BOE 2026-01-06

001I listened to just the stems of the song every day for about two weeks before the recording session and then when I came in you know I we did about two takes of it. I think it's combin it was a combination of like the first and second take and looked at the digital audio workstation on his computer and you know uh try to make you know the drums sound as you know keen to the song as possible. A brighter day coming and it's getting closer every day. There is a brighter day coming where we all participate and we'll overcome that day. We cate. >> And so it's a it's tricky especially for people who are not used to recording, young students, uh people who it's their first time recording, they get nervous. There's really no

002audience to give you that energy, feedback, and that um appreciation for what you're doing. It's just an empty room with me. There's a bright day coming and it's getting closer every day. There is a bright day coming where we all participate. And we'll overcome that day. And we celebrate. And we celebrate. Cate. And we cate. All right, CCS Cinema Club, welcome. My name is Leia Gersing and I'm here with, of course, Sarah Dur. And it's just us today. No special guests cuz we're getting into this movie. We're talking about Dune Part Two today. What if Paula treaties were still alive? >> Going on adventures, flying in space, surfing ancient sandworms, and fighting in an interstellar war. Dune is the science fiction with a message to spread that we will be talking about today. So without

003further ado, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. All right, Sarah, we're talking about Dune today. Are you excited? >> I'm so excited. This one, this movie was so good. I didn't know what to expect going into it, but I was very, very I loved it. It was so good. >> So, when did you see we did you watch Dune One with me? Part one with me? No, I watched I was there when you were finishing it. >> I watched Dune 1 the the last day it was on Netflix. >> Oh yeah. >> So I just under the wire. I was kind of late. I hadn't seen it when it originally came out. >> Yeah. >> But I really liked that one too. I'd say definitely between the two I preferred the second one. >>

004Yeah. Um just cuz the first one kind of felt like there was a lot of exposition which of course it had to be with you know such a big story but I definitely I really liked the second one. >> Yeah, I agree. I think the first one was a lot of setup which can move kind of slowly but it kind of gets you set up for the next movie which is important. Um, but it can be a lot. And so a lot of people might have said that the first one was a bit boring. >> And I honestly like setup movies, which is kind of weird, but so I really enjoyed the first one, but I did like the second one better. It's definitely more action-packed. So if you like action-packed movies and you saw

005the first one, you were like, I don't know, watch the second one because >> I think you'll enjoy it. There's a lot to talk about Dune, but let's talk about why is it worth it to see the second one. Oh my gosh, so many reasons. I feel like the main thing that a lot of people are talking about is the effects. >> It was really incredible. There's a lot of ways that the things in this movie could have looked like really crazy with like bad effects, >> but it really it looked so good. There were a lot of really action-packed moments that like >> you felt like you were really in the action cuz sometimes bad special effects, they really just take you out of it. But there were a lot of good special effects.

006The visuals are amazing and just like the story is so it's complex and it has like a really important message for people to hear. So yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. There's a lot of cool themes. There's a lot of like religious themes and then also a lot of themes about war and those kind of like go together. So that was really interesting. We'll probably get more into that more in the spoilers end. >> So what type of audience do we think would enjoy Dune? like if you're more of an action person, what do we think? >> I think that definitely sci-fi fans really love it. >> Um, also anyone who likes action movies, people who read the books. I personally didn't read the books, but I think that it's really interesting to see the translation between

007like book to movie. >> Yeah. >> So, yeah, >> we love book to movie adaptations on this pod. >> We love it. >> We love them. Um, honestly, I think that, yeah, a science fiction lover, if you love things like Star Wars, >> even Harry Potter, I think you'll like this. >> Yeah. >> Um, it's fun. It's a really good one. >> And I also think that this is, while it's a very serious movie, there's a lot of comedic elements in it, >> which I thought was really cool. So, let's talk about some of our favorite characters. >> Well, who is your fave character? I can't remember her name. It's the one that Zenaia plays. I honestly cannot remember her name either, but it was like Desert Spring was like her >> one of her

008names, which foreshadows a moment in the movie that we'll talk about later. >> But yeah, Desert Spring. How do we Well, to call her Desert Spring or Zenaia that works. >> Go ahead. >> Oh my gosh, I just loved her. Um, I thought that she was really honest. like she was able to see. We'll get more into that in like the spoilers section, but >> I thought that she she like expressed what she was feeling >> and she didn't sugarcoat things and she kept it very like real and yeah, I just really liked that about her character. >> All right. Well, Sarah, do you have anything else to say about the Dune movie? Wrap us up. um just that it was a really it's definitely worth the watch even if you're not a science fiction

009person. Personally, I always have a hard time, as you could probably tell, like following more science fiction-y like complex story lines, but I really loved it. I thought it was such a good story. It was beautiful visually and yeah, it's definitely worth a watch. >> Yeah, it's a long movie, but it's worth all the time. Get in there, go to theaters, watch it. Um, I believe it's just in theaters right now, but yeah, should come out soon, I'm sure. >> Um, but yeah, thank you guys so much for listening to our CCS Cinema Club podcast, and we will see you next time. Bye >> bye. Heat up here. Heat. Hi. Hi, I'm Yolanda. I've been a bus driver with Columbus City Schools for 15 years. I love it. It's flexible. I was a single mom

010with four kids, and I needed the flexibility and the hours, so being able to work a split shift was awesome. Making sure that you make contact with each kid every day, it changes them, changes me. Columbus City Schools brought a lot to my life. I believe I'm a family. We're a family. I really enjoy what I do. And it's not just about the kids. You have teachers, you have employees, and they all contribute to what we do best here, and that's educate. Actually taught me how to drive. Taught me directions. North side, east side, west side. I know where I was going when I first started. Now I know everywhere. The whole Columbus. Tuition reimbursement. I was able to go to school. Come join us. Apply now. sec jobs.org. Today we went to all of

011the theater schools, so all of the elementary schools and two of the middle schools that feed into West and we did a clap out with their kindergarteners and fifth graders. >> The walk was really fun. My favorite part was seeing all the little kids and seeing how happy they were and knowing that they're going to be here one day with us. showing students that they can graduate one day. As long as you stay on track with everything that you need to and you just stay focused on the stuff that you want, then you can really do it. >> Was such an exciting event today. It's so great to see our kids that we haven't seen since they were in elementary school. Um I was lucky enough to be their teacher for second and third grade.

012So, it was really special to see this group come through. just great opportunity to celebrate and it's important because it builds the connection and I think that's something we really need on the west side is to build a connection between our elementary, middle school and high school students. >> We always talk to the kids about what happens after elementary school, but um an event like today shows them where they can be in the next few years. I think it just shows them how all of their hard work can pay off as well in the future. La. >> Good evening everyone. I am board member Adair and I am calling our organizational meeting on January 6th, 2026 to order. Mr. Treasurer, please call the role. >> Mr. Dair, >> present. >> Dr. Miranda, >> present. >>

013Miss Engles, >> present. >> Dr. Pierce, >> present. >> Dr. Kennedy, >> present. >> Mr. Simmons, >> present. >> Mr. Kame, >> present. >> You have a quorum. >> If we could all rise for the pledge. 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. >> So, happy new year to everyone and I know that um all of the parents are excited their children are back in school this this week and I'm excited to open up another board year. The organizational meeting is where we reconstitute our board and elect new leadership. After that takes place, we will then have um our regular uh business meeting that begins at 6 o'clock. Um so the first uh thing

014is to uh look at our agenda. We in our agenda we will be appointing a president proempt. We will be doing our oath of offices for our newly elected officials. Um we will uh in board matters we will be electing our uh our leadership and they will be taking their oaths of office um and we have uh a calendar approval as well as a resolution to adopt the evaluation schedule for our direct reports and then we will adjourn this meeting. Is there a motion? >> Motion to approve. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Um, President Adair, on the agenda on board docs, the order is different than the the copy you have. Um, and so I'm not sure if we want to proceed with the physical copy you have or if we want to

015go off what we've noticed and put online. >> I will amend my motion to be a motion to approve the agenda as it is cited on board docs. >> Um, second. And then just colleagues um so we're all on the same page. That would be first we convene we've done that and then we would appoint a president proemp and we would hold that vote um and then we' do the OO offices and then we would actually review and adopt the agenda and then proceed to board matters. >> Yes. >> Right. Second. >> All right. Um please call. >> Vice President Aderair. >> Yes. >> Dr. Kennedy. >> Yes. >> Miss Engles. >> Yes. >> Dr. Pierce. >> Yes. >> Mr. Katame. >> Yes. >> Mr. Simmons. >> Yes. Dr. Miranda. >> Yes. Motion carried. >>

016All right. Thank you so much. All right. Um, so now we will appoint a president proempt, which means the person who's officially running our meeting um and can um conduct the rest of the meeting. Is there a motion for president proempt appointment? >> I move to appoint board member Adair. >> There a second. >> Second. >> Actually, there's no second. Sorry, there's no second. Are there any other nominations? All right. Seeing none, nominations are closed. Uh, you vote by saying the person's last name. >> Mr. Roll. >> Mr. Simmons. >> A dare. >> Dr. Pierce, >> a dare. >> Miss Engles, >> a dare. >> Miss Adair. >> A dare. >> Dr. Miranda, >> a dare. >> Dr. Kennedy, >> a dare. >> Mr. Katame, >> a dare. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. All right,

017we will uh do the most exciting part uh of this organizational meeting which is uh to see the oath of offices for our newly elected officials. Um and I don't actually know what order you are all going in. So I guess let's do it start with Dr. Miranda, if you and I think your family left, but families, when your person comes up, please gather around them for the photos as well. >> Wait a second. families and friends. We will have Dr. Kennedy next. Friends and family of Dr. Kennedy. You solemnly swear you will support the Constitution of the State of Ohio and you will faithfully and impartially discharge your duties as a member of the board of education of the Columbus City School District, Franklin County, Ohio, to the best of your ability in accordance

018with the laws now in effect here to be enacted. during your continuence in said office and until your successor is elected. If so, >> Mr. Kenmmeer and Mr. Cassmire's family and friends. Do you solemnly swear you will support the Constitution, State of Ohio, and you will faithfully and partially discharge your duties as a member of the Board of Education, the Columbus City School District, Franklin County, Ohio, to the best of your ability and in accordance with the laws now in effect here after to be enacted during your continuence said office until your successor is elected qualified. If so, please say it. >> I do. >> Thank you. Thank you. Congratulations to you. >> Let's give one more round of applause for all of our new board members. Okay, we will go into board matters now.

019And the first item is to elect the president of the board for 2026. I will open the floor for nominations. Mr. board member Katsmire. >> I'd like to nominate Dr. Miranda for board president. >> Are there any other nominations? Hearing none, the nominations are closed. You will vote by last name. Please call the role. >> Mr. Simmons. >> Miranda. >> Dr. Pierce. Miranda. Dr. Miranda. >> Miss Engles. >> Dr. Miranda. >> Mr. >> Dr. Miranda. >> Miranda. >> Better put a dock on that. Dr. Miranda. >> Dr. Kennedy. >> Come on now. >> Dr. Miranda. >> Mr. Kame. Dr. Miranda. >> Congratulations. >> She will now take her oath of office. You solemnly swear to support the constitution state of Ohio faithfully and partially discharge your duties as president of the board of education city

020schools Franklin County Ohio best of your ability in accordance with the laws now in continued. So, thank you. Thank you. We'll have the election of the vice president of the board for 2026. We are now going to open the floor for nominations for vice president. Are there any nominations for vice president? I'd like to nominate board member Les. >> Okay. Board member Les. Are there any additional nominations for vice president? >> Seeing none, is there a motion to close nomination? >> Motion to close. >> Mr. Treasurer, please call the role. >> Mr. Adair. >> Les. >> Dr. Pierce. I >> guess there's only one. Engles. >> Miss Engles. Les >> Madair said Engles Dr. Miranda >> Engles >> Dr. Kennedy >> Engles >> Came >> Simmons >> oh Mr. Simmons, I apologize. Engles, congratulations. swear

021you will support the constitution state of Ohio faithfully impartially discharge your duties as vice president of education county Ohio in accordance with the laws now in We're continuing. Before we get started, I would like to say a couple of words. As this new board starts in the new year, I'm honored that my board colleagues have sown shown such confidence in my ability to lead this district and I'm eager to prove them right and produce results for our children. Tonight marks a new day for the Columbus City School District. Not because our challenges have disappeared, but because we are choosing to face them honestly. There is a temptation at moments like this to reach for comforting language, to talk about hope without naming reality. But the truth is our district is navigating difficult waters. The warning

022signs have been visible for some time. Enrollment shifts, academic outcomes, facilities, finances, and public trust have all been flashing signals. Columbus is one of the largest users of tax abatements and similar incentives in Ohio. The state is not coming to our rescue as they have abandoned the fair school funding plan. The lack of sufficient state funding has not just limited what CCS can do. It has shaped what the district has been forced to become. More reactic reactive than strategic, more constrained than innovative. We did not arrive here overnight and we will not turn things around overnight. But let me be clear about one thing. The purpose of this board is not to manage decline, preserve the status quo, or simply react to crisis. Our purpose is singular and non-negotiable to ensure that students in Columbus

023City Schools are learning, thriving, and prepared for the future. For too long, we have kicked the can down the road. We have postponed hard conversations. We have deferred difficult decisions in favor of temporary fixes. And while they have made moments easier, it has made our reality more difficult. Columbus educates one of the most diverse and high need student populations in the state of Ohio. We serve more students living in poverty, more students with disabilities, more English learners, and more students facing housing instability than our neighbors and suburban districts. These are not deficits. They are responsibilities, and responsibilities require resources. We cannot levy our way out of a structurally flawed funding system. We cannot continue k k k k k k k k k k k k k k k k k k k k k

024k k k k k k k k k k k k k k k k k k k kicking the can down the road while enrollment declines and needs continue to increase. Some of the decisions this board makes moving forward may not be popular or easy. Some will be uncomfortable, but I believe deeply if we do not take responsibility for shaping our future, someone else will do it for us. That is not acceptable for a district this size, this important, and one that has the potential to be transformative for Columbus and for Ohio. This work cannot be done by the school board alone. Real progress demands true partnership. We need the business community to contribute, not just as donors, but as collaborators who understand that a strong district is essential to a strong workforce and

025economy. We need the mayor, city council, and our Franklin County leaders as full partners aligned in purpose and urgency, ensuring CCS has a seat at every table, recognizing that the health of the Columbus City School District is inseparable from the health of this city. We need honest ongoing engagement with families, educators, and students because trust is not rebuilt through slogans, but through action. Most importantly, we must demand and support the development of a clear, ambitious, and measurable strategic plan for this district. A plan that does not simply respond to today's pressures, but sets a vision for where we want to be 5 years from now, 10 years from now, and 15 years from now. We need a strategic plan that answers hard questions about academic outcomes, equity, access, enrollment, facilities, finances, and community confidence. The

026plan is a compass, not a calendar. This is not about politics. It's not about personalities. It is about stewardship. It is about whether we are willing to confront reality, chart a course forward and do the work required to enhance outcomes for children. Our task now is to stop treating excellence as isolated and start making it the standard. That requires focus, partnership, and long-term vision. This is not the end of hope. It is the moment to organize it. Before I close, I want to be clear about something. Columbus City Schools is not defined solely by its challenges. We have extraordinary students who bring resilience, creativity, and promise into our schools every day. We have dedicated educators and staff who are doing remarkable work, often under difficult conditions. And we have programs across this district that are

027producing real results and changing lives. Those bright spots matter. They tell us that hope is not lost. But hope alone is not a strategy. Our responsibility as a board is to protect what works, scale what works and fix what does not. We cannot substitute postponement for solutions or rely on isolated successes while the system around them struggles. So here is what comes next. In the months ahead, this board will insist on a clear public strategic plan, one that defines where Columbus City Schools is going in five, 10, and 15 years, and how we will measure progress along the way. We will ask hard questions, set priorities, and align our resources with what actually improves student learning. We will strengthen partnerships with the mayor, city council, Franklin County leaders, the business community, and our families because

028no district of this of this size succeeds in isolation. And we will make decisions guided by a simple standard. Does this help students learn? This is our reset, not a slogan, but a commitment to action. This work will be difficult. The choices will not always be popular. But if we do this together with honesty and urgency, Columbus City Schools will not just confront what lies ahead. We will chart a new course toward a future worthy of our children. And that work begins now. Thank you. Approval of 2026 meeting calendar. The next item on the agenda is the approval of the 2026 meeting calendar. >> Here's motion to approve. >> Second. >> Okay. >> Um, thank you, President Miranda. I Thank you, President. Dr. Miranda. Um I just had a brief point of discussion. Um colleagues,

029this is now my going into my third year on the board and we've been meeting here at 3700 for our regular business meetings um since roughly about the pandemic. Um I think it's a great time now that we have a new iteration of the board for us to consider if we want to continue to meet here um or perhaps somewhere more centrally located in our community that might be more accessible by things like public transportation and just just not kind of far away and on the more outer edges of our district. So, I think it's a great time in the new year for us to consider. Um, you know, of course, we'll approve the calendar today, but I think more some further dialogue might be helpful about where we hold our meetings and if it's

030most accessible for our community. >> Thank you, Brandon. >> Yes, thank you so much, President Dr. Miranda. Um, so I echo uh colleague board member uh Simmons uh comments. I think not only have board members been discussing moving back to a more central location um preferably 270 um but our community has also expressed interest with us moving to a more central location in terms of transportation and also oftent times where public participation falls in our agenda. It is very difficult for young people for working families to be able to come this far out um given traffic patterns and things that are happening in our city. And so I do agree and think it would be um very um empathetic on our part to have that conversation and to figure out what we need to do

031to be able to move back to uh 270, a more central location, maybe one of our schools, East High School, something like that. Um that will provide the opportunity for more community engagement. >> Thank you, Dr. Pierce. we will we can talk about that and try to get make sure we have it on the calendar so that the um citizens will know if we're not going to be meeting here and I think that could be possible. The other addition that I would add is we um got into a set pattern of having office hours prior to meetings happening. Will this board continue to have those office hours? again acknowledging and understanding it's very difficult for participants to even get down here at that earlier hour for office hours. I think we should have discussion and

032conversation around um some some variation in how we engage with the community. >> Thank you. Yes, Dr. Ke or M Mr. Katzmire. Um I ju just wanted to bring up on uh regarding a a specific meeting date. Our our next meeting and uh is is January 20th. That's during the Martin Luther um King holiday. Uh schools are are closed Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of that week. Um I I think it um it might be a good idea to to move that back, not to shift the entire calendar back um but to change that meeting uh by a week in order to um uh you know make sure we're we're having these during times when when the district is is open. I don't know how to propose that exactly, but >> Mad Dear >> just a

033point of clarification. Will the district offices still be open if school is not in operation? >> Sorry, board member there. Great question, though. >> Yes. So, the um there are certain days where the full district is closed, but I believe it's a professional development day. So, the all of the adults are actually in school and all of the people be supporting us here to make this meeting happen are reporting to work. Miss Singles, >> I believe when we're ready to approve the year calendar, um part of the discussion could also be this board is um interested in re-examining its committee structure and how that will look and what charges each of the committee will be assigned for the next school year. And so, um, allowing this board some opportunity to really have that dialogue and

034discussion in between now and the next formal board meeting when those appointments would presumably take place, um, could be an opportunity for us to have further dialogue, conversation, and critical thought. >> Quick question. Um, board member, can you clarify what you mean about um the committee calendar and structure? It's my understanding that we're just dealing with the board meetings right now. right now we are well right now what we're dealing with is the calendar that sets forth the actual regular board meeting um and there there will be discussion um at a later date about the timeline or um I'm sorry there is a discussion about the timeline but if we did bump it back one week um the next meeting if we bump that back one week that would give this board a little bit

035extra opportunity to think through um who should be assigned what committee what each committee is charged with, um, what the deliverables are for each committee, um, and allow the board to have some opportunity to work in between now and then to to really figure that work out. >> So, thanks for clarifying. What I hear you saying is that you would like the board to consider um, bumping the meeting back one day so you have additional time to potentially clarify what our board committees are, what they are charged with, and when they are meeting. I don't I believe the request was a week, not a day. >> I said bump it back. >> Yeah. >> Bump it back. >> Yeah. >> Am I understanding you correctly? >> Yes. >> Because that's a little bit different. So

036that's adding an additional layer on to his initial request. >> Yes. My my whole conversation was to bring up a different point, a different perspective. >> Yes. >> Um I would support that uh what Vice President said. I think it's important and it may opportunity to actually have that special meeting to discuss that as well as the work plan for the board um even during that week uh the week that we uh you know move the meeting. So if we move the January 20th meeting to the 27th which I believe is Mr. Katzen's motion or proposed motion >> um and then I would propose then the the leadership at some point sent a special meeting. >> Okay. um in between this meeting and that meeting to do that work. >> So what's being proposed with

037the calendar is to move the meet the meeting on the 20th to the 27th. >> Yes. And and I didn't technically make a motion. I was just you'd like me to do that part of the discussion. >> Um >> so so should I make that motion? Apologize. >> Really? is >> Where's Eric? An amendment. Yes, you can make an amendment to the motion. >> I'd like to make an amendment to the calendar to move the meeting on January 20th back to January 27th. >> Second. >> So, we're going to vote on the amendment. >> The amendment to move the meeting from the 20th to 27th. I have a motion and a second. So, now >> Yes. So, we are now voting on the amendment. >> Yes. >> Okay. Treasurer, call the role. >> Yes. Dr.

038Kennedy, >> yes. >> Miss Engles, >> yes. >> Dr. Pierce, >> yes. >> Mr. Kameer, >> yes. >> Mr. Simmons, >> yes. >> Mr. Sair, >> yes. >> President Miranda, >> yes. >> Motion carried. >> Now that the motion has been amended, we are now voting on the motion. >> Correct. If there are no other conversations or discussion. Okay. Treasurer, call the role. >> Vice President Les, >> yes. >> Dr. Pierce, >> yes. >> Mr. Katame, >> yes. >> Mr. Simmons, >> yes. >> President Miranda, >> yes. >> Dr. Kennedy, >> yes. >> Mr. Dair, >> yes. >> Motion carried. >> Meetings. Yes. >> Okay. 5.6. resolution to adopt evaluation schedule for the superintendent, treasur, and internal auditor. So, the next item on the agenda is to adopt the evaluation schedule. Is there a motion?

039>> Second. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yes, Dr. Pierce. >> Um, so everyone should have received a working calendar for the board to this point. I would like that to be put on a further agenda for us to give discussion on our monitoring calendar on our board committee reports that needs to be coming out as well as the mid um and final year checkpoints for our direct reports. I think it's very important that we align and sync and and scaffold the work that we are doing not just in our board committees but also with our direct reports. >> So Dr. Pierce, do you think that can be discussed when the board has the meeting to discuss committees? >> I think that could be discussed then. >> Okay. So, we can make sure it's on the

040agenda. >> That would be great. >> Okay. Great. >> Yes. >> Um, thank you, President Dr. Miranda. Um, I colleagues, I just wanted to share that. I think it's really important we do our best to stay on the evaluation schedule this year. Um, the board in the past has not always um done his part to give our direct reports the timely feedback they need. And you know, it's really we shouldn't be going a year or 14 months between evaluation conversations. We have the mid-year check-ins for a reason. Um it's really important we don't allow in this first month us to skip those check-ins and we do actively, you know, take the time and and meet with our direct reports to discuss their performance. Um and so that's just, you know, my comments. I think it's

041really important we we try our best to stay on that um calendar this year. >> Thank you, Mr. Simmons. I agree. And I think adding that working calendar will be a way for us to stay publicly responsible for doing that work and identifying those midpoint dates and the expectations we have for that those deliverables. >> Thank you. We'll make sure that's on our calendar. >> Did everybody receive that copy? >> Yes. Okay. >> Thank you for that. All right. If there are no other discussion, we'll have the treasurer call the role. >> Dr. Pierce, >> yes. >> Mr. Katameer, >> yes. >> Mr. Simmons. >> Yes. >> Vice President. >> Yes. >> Dr. Kennedy. >> Yes. >> Madair. >> Yes. >> President Dr. Miranda. >> Yes. >> Motion carried. >> All right. This is probably

042the shortest meeting you will ever live through. Let's hope not. Is there a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion to adjurnn. Thank you. Second. >> Okay. Yeah, >> I'll call the >> All right, we are journed. We will recess until the next regular meeting which will be the 20 >> No, 20 minutes. >> 20 minute break. >> 20 minutes. >> Yeah. So, we have 20 minutes. The meeting the regular business meeting will be at 6 p.m. >> We have to go. >> You have to go take pictures. Hello and welcome back to Math Math Everywhere. I'm Renee Harris, your math magician, helping you to see the magic in math. Today we're spending some time at Oakland Nursery with summer experienced students from East Lyndon Elementary School. We're going to see what kind of math is involved

043in planning and preparing for gardens. Come on, let's go inside. So, look what I found. A nice little bag of beet Detroit Supreme seeds. So, when we're thinking about planting gardens, we have to have a plan on where we're getting started. And that plan first involves what kind of seeds are we going to need for planting. Now, the cost of this bag of seeds is $2.79. But take a look here. Today there's a savings of 25% off. So calculating that discount, that is math. And then some other specs that are included in planting and preparing for your garden is they need to be harvested. It takes at least 60 to 65 days for that harvest time. So the depth, in other words, how deep are you going to plant those seeds? That's part of measuring.

044You need to make sure the depth is at least 1/2 an inch deep into the soil before you begin to plant those seeds. Let's see what else we can find here in terms of math at the nursery. >> Math is everywhere you look. It's in everything you do and it can be fun to use. Won't you join us on today's episode? >> Hello and welcome back to Math Math Everywhere. I'm Renee Harris, your math magician, helping you to see the magic in math. Today, we're spending some time at Oakland Nursery with summer experienced students from East Lyndon Elementary School. We're going to see what kind of math is involved in planning and preparing for gardens. Come on, let's go inside. So, look what I found. a nice little bag of beet Detroit supreme seeds. So,

045when we're thinking about planting gardens, we have to have a plan on where we're getting started. And that plan first involves what kind of seeds are we going to need for planting. Now, the cost of this bag of seeds is $2.79. But take a look here. Today, there's a savings of 25% off. So, calculating that discount, that is mad. And then some other specs that are included in planting and preparing for your garden is they need to be harvested. It takes at least 60 to 65 days for that harvest time. So the depth, in other words, how deep are you going to plant those seeds? That's part of measuring. You need to make sure the depth is at least 1/ half an inch deep into the soil before you begin to plant those seeds. Let's

046see what else we can find here in terms of math at the nursery. Again, we're here today at Oakland Nursery with some East London summer experience students. And here I have with me is >> Zion and >> they're going to help me do something called subetizing. >> I've got a really pretty plant to show you. And I want you to look at the plant and tell me how many blooms you see. You ready? >> Yeah. >> This one. >> Three. How did you know it was three? >> Cuz I was looking with my eyes. >> Yes. Did you didn't have to count? You just knew. All right. Now, we are still going to count so we can confirm that there are three. Let's count together. That's one, two, three. So, that's three. Great job. Give

047me a high five. >> Yes. So, if you're thinking about planting your own garden, remember there are a few simple math concepts that are wrapped up in gardening, like measurement, time, the size and shape of your garden, the square footage that garden is going to cover. Perhaps a visit to Oakland Nursery will inspire you to want to create your own garden. As always, thank you for joining us today with Math Math Everywhere. And as always, math is everywhere. I can say it's truly magical. They love the taste of fresh produce just from the plant. Some of my student don't even know where some food comes from from the grocery stores. So they learn so many things when they garden. So they really want to be a part of it. Some of them at first they're

048really excited about it, but then there are others that say, I really want to know a little bit more about this. So it's more than just looking and glancing at it. It's like how can I be a part of this? because I've seen it go from being just a seed and now it's growing and I want to be a part of that process. So they they really take care of everything and do it all and know how to do it all and they have a lot of pride in that in showing whoever comes into our classroom what they do and how they do it and what they've grown. I think it's really cool that they're learning how food is actually grown now because so many places are using all hydroponics and so it's really opening

049their mind to see different ways that food can grow. >> Learning how to grow is really important. And when you see it in person, it's a lot different than just reading about it or seeing pictures of it. And taking the fresh produce that you grow and then being able to cook it and taste it in your classroom, then potentially going home and requesting it at home, I think is pretty powerful of an impact. It tastes different because it's more fresh at the moment. And also when you pick when you freshly pick it and just go wash it real quick and then eat it, it's like it's crunchy and delicious. But when you buy it from the store, it doesn't taste normal. >> This is the best salad I ever tasted. This This salad This salad

050is so much yummier than my mom's own salad. >> Having like a fresh lettuce that you just picked is really has its unique taste. It was my first time ever trying and kale. They looked pretty weird at first. When my friends told me to try it, I just I just took a bite and it was super good. >> Oh, it's so cute because they really have a new taste when they try like tomatoes from the grocery store. I mean, they don't taste the same as fresh from the vine. And just their their brains are explo like normally they want to ask for ranch and they just pop it without it. So that's amazing. All right, down. Yeah, baby. Heat. Heat. In the spring of 2024, Fort Hayes was unexpectedly without a choir teacher. The principal,

051Dr. Milton Ruffin, took it upon himself to teach the class. Their final project was to be a recording of a song written by Dr. Ruffin. We now present to you the result of their hard work. All right, let's uh let's do um celebrate. Ready? Go. >> So, we get the drop the jaw and sit up and ready. We can find a better tomorrow. We can find a place we find love for each other. That's why we clap our hands and we lift our voicees. I was pretty nervous. I'm not even going to lie. Uh I was nervous, but then again, I was I was very excited. Um I was like, it's my first time going record. Uh I hope I don't I hope I don't mess this up for everybody, you know, all these thoughts

052in my head. Uh but at the end at the end of the day, uh I'm glad I did it. I have no regrets of doing it. I wish I could do it again. Sadly, this is my last year. Uh but yeah, >> closer. >> He treated us like he treats his college students. >> Yeah. which was cool, but at the same time it's a little little rough to meet those expectations. >> It was very challenging for us to get there. >> I listened to just the stems of the song every day for about two weeks before the recording session. And then when I came in, you know, I we did about two takes of it. I think it's combin it was a combination of like the first and second take and looked at the digital

053audio workstation on this computer and you know try to make you know the drums sound as you know keen to the song as possible. >> There is a bright day where we all Anticipate and we'll over >> and so it's a it's tricky especially for people who are not used to recording young students uh people who it's their first time recording they get nervous. There's really no audience to give you that energy feedback and that um appreciation for what you're doing. It's just an empty room with me tomorrow. There's a bright day coming and it's getting closer every day. There is a bright day coming where we all participate and we'll overcome that day and we cate and we cateelebr and we celebrate. Cate All right, CCS Cinema Club, welcome. My name is Leia Gersing

054and I'm here with, of course, Sarah Dur. And it's just us today. No special guests because we're getting into this movie. We're talking about Dune Part Two today. >> What if all the treaties were still alive? going on adventures, flying in space, surfing ancient sandworms, and fighting in an interstellar war. Dune is a science fiction with a message to spread that we will be talking about today. So, without further ado, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. All right, Sarah, we're talking about Dune today. Are you excited? >> I'm so excited. This one, this movie was so good. I didn't know what to expect going into it, but I was very, very I loved it. It was so good. >> So, when did you see we did you watch Dune One with me? Part one

055with me? >> No, I watched I was there when you were finishing it. >> I watched Dune One the the last day it was on Netflix. Oh, yeah. I >> just under the wire. I was kind of late. I hadn't seen it when it originally came out. >> Yeah. >> But I really liked that one, too. I'd say definitely between the two, I preferred the second one. >> Yeah. >> Um just cuz the first one kind of felt like there was a lot of exposition, which of course it had to be with, you know, such a big story, but I definitely I really liked the second one. >> Yeah, I agree. I think the first one was a lot of setup, which can move kind of slowly, but it kind of gets you set up

056for the next movie, which is important. >> Um, but it can be a lot. And so, a lot of people might have said that the first one was a bit boring. >> And I honestly like setup movies, which is kind of weird, but so I really enjoyed the first one, but I did like the second one better. It's definitely more action-packed. So, if you like action-packed movies and you saw the first one, you were like, I don't know, watch the second one because >> I think you'll enjoy it. There's a lot to talk about, Dune, but let's talk about why is it worth it to see the second one. >> Oh my gosh, so many reasons. I feel like the main thing that a lot of people are talking about is the effects. >> It

057was really incredible. There's a lot of ways that the things in this movie could have looked like really crazy with like bad effects, >> but it really it looked so good. There were a lot of really action-packed moments that like you felt like you were really in the action. Yeah. Sometimes bad special effects, they really just take you out of it. But there were a lot of good special effects. The visuals are amazing and just like the story is so it's complex and it has like a really important message for people to hear. So yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. There's a lot of cool themes. there's a lot of like religious themes and then also a lot of themes about war and those kind of like go together. So that was really interesting. We'll probably get

058more into that more in the spoilers end. >> So what type of audience do we think would enjoy Dune? Like if you're more of an action person, what do we think? >> I think that definitely sci-fi fans really love it. >> Um also anyone who likes action movies, people who read the books. I personally didn't read the books, but I think that it's really interesting to see the translation between like book to movie. >> Yeah. >> So, yeah, >> we love book to movie adaptations on this pod. >> We love it. >> We love them. >> Um, honestly, I think that Yeah, a science fiction lover, if you love things like Star Wars, >> even Harry Potter, I think you'll like this. >> Yeah. >> Um, it's fun. It's a really good one. And I

059also think that this is while it's a very serious movie, there's a lot of comedic elements in it, >> which I thought was really cool. So, let's talk about some of our favorite characters. >> Who is your fave character? I can't remember her name. >> The one that Zinda plays, I honestly cannot remember her name either, but it was like Desert Spring was like her >> one of her names, which foreshadows a moment in the movie that we'll talk about later, >> but yeah, Desert Spring. How do Well, to call her Desert Spring or Zenaia, that works. >> Go ahead. >> Oh my gosh, I just loved her. Um, I thought that she was really honest. Like, she was able to see We'll get more into that in like the spoilers section, but >> I

060thought that she she like expressed what she was feeling >> and she didn't sugarcoat things and she kept it very like real and yeah, I just really liked that about her character. All right. Well, Sarah, do you have anything else to say about the Dune movie? Wrap it up. >> Um, just that it was a really It's definitely worth the watch, even if you're not a science fiction person. Personally, I always have a hard time, as you could probably tell, like following more science fiction-y like complex story lines. But I really loved it. I thought it was such a good story. It was beautiful visually, and yeah, it's definitely worth a watch. >> Yeah, it's a long movie, but it's worth all the time. get in there, go to theaters, watch it. Um, I believe

061it's just in theaters right now, but should come out soon, I'm sure. >> Um, but yeah, thank you guys so much for listening to our CCS Cinema Club podcast, and we will see you next time. Bye >> bye. What's up? Hi, I'm Yolanda. I've been a bus driver with Columbus City Schools for 15 years. I love it. It's flexible. I was a single mom with four kids and I needed the flexibility and the hours. So being able to work a split shift was awesome. Making sure that you make contact with each kid every day. It changes them, changes me. Columbus City Schools brought a lot to my life. I believe I'm a family. We're a family. I really enjoy what I do. And it's not just about the kids. You have teachers, you have employees,

062and they all contribute to what we do best here, and that's educate. Actually taught me how to drive. Taught me directions. North side, east side, west side. I know where I was going when I first started. Now I know everywhere. The whole Columbus. Tuition reimbursement. I was able to go to school. Come join us. Apply now. secjob.org. Today we went to all of the theater schools. So all of the elementary schools and two of the middle schools that feed into West. and we did a clap out with their kindergarteners and fifth graders. >> The walk was really fun. My favorite part was seeing all the little kids and seeing how happy they were and knowing that they're going to be here one day with us. Showing students that they can graduate one day as long

063as you stay on track with everything that you need to and you just stay focused on the stuff that you want, then you can really do it. >> Was such an exciting event today. It's so great to see our kids that we haven't seen since they were in elementary school. Um, I was lucky enough to be their teacher for second and third grade. So, it was really special to see this group come through. >> Just great opportunity to celebrate. And it's important because it builds the connection. And I think that's something we really need on the west side is to build a connection between our elementary, middle school, and high school students. >> We always talk to the kids about what happens after elementary school, but um, an event like today shows them where they

064can be in the next few years. I think it just shows them how all of their hard work can pay off as well in the future. Hey, hey, hey. Hey everybody. Heat. Heat. N. My name is Lolita Van and I am a special ed instructional assistant for Columbus City's schools. I have been employed with the district for 11 plus years now. I chose to work for Columbus City School because I like helping children and families. Um, coming from a background of being a home childcare provider for 12 years, it just fit. They see theirel when they look at me. Most of our students, you know, are African-American and there's not a lot of males in education. Me being in that row, prek teacher, being one of the first teachers that they see, I know I

065affect change. They see it. They see a positive role model. They see a positive male, positive figure in their life. >> This past graduation class was my first class of sixth graders. So, they graduated last year. And one of the area high schools has a really cool tradition where they asked their former teachers to come back and give their diploma and I was the only middle school teacher there for this particular student and so I got to hand her her diploma and that was probably the most memorable experience. The district has actually provided me a lot of tools and resources. Um I have the latest technology of the Columbus City School Board of Education for January 6 is now called to order. Please call the role. >> Mr. Adair >> present. >> President Dr. Miranda

066>> present. >> Miss Engles >> present. >> Dr. Pierce >> present. >> Dr. Kennedy >> present. >> Mr. Simmons >> present. >> Mr. Kame >> present. >> You have a quorum. >> Since we've already said the pledge of allegiance, we will move on from that and we're going to review and adopt the agenda. Right now, what's on the agenda is public comments. We will then do board matters. We will have uh executive reports from the superintendent, the internal auditor, treasurer, and a public hearing. We will then have a vote on the consent agenda. We will then have a report on other office on other legislation. We will not have an executive session and then we will adjourn. >> Motion to approve the agenda. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Okay. With that, Mr. Treasurer, >> Vice

067President Adair. Yes, >> Dr. Kennedy. >> Yes, >> Vice President. >> Yes, >> Dr. Pearson. >> Yes, >> Mr. Kame. >> Yes, >> Mr. Simmons. >> Yes, >> President Dr. Miranda. >> Yes. >> Okay, we will start with public comment. Lois Carson, you have three minutes. Good evening, President Dare. No, President Miranda, Vice President, board members, superintendent, internal auditor, and auditor. For those of you who don't know me, I wanted to come your first night to introduce myself and talk about the almost 3,000 members that are classified employees in the Columbus City Schools. Sometimes we're a forgotten group. So, sometimes you will hear from me and I will say we need a seat at the table. We tend to be forgotten. If you don't have a seat at the table, I got some friends well

068who will help me bring a seat to be at the table. Let me tell you a little story about classified employees. Let's talk about Ricky. He gets to school every morning by his school bus driver and his bus aid. When he arrives at the school, he meets Mrs. Jones, the instructional assistant. She greets him and takes him into the building where he meets Mrs. Smith, who's the school secretary. Mrs. Smith then proceeds to take Ricky to the office so he can get a clean uniform short shirt because the school does supply uniform shirts. These are just a few of the necessary items that the schools will collect and keep for our children. As Mrs. Smith is walking Ricky to the cafeteria, he sees Mrs. G, the PK. He says, "Miss G, I'm not going to

069be in your class today. I promise you I'm going to be good today, Miss G." So he goes heads to the library, I'm sorry, to the lunchroom. Ricky gets in line and he says to the cafeteria worker, "I'm really hungry this morning." And she informs him, "There's extra food on the table. Don't forget to grab something." He completes his breakfast. He proceeds down the hallway where he sees Mr. Keith on the ladder fixing a light, who's the maintenance guy who stopped by the building. He then proceeds to high-five Mr. Fields, who's the custodian who always helps Ricky unlock his locker. After he sees Mr. Fields, he runs into Miss Poston, the librarian, who reminds him, Ricky, we got the new books in that our account department just ordered. So, swing by the library and get

070some new books. You've heard the my story about Ricky. The school day technically has not started, but Ricky just ran across nine classified employees who does impact Ricky's education on a daily base. And sometimes the world likes to say that classified employees don't educate children. where I'm here as a proud president of classified employees across the state of Ohio to inform our new board members, our old board members, our superintendent, our treasur, and our internal treasurer and all those that are listening that classified employees. We do make a difference. We do educate Ohio's children. And please respect the work that we do. And so as you move forward, Dr. Miranda, your opening statement, we complimented it. We look forward to working with you. Yes, there's a change needed, but don't do it on the back

071of us. Let's talk about it. Let's make sure we do have a seat at the table and we are included and thought about as Columbus City Schools classified employees who do make a difference every day in the education of our children. Thank you. >> Thank you, Lois. And Lois, you're memorable. You will have a seat at the table. And I'll even bring carrot cake. >> Thank you. >> Okay. All right. Our next public um participant is Hannah Elharding board members, superintendent, and guests. My name is Hannah Elhard. I'm a third grade teacher at Steuart Elementary School. I'm here tonight to speak to you about the current transportation plan for Stuart next year and why I believe a change must be made in order for Stuart to continue to exist. The board's vote in December to

072remove bus transportation for schools that are not 100% lottery put Stuart's future in great jeopardy. For anyone who's not familiar with the said vote and the consequences that it will have, here are its implications for Stuart. Of our over 300 student population, only eight of those students have Stuart designated as their home school. The rest are all lottery students. So, because of the board's vote to make only 100% lottery schools eligible for bus transportation next year, none of our students will be eligible since we are 98% lottery, not 100%. I understand that the board's intent with said decision perhaps was to encourage families to attend their home schools instead. Again, for Steuart, this plan will not work. In case anyone is not familiar, Steuart Elementary sits in the heart of German Village on Schiller Park.

073Because of our unique location and the makeup of the neighborhood, only 15 homes total have Steuart designated as their home school. Even if every single one of those 15 families sends all of their children to Steuart, that will not be enough to fill a single class, let alone a school. Yes, some of our lottery families choose to drive their children to Steuart already. However, due to their location, over 200 of our students are currently eligible for bus transportation and daily over a hundred of them rely on the bus to get to and from their school. Most of those students, I've checked our records, have attended Stuart since preK. We also rely on them as valuable members of our school community and for our enrollment. I believe there has to have been some sort of oversight

074when this decision was made and this vote was taken that did not consider the grave impact this decision would have on schools like Steuart that don't have a neighborhood to fill our school once lottery students that cannot provide their own transportation are gone. I urge you to remedy this while there's time to protect transportation for Stuart's lottery students since we are less than 10 students away from the 100% lottery cutoff and we do not have a solution for our enrollment. I also invite you to visit us at Steuart Elementary School. Steuart is a unique place. It's a school where many families have attended for multiple generations. Many of our teachers have taught there for decades. Sorry. Um, it's created a thriving school with deep traditions that is a beacon of what Columbus City Schools can

075be. I invite you to come visit us and work with us to solve this once you've seen all that is truly at stake. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Tara. Perie. Hello. Good evening, newly appointed President Dr. Miranda and members of the Columbus City School Board. My name is Tara Perie and like others, I'm here to talk about the transportation issue. I'm a parent of Penelopey Perie. She's a current fourth grader who has attended Bill Bins Elementary since she's been in kindergarten. I'm here today because I was notified via email of the recent decision to eliminate bus transportation in the 2026 2027 school year for students attending schools through the district's lottery process that are not 100% lottery. This decision will have serious impact on many families in Columbus, including my own. Data from Columbus

076City Schools as well as the US News and World Report state that Columbus City School serves about 45,000 students and every year nearly 20,000 families apply for schools in the school choice city lottery. Roughly 4,500 students around 10% attend schools outside of their assigned neighborhood through this process. These families trusted the district's promise of choice and now we're being penalized. The policy is inequitable. Per the Columbus City Schools website, charter students still receive transportation. Yet with this policy, some public school lottery students will not. That's not fairness. That's discrimination. And it's not just about convenience. Many parents, including myself and my husband, work full-time. We rely on the district's transportation to ensure our children can safely get to school and to home. removing a service that creates undue burden and forces families to choose between

077continuity of education and access. Penelope excels academically and socially at Ben Elementary. Like many of her peers, she has built strong relationships and belonging at her school. Forcing families to uproot children or scramble for transportation undermines stability and student success. And let's be clear, this decision carries legal risk. In 2024, Columbus City Schools was sued by Attorney General Dave Yoast for failing to provide transportation to charter school students. This policy creates similar inequities and will inevitably lead to additional lawsuits. Why repeat history when the district can act now and prevent it? I urge the board to change this policy and restore transportation for all lottery students. If budget constraints are driving this decision, then I ask you to consider other cost-saving measures such as optimizing school bus routes, reducing administrative overhead, or phasing in change

078gradually. Rather than placing the burden on students and children, our district promotes school choice as a pillar of equity. Please honor that promise by ensuring that all students have access, not just in theory, but in practice. Thank you for your time and for considering the impact this decision will have on thousands of family across Columbus. I've also provided an executive summary to each of you and you will be getting it via email with data and recommendations from a parent standpoint and I'm open to any questions. you. Thank you, >> Phyllis and Peterson who is speaking remotely. >> Good evening, board president, board members, and guests. My name is Phyllis Peterson. I'm a 25 year veteran educator, probably longer than that, in math education. And before Starting the school year out at W Ridge High School.

079I have worked positively with the Columbus City Schools in different capacity capacities over several years and I'm just contacting the board today and talking to the board to try to do something about the horrible situations that the students and teachers are facing under the present administration and other teachers. I also vote in Columbus. I have been facing non-stop harassment, defamation, lies being told on me, people constantly stealing my stuff and student stuff. They're also telling lies on my students offending them. I have a high exposure rate of my students. There's no law, policies, and pre um procedures being followed. There's a lot of predatory behavior being directed towards me. people um putting grades in my grade book, people having access to all of my grades. Um I even have people in my classroom teaching regular

080ES students math. They're not nicer. And whenever you file any type of incident reports or complaints, the school district does not investigate them and side with the white principal who lives in Worthington against teachers who work in Columbus and students who live in Columbus. And like I said, I've been working in education for years. I even have my name on a OD nav curriculum. I get high pass rates. I'm well known. I I'm right now I'm part of a cohort with um a black math organization. I participate in OG math um um workshops and everything. So, I'm contacting the board to see if they're going to try to do something to alleviate all these injustices against mainly black and brown people at the school. Thank you very much for allowing me to speak. Thank you,

081Miss Peterson. Okay, that is the end of public participation. We'll move to the next agenda item, board matters, the Ohio School Board Association report, and I will turn it over to Dr. Pierce. >> Thank you so much, President Miranda. Um, we have the great opportunity through our Columbus City Schools to be a member of the Ohio School Board Association, OSBA. And with that membership, we are allotted a variety of different resources as it relates to legislative advocacy, consulting services, resources and information, networking, and professional development. Because we are a member of OSBA, we are also uh offered those services oftent time at a discounted rate. And so on an annual basis, our district receives a report that says how we have used those services and how we have benefited. So just as a quick highlight,

082in 2025, our member services included legislative advocacy. OSBA helped our district to monitor and engage over 200 education bills to protect and advance Ohio's public schools. In terms of the fiscal impact, we actively participated with OSBA in property tax litigation discussions, helping to secure nearly $500 million for school districts statewide. In terms of legal support, OSBA's legal assistance hotline responded to over 700 calls on critical issues, including sunshine laws, arbitration decisions, and public records request. Specifically for policy services, we were able to get our subscription to PDQ. We also were able to receive consulting services as it related to transportation and some of our options as we were weighing that very tough decision. In terms of the endorsed programs that we use, we were also able to receive a cost savings of upward to 400

083$4,400 for Board Docs Pro. And as we all know, that is the uh software that holds our agenda items and our legislation for meetings. Um, in terms of professional development, OSBA hosts a variety of different conferences. One of the largest is the capital conference. Our district saved $23,565 on 59 free registrations. And this year our district in addition to having a number of great presentations from not just our administration but also our educators throughout the district we registered uh 45 attendees for various OSBA workshops and webinars. So that is our report and I would also like to add that it is a very timely time for us to start thinking about who we will appoint as our OSBA um trustee. So our district given the size of our district we are allotted one trustee that

084sits on central region. We have a very rich history of being active in the leadership within that region. I served as president for two years and past president for one uh board member Jennifer Adair has always led a great charge serving on um the what is is it the black >> the black caucus and the urban coalition and also serving as trustee. And so to our new members, definitely give some thought to that. That is an additional meeting. Those meetings tend to take places on Saturday morning, but it really brings you together with board members throughout the region to really talk about where we have alignment and where we can coales and advocate for public education in the state of Ohio. >> Thank you, Dr. Pierce. Any comments or questions for her? I just want

085to say I was at the conference and it was great. So, it's really something we'll continue to participate in. >> I hear they loved your presentations and your speaking. So, way to be phenomenal. >> Thank you. All right. Superintendent, CEO, Executive Report. Dr. Chapman, do you have a report for this evening? >> I do not have a full report, but I do have a few remarks that I'd like to share. Um, good evening everyone. Um certainly as we return back to school, uh January 5th was our first day back. Um as we welcome back all of our students, I want to extend um extend our gratitude to all of our educators, all of our schoolbased staff who were ready on day one to ensure a smooth transition for all of our students as they return

086to school. I also want to say to all of our students, um, we certainly missed you over the break and are looking forward to continuing to create warm and supportive environments where you can learn and grow and meet all of your goals. Uh, welcome again to our new board members that are joining us, Dr. Ra, Dr. Miranda, Patrick Katzer, Dr. Kennedy, and to our new board leadership, Dr. Miranda and board member. We certainly are sincerely looking forward to partnering with all of our board members and um welcoming our new board members to um the district this year. Um as we focus on um January, we want to remind everyone that we have an attendance challenge. Um everyone should have been receiving emails about this attendance challenge. The challenge is called heat up your attendance and

087we want to congratulate Batty Park Elementary School and Mifflin Middle School. Those are our top district-wide winners for demonstrating strong tier one supports and encouraging and supporting our students with increasing and improving their student attendance. Um, if you follow us online, you can expect updates and um on our January attendance challenge, which is restart, refocus, and rise. We certainly want to continue to garner district-wide support to ensure that our students show up every day ready to learn. This is key to keeping our students on track um in all grades, but particularly for graduation. And certainly our goal is to re-engage students as we return we're returning to school and make sure that our students have those um really healthy habits and practices in place to ensure their success for the next semester. Um also over

088the break, our team was very busy. On December 22nd, Columbus City Schools officially launched our new district website, marking an important step forward in how we connect with students, families, staff, and the community. If you haven't already checked us out, you can see our new look at our the same website, but it's www.cccsoh. us. And we have redesigned this site, prioritizing accessibility, clarity, and ease of navigation, making it much simpler for users to find essential information quickly and efficiently. It's family-facing content, including all of the must knows, mustd dos that you need readily accessible to at your fingertips, including enrollment, calendar information, transportation, attendance, school information, and so much more. Our new platform is also mobile friendly, recognizing that many of our families and staff members access the website on their mobile devices. And so

089you can certainly you'll be able to see that change and that transition when you access that on your cell phone. This website update reflects our continued commitment for clear communication, transparency, and meeting our families and staff where they are. and we'll continue to gather feedback as we are continuing to provide updated content on our website. So, if you have feedback for us, please share it with us and we'll make sure that we're responsive to that and incorporate that in uh future iterations. And the social media wrap-up for 2024 and that same line, thinking about our messaging, thank you to all who follow us on our district social media platforms. 2025 was a huge year for us in terms of social media, almost 24 million views on Facebook and Instagram from more than 60,000 followers on

090those two platforms in the past year. And so we'll continue to put out content and messaging that supports our families, supports our staff so that everyone can stay engaged and be well aware of all that's happening in CCS. This is also the season for school choice and lottery for the 2627 school year. So, we'll continue to um support families through our annual school choice lottery program offering opportunities to apply to schools and programs beyond a student's assigned neighborhood school. Applications are submitted through Infinite Campus, our parent portal. And for our families are encouraged to review those timelines and submit applications within the designated lottery application window. All of this information is online and we've been pushing this information out to families. They'll receive ROOC calls, text messages, and emails with all of this information. But

091the high school and middle school choice fair will be held virtually on January 8th. The elementary school choice fair will be held virtually on February 5th and we encourage families to view the video profiles of our schools in advance by visiting our district website. And my last update is on school realignment updates for Broadley Mhler and Fairwood. As a reminder, as a part of our school realignment work, the board voted to close three schools for the upcoming school year for the 2627 school year. Broadley Elementary, Mhler Elementary, and Fairwood Elementary. The work establishing new boundaries for the impacted school communities has been completed and letters have been mailed to all the families with their new school assignments for next year. We are now planning welcoming activities throughout the spring to bring all of the the

092new school communities together so that they can get to know each other and ensure a smooth transition for the 2627 school year. So that concludes my update for this evening. Thank you very much and welcome back. >> Thank you Dr. Pierce. >> Thank you so much. Uh Dr. Miranda, a quick question for our superintendent. I've received a couple of emails as it relates to a communication that was sent to families regarding transportation um specifically for our high school students that are not at 100% lottery schools. So the request is that the superintendent and her team provide provide specifically Linda McKinley. There are a number of students um who are attending that school and they have selected that school to go to. It's not their lottery. I mean it's not a 100% lottery school but they

093have selected to attend that school. Um and so families as it relates to Linda McKinley and beyond that is just an example are asking questions about their transportation. So, my request is that the board, each board member is given an executive summary that gives an overview of the communication that went out to families and um for you to share what your timeline, your plan is to keep families well informed on how they need to work collaboratively with us to secure transportation. >> Thank you. >> Yes. um kind of along that line about transportation and the lottery. Um I just visited the the newly built page about the lottery which looks nice. Um but it would be helpful I think to right up front tell families that there will be transportation changes and uh right up

094front when you get because I again I don't want people that this is a consideration now for our middle school and elementary school families when they choose the lottery. And so I just want to make sure that you know we are being as transparent as possible um right up front. >> Yes, we I've received that feedback and we will certainly make sure that that is upfront on our website. We are also doing direct communication and outreach to all of our um schools that are not 100% lottery. That includes video messages, that includes mailers, that includes robocalls, that includes meetings at the school zooming. So the outreach and engagement for the um 900% lottery schools recognizing that there is a change and there are exceptions. There are many exceptions. There are exceptions for students who u

095may have an IEP and transportation is included in their IEP. There are exceptions for students who are displaced from their home school, meaning they um they would normally want to attend their home school, but um because their home school is full, we have determined an alternative reserved a seat at an alternative site for them. Um there are other exceptions and so we will be working it's very nuanced and we'll be working with all of the school communities to ensure that we are doubling down on the messaging and making sure that the families understand all of their options as a part of the lottery process as part of enrollment process as a planning um moving in ahead of um families making those choices. >> Dr. Pierce. >> So I think um given the question of board

096member Adair, it becomes very important for you to share those exceptions with the the not only the students that are in the schools because there are going to be questions around well why did I get the letter? Why didn't you get the letter but it also becomes important for you to share those exceptions on the website because as parents are selecting the school the more they understand what their options are the more important it is. So, I would much rather them to know the exceptions on the front end than them to get their great school that they wanted and then find out that it might not apply or they don't understand what transportation entails. >> Thank you. We receive that feedback and we're also we have automated messages once students apply for the lottery. There

097will be automated messages that that will pop up to remind them and to confirm before you confirm school X. This is a school that is not 100% lottery. Are you sure that you're choosing this school because you will have to provide the transportation? >> but I guess that's the question because if there's an exception, they might still get the transportation. Correct. >> Yes. But that we we as a so first of all, I just want to say that um this is a major systemwide change. We are we just voted on this in December. And what I would like to have an opportunity to discuss this strategy with the board doesn't have to be in this meeting, but it's a part of our work plan that I intend to have conversations to discuss the roll out

098of this strategy. So I receive your feedback. Thank you for acknowledging that. But we have certainly mapped out a detailed strategy for how to execute and implement the changes that we voted on just recently in December. Okay. Any other questions for Dr. Chapman? >> Kind of to Dr. P's point, earlier point too. I mean, it would be great if you could I know you're going to brief us, but if we could know things before you tell the community because that prepares us and then we can better explain or better advocate or do do what we need to do as board members. So when you know just hey letters are going to go out on X date here's a sample of a letter that would be very helpful to me as a board member when engaging

099with the community. Um so if we could do that um that would be great and I think that that part of sharing of information is actually part of our communication agreement. >> Yes. And that's included in the work plan and those dates are included in the work plan that you have in your inbox. Again, I'm just asking for an opportunity to have a discussion. So, if there's additional information that's needed, we can make sure that all of that information is provided with the clarity and the level of detail that's needed. >> Mr. Simmons, >> thank you, President Dr. Miranda. Um, thank you, President, Dr. Miranda. Um, Dr. Chapman, the work plan you referenced, is that the work plan you emailed us to us this afternoon while we were all here, you know, preparing to come

100to this event and be board members? Okay. Um, so naturally, of course, none of us have had a chance to review that as we've just received it about three hours ago. >> I'm not suggesting that that was for your review before this meeting. I'm just alluding to I just want to acknowledge a name that I've given consideration to the feedback that you are providing and I would like an opportunity to discuss that with the board. That doesn't have to be in the board meeting where we're discussing and make sure that all of the information that you're requesting, we have accounted for that and you will have it in any format that you so request. >> Thank you. Um and I I do want to echo board member Adair's um point that the board does need

101to know about big things before it happens. Um you know, I thought our district offices were closed up until yesterday. So, you know, when communication started to go out um you know, I I I was very surprised. Um but I will say I think that's very reflective of the evaluation the board put together where we we did ask in state that major um you know programmatic academic decisions or changes have been announced before briefing the full board of education. And so when we talk about at the opening of this beginning year how we can all work collaboratively as board members um you know that is something that this board did um the board did state that we'd like to improve on and there's more opportunity between the board and the superintendent to work on collaborating

102and fully and communicating with all board members. Um and you know that that's it's been a point of conversation in the past I will say. Um so I appreciate my colleague um board member Dara raising that point. >> Thank you Dr. Pierce. Thank you so much, Dr. Miranda. I think we're at a moment where we need to level set for our community because some term terminology is being used that I think some of our new board members might not be familiar with and our community might not be familiar with. And so, Dr. um Chapman has referred to a work plan. A work plan is a part of the Ohio superintendent evaluation, right? And so this is an element that in in writing up her goals for the upcoming year, she also submits a work plan.

103She has submitted that work plan to us um this afternoon. Um some of my colleagues may not have had a chance to review it. I have briefly skimmed it and what I would like our board to do is when we are discussing the working calendar um when we are discussing board committees and meetings that we discuss not just the superintendent's work plan because our internal auditor also has a work plan and our treasurer also has a work plan. What we need to do and this is a suggestion as a board is to align the work of our three direct reports with the work of our board committee. So we are collaborating more so we are more transparent and we're working together to achieve the goals. And so it would be my request that when we

104prepare that meeting, we have scaffolded and brought together all the work plans of our direct reports that we assign who will be responsible for those evaluation teams. Um that we adopt the working board calendar and we can adjust it however needs to be adjust. But that will help I think to open up the transparency and also I hope um ensure that our colleagues as well as the community is aware of the terminology that it sounds like we're going to be using more moving forward. >> Thank you. We can put that on the agenda for the board. >> All right. The internal Any other questions for Dr. Chapman? Thank you Dr. Chapman. You're >> welcome. internal auditor um CA CE executive report. Mr. Okconor, do you have a report for us this evening? >> No report

105this evening. Just wanted to welcome you Dr. Kennedy and Mr. Katz and Mayor to the board and looking forward to good things this year. >> Yeah, thank you. We look forward to working with you. Mr. Cook, the treasurer, do you have a report for us this evening? >> I have some brief comments. Um want to clarify a couple things on the agenda and and set the stage for a couple items as we go forward. So, yes. Um, first point tonight, I know you said you guys are ready to hit the ground running. I'm looking forward to that. Um, at our next board meeting on now, January 27th, I'm going to be presenting the updated 5-year forecast. We did one of those in October. This one's going to be an update. Not a lot of time

106between it. In the past, we've done kind of the November and the May, but the state changed the time frame for that. So, we're going to see February update. This one is a a little bit more critical for me with respect to we're in the midst of a refunding of some of our debt. Think of it as a a refinance of your mortgage. That requires me to file a preliminary offering statement with the Security and Exchange Commission because we're going to be offering tranches of our debt that we can refinance actually the second week of February. So, it's very important that I present that at the end of January, ask for board approval at our first meeting in February, and then be able to turn that around so that there's an offering statement for investors

107and there's no difference in materiality as we literally sell those bonds the following week. The last thing we want to do is present a October, November forecast, property tax reform, etc. is lurking out here. We haven't updated it. that could call into question the legality of that sale. So, I'll be presenting that forecast at the end of January, asking for board approval the first meeting in February. For our new board members, that refunding right now is estimated to generate between eight and $10 million in savings. That that's money that will save our taxpayers at this point in time. We will continually evaluate those tranches as we go forward. This is actually our 2017 series. So we're now at a point where we can recognize that and and we'll take that savings as we move forward

108and and my team and I will commit to continue to evaluate that. So those are two pieces we have right now. Um Dr. Miranda's opening comments I think lead right into uh communication I've had with all of the board at this point. In March we're going to be bringing back Dr. Rosa who again further reinforce and cement the progress we've begun last year on academic return on investment. Um I'm passionate about that. I know the administrative team, the board, I think that's something that including internal audit we can all come together on because at the end of the day I think you said it most articulately. We're here for students and we can contribute through that through the distribution of our resources and making sure if it's not successful or it isn't working, how do

109we reallocate those resources? How do we come together as an administrative team and board to really look at the data to help us drive those decisions so that at the end of the day when we're working with students, it's it's that resource maximization. So, if you haven't seen the email yet, that date is out there as a placeholder. It's March 19th. It's actually going to be here in in this location. We'll be communicating out. Dr. Chapman will have team members there. She'll be there, myself, my team, etc. board. We'll have some community leaders as well. So, that that was exciting. Um, I've had an opportunity to work with her before. I think there's a lot of great things that will come of that as we continue to partner with Dr. Rosa and her team. Um,

110one item that you see on the agenda tonight in my section that you won't see again for another year, excuse me, is our tax budget. I communicated out that that is a compliance issue that we need to have approved this evening for fiscal year 27. It encompasses all of our revenue and expenses for the following fiscal year. That'll be submitted to the county auditor. So just tonight as you see that piece of legislation on there. That's kind of the why behind that. We are required to submit that every year. So if you have any questions on any of those, feel free to ask me tonight. Follow up after as things pop into your head. And gosh, what did he say? What did he mean on this? I'm here to help. My team is here to

111help. I look forward to working with each of you this year and hopefully pushing student success further. >> Thank you, Dr. Pierce. >> Thank you so much, President Miranda. Dr. Cook, for our community members that are listening in or may watch this as a later date in two or three sentence, can you tell them why it's so important that you do have to be compliant with the tax budget that we're submitting? >> Yeah, it places our funding at risk. It would be an audit citation and it would create compliance issues for the district I think is the summarization of that. It's a legal requirement we have to do. >> And what does it outline specifically? >> Our revenues and expenditures for fiscal year 27. >> Thank you so much. >> You may not be able

112to answer this, but do you know the impact of the new legislation around the property taxes yet or when will you know? I will unveil that to the board on the 27th, but I can tell you there is an impact with respect to that. We are still part of the nuance with House Bill 335 is there's no formula out there yet. So, we continue to pour through that. We're working with LSC to see what these actual calculations are going to be. We we've got some industry experts that are working on this as well. Yes, there is an impact. Yes, it is negative to the district. Um I think anything with respect to property tax reform at this point isn't good. There's there's been a messaging in the community um that you know Columbus we're not

113getting hit by the 20 mil floor. There's a lot of angst around that. What I can tell you is and we'll discuss this as we navigate through the next forecast. We are going to be at the 20 mil floor in relatively short order. So while there's no impact today in a re-evaluation cycle or two we're going to be there. Um while it's not material given the size of our budget, yeah, that impact is less materials for students, it contributes to that deficit that we're spending. So yes, there is an impact. We're we're scrambling and pulling out our hair as districts around the state are to take a look at what is that math behind House Bill 335. We need to know that. We we feel pretty tight on it, but I really want to see

114from LSC where we're at. >> Thank you. Other questions for Mr. Cook >> my report. >> Our next item, we don't have anyone sign up for um this hearing. So um that hearing is closed and we can move on. We are moving now to voting on the consent agenda. >> Motion to approve the consent agenda. >> Second. Any discussion or anything anybody are there any items a member would like to have removed and voted on individually from the consent agenda? >> If no >> motion to approve consent agenda no we're we're at a vote. Yes. No discussion. >> Okay. >> Mr. Katameir. >> Yes. >> Mr. Simmons. >> Yes. >> President Dr. Miranda. >> Yes. >> Dr. Pierce, >> yes. >> Vice President, >> yes. >> Dr. Kennedy, >> yes. >> Mr. Dair, >> yes.

115>> Motion carried. >> Our next item is approval of the minutes. >> No, it's in the consent. >> We're all the way down to 26. >> Yeah. Oh, that was under the consent. Thank you. >> We have 25.1. I have other legislation. >> Yes, we don't actually have >> We don't actually. >> It was moved back then consent. Yeah. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> So, it's 26. So we can skip it. So we're down there. >> The motion to adjurnn. So >> there is no executive session. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> You just had to get it in there, right? Do we have a second to adjurnn? Thank you, Mr. Simmons. All those in favor? I I >> No opposed. The meeting is adjourned.