their teachers and the staff there at Page. And we would like to know what is going to happen and what is going to be done for our children. Because our children are worried and it is affecting them emotionally and psychologically because they don't know what's going to happen in their future. And we have to sit there and we cannot give them any answers because you will not give us any answers. And we need to be able to do that. And you as parents, if a child goes and asks you, "Mom, Dad, what is going to happen to our future?" you want to give

138your children an answer. Well, we would like to give our children answers. We would like them to know what is going to happen because whatever school we send them to, they are not going to get the same education that they are getting now at their schools with their teachers. Just because we send them to a STEM program doesn't mean that they're going to be able to continue to learn at the same pace, at the same rate that they are learning now. Because if you guys don't know, from what their teachers tell us, they are already like almost a year and a half ahead of what their their class is at right now. Thank you. Kevin Kusmaul. Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to apologize. I don't think I listed my address when I was up

139here previously. So, 3160 Hetzel Drive, Parma, Ohio. I was unable to attend the work session of the body of this board that was at 5:00 p.m. today, unfortunately. So, I I did have some questions about the school district income tax levy that my residents have been asking me. So, I'd like to be able to answer them. Uh first one would be for if if this levy is passed, when would the renewal of the school district income tax levy be on the ballot? Madam President, I don't know if that's an easy one that treasure might be able to answer. I know I'm not engaging, but I I don't know. >> Mr. Kusmaul, yes. So, just in fairness, I haven't provided that to anybody tonight. Uh public comments for public comment. We can get back to you

140in 72 or more hours. >> I will I will try to do my best to attend the community meeting next week. I have a several other questions as well. So, I will try to be there in person to give those to you guys. Um I would also like to note um given the current climate right now, Madam President, for this country, I'd like to also offer up as have as elected officials in the city prayers for our military right now. So, we're engaging in a war in the Middle East and like to thank board member Ashley McTaggart for her service in the military for this country and the other members of our community who are also active duty military members. I'd like to acknowledge that and put that out, Madam of president. Thank you. Thank

141you, Mr. Kusumoto. That leads us that's actually the end of public comment. I do not see any more requests to be heard forms and we are now going to move into new business. This is an opportunity for the word to bring up any non-agenda items. Do we have any new business? Mr. Sebastian. Yes, Mr. Arias. >> Thank you. Uh so I want to talk about the page program. Um There was an email that went out last week from Dr. Hunt to I believe this is a page parent. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Um So in the this email reads the board considered a motion regarding page program for 2026 2027 school year. The motion that was brought forward was to continue the page program over it not specify that the program would remain housed

142at Paramount Park. Because the motion focused on continuing the program itself rather than specific building location, the discussion was referred to committee for further review. It's part of that process administrative advisory committee has been created to evaluate the future of page program and determine how it could be structured moving forward. Um What is important for families to know I'm sorry, what is important for families to know is that the intent of the motion was to continue the page program for the 2026-2027 school year. The current discussions are focused on how and where the program will be implemented, not whether the program itself will continue. The committee will review options so we can review supportive remain I'm sorry, remain supportive of students moving forward. So I just wanted to see what you know, where we at

143with this situation in the advisory committee. Who are you directing your comments to? >> Hunt. Sorry. Thank you. I believe Dr. Cruz has scheduled a meeting for next Tuesday uh to meet with the advisory group. So, is is the purpose of this committee to figure out how we're going to continue this program in a different building or if we're going to continue the program? I think that's the discussion that the committee is going to have. So, it's it's both of those? I I think the agenda for that committee is to discuss the PAGE program and what does that look What does it look like as we head into next year. Okay. Um so, is this acknowledgement of my motion? That the motion passed. Is is this is Am I taking this I I think that's

144what it says, Okay. Okay. So, I appreciate that. Thank you, Dr. Hunt. Um So, so the purpose of the motion is merely a directive and and after that the motion is is approved, we're supposed to figure out the details in a resolution. And um I took some time to put together a resolution and I would like my board members and administration to take a look at it, review it. Please uh let me know what your thoughts are and I would like to have it on the next agenda. Mr. Reyes, so are you want to put the resolution on the agenda for the next meeting. Um so, the the process for that would be um actually working with myself. That's how the So, just just so you know, Ms. Kerpic, when she uh she did not

145create the resolution herself. That's something that has to go through the the process. So, the resolution that was adopted tonight went through the treasurers. We worked with uh Mr. Nucio um to develop that resolution. So, I don't believe that's a resolution that you would actually create yourself. We can have a discussion on what that would look like if if that's but I uh would also go to say the discussion really needs to be that um I I would again go to say this is not something that we'd have to have further discussions on but this is not something that we have said we have said repeatedly that this is not something that is within the board's um uh our governance as far as a program is concerned. So, we would have to I mean just

146having that resolution tonight would not be putting it on the agenda. We would have to have a discussion on what that would look like but it wouldn't be it really would not be a resolution because that's not something that's within our governance. So, all I'm asking is is for the board to look at what I put together. We can take a look at it. >> Provide any feedback and I would like for it to be added to the agenda. And I yeah, so I what I'm saying is that would not be a resolution to add to the agenda. >> Dr. Hunt just acknowledged that the motion did pass. >> That's right. >> And and now it's the board's job to to figure out how that motion is to be >> We carried out. Yeah, we

147we discussed that. So, I think Dr. Hunt just replied on how that is occurring. It's the board's job to figure out how that motion is to be carried out. You made a motion to save the PAGE program. To continue the PAGE program. It was to I I listened to it many times. >> Mhm. To save the program To continue the PAGE program. >> school year. And at that meeting we said that it was going to committee and it was already there. Dr. uh Dr. um Cruz had already said that there were already things in motion. Is that correct? That you right? So, that that's she is carrying that out and that is for administration to carry out. That is not a board decision. Which which meeting are you referring to where I made the motion

148to continue the program? The the meeting before last meeting. The very Yeah, it was two meetings ago. I think that'd be February 12th. So, so the original motion that um that I made which which Dr. Holm referred to in the email was to to to continue and this this is in the email to continue the page program for 2026-2027 school year. All I'm asking is for the board to take a look at what I put together, provide your thoughts. And and administration, not just the board, administration too. I gave Dr. Holm a copy of it. We can take a look at it and I would also say that um I would like to also talk to the board attorney um and I'd like you to be a part of that conversation so you understand um

149where I'm coming from with how the resolutions what becomes a resolution and what doesn't and what the motions are. Sure. >> would like to have So, we definitely can look at that. >> Thank you. I appreciate it. >> Okay. Here you go. Thank you, Mr. Reyes. You're welcome. >> ask something? Mr. Reyes, I'm happy to look over it. When would you like feedback by? As soon as possible. Okay. Before next meeting preferably. Okay. So, Yeah, he has one. I'll follow up with you sometime next week. Thank you. That's all I have, Mr. Bastian. Thank you. Okay, thank you, Mr. Reyes. Uh we are now um I going into executive session. I move to adopt resolution 2026-03-154 to adjourn the executive session, adjourn to the executive session relative to negotiations PEA. Second. We have a motion

150and a second to adopt resolution 2026-03-154. Are there any questions or comments from the board? Roll call, please, Mr. Nuccio. Mrs. Sebastian. >> Yes. Dr. Early. Yes. Mr. Reyes. >> Yes. Be it resolved that the Board of Education of the Parma City School District hereby adjourns to executive session at 9:02. 9:02 p.m. Relative to personnel matters to consider No, I'm sorry, that's wrong. I don't know why that's on there. To negotiations. We are now in executive session.