001Good evening and welcome to the regular board meeting for the Cleveland Heights University Heights City School District for Tuesday the 5th of August. Sitting at my right is Miss Angel Laam. Our new treasurer. Would you call the role please? Miss Leam. >> Mr. Height >> here. >> Miss Mrs. Willis >> here. >> Mrs. Sereni >> here. >> Mr. Trimo >> here. and Mrs. Cruncher >> here. >> Thank you. Uh, first uh item on our agenda is awards and recognition. Okie dokie. >> Here's Kirby. >> Yes. Thank you. Good evening and welcome. Tonight, I'd like to recognize the many CHU team members who dedicated their summer break to serving our students. Our summer program this year included tiger camp, camp invention, gear up, right at school, and the secondary summer school programs. There are dozens of
002team members who collectively contributed. So I will read the names of those who RSVPd and who I've seen in the audience tonight. If I if you don't hear your name, please come up front with the rest of the group and then I will also share your name. Almed Allen, Marjan Aya to Toahi Lynn Gaines, Lisa Hussein, [Applause] >> Melanise Walker, [Applause] Ter Ward, >> Lisa West, [Applause] >> Pamelita Williams, Harris I keep saying Dr. M. Dr. Watson [Applause] Josephine Shelton Towns. [Applause] Uh oh, they're blocking your view. >> I want to say sixth grade at Maxim, but I can't remember your name. Forgive my 52y old math teacher extraordinaire. If I have not said your name, please come up. >> Please, please, please. >> I know I I know people by their schools. Come on
003up and then we'll we'll make sure we do the acknowledgement at the end. Anyone else for summer school? Look at this big group. You are not the middle. Is that good? >> That is good. I can see everyone's base. I'm going to take a few on three. Ready? You could have stayed. You would all have been well. [Laughter] >> Okay. >> Oh, I forgot to turn. >> And as they take their seats, thank you, Miss Morton. Thank you, Miss Horton. Thank you, Miss Eskin. And thank you, Miss Manilo, for your leadership. I just want to say, woo, summer school, bless you. It was a great experience. It was so smooth and the kids had a wonderful, wonderful experience. So, thank you all to to give that time in the summer is huge. So, just thank
004you. Thank you for saying yes. Thank you so much. >> And I loved the eighth grade promotion. >> Yes. Yes, >> the eighth grade promotion was amazing. Thank you. >> The summer school eighth grade promotion. Thank you. >> Now go home and enjoy the rest of your summer. >> About two weeks. >> Not much summer left. >> No tick tock. >> Okay. Uh we have no statements from the audience. So we will move on to the consent agenda. May I have uh sorry >> I move I'm losing words. >> I move that we consider the consent agenda. >> Thank you. Second. >> Okay. >> I'll get my brain together. Um any questions or comments about anything in the consent agenda? >> No questions, but I just would like to comment that it was uh really
005delightful to see Bombgardner in our consent agenda. So, >> yep. >> Agreed. >> And I was also um I was touched by the donation from the football coaches association because we don't expect anything in exchange for their using our field. So, that was very generous and kind. And of course, the football team is going down to Dayton where I hope they have a fantastic game. >> Yeah, it reminds me that I need to put uh schedules into my calendar. >> Oops. >> Right. It's going to be a busy. >> Yep. >> I just wanted to comment on the staff separations due to the ending of the grant. Yeah. >> And I'm sad to see that. Although I am glad to see at least one maybe two of the people are have found other roles >>
006in the organization. Um but that's just it's unfortunate and I I'm concerned we're probably going to be seeing more of that in the future, the ending of grants that we always relied on and we're going to have to make some hard decisions in order to cover that. Mhm. >> And the correlary to that sort of is that our appropriation adjustments this month are all for different title funds which had been temporarily frozen by the federal government. And I'm happy to say they've been released and we can therefore appropriate the money and continue to do the important work that happens under titles one, two, three, and four. That's very important for our students. And uh just looking at who's impacted on this um it's no shock but it's sad that these are some of our um
007least privileged schools. >> So it's hurting the most vulnerable children in our communities. I think it's, you know, one of the things that our district has done, you know, it's when you can do a hard thing well, um, it it says something. And I think that one of the things that one of the hard things that we've done well since COVID is we've really managed our grants carefully. um in so far as we um did not use a lot of the grants for things that would be uh that would needed would need to be funded at when the money ran out and a lot of school districts in the state sort of overextended themselves because of the ESSER money that they had sort of flowing in with, you know, just not really looking that far
008down the road. And so really I give Liz a great deal of credit um for playing the long ball. Um bravo to you on that. And and it's it's hard to say goodbye to these people who have really done amazing work with kids who desperately need it. And it's very sad also to think that we unfortunately are living under an administration that doesn't seem to be bothered at all by uh our kids struggles. >> Yeah. One thing I would add with specifically with the funding for 21st century, unfortunately the state decided not to offer the grant because we would have applied for it as we have been doing continuously. Um I'm hoping that they open it back up. um this fall because if they do do that, we certainly will apply so that we can
009get that programming back and seek other funds as well. >> Seeing no other comments, Miss Leam, will you call the role, please? >> Mr. Hines, >> yes. >> Mrs. Krenshaw, >> yes. >> Mrs. Lewis, >> yes. >> Mrs. Serini, >> yes. >> Mr. Trimbo, >> yes. Next item on our agenda is the superintendence report. >> All right, I'm going to Kirby. Yes, I'm sorry. I'm going to try to get this up. One moment. Need to get into the meeting. Feel like I'm doing stuff for the first time. So, give me one second. >> Um, as I um get ready to present, this is um you know, this is this represents work happening at the district level for the month of July. So again it is a lot of planning. We also have you know staff
010of course who are in the midst of taking their vacations as well. Um and so kind of a a lighter lighter on the actual events heavier on the planning. So as I join um and then I will share my screen. All right. So, something's coming up. Awesome. All right. So, for the month of uh July, uh again, as I said, lots of planning meetings happening. Um we have been doing a lot of work with the high school team in particular because they are going to an alpha organization next year, which means that there are some things that need to transition over. So, we've been supporting Dr. towns and the um assistant principles who have been doing some work this summer on those different those different elements. Um here at central office, we also engage in
011um a cycle of continuous improvement across all the departments. And so we've had those quarter 4 meetings in the areas of HR and operations, business services, community communications, family engagement, and community partnerships. And uh upcoming will be principal leadership, curriculum and instruction, social emotional learning and student services. We also just opened up um under the the leadership of our chief of schools, Rachel Coleman, the principal's retreat. So we are back in business. They certainly did come back last week for three full days of uh planning and preparation for the school year. So, thank you for thank you to Rachel for getting that going and all of the team members um or representatives of different departments who did present to get them get us started for the school year. As mentioned, uh what a wonderful wonderful
012wonderful middle school summer promotion ceremony was held. Um thank you for uh attending Malia and Jod. Um it was a wonderful experience. I want to thank Rachel and Mike working collaboratively with the elementary schools and then the teachers who put that program together to have that experience. Um I will say that um I know that our middle schools want to work so that we have we don't need to necessarily have a summer promotion ceremony which I think is wonderful. However, we saw a lot of value in having rising 9th graders at the high school for 3 hours a day for 6 weeks. And as you all witnessed, the students just appreciated the space to connect with staff, to um, you know, learn in a smaller space, to get to know the building, to, you know,
013meet folks. Um, and it's just interesting to see the the maturity from 8th grade to to even over the summer. It was really interesting to see how mature they >> nth grade, >> you see the maturity happening. Yeah. Um, and they and the kids noted it, you know. So, um, so it's something that we were going to we're going to continue to look at our opportunities for further academic support, you know, in the summers, even on the weekends, we have some kind of academic support happening on the weekends, too, to keep our students learning um, in as many spaces as possible. >> It was really amazing that when the kids came across the stage to get their certificate to tell them, "Welcome to high school." >> Yeah. >> The beam that they got in their
014faces like was really, really special. >> Yeah. Yeah. They were really excited. And then I I will say that um Miss Hussein, Dr. Watson, and Mr. Allen who who coordinated that in addition to Taylor Meyers from uh Miss Coleman's office really made it a personal experience. So they had like superlatives for kids, everything from best smile to most likely to be president. They gave an a special award to a student who had like really uh grown. Mr. Allen's the dean of students at Roxboro Middle School. So kind of he really knew all the roster kids. Dr. Watson works at Bombgardner. So she really knew all those students and so they were able to really give them a really personal experience. And then the last thing I'll say you guys can >> can um really speak
015to this is the parents and the families were great, supportive, balloons, flowers, noise makers, >> the whole nine line, you know. It was it was one of one of my favorite promotion ceremoni. So really great experience for them. Um, and I do think it will help the students have a stronger step into high school and the high school team knows those students and will continue to support them too as well. >> And they have a leg up because they've established those relationships and that will help them be more successful in nth grade. >> Yeah. >> And then under goal three, we have lots of things going on. Um, we do have the back to school resource and wellness fair on the 16th of August. We do have the um the kindergarten kickoff will be different
016this year. So, we're going to do a district-wide kindergarten kickoff with all of our kindergarteners together having a big kickoff event. In the past, >> they will be the class of >> 23rd. No. >> Oh, no. I'm sorry. >> But no one can do the math. >> Yeah. >> I was in summer school every year for math, so don't blame me. >> 38. >> Class of 38. >> Yeah, it's 2038. >> Yeah. Class of 30 >> 25 plus >> is it 28 27 >> 27 27 Yeah. >> Okay. Business manager. Thank you. We will take your word for it. >> 38. >> All right. >> So have they better have little stickers that say class of 20. >> 38. The children will put them all over everything. >> We're hoping we'll have hundreds of kindergarters
017all together uh there for one big celebration and readiness event. So this is maybe um I hesitate to say this is our first time doing things because the district our age likely thinks have happened this way before but haven't done it in a while. And so part of this is because and speaking of funding our partners who normally do the kindergarten kickoffs lost funding. >> So uh we wanted to make sure that we had that experience for families. And so um Lisa Hunt is leading this effort with our uh principles and kindergarten teachers to put this event together for them. So we're excited about that. I think the last time it was done that way was 2007 or 8, >> maybe 2009. We would do a big one um in the fall. Well, no, that
018was something else. That was a step into kindergarten. That was like trying to get families >> to register. That would be like in the spring because we had talked about that as a strategy. >> So, I don't know when we've done a kindergarten kickoff together. >> It's been individually in the buildings for years. Long long time >> with family connections, right? without that. >> Yeah, >> I think having a big consolidated event is going to be a lot of fun if nothing else because then you've got a whole bunch of five-year-olds all together and that's going to be a problem. >> And maybe we'll have the the tiger. >> Oh, maybe you never know what it might be. >> It's a little bit like Batman TJ. Um, it would be cool if we can also
019get those families while we have sort of the captive audience to get them >> made aware of things like the wellness center and infinite campus and that sort of stuff. >> Yep. All that together. Yes, that is a part of the wellness center. >> Ny's working with it. So, I'm sure that's probably a piece of that too as well. Um, >> and to remind him of the back to school resource fair that'll be happening four days later. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, um, that's coming up. Should be fun. Uh, so please mark your calendars. I know you pro, you guys have probably already seen the new district website, but it did launch. Um, I thought it was July 1. Was it June 27th? June 2. Okay. It did launch. Um, and so we have a new
020fresh uh, slick website. Thank you Kath and Kavanagh for your leadership and getting this done. This was a year in a plus project um, and lots of work. So, thank you very much for that. Um, and then I want to share that I went to the Martha Hoding Jennings Foundation Educator Summit and Awards Banquet and the master teacher of the year for the entire state of Ohio is our very own Dr. Lynn. >> Oh, wow. >> Who won a $7,500 check to support her work. Um, we're super excited that she received this recognition. um and are very thankful to um Martha Holdings Jennings Foundation for uh recognition to this teacher and all teachers and educators. So they do this work and they're very devoted to valuing educators um as professionals um under facilities lots happening.
021So we are making that transition from Monosella Middle School to Bombgardner Middle School. In fact, people started using bomb gardener the very same very next day actually. Um and uh we did have information that was shared during the special work session around um the name and now we are in the process of doing all the signage pieces. Sam Gford has already shared some um signage that we're going to have up um so that we get a get the school year off to a start with that name. I know that um Sean Patton has walked the building with Sam and his team just to see what kind of adjustments we need to make there. So, thank you all for getting on that. Really quickly, the name has been changed in ODW, so we are moving uh
022forward with that >> and the community response so far has been very positive. >> Yeah, agreed. >> It's just such a great story. I think people people embrace the story. Mhm. Yeah. >> Mhm. >> I would agree with that and I am excited to have the students also to learn that story and to make that you know to be a part of understanding that history too as well. Back to school is coming. So for the non-staggered start grades, the first day of school is Wednesday, August 20th. We have our kindergarten staggered start dates there. We have a middle school staggered start dates there and preschool their first day is August 27th. >> I've uh I've always been a fan of the middle school staggered start since it started and my uh rising eighth grader was
023just explaining to a family member when who she was asked, "When's your first day of school?" And she's like, "Well, I have two first days of school." And she explained the the stagger start date and then the full middle school date. And she was explaining why it makes so much sense, especially for the sixth graders. So, I just think it's great. >> Well, that's so nice of her to look up >> and we're not paying her anything for the PR. >> Yeah. Yeah. No, no. >> So, just on this last slide, we have upcoming dates. Uh, Hype the Heights is a media day field day, and I'm sure Gabe can talk about that in terms of what that event's coming up. New teacher orientation kicks off on August 11th. Um, we talked about kindergarten kickoff.
024Professional development day is when our staff all return is August 14th. The resource fair is August 16th. Um we have a professional development day on the 18th. Convocation day on the 19th. And again, first day of school outside of the staggered start grade levels is August 20th. So we are officially back into the school year. I'm very excited. Um there's still two weeks left for those last vacations and two two more weeks left to sleep in late for students. So, you know, but we're getting we're starting to get rolling. So, it's been uh we're excited to get going. So, that concludes my report. >> Thank you, Superintendent Kirby. Um my report is a bunch of repeats of the same things. Um, the decision to change the middle school name to Bumgartner Middle School was very
025exciting, very positive. I was very happy with that meeting. Um, the 8th grade summer promotion ceremony was very heartwarming. There's something, you know, it's just like the summer graduation. the students who need extra help, extra time to get it done so that they're ready for the next steps need to be commended because coming to summer school when you could be skipped angel. >> I skipped Angel. >> Oh my god, I'm so sorry. Angel, >> you we'll come back. >> Yeah, just finish. >> Okay, I don't have much because >> we were just rowing with you. >> So, one of the things that happens in the summer is I forget how to read. >> Would you like a motion to amend the agenda? >> No. I totally got it. >> Um, coming up is a meet
026and greet on Friday with Angel Laam at the high school. I was see Next on my list and then I would have remembered that I just blew your your slot. I'm so sorry. Um, and the athletic event at the high school on Saturday morning is called Hype the Heights and that's going to be a big party at the football field. Um, the only thing that's new different is that our Senator Kent Smith is hosting what he's calling the Senate District 21 World Tour. And he's got a six a series of 15 town halls during the month of August all over uh University Heights, Beachwood, um other parts of his district. Um, but he is very accessible to his constituents and if you if you Google District 21 world tour, you'll get a poster with the
027list of dates if there's anything that you want to bring up to Senator Smith uh concerning what's happening in the state house and how he can help us here. Um, now I turn it over to you, Miss Leam, and I apologize for blowing the order of events. >> No worries. I would have reminded you. Um, so I am presenting the three things I think. I don't know how I can get there to Yes. But okay. Okay. So um the three things as you know is consistent with goal five particularly objective three to inform and educate all stakeholders regarding district finances and school funding. Um, and I chose to talk about um, property tax levies um, particularly because on July 21st um, the House voted to override the governor's veto um, specifically um, on fixed sum
028levies. Um, and so I just thought it appropriate to talk about what these different types of levies are. um and then how it impacts um the taxpayers of Ohio. So um one type of property tax levy is operating. This is what you have seen here in Cleveland Heights, University Heights. Um these are um specifically Oh, sorry. Just trying to move this box. Okay. Um the purpose of those types of levies is to fund day-to-day operations. um of any school district. Um you'll typically hear these referred to as like current expense levies. Um and it covers things like your teacher and staff salaries, classroom supplies, utilities, transportation, um and your curricular materials. Some of the characteristics of this particular um type of levy is um fixed rate and so it's expressed in mills. I have here
029what a meal is um and how how that works out. Um but this can be continuing and so many of the things that you see um on or have been passed in this community have been continuing operating levies. Um another type is emergency and so this is a um fixed sum levy. So um unlike the fixed rate levy, this is expressed to raise a certain amount of of money. Um the purpose is to address um a declared financial emergency or to prevent a prevent deficit spending in operating budgets. And so this is the type that was um just voted on in the house to be um o to override the governor's veto. Um so House Bill 96, which is the bianial budget bill, contained um a veto um from Governor Dwine um that removed um
030language that would stop districts from being able to put on emergency or substitute other fixed sum levies. Um and that was voted on in the House to be overwritten. So it is not necessarily a part of the bill just yet. Um the Senate would have to pick that up and also do the same. Um some of the characteristics um unlike operating levies, emergency levies are fixed sum uh they generate a specific dollar amount each year and the millage rate adjusts to make sure that that amount remains the same. Um, and they're termlimmited, so you cannot those can be on more than 10 years. And typically you see districts in financial distress or districts who have a very difficult time passing levies to put these types of levies on. >> And then um thing number three
031is permanent improvement leveies. The purpose of these leveies, these are also very common for school districts. Um, and the purpose is to fund improvements or repairs that have an expected useful life of five years or more. So, really your capital spending, improvements to your buildings, um, things like roofs, HVAC systems, technology, infrastructure, um, or facility renovations. Um and then the characteristics of these are explicit um explicitly restricted can't be used for operating cannot be used to pay um typical things that you would see with operating. So teacher salaries that sort of thing and they are um a fixed rate levy which is also expressed in mills. And then this just shows the link to where you can find this presentation and all the other three things. >> So we have a permanent improvement fund >>
032and that's a fixed rate levy which provides a known amount of money that is used every year for all of our capital expenses. And that is separate from the operating levies that we're >> always trying to delay and kick down the road, right? >> Yes. And you sometimes see um PI levies alongside like a bond um levy. So build a building and then upkeep it. >> So when we did our big bond levy, that was separate from the PI because the PI levy already existed, right? Okay. >> Um, I was talking to a member of the community who, um, is still, uh, as I think many of us are, uh, confused about the impact of the big re-evaluation. And I wonder if that might make its way into next month's three things. I suppose it
033could >> with just an example because my understanding as I was trying to explain it is that the um the the levies like so that the the re-evaluation doesn't actually impact what we get but I'm not 100% sure on that. So I think an example >> would be a really good sort of just let's let's put it all forward out there. transparency is so important would might be a good thing for us to revisit and I'm sure she'll be dialed in. >> Okay. >> Any other questions or comments about the finance report? >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Um are there any committee reports? We'll just go down the table. >> Sure. Um, so as Superintendent Kirby mentioned and President Lewis mentioned, um, the Heights Athletic Boosters are having, um, a family field
034day called Hype the Heights this weekend. Um, and it will have many activities for families um, and students. Student athletes will be there as well. Um, food truck vendors will be there, student entrepreneurs will be there. There will be special invited guests will be there um such as TJ the Tiger and Cooper the chicken will also make an appearance. Um so um we will have support from >> I'd like to see a race. >> well you missed the race buckets. >> Um >> I mean I'm just saying onion ketchup and mustard race every Guardians game. I don't they won't have any overlap because, you know, it gets a little warm um in the summertime. So, you know, we wanted to maximize >> Well, you don't see you don't see Batman and Spider-Man very often at
035the same event. >> Exactly. Exactly. Um so, we are just inviting everyone out. Um there is a $5 fee for students um and a $20 maximum fee for families. Um so please come out and to support. >> And this is Saturday um August 9th from 11 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. >> Okay. Um, also, >> hey Gabe, before you get off of that subject, um, at the beginning of the summer, I saw a social media post about Coach's closet and donating like balls and things. Is that something that they're still looking for? Do you know >> that is still going on? I believe. Um, so I'm sure if people are still interested in that, then all donations will be taken. >> I have a few things we cleaned out and I have some things and I
036couldn't remember like I think that was height school. There's a there's a flyer going around and I think the point person is Shirley Walker. >> Okay, awesome. Exactly. Thank you. >> Um there is also um a um I guess um a kickoff meeting that will be happening um for Heights Athletic Boosters for all current and past athletes, parents, coaches, staff, community members, and Tiger fans um who want to be uh part of the organization and support our student athletes. of it. >> And that is I'm sorry that is August 12th um from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Heights High cafeteria. And the Hype the Heights events will take place at the high school on the football field and that's it from me. >> Dan, do you have any updates? Uh I attended a great
037um meeting of the Heights Schools Foundation board. Um and we are fullgo for uh on 6 the weekend we're looking at the weekend of 6206 to celebrate the 100th uh anniversary of Heights High at Cedar and Lee. Um, it's being called Heights 100. And, um, if the sun ever goes down, you'll notice that the, uh, tower is already illuminated in gold, which is kind of fun. Uh, and it's going to be an amazing party and people should, um, start saving now to attend because it's going to be a big fundraiser. We are, uh, hoping to raise a million dollars for the Heights Schools Foundation. And remember, the Heights Schools Foundation does one thing. Um, two things, three things if you include throwing parties. Okay, so they throw great parties, >> events, events. >> They Right.
038Um, they uh fund scholarships for uh our grads and they fund um teacher initiatives to enrich what's happening in their classrooms. Um, and so, uh, donations that are made to the Heights Schools Foundation directly impact what's happening in Tiger Nation classrooms and what's available to Tiger Nation grads. So, it's it's a very very worthwhile organization. >> So, the date is >> 6 2026. >> I've got it on the wrong week. I got to move it. Okay. There will be a lot more to come in the uh months between now and then. >> I'm sure. But I want a placeholder because then I won't do anything else that >> Put a placeholder for the whole weekend. >> There'll be lots of fun. Okay. Excellent. >> Anything from you, Jody? >> No. All of my committees are
039school committees and everybody's on vacation. So, right. Mine mine will start uh >> back up as soon as school starts again. and Phil. >> Uh, I'll be joining the board of reaching Heights. Uh, so I'll have reports on that soon enough. Nice. >> Uh, and the PTA council, uh, will be resuming meeting soon. Uh, just a reminder to families in the district to join their building PTA. >> Hooray. >> Yes, because if you join the PTA, you might end up on the school board. >> It's sort of how it works. It's happened. Yep. And on a side note, we have three candidates whose signatures have been validated by the board of elections for next November's school board race. So that's good news. Yep. Anything else? Then I will entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> I
040motion we adjurnn. >> I second. Miss Las, you've gotten to the right part. >> Mr. Hines, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sereni, >> yes. >> Mrs. Lewis, >> yes. >> Mr. Tremple, >> yes. >> Mrs. Krenshaw, >> yes. >> Thank you everybody and good night.