001Good evening. We call to order the Cleveland Heights University Heights City School District Board of Education meeting for January 6, 2026. We like to thank you all for joining us today. We will have two meetings, one organizational meeting where we will swear in our newly elected board members and then we will move into our regular meeting. Um, we would also like to recognize our elected officials who have joined us this evening. So, Judge Groves and Congressman Councilman Cobb, thank you for joining us. >> Yes. Thank you both. [applause] >> Miss Lam, will you please call the role? >> Mr. Heights, >> here. >> Mr. Hoskins Lily >> here. >> Mr. Trimbo, >> here. Mrs. Krenshaw >> here. Mrs. Howard France >> here. >> And now we will move move into our oaths of office. Mr.
002Heights. >> All right, let's do it. [clears throat] >> Should we go down front or Sure. Yeah. All right. Now, you have to go slow because I'm an old man. I don't know. [laughter] >> Side [clears throat] to side. >> Raise your right hand and repeat after me. >> I say your name. I, Dan Heights, >> do so solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of Ohio >> and and the Constitution of the State of Ohio >> and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge my duties >> and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge my duties >> as a member of the board of education of
003the Cleveland Heights University Heights City School District. as a member of the board of education of the Cleveland Heights University Heights City School District >> in Kyhoga County, Ohio. >> To the best of my ability. >> And in accordance with the laws. >> Now in effect, and hereafter to be enacted. >> Now in effect, and hereafter to be affected. >> During my continuence in said office. >> During my continuence in set office. >> And until my successor is elected and qualified. and until my successor is elected and qualified. >> Thank you, [applause] >> Mr. Thomas Hodgekus Lily. >> Tom, if you raise your right hand. >> Mhm. I, Tom H. Hotchkkins Lily >> I, Tom Hodgekkins Lily, >> do solemnly swear that I will support >> the Constitution of the United States >> and the
004Constitution of the State of Ohio >> and the Constitution of the State of Ohio. >> I will faithfully and impartially discharge >> and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge >> my duties as a member of the board of education of the Cleveland Heights University Heights City School District. my duties as uh board member of the national >> Kyoga County, Ohio. >> To the best of my ability. >> And in accordance with the laws now in effect. >> And in accordance with the laws now in effect. >> And hereafter to be enacted. >> And here after to be enacted. >> During my continuence and said office. >> During my continuence and set office. >> And until my successor is elected and qualified. and until my successor elected and qualified. >> Congratulations. Thank you. [applause] >>
005Yes, family. >> Family pen. >> Thank you so much. >> Good to see you, Craig. [laughter] >> He's like, I'm a former judge. >> [applause] >> Kathy Howard Prime [laughter] [applause] and repeat after me. saying, "I >> I Kathy Howard Crimes do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution that I will support the Constitution >> of the United States >> and the Constitution and the Constitution >> of the State of Ohio of the State of Ohio. >> And that I will faithfully and that I will faithfully >> and impartially >> discharge my duties >> as a member of the board of education. as a member of the board of education >> of the Cleveland Heights >> University Heights >> school district >> Ka County Kyhogen County >> Ohio >>
006in the best of my ability >> and in accordance >> with the laws [clears throat] >> with the laws >> now in effect >> and hereafter to be enacted >> hereafter to be in enacted >> during my continuence in said office. >> in said office. >> And until my successor >> My successor >> is elected. >> And qualified. [applause] >> [laughter] >> This one's for the >> A lot of that are here. Can they take a picture with me, too? >> Absolutely. >> We only do this one time. >> We don't We do not mess with sores. [laughter] I'll just stay in my >> seat. [laughter] [laughter] You guys are greet you. [laughter] >> You're ready to go. >> I had to drink home before I left the house. [laughter] Uhoh. Okay. [laughter] >> Help
007me out. [laughter] >> We're not yet. Are we not meeting? Yeah, we're not yet. >> I know [laughter] it's coming. >> Okay, there's just >> I'm sure I know who it is. >> Thank you, Dan. >> This is all right to take a picture with you. >> All right. >> They're not uh you know, we don't get enough to celebrate. >> All right. >> So, we make the most of what [laughter] we had. >> Okay. >> Yes. Yeah. I'm Angel. Mhm. >> We will now move on to the next item on our agenda with which is the election of our board president, vice president, and appointment of treasurer pro Tim. >> Do we should start talking? >> We should start talking. >> So, I would like to um propose or is it a proposal? Am
008I making a motion? >> Motion. Yeah, I would like to make a motion then um to nominate a board president. And for folks in the audience, um board president is not a ceremonial role. Uh there's a lot of extra work that goes into the role. Um you're you're definitely more hands-on with the sort of day-to-day um needs that the superintendent has. Um probably at times treasure, but probably more so uh superintendent. Um and uh so I'd like to nominate uh and propose Gabe Krenshaw uh who was our vice president last year. Um and Gabe and I started together. We were elected in the same year. And I cannot think of someone with higher character than Gabe. Um someone who is um steadfast even at times when um other people are hesitant to push back on
009something. I think Gabe is always comfortable with the uncomfortable, which I really admire in her. Uh, and I think she would be an excellent person to lead this body for the upcoming year. >> I would like to second that. Um, I think that, uh, um, Gabe will make an excellent board president. Um, I really appreciated how you listed some of those those qualities. Um the the quality that I think about when I when I think about Gabe is just really hardworking. Um and Gabe will do the the work. Um and I think that um it is great. Um that you know if she will accept it and if we get to that point um you know I think it's it's a really good thing that that historically the Cleveland Heights board has rotated that position.
010We're not a board um where historically people have lingered in that position long and in some boards they do. Um and so I'm also just thrilled to get a new leadership style, a new leadership face and voice for the district. So I support this wholeheartedly. >> Miss Leam, will you call the >> Are there any other nominations? >> Hearing none, I would like I'll call the role. Um, Mr. Heights, >> yes. >> Mr. Trimble, >> yes. >> Mr. Hashis Lily, >> yes. >> Mrs. Howard Prime, >> yes. >> Mrs. [clears throat] Krenshaw, >> yes. >> Imagine she said no. [laughter] >> No thanks. >> Well, thank you. Thank you for nominating me. Um, thank you to my colleagues for having the confidence in me to lead our board in this next chapter. Thank you. Um,
011is there a a motion for vice president? >> Yes, I would like to nominate Philip Trimble um for vice president. I've had the opportunity to get to know him over the past six months and I think he would make an excellent leader um on this board. >> Thank you, Kathy. >> I will I will second that. um feel we came in this together. Um and I really appreciate everything that I have learned from you, all of our conversations. Um and I know that you want best for this district. >> Thank you. >> Absolutely. >> Are there any other nominations? >> Miss Laam, will you please call the role? >> Mrs. Howard Prime, >> yes. >> Mrs. Kshaw. >> Yes. >> Mr. Heights. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hus Lily. >> Yes. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you.
012>> Um I will now like to appoint um Kathy Howard Primes as our treasurer. Pro Tim. We know you've only been with us for a short time. [laughter] >> I think it's six minutes maybe. All right. All in six minutes. [laughter] >> Um, but we would like to I would like to appoint you as treasurer pro Tim. >> Okay. And I accept. [laughter] >> Is there a roll call for that? >> Oh. Uh, yeah. I'll I'd love to second that. Um, it's been uh it's been really great getting to know Kathy. Uh, and um, what I'm most impressed with with Kathy is that she's absolutely willing to jump in head first uh, to all of the roles of a school board member. And I [laughter] I think that's that's really great. Um, and uh, yeah,
013we'll get you up to speed real quick. >> I tell you what I've noticed about Kathy in the past few months is Kathy is somebody who is willing to admit when she doesn't know the answer. Um but come a week from then she will know the answer >> and that is a really admirable trait. >> Miss Leam, will you call the role? >> Mrs. Krenshaw. >> Yes. >> Mr. Trimble. >> Yes. >> Mr. Heights. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hash Lily. >> Yes. >> And Mrs. Howard Prime. >> Yes. May I have a motion to consider the consent agenda? >> I motion that we consider the consent agenda. >> Is there a second? >> Second. Yeah, let's do it. >> There any discussion? >> I have some I believe. um the tax portion. Um Angel, could
014you walk us through the the um tax budget addendum, whatever it was called? I'm looking for it right now. >> Uh >> the alternative tax. >> There we go. Yep. Thank you. >> Sure. >> And and just what that what that is for us and the people watching at home. >> Absolutely. So, the tax budget is something that we um are required to have the board approve every year. It um is what the county uses, the county budget commission, which I'll talk a little bit more about in the next meeting. Um but the county um budget commission is charged with um they charge the school districts with having to complete this tax budget. The tax budget is what then drives the county to set the rates for um our collections. And so they ask for
015estimates for each of our funds um that include um how much we have as a a balance at the end of the year, what our anticipated needs are in terms of spending. And so they adjust the effective rate of the levies that have been um uh approved for the district. And so that's what that tax budget is. And this is for fiscal year 27. So it is well in advance. The 26th one was completed last January. Um, I guess the only other thing that I'll note that we have in here is the OSBA membership, which I think is probably some of the best money that we spend as a board um, in terms of uh, you know, the dollars we put in and then what comes back to us both monetarily and non-monetarily I think
016is is really great. So, I'm happy that that is there. I'll kind of uh just continue that because we're also um uh well the OEPI membership is right above that and that is the Ohio Education Policy Institute. Um public education if you haven't noticed is full of initials. Um so but the Ohio Education Policy Institute is the most highly regarded um research organization about Ohio education policy specifically usually it's it's budget policy um and their reports they they are just just militantly nonpartisan and um their reports are always extremely high quality and very very timely. Um they're also, this will come as no surprise to anyone, their director of the Ohio Education Policy Institute, Mr. Dr. Howard Fleeter, is a Cloveren Heights High graduate. Um doing great things out in the world. So um I
017really support our continued involvement with the OEPI. Um this is also a really good time for us um as we are bringing new members in to talk about um the how the the board of education members are paid. Um we uh board of ed me uh board of education members are paid $125 per meeting. Is that still correct? >> Yeah. With a maximum payment, this is state law. uh board of education member in anywhere in the state cannot be paid more than $5,000 a year. We do not get cars, which was once talked about, and I'm like, man, I never picked mine up. [laughter] Um but um you know, we we we serve because we love the work, we love the district, we love the community, and mostly we love the kids, and we want
018to do what's right by them. Um there is uh in the agenda this evening there is um board members uh remuneration and that is um something that would be a change um which would allow board of education members to um be paid the rate of one meeting per day while attending a conference. This has been something that has been on my mind for quite a while. A number of districts, I don't know if it's most, a number of districts around do this. But it has often occurred to me that as a district where the majority of families where our kids live, our kids come from are live in poverty. which means parents in those families are very often hourly employees. And it is a great deal to ask an hourly employee to walk away from
019a couple of shifts in order to attend a conference. And so I really think that this is something that, you know, I encourage my colleagues on the board to support because I think that it could reduce that burden. you know, we talk about um you know, obstacles and we want our board to be reflective of the families of the students who are sitting in our desks and I think that this might help to make it more within reach uh to serve on this board for some in the future. That would certainly be my hope. >> Thank you. Any other discussion? The the one thing just to tack on to what Dan just said um uh Dan did mention that that's that we get paid per meeting. Um and that is gave meeting in in this
020room essentially. Correct. Uh so committees that we're on. We don't get paid for those. Um you know going to school events and all that stuff. I mean I I always joke with folks that I'm always trying to drive down my cost of ownership. Uh and that just means go to a bunch of stuff you know and and support the district uh in different ways. So, uh, but yeah, just wanted to clarify on that. >> Is there any other discussion? >> Um, I would like to request that item five of the consent agenda be pulled out for a separate vote. >> Do we need to make a motion for that or >> So, is that consider Okay, that's considered. Okay. Um, I will second that. >> Okay. So, if no other discussion, um, Miss Leam, will
021you please call the role for the consent agenda removing item five? >> Yes. Heights. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hotkus Lily. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Howard Primes. >> Yes. >> Mr. Trimble. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Krenshaw. >> Yes. May I have a motion to for the approval of district legal counsel? >> I motion that we discuss. >> Second. >> We don't need a [cough and clears throat] there was already a motion for for this. We just it's open for discussion. >> Oh, okay. Omnibus. >> Any [laughter] discussion? Um I just want to clarify and I I uh emailed Angel and uh asked this question. Um by entering by approving this um we are not um entering into retainer agreements today uh with all of these. These are just a list of approved um law firms. And
022there there have definitely been questions in the past and I've actually asked it myself in the past why we have um so many uh bullets here. So uh on our list um you know it's probably I don't know nine or so. Um and the reason is um many of these are highly specialized. So we have you know a real estate attorney when there's commercial real estate questions that come up. there's um you know uh if if there's a a um issue where someone gets hurt in the workplace, we've got a different attorney that handles those sorts of things um and and so on and so forth. Um because law is specialized uh and also um I would assume that many of these are at different rates. So there are certain cases where we can uh
023get work done cheaper by selecting different groups depending on uh the need. That's a that's a good explanation. Why there are quite a few. >> Any other discussion? >> I wanted to uh say why I requested that this item be pulled and voted separately. Uh I believe generally it is our job as a board to have a knowledgeable opinion on the votes that come before us. And uh because of the nature of confidentiality between lawyers and boards and anyone else um I have no experience with these lawyers at all. So I I didn't want to vote that I uh endorse them um because of that. That actually brings up a really I think an important side note um which is you know that that any member of the board can't abstain if you know if
024when my son was a student I didn't vote on when we considered the the Florida baseball trip because my son was going on it. And so you know if but also if I have a business that might be impacted by this vote I would abstain. So, um, you know, these are all just kind of rare but important clarifications and and just to help sort of instruct the community because Squire's patent bogs is on the list doesn't even mean that we're going to use Squire Patent Bogs this year. But if Squire Patent Bogs is if we feel that their specialty is needed, then we can go ahead and hire them without having to schedule a board meeting, etc. Um, just as as an example. >> Any other discussion? >> No. >> Miss Leam, will you please
025call the role? >> Mr. Hashkus Lily, >> I abstain. >> Mr. Heights? Yes, >> Mrs. Howard Primes. >> Yes, >> Mr. Trimble. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Krenshaw. >> Yes. >> May I have a motion to adjourn our organizational meeting? >> I motion we adjourn. >> I second that motion. >> Miss Leam, will you please call the role? >> Yes. Give me. [laughter] >> Okay. Mr. Heights. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Howard Prime. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Krenshaw. >> Yes. >> Mr. Trimbo. >> Yes. >> Miss Mr. Hash Lily. >> Yes. We are now adjourned from our organizational meeting and we'll now move into our regular meeting. >> This is on the same $125. [laughter] >> Just for the record. This is not a separate meeting. It's a separate meeting not paid separately. Take your time. >>
026Okay, I'm ready. All right. >> Thank you. >> Um well, good evening again. Um thank you. We call to order the Cleveland Heights University Heights City School District Board meeting of education meeting for January 6, 2026. This is a regular meeting of the school board and all items that will be discussed or voted on have been posted as required by state law. We are here to conduct the business of governing the district, to set goals, to hear reports from the superintendent and treasurer, to approve budgets, contracts, and personnel items, and to make policy for the district. We are not here to make management decisions or to solve the problems of individuals. Management is the responsibility of the administration. Miss Leam, will you please call the role? >> Mr. Heights, >> here. >> Mr. Trimble, >>
027still here. >> Mrs. Grenshaw >> here. >> Mr. Hodgekus Lily >> here. >> Mrs. Howard Prime >> here. >> I will now turn the meeting over to our superintendent for the awards and recognition. >> Good evening and welcome. January is school board recognition month. During this month, board members across the nation are acknowledged for the tireless work that they do on behalf of their district students and community. Here at CHU, I have the honor of working alongside the most committed and hardworking board members that there are. They definitely earned that $125 in me. They are fearless advocates for our students, for their futures, and their right to an enriching education. There is no way to thank you all enough for all of the work that you do and will do. On behalf of the Ohio
028School Boards Association, I want to salute our board members. Gabe Krenshaw, Dan Hines, Tom Hodkkins, Lily, Kathy Howard Primes, Phil Trimble, along with Malia Lewis and Jodi Sereni, who finished up their terms on December 31st. Please join me for a photo. >> That's why they came. >> Yeah. really pick the right >> I've been doing anything for 20 minutes. [laughter] You're my >> All right. You ready? One, two, >> [applause] >> work. By the way, [laughter] >> this concludes our recognitions for the evening. And just want to say we don't have the student report and we don't have the tiger team members of the month because of a short [laughter] >> a short uh >> uh there's only been a couple weeks since we had >> Yeah. Right. Right. Yeah. >> Yeah. [snorts] >> We
029will now take statements from the audience. The board asks that you please refrain refrain from mentioning specific students or employees by name in your comments. If your comments involve a student or an employee, the board asks that you please not address the individual by name. We ask that you remain cognizant that we are in in open meeting and possibly in the presence of students. Also, please limit your comments to 3 minutes. After 3 minutes, the microphone will be muted. Thank you. Um, we only have one individual who has signed up. Um, Angel for solo. Let's go ahead. >> Um, how does the timer work? >> Yes. >> Um, good evening. My name is Angel Folo. Um, I've been here a lot talking about um, one of the lawyers that you have working for the district.
030Um, I'm speaking kind of after the vote um, that you had during the organizational meeting. Um, and I emailed or tried to contact um, even the incoming board members about not retaining Reginald Williams, Reggie Williams as legal counsel. I know that the board policy is not to name employees um during these meetings, but he is not an employee, he is a lawyer, and I've mentioned his name at these meetings before. Um, I do think you have a number of people who rightfully have concerns in the community now about retaining counsel. Um, with a man who is a named defendant in the federal lawsuit against this district that has nearly a dozen plaintiffs alleging civil rights violations um, against administrators in this district and Regginald Williams as well. That case is still ongoing. I am not
031part of it. I have nothing to do with it. Um, but I still um speak out about it. I know the district has a a strong interest in people forgetting that it's going on, but there's people who families who are currently families and staff in this district who currently interacted with some of the members or some of the employees, administrators, Regginald Williams, the lawyer, um, who are named defendants in this ongoing case. Um, I'm very glad that at least one person who is a new member of the board spoke up to actually not just rubber stamp something on the consent agenda. So, I do thank um new member Tom Thomas Hodkus Lily. Um, I don't know him. I like all of you, I sent an email um or or correspondence about why you should not
032keep keep him on. I do respect that Phil Trimble um his point about specialization. For years, I have asked what Reginald Williams specialization is given that he had been listed as a bankruptcy lawyer. when I met with him numerous occasions and other people in the district, nobody seemed to understand um what educational child psych, disability, educational law specialization he has to deal with some of our most vulnerable pe populations in this district at some of the most vulnerable times in their academic careers. He has made it worse for victims, student victims in this district. He has made it worse for families in this district. He's made it worse for a lot of staff members in this for uh staff members in this district and outside professionals. There's a number of other people who are defendants
033who probably should not be getting renewed contracts, but that's one you guys need to consider. And I thank you for speaking, at least pausing, abstaining from that vote. >> Thank you. We will now move on to the consent agenda for our regular meeting. May I have a motion to consider the consent agenda? >> A motion we consider the consent agenda. >> And I second the motion. >> Is there any discussion? I >> have a couple things. Um hopefully not overlapping the rest of you too much. Um happy very happy to see uh that Mr. Fischer's DC trip >> uh for his lessons of the Holocaust class uh is going again. Um I really enjoyed his presentation to us last year um on the value that his students got from that trip. Um [snorts] also worth
034noting um just because my daughter is one of them that um Bombgardner Bombgardner Middle's uh eighth graders will be in DC at the same time. So, might be worth mentioning to both groups that uh if anything happens and they need some support, there's other tigers in DC. >> Hopefully nothing happens, but you [laughter] know, >> um great to see donations. Uh there there was one from Sandy Hook Promise to Bombgardner Middle. Um and I also I guess my last thing on consent that I wanted to just highlight in the quarterly contracts. Um, last board meeting we discussed um the district from permanent improvement funds paying for uh a a new um scoreboard uh for the high school be because timewise um it can really only be done while the track is being resurfaced which is
035part of a planned project that's happening. Uh and that the height um the is it the athletic boosters? Yeah, the athletic boosters is going to essentially, and this probably isn't the legal term for it, but reimburse us over the course of a couple years, um, paying for it with ads that will be kind of flanking the sides of that scoreboard. Um, and so, uh, just wanted to call that out because it is an expense, but it's an expense that will be paid back. >> Well, and I guess I'll just also note, um, that, uh, there is some curriculum that is attached to get getting the new [snorts] scoreboard. Um, so is it is an educational investment as well. >> And that's really cool too to me because what we're talking about the the educational component
036to it is um that our students um may be able to actually create the videos that are showing on the screens um during games. And another just thing to to note is that um I think it was last year Travis Kelce um replaced the basketball court and um donated a giant new scores table uh for Kapaltti Court which the whole face of that is a big screen. So, um that the student work can be showcased certainly on that um as well and you know hopefully throughout the building. >> And that's Miss Booker's uh video production CTE class. >> Any additional discussion? >> Miss Leam, will you please call the role? >> Mr. Trimble, >> yes. >> Mrs. Howard Prime, >> yes. Mr. Heights. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Krenshaw. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hashkus Lily. >>
037Yes. >> We will now have the superintendence report from Miss Kirby. >> Okay. And I will project I am I have it up on my screen. Okay, great. Let's go to So, as I mentioned earlier, we do have a shorter report because we did have a meeting um later in December. So, most of the time everyone has been on a welldeserved and needed and wonderful winter break. Um as always uh we align the reports uh to our strategic plan where we have five goals listed here on this opening slide. In terms of goals one and goals two, um in December we had I this might be the fourth, am I correct Bob inaugural? Fourth um college and career session for all of our eighth graders at the TriCe Eastern campus. We have this because we
038want to introduce students to the opportunity to earn an associates degree along with their high school diploma while they are in high school. We also give them an opportunity to know about some of the career opportunities that are out there and some of the programming that TRIC has in order to support um students career initiatives too as well. It's always great to see um all the eighth graders come together um from the middle schools. Um there's lots of energy and enthusiasm. Um there were guest speakers, there were sessions. Um, and I just have to really thank uh Bob Swagger and Kristen Riley for their coordination and planning of this event. It runs very smoothly now. It's like, you know, it's well, it's not Amtrak training. I have some issues with Amtrak, but I probably shouldn't
039say that. [laughter] So, never mind. >> Struck from the record. >> It's but um but it is a just a it's a wonderful event. Um, we also um had uh students who are in the Cleveland Clinic Health Career Program. So we have seventh and eighth grade students from Bombgardner and Roxboro who um are working in teams to create short videos highlighting health career fields. And so we definitely are deepening our work around career exposure for students starting as young as we can so that when they metriculate to high school they go with a vision and a plan and some experience to help guide them. And currently we have uh 14 students who are um in CCP um in the accelerated program at heights high. So if the board will remember we started with a big
040group as anticipated as students metriculate from grade to grade they start pursuing the more AP classes or more music classes or other CCP classes right so uh this is very similar to the PEK model coming out of New York which was one of the first to start this where you see you'll end up having a smaller class but we we're excited that we do have students still on track to graduate with two diplomas next year so they are juniors All right. Um, coming up, I just wanted to highlight this is the power of the pin tournament. Um, it will be at Roxboro Middle School. Um, for our new board members, we'll make sure that you get the information. Um, they always look for folks to kind of assist or provide awards and those things too
041as well. >> Um, one thing that um, we announced right before the break is the superintendent winter reading challenge. Um, and we decided to do this because we know that winter is a time where folks kind of slow down a little bit. We definitely want to encourage uh literacy and reading for fun. Yes, reading for achievement and growth is important, but also reading for fun. Um, and many of the schools already do different kind of book initiatives. This is this challenge will be who can read the most books, you know, students, class, um, but you know, we have now adults who want to participate in this. So, we'll have um staff who can participate in the challenge. We're even going to have a board of education challenge. So, board members, if you're interested in participating
042in the challenge, please let me know. No, everyone's not going to get it'll be a raffle. [laughter] You'll get tickets based on the number of books that you that you read. >> Do audio books >> audio [laughter] books do not count? I don't think I I don't think they count. >> I have a hard time reading reading while I drive. [laughter] >> I You're going to have to figure it out. Um I will check though because I have to ask Dr. Jinx and Dr. Reed that because they put all the >> Well, nobody's going to beat that Jolie Jolvette kid. >> No, >> his number was insane. >> Yes, it's it's that's okay. And you know, but this there there are kids who are very excited. We're going to have a bike as a prize
043for the elementary and middle schools and we're getting donations for uh gift cards and those things for the old kids. So, we're excited. It's going to go through the end of February. So, you have time. You have time. >> Crack a book. [laughter] find the small. >> It's very funny because that student cadre told me, you know, well, you have to make sure that people aren't cheating with AI, you know, like and it's so they want to have like a whole process where they make sure people aren't cheat. Well, we'll figure that out. We'll figure that out. >> Um, we also had um we actually have a midyear pulse check coming up. So, we have uh Lisa Hunt and Nancy Pepper here who are leading this charge. Um, so we're reaching out to our parents
044um and caregivers to get information on how we're doing as a district across multiple areas. This is our second year doing a midyear. We usually do it end of year, but we found last year, the midyear we got a lot more participation, like almost 800 uh folks participated. Um and so you will see Nancy and Lisa out at events uh really making sure that we are giving our uh families an opportunity to give us uh feedback. Um on the 22nd we had a really wonderful fun time at Cavs Heights night that was uh held this was during the break in celebration of the Heights 100. Um Ahmad Crump of course is the MC and so we and members of the high school's foundation uh came on the main floor. Also students from the high school
045and the barber shop performed in the lobby. The Cavs won. It was good. It was a really great and fun event. Um and so so many wonderful things are happening with the Heights 100. I just want to encourage people to continue to look for um especially on the high schools foundation social media for events coming up. But it is June June July >> 6 2026 um so it's coming up soon. >> Yeah. >> Um as it relates to uh goal four um and this really can actually fit under multiple goals. Right now we are in the process of um operationalizing our one plan. And so for our new board members, the one plan is the school um is the district um kind of improvement plan that the state requires all districts to do every year.
046So we engaged in pretty extensive process uh last year with our schools who did one plans and then also our district leadership team that did a one plan. Now we are also approaching the end of our strategic plan. So what we want to do is to use the information from our one plan to use that as a foundation of our strategic plan. So, we're going through a process right now where we are doing an initiative inventory looking at our data. We'll be talking to members of our uh the district leadership team. Um we'll convene um a committee to kind of help guide this work so that we have uh from the one plan kind of the next iteration of the strategic plan. So, we have a lot of stuff going on uh right now, but
047since we did do a lot of work last year, and when you do a strategic plan, you do the extensive work and the meetings and the feedback, we're going to merge those pieces together. So, more to come on that um to our board. >> Has a vendor been selected for that? >> Uh we are working with um Vicky Lewis from the ESC. Okay. And we're also working with Lisa Vehey from Honesty for Ohio Education. Um so two really strong seasoned facilitators and educators who align with our uh values. They really know the district. So last year Vicki led the one plan work with our principles and our district leaders. Lisa has done work with us on early childhood on literacy. We've partnered with her on some of the advocacy around the equity issues in Columbus.
048Um and she you know very seasoned seasoned educator just generally. So we have a really good good good group. >> Awesome. Uh coming up on the 24th of January, we have the Heights instrumental music event which will be held at the Grog Shop Grog Shop uh from 1 1 to 5:00 p.m. Just wanted to share that >> real quick. Liz, can I if I may? >> Yes, please. >> Uh I went to this event last year. It's absolutely fantastic. It's so cool for the kids to get to perform in a looser kind of space than in, you know, I mean, uh, the auditorium at Heights High is beautiful, right? >> Uh, but it it's just a it's a different vibe which is really cool and the kids are having a blast and it's a great
049way for them uh to raise some money um doing something really fun. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. And then finally uh we have the end of the quarter that is approaching this Friday. So we are finished with semester 1 as of this Friday. We have a records day coming up on the 9th is law law enforcement appreciation day and on the 15th college credit plus um information night at height. So that concludes my report. Um I'll be back next week with I mean not next week um next month um just with more information from January because they'll we'll have a lot of things happening as we move into uh the semester. So for example um MAP uh testing has wrapped up at our elementary schools um our high schools have wrapped up their um finals
050and benchmark testing will be and we'll be sharing these things during the February work session in terms of where we are in our academic indicators. Thank you, Superintendent Kirby. Um, we will now have the treasures report from Miss Laam. Okay. Good evening. Um, as part of our strategic plan goal five, we are committed to keeping our community informed about district finances. So, tonight's three things report focuses on critical on a critical but often overlooked body. It's the Kyhoga County Budget Commission. And as of January 2026, new state laws have fundamentally changed how this bud how this commission interacts with our local um dollars. hide the little war in Google Meet. Sorry. >> Yeah, probably. Got to see Michael Mllie's smiling face. That's I mean that's probably good. Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, first um who
051are they? Uh the commission is an Ohio mandated body consisting of three key county level elected officials. Um county executive Chris Ronain. Um the fiscal officer Michael Chambers. And then prosecuting attorney Michael Ali um who can recuse himself. Um, and their primary role is to serve as a check and balance for local taxing authorities, which the school district would be one. Um, and while they work behind the scenes, their decisions directly affect the funding available for our students in our classrooms. Second, what what do they do? The commission oversees the um allocation of over $2.4 4 billion in property tax tax tax revenue annually. Um so their jobs include certifying revenue which they do through um our appropriations that you all approve as well as the um tax budget. They review our budgets to approve
052um the official certificates um of estimated resources which tell us exactly how much we can legally spend each year. They have levy oversight. Um, so they verify that every tax levy that you've voted for is correctly authorized before a single dollar is collected. That is the purpose of the tax budget which was just approved um in the or meeting. And then under recently enacted law um they have a new authority and they now have um expanded power to adjust these rates based on the district's cash reserves. Um so at the time that I did this it was impending but um it has now been um fully enacted. Um so the third and most critical thing um that you know this body has um which became effective it was signed December 19th um by the governor
053and it became um effective in you know January. Um they have expanded authority um through house bill 309. This law gives the commission the power to reduce a district's tax millage if they determine that collections are unnecessary or excessive. Um there are the carryover caps. Specifically, the commission can now mandate rate reductions if a district's unencumbered carryover balance um exceeds certain thresholds, often cited as 30 to 40% of the prior year's expenses. Um and while the the law aims for taxpayer relief, it does not include a safe harbor. The commission generally cannot reduce a school district's total operating rate below the 20 mil floor um without the district's request. Um we're closely monitoring these changes. I have um meetings coming up as you can imagine this week and next um to figure out exactly what
054um the impact is going to be for our district >> on that. Angel, my my extreme hope is that the three gentlemen that you put up on on the screen um do not choose to uh to get involved in this too much. I mean, this is this is something that's coming out of the, >> as Dan would say, the the heavily gerrymandered legislature. Am I saying that right, Dan? >> The jerrymandered assembly. >> Thank you. Thank you. Um, and this is being couched as property tax reform. Um, what we're doing here is we're just like taking water and pouring it into different cups. It's the same amount of water. Like the the district in districts around the state. Um, we'll still need the amount of money that they needed yesterday tomorrow. Uh, that's not changing.
055So, what this does is um and and well, how our our our funding model works now is school districts ask their communities for levies. Um those levies do not change with inflation. So, the amount the amount of money coming in every year is essentially static. Uh as inflation rises and costs go up and everything, um we need to ask we need to go back and ask again. We are currently in the longest levy cycle in recent memory and possibly ever since we've, you know, begun this in the 70s. Um, and and so every district that asks for a levy is essentially front-loading that money at the beginning and then towards the end you get close to like the the deficit spend. And where are we roughly at? >> Yeah. So, we began deficit spending last
056year. >> Yeah. So, exactly. So, so now we are, you know, we're going to starve ourselves off until we ask for another levy. Um, and so that's it's a it's a highly imperfect model. Uh, and it's um it's one that absolutely frustrates people in communities across the state. What this is going to do in a lot of communities, it when this gets changed, it's going to increase the frequency um or sorry, lessen the frequency between those those levy asks. So, there will be districts in the state um and I hope especially based on the the folks at the county level that it will not be us, but there will be districts around the state that are asking for levies every single year that are going to their communities and saying, "And now we need another
057one because and and after that levy gets passed, some of that money can get clawed back by the county." So, there were it's going to be this, like I said, we're pouring water from one cup into the other. Um, and uh, it's highly unfortunate and um, I really hope that you come back with good news after the next couple weeks of your meetings. >> As I >> Yeah. [laughter] >> You know, if if I can just sort of tag on this, this has been driving me crazy for a past couple of months. Um because the ruling party in Columbus for the past 20 years, you know, and I just want to remind people that when they took over, Ohio was ranked fourth in the country for highquality K12 public education. Ever since then, that same
058ruling party has been in been in office and we have fallen now to the upper 20s or low30s depending on who you who you which which one you use. And so they have nothing of success to point at in terms of real genuine outcomes and improving the public education that you know 1.6 million Ohio kids are are in at the moment. Um this is design at this point. And here they have established a law that says that that three individuals, none of whom may live in the Cleveland Heights University Heights school district. I don't know if any of these people do. It doesn't really matter to me. So they have absolutely no personal skin in the game of of the public schools here. But these three individuals, okay, if it's if it's a vote, two
059of those individuals can dramatically reduce the amount of funds that this district has to operate with to deliver an education to our kids. Um, and in so doing, they can override the majority of voters in this district who approved that levy. So, two individuals can override an entire school district's voted millage. That is not democracy. That is tyranny of the minority of the tiny minority. Um, and there will be school districts that are pretty much destroyed. Um, and the there will be moments in the state of Ohio when two individuals will hold this dangling it over their local school districts. Um, you know, there's no saying that any of these people had had children that were attending public schools or that they themselves attended public schools or that they have any interest in public schools.
060And yet these three individuals in Kyhoga County, if two of those three vote to cut the millillage just because they've decided or during an election year >> or during an election year and you know they'll really stick it to that district that didn't vote their way next last time and we'll see how they vote next time. This is just atrocious and this is not it's just not good government. Nobody's being served by this. So, it is a really disturbing possibility and it makes those elected offices all the more important. And so, we all need to be hyper vigilant when we have people running for those three offices that they be asked direct questions about what their intentions are and what their beliefs are when it comes to holding this incredible power. Thank you both. >>
061Well, um I will not now present the board president's report. Um it will be very short. Um I I just want to reiterate, you know, that I'm honored that my colleagues um you know have uh believe in my ability to serve as board president. Um and I'm also honored to be an alumni and to sit in this seat as well. So yeah. So, thank you. [laughter] >> Do we have any committee reports? >> I will give one. Um, the Heights Schools Foundation has, as we all know, hopefully um they are plotting and planning the biggest party at Heights High um in a 100 years. It'll be the first time that people will be drinking alcohol legally at Heights High um because there will be a one-day liquor license um that will be issued by the
062state of Ohio. we have conf confidence. Um and so as a leadup to that and to just sort of build um uh awareness of it, the high schools foundation has been um hosting uh decades reunions. And so um so for instance um the 80s all the graduating classes from the 1980s and those were some doozies um are meeting at the Tavern company on Lee Road on February 21st. The 70s are going to be meeting on March 5th at the Fairmont and the 60s and 50s are going to be meeting at Proximity Golf. Um, these are so very much fun. I have been to two of these events so far. Um, working. Um, [laughter] >> so generous with your time dancing. [laughter] Um, >> so much fun. So much fun. And just such great Cleveland Heights
063University Heights energy. Um, people are thrilled and it's just it's a neat concept because, you know, you go to your graduating class and you're always there thinking about, oh, it's too bad that so- and so is not here because they graduated a year after us or a year before us. And, um, so this is just such a great idea. I really hope that we continue doing this. Um I do have one update from the Heights Athletic Boosters um who will be hosting a sendoff um fundraiser event for Leila Edwards um so that her family can see her play in the Olympics. Um so it will be January 29th um from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at CLLE Urban Winery. Um so if you are able to attend or able to make a donation so that um
064her family is able to see her. Um probably also worth noting for our new members that uh traditionally the board president uh puts together like a a list of committee assignments that then gets sent out and then if you don't like your assignments or you want other assignments that's uh there's usually some horse trading. It's not a good fit. Yes, [laughter] there you go. There you go. There's some horse trading that can happen. Um, as long as we don't have more than two of us on any one committee. Uh, because then it becomes a meeting, >> an illegal board meeting. Yeah, exactly. >> Which actually now also is a good time to just sort of throw uh out in there again. We've talked about it before in public session, but when people email us and
065they email all of us, it is the the tradition of the board that the board president will reply, but that we the rest of us do not reply for the most part, unless you have an a specific relationship with the person who called because we don't want to get into a circumstance where where three members of the board are are interacting and having what's called a roundroin eating. So we have to be really careful about that as well. >> Or even if you don't have a relation if you don't have a relationship with a person but you're wellversed in the topic. Um so there was a time I think it was in my first year someone sent us a food bank question and I for like a decade worked at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank
066and I said to Jod who was president at the time do you mind if I respond to this person? And she said go ahead. And so then I responded just to the person um and took the other folks off. Yeah. Do we have any new business? Any unfinished business? Are there any correspondence or announcements? um not a correspondence per se, but um congratulations to the other elected bodies in the district uh and for all the folks who are giving their time and service uh for our shared community. >> Well, if there is no further business, may I have a motion to adjourn the meeting? >> I will happily motion to adjourn the meeting. >> What about one of the newbies? >> I'll second. >> All right. [laughter] Miss Leam, will you please call the role?
067>> Mr. Heights? >> Yes. >> Mr. Hoskus Lily? >> Yes. >> Mr. Trimble? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Howard Prime? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Cruncher? >> Yes. >> Meeting is now adjourned.