BOE 2025-12-02

001one. 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. >> Mhm. >> Who is your fave character? I can't remember her name. >> It's the one that Zinda plays. I honestly cannot remember her name either, but it was like Desert Spring was like her >> Yes. >> one of her names, 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. [laughter] >> 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

002that 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 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

003there, go to theaters, watch it. Um, I believe it'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. [music] Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. >> [music] [music] >> 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. [music] 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 [music] brought a lot to my life. I believe I'm a family. We're a family.

004I really enjoy what [music] 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 [music] here, and that's educate. Actually taught me how to drive, taught me directions. North side, east side, west side. I didn't know where I was going when I first started. Now I know everywhere, the whole Columbus. Tuition [music] reimbursement. I was able to go to school. Come join us. Apply now. Sec.org. >> [music] >> Today we went to all of the theater schools, so all of the [music] 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

005seeing 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 [music] everything that you need to and you just stay focused on the stuff that you want, then you can really do it. It >> was such an exciting [music] 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 [music] 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

006our elementary, middle school, and high school students. >> We always talk to the kids about what happens after elementary school, but um an event like [music] 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. [music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] Heat [music] up here. Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. [music] [music] Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. >> [music] >> My name is Lolita Vaughn and I am a special ed instructional assistant for Columbus schools. I have been employed with the district for 11 plus years now. >> [music] >> I chose to work for [music] Columbus City School because I like helping children and families. Um, coming from a background of being [music] a home childcare

007provider for 12 years, it just fit. >> They see theirel when they look at me. Most of our students, you know, are African-Amean and there's not [music] 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 affect change. They see it. They see a positive role model. They see a positive male, positive figure in [music] their life. >> This past graduation class was my first class of sixth graders. So, they graduated last year [music] 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. [music] And I was the only middle school teacher there for this particular student. And so I got to hand her a

008diploma 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 currently in my classroom um with the Clever Touch uh board. I also have the ability to get my master's degree through [music] Columbus City Schools um and take additional classes for my coursework for absolutely free and incorporated into my teacher schedule. I chose to work in the district because I grew up in an inner city school and I [music] met a school nurse that was a nurse of color and I wanted to be in a school district that had more students that were [music] minority so they could see that they could succeed in whatever field they chose to be in. They have continuous trainings and um [music] workshops

009that we can do at our pace online through public school works. They also have a nocost out-of-pocket [music] college tuition that we can go to school to obtain our degree. >> Everybody is is cheering for everybody. Everybody is rooting for everybody. Everybody has one goal and that's to educate our students. Everything focuses around our students. And that that's the biggest thing. That's why I'm [music] in Columbus. That's why I wouldn't leave Columbus. There's there's a lot of room for growth. You're going to continue to learn. You're going to meet so many people. You're going to connect with people. If you desire to be administrator, you can go that route. If you desire to be in a a Tulsa position, a teacher on special assignment, [music] you can go that route. You're going to grow. >>

010You get a lot of different diverse pockets in Columbus and I think it says a lot with the district as well. Whatever community you find yourself teaching in, you are [music] impacting a certain community. Um, I find myself in the east side impacting a certain and I know friends in the north and the west side that are doing different work with different populations [music] of students that it's it's really rewarding. If you love working with students [music] and family from all walks of life, then come join our team. The opportunity [music] to be a part of a great team is here. I cannot say enough about friendships that I have made with so many amazing people. My family has grown and I love it. I can't wait to [music] meet you and welcome to our

011team. Oh, one, two, one, two, three. I woke in a [singing] blaze of lightning. I felt the feel inside me when I was younger. I could handle night. I need a [music] reason to undermine [singing] my restless mind. >> If I could only [music and singing] stop the passive time. Do you find friends [music] when you go out drifting over the plead? It's just a silly of a dream. I lost [music and singing] some things that matter. The year had left [singing] me shatter. No matter how hard I try, I can't shake [singing] the pain. I tried [singing and music] to give up under the mezzanine. You [singing] held my hand in the end, but [music] you wouldn't let me. Do you miss me when you go out drifting? [music] Greetings and [music] welcome to

012this week's highlights from across the district. The Columbus City Schools community came together to support one another in a big way [music] before Thanksgiving. On Saturday, November 22nd, I joined staff, community partners, and NBC4 at the Fort Hayes campus to distribute 1,800 turkeys to families in need. Thank you to everyone who donated or came out in the cold to help others celebrate this holiday. Another [music] chance to give back to Columbus is the Stuff the Bus Christmas Drive happening now in schools and offices [music] across the district. In partnership with our classified staff and NBC4, drop off new unwrapped toys for children 12 and under in the provided boxes to bring some warmth to a family this winter. Toys will be distributed on Saturday, December 13th. We know that strong schools are the foundation of

013vibrant communities and businesses play a crucial role in fulfilling this mission. On Tuesday, November 18th, I proudly [music] led a panel discussion with the Columbus Chamber of Commerce to discuss how education and industry can work together to transform the region's workforce. As part of the chamber's inclusion series, the panel featured a few of the district's most innovative partnerships. Equin therapy with Dreams on Horseback, skilled trades with the City of Columbus Department of Building and Zoning Services, and Whole Child Supports with Robert Wiler Company. Together, we shared the tools that lead to successful partnerships and mutually [music] beneficial outcomes for all. On Saturday, November 15th, the district partnered with TechCore Columbus to host the 7th annual TechCore hackathon. Afroentric Early College opened its doors to serve as home base and welcomed over 200 students, many new

014to spent the day learning how to code, problem solve, innovate, and compete. Students from several Columbus City high schools joined their [music] peers from neighboring school districts. They worked in teams using real world development software to design and prototype mobile apps that address real community challenges with guidance from industry mentors and university professors. The teams presented their projects to a panel of judges showcasing creativity, teamwork, and solutions to make the difference in the community. Their work proves that the next generation of tech leaders are grown right here in central Ohio. Pathway Express is heading to its next stop on Saturday, December 13th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. We're inviting all CCS students and their families to join us at the historic Lincoln Theater for a day of learning, creativity, and fun completely free of

015charge. The Lincoln Theater, built in 1928, is a landmark of Africanamean culture [music] and jazz history. And during this special event, your family will be able to explore the arts in hands-on and meaningful ways. Here's what you can look forward to. Trying out improv acting and building communication skills. Exploring storytelling through movement and music. Getting hands-on with theater [music] lights and sound. Learning about careers in the arts. Discovering Columbus history inside this iconic venue. and meeting awardwinning author Christopher Paul Curtis. It's a wonderful chance for families to connect, create, and learn together. And again, everything is absolutely free, including parking. For more information or to register, just visit our website. We can't wait to see you at the Lincoln Theater on Saturday, December 13th. These have been your highlights from around the district for December

0162nd. Thank you so much for joining us. >> Good evening all and welcome to this evening's uh Columbus City School Board of Education regular board business meeting. Uh Mr. Treasure, can we call the role? >> Miss Engles >> here. >> Dr. Pierce >> present. >> Miss Reyes >> here. >> Mr. Simmons >> present. >> Miss Vera >> here. >> Vice President Adair >> present. >> President Cole >> I am here. >> You have a quorum. >> Uh thank you. All right. Can we rise for the pledge? >> I aliance to the flag of United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. Uh so before we approve tonight's agenda uh let me give a brief overview. Uh of course we'll begin

017with public comment that will be in section three. Then we'll walk into board matters and through board matters is comprised of 10 resolutions uh that extend from 4.1 to 4.11. We'll then go into uh sections 5.1 to 7.1 that deal with executive level reports uh from our direct reports and then we'll move into sections 8.1 to 24.4 that would be our consent agenda and then we will not have executive session this evening and subsequently adjourn. Uh this is our uh board agenda. Is there a motion? Motion to approve the agenda. >> Motioned and seconded. Call the role. >> Vice President Adair. >> Yes. >> Miss Vera. >> Yes. >> Miss Engles. >> Yes. >> Dr. Pierce. >> Yes. >> Miss Reyes. >> Yes. >> Mr. Simmons. >> Yes. >> President Cole. >> Yes. >> All

018right. Thank you all. Let's get started uh by welcoming our guest this evening. Uh we'll get right into our first series of public speakers. That is Leah Kia. Leah. Oh, I'm sorry about that. Leah Keane. Forgive me. Welcome this evening. >> You good evening, Dr. Chapman, board president Cole, and members of the board. My name is Leah Keane, and I am a counselor at Walnut Ridge High School. Tonight, I speak on behalf of the school counselors of this district. We are the only professionals in schools whose job is to support students academic growth, social, emotional development, and career and college readiness. Every student, every grade, every tier. Our district is considering cuts that would eliminate school counselor positions. I want to be very clear about the impact of that decision. When counselors are cut, academic

019progress declines. Research from multiple national studies shows that increasing counselor to student case load ratios results in lower and lower reading and math achievement, higher failure rates, fewer students reaching graduation benchmarks, and significant increases in discipline incidents. One study showed that school counselors helped to reduce misbehaviors by 20 to 30% and improved academic achievement significantly, more than reducing class size and adding additional teachers. Counselors are not extra. We are essential to meeting your three board goals. Third grade reading proficiency, seventh grade math proficiency, graduation rates. These goals are fundamentally human development goals and counselors are one of the only few staff trained to address those barriers that makes learning impossible. Trauma, attendance issues, anxiety, family instability, behavior concerns, and unmet mental health needs. Last year alone, counselors provided support in submitting 12,419 classroom lessons, 5,300

020small group sessions, 127,000 individual student contacts, 3,400 referrals to community agencies, 12,000 high school course plans, and 6,000 college applications. Cutting counselors means fewer adults trained to recognize suicide warning signs. Fewer interventions before minor issues become crises. Fewer students receiving academic planning and credit checks. Fewer families receiving attendance support. More unresolved behavior issues in classrooms, increased burden on principles, teachers, nurses, social workers, and police, and ultimately reduced academic performance districtwide. If we remove counselors, we do not remove the needs. We simply remove the people who are trained to meet them. Your board goals require improving outcomes by 10 percentage points or more by 2028. Meeting those goals without adequate counselor staffing is not possible. We ask you to consider the cost of cutting counselors, not just in dollars, but in student risk, school safety, academic

021performance, and the mental health of our children. Counselors keep students learning. They keep them safe and they keep them on the path to graduation. Cuts to counselors are cuts to safety, cuts to academic achievement, and cuts to the future of this district. We urge you to protect these positions. Our students cannot afford this loss. [applause] Welcome this evening. Once you begin, you have three minutes. >> Good evening, President Cole, Vice President Adair, current and future board members, Superintendent Dr. Chapman, and staff. I would also like to welcome our community. If you could stand with me in solidarity while I speak, I would appreciate it. Tonight you will hear from a variety of voices. There will be emotion. There will be frustration and anger. But most of all, you will hear passion. I hope you I

022hope you go beyond hearing us, but listen, absorb and act as you take on this difficult decision. And it is a difficult decision. I implore you to think about why you joined to run for a position on this board. Was it so that you could help steer this district to greatness? Was this a stepping stone for something greater for you? Was it for personal reasons? I don't ask that you address these questions aloud. This is a time of self-reflection, and I do hope you reflect. >> [sighs] >> I hope you reflect on your motivations to be stewards of district policy. The com community voted you because we believed in you to not only handle this district in a way that was prudently both financially and educationally. But we implore we voted you in to handle

023these difficult decisions. We should be the district that is the model for public education. After all, we have produced great alumni that have affected not just their community, the city, the state, the nation, and yes, the world. For over 100 years, we have fought budget concerns. We have fought lack of funding. We will continue this fight, but we need to do it in a way that is intentional. Transparency and communication are lacking and they feel performative. Mismanagement of funding, failure to listen to committee and task force recommendations, failure to execute the facilities master plan, failure to act in a t timely manner, fam failure to equitably resource our own schools. This failure to also Yeah. failure to also take on leg legislation that is not only harmful to our students but is a gross deprivation

024of rights. I hope you do the right thing and delay this vote today. [applause] >> Thank you. >> Our next speaker is Meline Youngman. >> [cough] [clears throat] [snorts] >> Welcome, Miss Youngman. Um, you have three minutes once you begin. >> All right. Good evening, President Cole, Vice President Adair, Treasurer Cook, Superintendent Dr. Chapman, and members of the board. Um, my name is Beth. I am a parent at Aendale Elementary. And this is Maddie. And she has um prepared something to share that I will read for you today. Maddie, can I tell them how old you are and what grade you go? Maddie is seven and a second grader at Aenddale. She says, "I don't get why they don't like us in our school. There are lots of kids. This is just stupid. Why can't

025they just ask more people to go to Aendale? Because it's a great school. They are not allowed to kick us out of our school. I love the teachers there. I have lots of friends there. I really like it there. I don't want to go to a new school. No. Can my parents get me back into Aendale if you send us to other schools? This is very mean. Thank you. [applause] Thank you. Our next speaker is Joanne Arasco. Welcome this evening, Mr. Oasuscoll. >> You have three minutes. Why don't you begin? >> Good evening, board members and Dr. Chapman. My name is Joanna and I'm proud to be one of the 71 school social workers working in Columbus City Schools. I'm currently serving at West High School. When I was hired, our department had fewer than

02630 social workers serving more than 100 buildings. That meant most of us were responsible for multiple buildings. I was assigned to five spread across different sides of Columbus. And as many of you know, each part of our city has its own unique identity, challenges, and strengths. But that is exactly where school social workers shine. We are trained to support people from in utero to the end of their life. We are trained to work with diverse communities. We excel in crisis and we adapt to discomfort. What are what makes our department especially extraordinary is the depth of expertise that we have within our department. We have school social workers that have backgrounds all across the spectrum of social work. Child welfare, clinical practice, foster care, medical social work, domestic violence, substance abuse treatment, hospice, juvenile justice,

027community and advocacy, and so much more. This collective knowledge exists within this department alone. and it is an incredible asset. Within our department, you will also find PBIS coordinators, MTSS coordinators, 504 coordinators, social workers serving on building leadership teams. We run suicide prevention programming and facilitate groups like rocks and grief support. Our department completes the vast majority of home visits that's completed for this district. Within the first month of school, our team completed hundreds of home visits. We are out in the community leaking linking families to resources and to remove the non-academic barriers to keep students thriving. Our work spans on all three tiers of intervention, ensuring that every student receives the individual support that they need. We also work with unaccompanied youth. These are students living without custodial parents or even on their own.

028Our role is to make sure these students remain cared for, connected to school, and graduate. We have stood in food pantry lines so students wouldn't have to miss school to eat. We have advocated with our city council members to ensure that they receive essential benefits and we stood beside them in court. We support them through housing emergencies and mental health emergencies. We do whatever it takes to remove barriers that gets in way of their education. This is the work of school social workers. This is the commitment we bring to Columbus City Schools every day. This is the impact that we are honored to make. I live in this district. I serve this district and my children attend this district. This is my community, my home, and I am fully invested in the success of every

029student, every family, and every school in Columbus City Schools. My hope is that the district not only sees the value of our department, but continues to strengthen it, invest in it, and protect in it. Because when school social workers are supported, our students are supported. And when our students thrive, the entire district thrives. Thank you. >> Thank you. [applause] >> [cough] [applause] >> Thank you. Our next speaker is Corey Fry. >> Good evening, sir. Once you begin, you have three minutes. >> Good evening, Dr. Chapman and members of the board. Thank you for the opportunity to speak about the role of our elementary school counselors tonight. My name is Corey Fry and I've been the school counselor at Aenddale Elementary School since 2014. I have worked for the Columbus City Schools since 2005 and I

030am also a former CCS student. When I became a school counselor, I planned to work in high school. However, with no high school positions, I was placed at Aenddale where I assumed that I would leave as quickly as possible to return to the high school level. After one day at Aendale, I knew that I would accept that my vocational life plans had changed. I was now an elementary school counselor. Elementary school counselors understand that early intervention is the best intervention. We may be the first adults in a young child's life to help them learn how to understand emotions, solve conflicts, and use coping skills. We help them feel safe at school, motivate them to keep coming back, and build the foundation for success to come. We are also fanatical about data, as you've already heard

031once tonight, harnessing and utilizing empirical outcomes to drive our best practices. I would like to share some numbers with you from last school year when our 77 elementary school counselors accomplished the following. We delivered 9,193 classroom lessons at the tier 1 level. We ran 4,417 small groupoup sessions with 548 small groups at the tier 2 level. We completed 381 suicidal risk assessments and 42 homicidal risk assessments. We made 234 referrals to outside agencies for tier three individualized counseling and therapy. We assisted with the creation of 3,817 attendance plans for frequently absent students. And finally, we had 52,780 individual one-on-one student sessions. These numbers reflect not just activity, but crises averted, lives impacted, and future strengthened. We illuminate and expand their world with career days, field trips, and community collaboration. We organize, monitor, and implement interventions

032as building MTSS coordinators. As PBIS coordinators, we plan positive rewards to fuel attendance, behavior, and academic growth. Research shows that elementary school counselors increase achievement, particularly for boys, and reduce misbehavior by more than 20%. We also provide an academic return on investment higher than other common interventions. The financial cost of losing school counselors is far greater than any short-term savings. According to a report from the state of Colorado in the year 2022, that state spent $16 million to retain school counselors, an investment that saved them over $300 million in social safety net services. This amounts to a savings of $20 for every $1 spent on keeping school counselors. Ultimately though, we are the ones who recognize humanity in our students. The school counselor is not optional and we are not every other day. We are

033the connective tissue of the school, the vital organ at the center of climate, culture, and achievement. We respectfully ask that you protect our positions. The financial return is enormous, but the academic, social, emotional, and human outcomes are larger, making the school counselor the strongest investment this district can make. We recognize the difficulty of decisions about positions, but our purpose tonight is not to claim that one role is more important than another, but to ensure you understand the vital work that elementary school counselors perform. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Fry. [applause] Our next speaker is Nicole Sori. >> Welcome this evening. When you begin, you will have three minutes. >> Thank you. Good evening. Thank you, President Cole, Vice President Adair, Treasurer Cook, Superintendent Dr. Chapman and board members for your time today. I'm Nicole

034Ceriche. This is my son, Miles. Sorry, I take my gum out. Um, he is a second grader at Aenddale Elementary in Franklin. Um, and he's been there for four years now. I am here to urge the board of education to seriously find a creative solution to keep Aenddale Elementary open rather than close due to capacity concerns. of missing our mark by 1%. Especially since we got little to no notice for staff members and parents literally. So this is why I think we should keep Aenddale open more from a heart space. From the first day our children are energetic energetically warmly welcomed back to school partner with the nationwide hockey team, midyear musicals, math night to events like muffins with moms or donuts with dad to very end of to the very end of the year

035graduations. Aendelle gives our kids educational growth, but also real personal care on emotional and mental level. Anything that our students or parents or guardians need. And I'm talking food, clothes, shelter. We see our principal that who's standing in right now, Angela Martin. Teachers that are here tonight, our counselor who just spoke, Mr. Fry. This level of care goes beyond the walls of this school. That warmth and community goes to us parents in different subcultures of parents who are stay connected concerns with birthdays, clothing swaps. Just recently, two weeks ago, a friend of mine brought over his daughter's bag of clothes for my daughter. I have a daughter as well. To Fourth of July to kids coming to our school to sit on our porch after school, okay, or in the summertime. Not only that, on

036a personal note, which I wasn't going to speak, but I bring it up, my daughter graduated from the school from death at three. She's six now at Huey with speech focus with sign language backup. and next year would be her first year attending school with her her brother because she's grown out of it to be mainstream. And I couldn't think of a better place to bring her. And on a deeply personal note, I live across the street, so I get to see the energy if I pop in once in a while and see the teachers out there playing with our kids, the vents that they have, our neighbors watching them. So my call to action and to recap is Aendale might be small. Our community might be small. There might be all those buildings that

037are being built right now, but we are mighty. I asked the board of Aendelle, board of tonight and along with the Aendell team members to collaborate to launch any type of marketing they can do to attract more families to come or to bring schools and integrate them into our school. That school has been there for a very long time. So, please let's ensure that Aendelle thrives for years to come. Thank you so much. >> Thank you, Miss Sichi. [applause] Our next speaker is Kimberly Mopen. >> Good evening, Miss Mopin. >> Good evening, Min. >> Min. Thank you. I'm so used to French pronunciation. Mop. Forgive me. >> Good evening board members and Dr. Chapman. My name is Kim Min. I'm the senior faculty representative for building substitutes and also the current building substitute at Aenddale

038Elementary. In 2019, I retired after 32 successful years of teaching in Columbus and returned to be a full-time building substitute. I'm also a CCS graduate. I'm speaking on building substitutes being on the list of staff cuts this evening. There's so many reasons that it's imperative to have a full-time building substitute at every building. Consistency is key. The trust and rapport built with students, staff, families, and community members promote a positive, productive learning environment. highquality instruction. Our subs have had professional development and experience in using all aspects of the curriculum. In the absence of their teacher, the students remain on their path to high achievement instead of sitting for hours working on meaningless busy work. Student safety. Not only are our subs aware of the individual needs of our students academically, but also behaviorally, emotionally, and

039medically. Reduce the burden on the classroom teachers. Teachers come to school prepared for their day only to find out classes are being split. They'll get extra kids due to no substitute being available. There will not be enough space or supplies or materials that day. There will not be any small group or interventions individually that day. Students on IEPs will not receive services that day, unfortunately. Guaranteed seamless class coverage. Our subs know the routines, the expectations, and policies, making for smooth transitions and minimal disruption in student learning. They have stepped up on short notice for long-term coverages as well as long year-long vacancies, taking on all of the responsibilities of planning, grading, and testing. This allows our schools to maintain the education of our students, even in the midst of a teacher, national teacher shortage. Which

040brings me to our pathway to lure program. Fortunately, many of our subs have completed or in the process of completing their alternative lure requirements and have dedicated themselves to becoming a full-time teacher in Columbus City Schools. I'm asking you this evening to reconsider putting our invaluable building substitutes on the staff staff reductions list. It would be devastating to the Columbus City School students. Thank you. and um please keep Aenddale as a community building. It's amazing there. >> Thank you, ma'am. [applause] >> Uh our next speaker is Deborah Scene. I hope I'm saying that correctly. If I'm not, I apologize. >> It's divor line. >> Okay. Thank you. Good evening, Superintendent Dr. Chapman and members of the board. My name is D'vor Line and I am one of 71 school social workers proudly serving Columbus City

041Schools. I am here today to speak to the critical importance and profound impact school social workers have on our district every single day. School social workers are the only licensed mental health professionals employed directly by our schools. Our presence is not just beneficial, it's measurable. Research that included Columbus City Schools shows a clear positive correlation between the number of school social workers and increased high school graduation rates. When students have access to a school social worker, they're more likely to walk across that stage. Diploma in hand. Why is that? Because our work extends far beyond school walls. We build strong, trusting relationships not only with students but with their families. Each year, my colleagues and I complete numerous home visits to identify and address barriers that make school attendance difficult. We meet families where they

042are, literally and figuratively, so their children can come to school ready to learn. We are uniquely trained to meet the mental health needs of our students. Every year we support students struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, and overwhelming stress. We help them find their voice, talk to their families about what they are facing, and connect them with community resources and ongoing counseling. In the most serious situations, we have walked families step by step through the process of hospitalization to ensure a child receives the critical care they need. This is life-changing and sometimes life-saving work. When SNAP benefits were cut this year, school social workers immediately stepped up. We organized emergency food pantries. I did in my building because families were calling with urgent needs and no transportation to reach existing resources. This is what school social

043workers do. When circumstances change, we respond quickly, compassionatively, and effectively. School social workers are an essential part of Columbus City Schools community and Columbus voters agree the levy passed in 2023 not only preserved existing school social worker positions but also funded additional ones. As the Columbus City Schools website proudly states, "Our promises made our promises kept." This is a commitment that must continue. School social workers serve as the critical bridge connecting home, school, and the broader community, helping to build strong, stable, and supportive networks for our students. Tonight, I urge you to protect and preserve all 71 school social worker positions, not just for this year, but for many years to come. Our students deserve meaningful access to mental health support. Our families deserve dedicated advocates. Our schools deserve professionals committed to breaking down barriers

044so that every child can succeed. Thank you. [applause] >> Thank you, Miss Slime. >> Our next speaker is Cameron McCann. Good evening, Cameron. You have three minutes. >> Good evening to the board, the attendees tonight, and all those watching remotely. Thank you for giving me the time to speak today. My name is Cameron McCann and I am a building sub at Highland Elementary School. I am here tonight to implore the board to maintain an adequate level of staffing for the building substitute program. While I understand that our district's finances are significantly impacted by the actions of our state legislature and that the current situation is dire, the families of thousands of students and educators are counting on you to protect our staff's livelihoods. Our current building substitutes have spent years serving our children and supporting

045our district's mission of producing students who are highly educated, prepared for leadership and service, and empowered for success as citizens in a global community. In the conversations I've had with my colleagues, either through organizing our unit or attending district professional development days, I have witnessed firsthand our building substitutes commitment. These are dedicated, experienced educators who support our students learning in a variety of ways. In my own building, when not providing coverage for absences, I work with our classroom teachers to support tier one instruction or pull students for targeted tier 2 interventions. I'm also part of our building's crisis team, which I view as a critically important step in providing an atmosphere where all of our students feel safe and ready to learn. What I'm trying to get out here is that what building substitutes provide

046this district is far more than coverage for absences. Some members of this board will have heard me say this many times in the past, but the real value of the building substitute program is in having people who are actually part of our school communities. We come to work to help our students grow as scholars and as people. And by being there every day, we are better able to understand and serve the needs of those students. Our district's mission is impossible without building these kinds of relationships. While I understand that the board has some hard but necessary choices ahead, you must remember that what we are talking about is much more than a line item in a budget. We are talking about real people with real lives. We're talking about educators and members of our community.

047Please do right by these people. Please make the right choice. [applause] >> Thank you. Our final speaker will be Corey Storms. Good evening, Miss Storms. Welcome. >> You will have three minutes. [snorts] >> Good evening, board president Cole, Vice President Adair, and Dr. Chapman, and members of the board. I am Corey Storms, the school counselor at Ohio Avenue Elementary, and I've had the pleasure and privilege to have vocations serving young people all of my adult life, a total of 33 years. Thank you for the opportunity to speak directly about the positive impact elementary school counselors have on our students and what will happen if the district eliminates or reduces our positions. We all recognize the reality and gravity of the financial situation for CCS. However, eliminating and/or reducing our positions is a detrimental mistake. You

048will hinder the excuse me, you will hinder the success of our students and our school district. We are valuable, not optional. We are the front line of school safety, early academic intervention, and behavioral prevention. School counselors provide a vital service and support our students. In essence, we help students navigate the school setting at all school levels and as they are experiencing a plethora of circumstances outside of school that create barriers to their learning. Providing the necessary support and intervention to develop skills and knowledge is not a luxury but a basic human need. >> [snorts] >> It is an honor to be able to pour an abundance of love skills into our students to help them flourish as productive, loving, caring, and healthy people that can contribute to our community and culture. Eliminating, reducing our positions

049will not provide equitable support for our students that deserve the same access to school counseling services and programs just like other students from other school districts. it would be a disservice and further disenfranchise our students since many come from marginalized groups. The research is clear as my fellow colleague Corey number one shared eliminating school counselors results in higher misbehavior and suspension rates lower reading scores and fewer students reading ready for middle school. School counselors reduce misbehavior by up to 29% and significantly improve academic achievement. Here are some context to the positive impact of elementary school counselors from an elementary student. I was recently able to witness the impact of my role on students during two schoolwide events for our select for a select group of 24 fourth and fifth grade students in my leadership program.

050The events focused on acts of kindness and how to make our school community better. One of the fourth grade students commented on the impact of my role at our school. He shared an act of kindness to me as part of our restorative um practices connection circle saying, "Thank you for making our school better." My response to him was, "I don't know how much better I make it, but I do my best." When I said that, I heard so many other students blurt out comments like, "You do miss storms. You do make our school better. You make you really do. You see, elementary school counselors do matter. Even our students can see the value in what we do and that we should be enough evidence that should be enough evidence for all of you. We urge

051you to protect our positions. Our youngest, most vulnerable students are depending on you to do so. Thank you again. Thank you, Miss Storms. [applause] That concludes our public speaking for the evening. Thank each and every one of you for coming tonight and advocacy of children and employees in the district. Your work and time is honored here. I did not want you to leave this evening uh at any point and not know that from each and every one of us here that place tremendous value and belief in not only the work that you do but the potential that you inspire and the young people that you see every day. This is a part of our decision making tonight. So just understand that and again I thank you deeply. Um with that we will get into our

052board matters. Um I want to start with just a very brief comment. Um before us tonight we have a myriad of things to discuss in board matters that address a number of issues. A number of issues financially ultimately a number of issues that impact our employee our personnel space and our non-personnel spaces. Uh tonight is not about any given particular position. It isn't. Any of you who've had the opportunity, including my colleagues, who've had the opportunity to look at our board work this evening uh as designed in our resolutions. Each of these is based on a nominal amount in our non-personnel and personnel space. This is all based on identifying what the bucket is and how much of that bucket has to be reduced. It's the same for the realignment process that we'll take in

053the additional five resolutions that will come to bear. We will be prepared to make a motion as well to suspend policy so that we can actually continue that realignment work respectfully. And I want to definitely thank my board colleague uh Mr. Simmons for ensuring that we're working together to direct our work accordingly the right way. This is what to answer that one question again to demonstrate that one question I got in board uh in our board office hours earlier today. You know, have do you have any out ofthe-box thinkers? Well, again, these are the folks that you see right here at the board table uh that are the first space of out ofthe-box thinking for Columbus City Schools. Um with that, uh let me go right into our very first resolution. And let me I

054would be remiss to say and I think it was uh Mr. McCann who offered some you stole my thunder. You talked about the impact of our decisions tonight on human beings. I want us all at this table and I know that we're cognizant of it. But I want definitely us to demonstrate that cognizance. Let's demonstrate that we are putting people first in our empathy, with our language, with our tone, with the tenor of how we're making decisions and asking questions should we have them. We understand fully that these are decisions that not only impact may impact children, but also impact adults who show up every day to work for children. And that is not something that we give any degree of undermining to at all. And if we have in the past, and I don't

055believe we have, but if we have in the past, I apologize on behalf of the board for that, you are the folks who are the rubber that hits the road for kids every day. And we want to ensure that despite whatever decisions come before us tonight that we that we deliberate upon and subsequently vote up or down that at the end of the day you are actually honored, you are actually believed in and you are actually valued in the process and there's much work to be continued to that degree. With that in mind, let me start by saying at the board's August 19th, 2025 meeting, we directed the district administration to implement a budget reduction of 50 million starting in fiscal year 2027. We further directed the superintendent to provide us with a comprehensive list

056of recommended fiscal year 2027 reductions for consideration and adoption. At our meeting on November 18th, 2025, the superintendent and her team presented proposed ideas for possible budget reductions, including student transportation, non-personnel items such as purchase services, and finally personnel. On the board's agenda tonight, we have a total of six resolutions related to each of these possible areas of reduction. The board will consider and vote on each of these individually. Importantly, the board's actions with respect to each specific resolution will add up and directly impact the total of certificated and classified personnel functions the superintendent will ultimately need to identify and recommend to the board at a latter meeting. and you'll likely find that out in an ongoing basis between January and March of next year. Okay. Um, you'll hear me call a question as we

057get through certain resolutions. Uh, Mr. Treasurer, you'll hear me call, what is the impact to our classified and certified personnel? We have the opportunity tonight, colleagues, to make the best decisions possible to limit the impact, the negative adverse impact on our classified and certified personnel. We have the opportunity via these resolutions to do that. But that's I want you all to know that that is one of our major aims in mind. All right, we'll move right on to our first resolution. first resolution. >> I have a question. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Um, a a few minutes ago, um, you indicated that there would be an suspension of policy 7105. My question to our board and our parliamentarian is, do we need to make a formal vote to suspend that policy? >> We do. So, at

058this point, do you have the motion or would you like me to craft one? >> No. I would like board member Simmons. We can do that now. >> Yes, we can do [clears throat] that now. >> Just due diligence. >> Um yes, thank you, President Cole. Um as a reminder, on October 16th, the joint committees comprised of the academic and facility alignment committee, equitable, transparent, and equitable transparent, oh, excuse me, ETRM, and the policy and governance committee. Um they did meet and recommend to the board of education that we um vote to resend policy 7105. That is the closure of school buildings. Policy that requires a task force to comprise a list of school buildings to be considered for closure. Um the process the um district has chosen to use this time is a little

059bit different. It's more of a superintendent originated process. And so that's just a reminder of the back um story here. But I will now make a motion. Um I will motion that the board of education suspend excuse me. I will motion that the board of education resend pol I will motion that the board of education suspend policy um >> to take action on the recommendations and that is a motion >> is it seconded >> is there a date >> um no colleagues the um suspension would end at the beginning of our next board meeting just for how our rules function >> okay so there is a date in mind do we have the date for this please >> um Dr. Mr. Pierce, that would be December 16. >> December 16th. So, can you revise your

060motion to say until December 16th? >> Sure. Um, I will revise my motion to say that um I motion the board of education suspend policy 7105 until the beginning of our regular board business meeting on December 16th at 6 p.m. at 6:30, excuse me. >> Motioned and seconded. Mr. Treasurer, call the role. >> Yes. >> One quick ma'am. So um the policy is sitting in the academic um AAC committee and so that policy is currently being worked on. The policy and governance committee has recommended it on to one of our academic committees for review. And so while I uh will support the motion tonight, I am not in favor of this practice of this board of suspending that policy in particular because we have worked so hard on it and are trying to make sure

061that that moves through uh committees and because of the joint committee structure uh the committee has not yet taken up the policy, but I would like to see that taken up as soon as possible if not the beginning of next year. And I think that's why it's so important that we added that date to clarify the date at which it was suspended to acknowledge the great work that your committee's done. >> Duly noted. Thank you. Uh it has been motioned and seconded. Call the role. >> Miss Vera, >> yes. >> Miss Engles, >> yes. >> Dr. Pierce, >> yes. >> Miss Reyes, >> yes. >> Mr. Simmons, >> yes. >> Vice President Adair, >> yes. >> President Cole, >> yes. >> Motion carried. >> All right. Thank you all. Um All right. So our first

062resolution um is resolution to direct the superintendent to identify administrative positions to be abolished. What I'd like to do is read that resolution and this would be read as a motion to direct the superintendent to identify administrative positions to to be abolished. The estimated cost reduction being $6.6 million. Based on the information and recommendations presented, the board directs the superintendent to one, no later than January 31st, 2026, identify and recommend to the board up to 56 central office non-school-based administrative positions and up to four school-based administrator positions for abolishment to be effective for the 2026 27 school year, consistent with applicable law and board policy. take such actions consistent uh with and as are reasonably necessary to carry out this resolution. This is a motion. >> Second. >> Motion and seconded. Call the role. >>

063Miss Engles. >> Yes. >> Dr. Pierce, >> yes. >> Miss Reyes, >> yes. >> Mr. Simmons, >> yes. >> Miss Vera, >> yes. >> Vice President Hadair, >> yes. >> President Cole, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Motion passes. All right. Thank you for that initial work. Again, this is a board that has demonstrated its due diligence and committed attention to the concerns and values of the community that said that we need to look at our highest spaces of office administration and be required to make some cuts to make those reductions. And we have taken that first step with $6.6 million. All right, we'll move on to our second Resolution 4.3 is to direct the superintendent to implement reductions in non-personnel general fund expenditures. I will read this resolution as a motion. To direct the

064superintendent to implement reductions and non-personnel general fund expenditures. Estimated cost reduction $8.8 million. Based on the information and recommendations presented, the board directs superintendent to implement reductions and non-personnel general fund expenditures to constitute a cost reduction of at least $8.8 million to be effective no later than the beginning of the 2627 school year or at such later date as may be required by any underlying contract. because this again is dealing in non-personnel. This is largely dealing with contracts and those relationships that we have in those spaces. Um take number two is take such other actions consistent with and a and as are reasonable necessary to carry out this resolution. This is a motion. >> Second. >> It is motioned and seconded. Call the role. >> Dr. Pierce, >> yes. >> Miss Reyes, >> yes. >>

065Mr. Simmons, >> yes. >> Miss, >> yes. Miss Vera, >> yes. >> Vice President Adair, >> yes. >> President Cole, >> yes. >> Motion passes. >> All right. Now, we're going to approach resolutions 4.4 and 4.5 in a bit of a joint kind of way. The way that I'm really asking us to take a look at this is as a series of two options. Option 4.4 4 being its own option as a resolution and option 4.5 being its own option as a resolution. Option 4.4 just for a general context. Option 4.4 actually is a reduction that will require the superintendent, the board of education to go to state minimum with regards to 9th through 12th grade transportation. That will be the elimination, this represents the elimination of transportation for 9th through 12th grade students. What

066this also is asking in the language, and I'm happy to read it if anyone would like me to, um, what's also happening in this particular resolution 4.4 for is the superintendent. We are directing the superintendent and the future board president or the president's designate to convene a work group of comprised of Kota and other stakeholders to identify reasonable means and methods by which to transport students and create some additional options for students in mass transportation. So again, 4.4 is the elimination of transportation, traditional or non for Columbus City School students in grades 9 through 12. >> Say it again. >> Thank you for that. In school year, and both of these resolutions have a couple things in common. The first is the year of actual implementation. the year the school year of implementation will be

067school year 2728. So the actual implementation of either of these policies, if we choose one, one negates the other. I need you to understand that as well. If we chose 4.4, we've chosen 4.4 and we've eliminated transportation. If we choose 4.5, which I'll describe in brevity in just a moment, but as clearly as I can, then we've made that choice for 4.5 and it negates 4.4. It takes it totally off the table. >> Does everyone understand that? >> Yes. You going to read the resolution? >> Just give me a moment, please. Um, again, I want to reiterate that these don't begin until 2728 school year. that is August 2027 through the school year 2028 and subsequent. That means that transportation for high school students will take place will continue full freight as they have for

068school year 2026 that will go undisrupted. I needed everybody to understand that. Okay. All right. Resolution 4.5 is different and distinct in that it will continue transportation for grades 9 through 12. It will look to continue that, but it will not do it in the traditional yellow bus sense. What this resolution offers is the district affording the cost with through mass transportation in a way that we're actually doing right now. So by means of mass transportation through Kota, we would continue 9th through 12th transportation by affording bus passes for students. What we don't know the full number on at this point in time is how much that would cost for charter non-public students because as per state law, we have to h we actually have to incorporate that body of students as well. So that

069represents a particular redux reduced amount of somewhere in the four over $4 million. But I'll read that just momentarily. All right. Uh and again it also includes that workg group requirement on the part of the administration and the board to convene in partnership to find viable solutions for transportation for students. You'll hear me say it at the table live here. If an entity wants to represent what is best for students, what is best for a customer that is a group of students in the district as the professional go-to space for transportation, make this your line of business. If you want to incorporate this, make it your line of business. There not a lot of bus riders in this city. Most of this city drives. That means there's a unique and rich, incredible opportunity to accommodate

070Columbus City School 9th through 12th grade students in a way that's safe, in a way that could be uniquely designed to them. Make this your line of business. Let's do that together. All right, let me start with 4.4 resolution 4.4 Four reads to reduce student transportation to state minimum requirements. Effective for the school year 26 2027 through 2028 school year. The district will reduce transportation for students in grades 9 through 12 to state minimum requirements consistent with applicable law. The district shall otherwise provide student transportation services to the extent required by law. Number two, the superintendent is directed to develop and implement a student transportation plan for the 2027 2028 school year consistent with and take such other actions as are reasonably necessary to carry out this resolution. Three, the superintendent is directed to establish

071a work group in consultation with the board president or designate with the central Ohio Transit Authority, the city of Columbus, andor other relevant stakeholders to work collaboratively to explore mass transit options for students in grades 9 through 12 who would otherwise be eligible for transportation by the district in accordance with applicable law and to make recommendations to the board no later than January 31st, 2027. All right, that is the first motion. Let me go back to 4.5 and read that. And I'm offering them both as I'm offering one at a time for consideration. I'm offering one at a time for consideration, but I'm uplifting them both side by side so that we all understand what it is that we're doing here. Okay. So, uh to reduce 4.5 is to reduce student transportation to state minimum

072requirements and provide mass transportation passes for students in grades 9 through 12. Estimated cost reduction here is $4.8 million. So, the first is over $7 million. This one is just just slightly under $5 million in savings in reduction. in reduction. Effective for 2728 school year, the district will not provide traditional school bus transportation for students in grades 9 through 12 except as otherwise required by applicable law. In lie of traditional school bus transportation, the district shall provide cost-effective mass transit options through the central Ohio transit authority or other providers for all students in grades 9 through 12 who would otherwise be eligible for transportation by the district in accordance with applicable law. The district shall otherwise provide student transportation services to the extent required by law. And then clause two is the stu the superintendent

073is directed to establish a workg group in consultation with the board president or designate with kota the city of Columbus and any other relevant stakeholder to work collaboratively together to develop an implementation plan for the 2728 school year for the consideration and approval of the board no later than January 31st. Bless you. 2027 colleagues. >> Mr. President, I would like to go ahead and offer the resolution that is part of uh item 4.4 um and make a motion uh that that be the one that we consider to reduce student transportation estate minimum requirements with the estimated cost reduction of $7.2 million. >> Second. >> It has been motioned and seconded. At this point in time, option 4.4 is on the table. I'll open the floor for discussion. Mr. Simmons. >> Um, thank you, President Cole.

074Um, if one of our colleagues may like to go before me, that would be okay. It will take me just one more one more moment, please. >> Okay, I guess I had my moment. Um, >> thank you. Um, this is the resolution 4.4 um to go to state minimums. Um, and I I wanted to ask Dr. Chapman, how did we end up in a space looking at the 27 to 2028 school year? I think a couple months ago when we first began the transportation conversation, we were looking at the 2026 to 2027 school year, right? >> That's correct. Um, board member Simmons. So um we have been um listening to our community and based on feedback from our community, the feedback from the surveys, um we heard very loud and clear that our community wanted

075to hear about the plan and the logistics related to how our regional transportation authority will be able to provide um supportive measures to ensure that our students are able to get to school each day. And so this modification of the resolution allows for planning time for us to work collaboratively together not only with Kota but also with our city because we recognize that u when we think about the transportation needs of our students. Um it involves safety, [clears throat] it involves sidewalks, it involves lighting, it involves transportation. And so this allows us time to make those connections, to do that planning work, and then that um workg group can then bring those recommendations and that plan back to the board for consideration and um we can move forward. >> Thank you, Dr. Chapman. And then

076so in that time period from say today, if the board were to approve the motion um to January 31st, what type of transportation would our 9 through 12 students receive? That means that this resolution and this change, there will be no change to transportation for our students in grades 9 through 12 um until we hear back from the workg group and we implement um this. So this gives us time for planning. So there will be no changes in the interim um while the work group is being established and developing that implementation. >> Thank you. Um, and then how is that identified in the resolution? Because when I read it, um, it says the district will reduce transportation for students in grades 9 through 12 to state minimum requirements consistent with applicable law. But it sounds

077like you're saying we would not change our transportation practice. But that and maybe I'm looking at >> you have to read the first part. Number one, effective 2027 2028. >> Right. So when we when we get to that year, you know, there there's so we go through this timeline and then we arrive to say the beginning of August 2027, there's no there's nothing in here that says we have to have a plan. We have to have something with Kota that you know comes results in a product. And so I guess I'm just um >> a little bit concerned. >> Well, no, I I I understand section three. Um, I understand section 3 very clearly, but I'm also very familiar with how work groups work in government. Um, and it's very often you have a work

078group that doesn't produce something that becomes adopted policy. That's just the truth that that happens often in government. You have a work group, a blue ribbon commission, a governor's committee or, you know, commission that comes together. Um, they spend a lot of time, they do a lot of study, they look at a lot of material, but for one reason or another, nothing ever comes of that. And so I guess I'm concerned because you know my reading of this resolution it would seem to appear that we are authorizing our administration to go to state minimums and we're directing them to work to come up with a plan but we're not really saying what happens if that plan does not come to fruition. Um and we're not it would appear what would happen come August would be

079that we would go to state minimums. Um, and so what really really concerns me is that our district, our students could be put in a position where say we begin January of 2027, the work groups been working, but for one reason or another, we're not able to come up with a plan that works. Um, as we approach August, um, you know, what are our families left to do? Well, they're going to be left to scramble and to find, um, you know, they're going to wonder, do they need to find their own transportation for next year? And at the same time, we could potentially still be working on this solution. Um, and so I'm just I'm a little maybe confused as to why if we're saying we're going to wait for the plan to come and

080be developed in the future, why we would need to make this decision today. because it would seem to me that if this would not take effect until 2020 August 1st or August of 2027 and we're giving our superintendent until January 31st of 2027 to come up with a plan. I guess I'm confused as to why, you know, if board leadership or the superintendent or anyone could help me out as to why we need to make the decision to go to state minimums today rather than just make the decision to direct the superintendent to do this workg group. I I thank you for that. Um and I will answer this and and we'll go to the floor for what is on the table to be voted for right now. Um so the first piece is is

081that the board is given very clear direction and either resolution very clear direction with a timeline with a timeline. There's little accountability if there's no timeline in place to design a plan that thus then has to be approved by the board of education. Here's the opportunity. We have full freight still being afforded for every school student in the district in accordance to law and also who are not in the district as charter nonpubliclix to be afforded the opportunity to get yellow bus service from Columbus City Schools in school year 2627. That gives more than enough time to give the superintendent, the board, because this is also in consultation with the board of education and other stakeholders in the community. That gives enough time for everyone to come together, have a rich, robust discussion, establish what

082the guidelines and guard rails of this conversation are, and what the outcomes ultimately are going to be intended to be for high school students 9 through 12 to be afforded mass transit transportation. But at the end of the day, we're making this decision today because we have a forecast that whether it's this year or the subsequent year, it is impacted by the decision that we failed to make today. So, it's the the time is now. It is not next year. The time is now to make a decision. The time is now. Very quickly. Yes, ma'am. >> Um, so I I would like to do it very quickly, but I don't think we can. The the question that I think we all need answered at this moment is very simple. If we vote yes for this

083resolution, regardless of if a viable plan is created and all the partners say yes, we can do it. Will we as a district, and I'm looking over to our legal counsel, move automatically to the state minimum because of the decision we're making today >> for school year 2027 28? >> Yes, ma'am. >> And I think that's what the colleague is addressing. And so just just to that, I'll just add that we did receive a very thorough uh email from Deborah Schoer about the implementation in Cincinnati and how it has taken them more than a decade to implement their process. And so I think our colleague raising up that is a year enough time for us to really come together as a community and to put this this plan one to establish the plan to put

084it in place to reassure our families that they can count on this plan. I think that's a viable question that our colleague has posed. >> I think his question has been answered and I thank you vice president again. It's it's a very important question but it's also a question that is uh you cannot ask in isolation because the the point of this is truly about cost savings. So these first resolutions are the the beginning of the math problem to help us figure out how much of an impact we're going to take in the in the academic program which is our personnel. Okay. So, first of all, we listened to the community, understood the concerns, and bumped implementation for both of these options back a school year, which means we can actually not put this number

085in our current math problem to get to 50. It will come out of a next budget, so a future cut. Okay? So, we've already made that. So, I can't take 7.2 or the 4.8 or whatever it is out of the math problem. Right now, we're at 34.6, everybody. Okay. So, just understand the math there. Okay. Based on the actions the board has already taken this evening. >> What does 34.6 mean? >> Oh, so, so we're so 50 million >> her. >> We just voted on the admin cuts at 6.6 million. So, that brought us to 43.4. Then we just voted for the 8.8 mil on non uh personnel. So, that we're down to 34.6 right now. Right. We have to get to 50. >> That is 34.6 6 million million that is at current impact

086on classified and certified personnel >> our academic program. >> Yes. >> So that's our number right now. So in listening to our community we know that we cannot uh put in the transportation numbers right now because we do need more time. Um and we heard you loud and clear. Um and so but the long-term question, the value question of this community is going to be do we want a strong academic program, high counselors and social workers who came up here building substitutes or are we going to be a regionable regional transportation provider? And this is a very difficult difficult decision. But as I walked around, I listened, I read the surveys, what this community is saying is we need a strong academic program. Okay? So you cannot take these two things in isolation. You have

087to remember the big picture about what we are doing here. Now this piece of legislation to me is not dependent on the plan. So this is a clear action. Both of them are clear actions that at the beginning of the 2027 2028 school year, we will go to state minimums. The difference in them is whether or not we will be using money to buy kota passes >> from our own funds. What the workg group uh addition is in both of them is to figure out in in really resolution one. How do we work together as a community to ensure that uh we have options for families to have passes to have different kinds of funding uh in order for our kids to get to school. We also want to make sure that we are not

088absent from the solution because while we are not a regional regional transportation provider if we make these decisions, we know that our kids are impacted and we want to be at the table which we're not always at the table on things in our city. So that is why this establishment of a work group is important and here because we want to make sure that we have voices and we are representing our families and children uh when we are working across the city to develop these solutions. So, it is not. So, you're right, board member Pierce, it is a trigger. The beginning of the 2027 2028 school year, there will be no more uh we would go to state minimums and there will be no more high school transportation on yellow buses um for this resolution.

089And in the other one, uh we would have we would be buying Kota passes instead. Um, and in the other one, if we buy KODA passes, remember that we would then be obligated to buy KODA passes for the charter non-public students under law. And there are requirements right now that if there are more than one transfer for a for a charter non-public student, we would have to offer yellow bus service. That is why the the numbers the reduction numbers are so different. Okay. So I hope I hope that that >> would that be the same for our CCS students if we went to that rule. >> No, it is not it's not our CCS students can take as many transfers as >> as they need. All right. So >> and that is based on state

090law, >> not our based on state law. >> And can we also just add the importance that we have heard numerous times in our monitoring reports that attendance is extremely important for our 9th through 12th grade students. And we know that transportation plays a huge role in that >> and >> we do. So that's >> those numbers. >> Uh please point of order. So >> thank you >> board member Vera. >> Um I just want to thank my colleagues um for raising up a lot of concern and uh vice president Adair for just pointing out the clarification in the two. Um I have similar concerns to my colleague board member Simmons and uh Dr. Pierce. I've said that from the beginning and this is my fourth year and we've been talking about transportation for four

091years. So the fact that we don't have a plan >> in this very moment is very concerning. And you know at the end of the day we talk about the barriers that our kids are already facing. And when I think about high school kids like some of us that were sitting here, we wasn't getting to school if we didn't get on that bus. And so, you know, while some are playing politics and some want to, you know, mention, someone mentioned tonight, it feels performative, I would have to agree in certain ways because we've been talking about this before for decades, this transportation problem that we've had. And so my concern is is giving approval that regardless of a plan that makes sense for this community is a viable plan that we're going to just cut

0929 through 12 regardless. And we we have a lot of families who don't know how the public of trans transportation works. We have a lot of families families that don't speak English that are working two and three jobs. We see what the Kota system, the troubles they have with everyday commute. What does that look like to put a 14-year-old kid right out of 8th grade standing at a bus stop, you know, at 6:00 in the morning? Because they're not going to alter their time of pickup to accommodate our schedule. And I have asked where Kota is in this conversation. I have asked where our elected official, the people that are nicely worded in this resolution, where are they? And so for them to suddenly want to come together after we've already taken action to me

093is very concerning. And I I I really have hard reservation around we know as Dr. Pierce has mentioned that attendance is one of our biggest biggest needs. It's a theory of action. That's what I've been hearing about for four years. And so we're going to cut something without an actual plan and hope it all works out. So I I just I've said this in the committee meetings. I've said this at this table which just two weeks ago you told me this was going to happen in the fall. Now I see that it's pushed to and that's going to happen whether a viable plan is actually created or not and I think that is something of concern. >> President Cole >> up just a moment. I thank you for your comment board member and Mr. Simmons.

094>> Yeah. I just want to uplift the difficulty of this decision. This um particular particularly 4.4 and 4.5 were very very hard. Um and I honestly didn't know where I was going to go until probably yesterday. Um because I understand that kids need to be able to get to school in order to be educated, but if they get there and they don't have the supports they need in the classroom and around them, then what? Um, and so this is an impossible situation uh to to really uh weigh as a board member. It is very hard to think through $50 million in cuts because $50 million is a lot of money and it is a lot of things. And so um as we as we think through these things, what experience are we giving our kids

095who do get to the classroom and how hard are we working as board members to fight to get them there? And that is something that I take very seriously. Um, and in walking through our buildings and watching our children be educated live, um, I see how important that support in those buildings is. And every decision we make to not make steps forward and make cuts in areas that are not personnel will result in personnel reduction. And that is very, very important um, that we [clears throat] understand and that we grapple with. And that is something that I know every board member has grappled with, but I just want to call it out publicly because um that is that is the decision that we're we're making. And so, you know, I know that attendance is a

096big issue and it certainly is part of every monitoring report is are kids showing up and if they are, they're performing at higher rates. Um and when we have chronic abs absenteeism, we see a decline in performance and that's very very real. Um, but if they get there and they don't have the supports they need in the classroom, then what? And what happens to our scores and what happens to our goals and meeting those goals? Um, and so there is no perfect answer here and and we can't um fault anyone, but to me working together and putting putting it out there that we're making this call and we need to um we need to figure out solutions and we need our city partners to set up. We need our county partners to step up. We

097need our business community to step up and really help us out and help us solve this issue that that has resulted in a really difficult situation for our school district. I mean um Rodney's in the back, our uh transportation director does incredible work, but it is a lot to put in a school district. I mean, we're the largest regional transportation carrier, and I don't know how large of a radius, but a pretty big one. Um, and and that is not what drives the goals. What drives the goals is academic performance and supports in the classroom and how we're helping people. So, uh, for me, that is that is the weight. Uh, that is the balance that I have really been struggling with. And so I want to call that out that that is a really

098difficult position to be in. Um but we need all of our partners to come to the table and help us um with solving the solution with solving the issue uh that is before us. And um to me this is the one that feels the most equitable to the city of Columbus because it affects every student the same way whether they go where wherever they go. And so to me, that is the most equitable choice. Um, and so that will weigh in my board decision tonight. >> I thank you, Mr. Simmons. And then we're going to get back to the motion that is on the floor and call the role. Yes, sir. >> Um, thank you, President Cole. I wanted to um just reiterate my I'm very very concerned about this. This resolution creates a space

099in time from February 1st of 2027 to the beginning of the school year where if our administration has not if the superintendent has not developed a plan for whatever reason there are myriad of reasons but if the plan has not been developed this leaves our students in a position in which our transportation will be reduced to um the state minimum um for our 9 through 12 students which I believe that means we would not be proving providing them with any transportation because Dakota bus passes are not included in this resolution. Um I don't think it would be um the best legislative practice for our body to create this gap to be dealt with by a future board in the event that um a plan is not developed. I also want to remind our board that

100we did direct the superintendent one year ago, December of 2024, to come up with a plan for the implementation and closure of the 270 East State Street building. We did not get that plan by the deadline we established. For whatever reason that might be, we did not receive that plan. So there is precedent in this very moment. There is precedent a year ago that the board has made directions um to get plans on these issues and we haven't received those. Um I know what it's like to ride the CODA bus. I took the CODA bus to my meeting with Treasurer Cook today. Um I'm going to take the COTA bus home from this meeting today. Colleagues, the last bus comes at 11:22, so we need to wrap it up by then. Um, but you know,

101I take the bus um a lot. I took the bus to our um our workshop or not our workshop, our town hall thing at uh Mifflin High School. It was hard. There's no sidewalks in that neighborhood. Um I had to walk out to a main road and it was dark and it was raining and the bus stop the bus driver almost passed me. She did stop, but she had to slam on the brakes and um you know, it it was really hard. It was. And so I think about um our students. I think about when I was growing up what it was like to get up early in the morning and take the bus to school with my mom because our living situation was, you know, a little bit fuzzy and we weren't living at

102the address that the school bus was supposed to come to. We were living farther away. Um, so I know what it's like to have to wake up really early in the morning and ride the bus to school. Um, but truthfully, I'm ready to make that decision for our students today. I'm ready to do the code of bus passes and I'm ready to start that next year because I also know what it's like to have to show up to a school building and you know need there to be a speech therapist there to help um me with my to help me to know what to need there to be an inter an intervention aid. Um you know I want to be able to provide the services that our children need when they show up to school.

103Um, but I'm just very very concerned and I don't understand that why we would create a gap um in the future of potentially positioning the board to having not received a plan but then going to state minimums which I don't think correct me if I'm wrong colleagues but I don't think any of us here would say that we the state minimum is our most preferred option. I think we would probably, if we had to choose to make a reduction, forgive me if I'm overspeaking, but I think we would probably want there to be some transportation at least, not no transportation. Um, and so at this point in time, I am going to offer an amendment to the resolution. Um, >> sir, sir, there's a motion on the floor. There's a motion on the floor. >>

104Yes, President Cole. >> And respectfully, what we're going to do is call the role. >> President, >> we're going to call the role. >> Point of order, President Cole. Well, he can give the amendment. Um, we haven't called the question yet. >> Thank you. Um, I move to amend the resolution offered by Vice President Adair to strike the first paragraph effective for the 2027 to 2028 school year. The district will reduce transportation for students in grade 9 through 9 through 12 to state minimum requirements consistent with applicable law. and B the district shall provide shall otherwise provide transportation student transportation services to the extent required by law. Um this change colleagues it does not change how the superintendent would work to come up with a plan. That work would still progress under the resolution to

105January 31st, 2027. Um that does not change. So the superintendent is still going to be working on a plan. It doesn't say we're going to do the code of passes and it also doesn't take away the board's option. We could also decide on the next resolution regardless of what we do with this amendment or in the main motion. We could still decide to do the code of passes or not. Um and so it keeps our options open. I want to be clear about, you know, what it does. Um but it most importantly what it does is it doesn't create this gap from February 1st to the beginning of the school year in August of 2027 that we could potentially be left without a plan as we have been in the last year. We've been left

106without a plan. >> So Mr. Mr. Simmons, respectfully, Mr. Simmons, >> what is your motion? >> Yeah, >> he just said to strike item 1A. So, and one >> what I want him to do is just repeat for clarity. >> And I did email this to our um treasur and parliamentarian. So, they do have a written copy. Um but the amendment is um to strike um paragraph 1 in its entirety um and to keep paragraph two and three. And that doesn't change the fact that the superintendent is still going to be creating this work group um to continue the work. It's just protecting our students and the board from having to deal with a future situation which maybe we don't want to be in. >> Can I just the impact of what you just said

107though? But I think we have to financially understand what you're saying because without dates and without actual numbers, there is no budgetary reduction at all in at all. And so that means even though we pushed it off one year, that means in the next year when we have to come back and cut more, we can't budget it in the five-year forecast and it's going to we're not going to have any savings. So I just want you to fully understand >> the reduction. I fully appreciate understand what what you're saying. >> Thank you. No, I agree. I I I thank you, Vice President Adair. Um I want to reiterate that um as we discussed all through this year in the second half of the year up until two weeks ago, we were looking at implementing transportation

108changes for school year 2026. Um, and I want to reiterate that I'm prepared to go to, we're not on that motion, but I'm prepared to go to KOD of bus passes starting next year because that's what I thought we had discussed um, leading up to this meeting. And so on the one second, please. One second, please. So, on the topic of savings being delayed, I want to be clear that um, what the board was told, what the full board was told is that we were looking at making changes for 2026. how we got in a space where this was pushed back a year and that pushes our savings back >> and point of order. Point of order. >> Madam Vice President, I have the floor. I have the floor, please. I have the floor. Thank

109you. >> Doesn't make sense. >> Thank you. >> So again, here's where here's where you've made a motion which has not been seconded. >> Second. >> So now it is seconded. Now it is seconded. >> Okay, Mr. Treasurer, call the role. Well, can I add because I did add the second colleagues, we have been given $61 million in proposed cuts. So, our superintendent did give us more. And if you go through all the proposed amendments and you add them up, you can get to the 50 million in a variety of different ways. >> Yes. >> Hence why 4.5 is that opportunity. >> You understand? Mr. Treasur, Mr. Treasurer, call the role. We're voting on the amendment. >> We're voting on the call for the vote. >> Mr. Simmons for the >> Yes. >> I'm sorry.

110>> It's for the amendment, right? >> For the amendment. >> No. Miss Mr. Simmons. >> Yes. >> President Cole, >> no. >> Dr. Pierce, >> yes. >> Miss Engles, >> no. >> Miss Fra, >> no. >> Vice President Adair. >> No. >> Motion fails. >> Motion does not pass. All right. So, now we are back to >> resolution 4.4. We are back to resolution 4.4. >> We have a motion and a second. >> Mr. Treasur, we have a motion and a second. >> Let's call the question. >> Dr. Pierce, >> no. >> Miss Reyes, >> no. >> Mr. Simmons, >> no. >> President Cole, >> no. >> Miss Les, >> yes. >> Miss Vera, >> no. >> Vice President Adair, >> yes. >> Motion failed. >> Motion fails. Thank you. All right. >> So now

111motion 4.4, resolution 4.4 4 has failed. Off of the table at this point in time is any discussion about the elimination of the full elimination of transportation for 9th through 12th graders in Columbus City schools. >> We can still consider 4.5. >> We're going to get to 4.5 right now. But I'm saying you what I what I just said what I just said is what's off the table. Use it. We already Yeah, you've already >> 4.4 is off the table. We'll move now to resolution 4.5. >> I will read that resolution once more. To reduce student transportation to state minimum requirements and provide mass transit passes for students in grades 9 through 12. Estimated cost reduction, $4.8 million. Effective for school year 2728. The district will not provide traditional bus transportation for students. And that's

112again that's traditional bus transportation for students grades 9 through 12 except as otherwise required by applicable law. An example of that would be a student who is a sped student that requires transportation yellow bus from the district. That's one example of applicable law. B. Uh the in lie of the traditional school bus transportation, the district shall provide cost-effective mass transit options through the central Ohio transit authority for other providers for all students in grades 9 through 12 who would otherwise be eligible for transportation by the district in accordance with applicable law. The school the district shall otherwise provide student transportation services to the extent required by law. And then two of course is the clause that shares the superintendent is directed to establish a work group in consultation with the board president or designate with

113Kota, the city of Columbus and other relevant stakeholders to work collaboratively together to develop an implementation plan for school year 2728 for consideration and approval by the board no later than January 31st, 2027. This has been motioned. And is there a second? Second. >> Motion is seconded. Mr. Treasurer, call the role. >> President Cole, >> yes. >> Mr. Simmons, >> yes. >> Miss Reyes, >> yes. >> Dr. Pierce, >> no. >> Miss Engles, >> yes. >> Miss Vera, >> no. >> Vice President Adair. It's so mad. So mad. Only difference is that we are paying for the kota passes. It's our money paying for the Kota passes. There's still problems with implementation with Kota. There's no difference with concerns about safety or getting kids on the bus. The only difference is is that we are

114taking money from our general fund to pay for KOD passes and then Charter Num Public students also get them. And that if they take have more than one transfer, we are still doing yellow buses and that means that we cannot get the our academic program and it means that we are cutting more of our people. I I don't I [laughter] don't understand what is why I don't understand why we're here and I and I honestly do not know I do not know how to vote on this because we need a reduction. We have to do a reduction. But to me, this is this doesn't make sense either. >> Madam vice president, >> you have an opportunity to make a decision. >> It already passed. >> All of us. >> What was two nos? >> It's

115three. >> 33. >> The deciding board. >> No. Me and whether >> I have President Cole. Yes. Mr. Simmons. Yes. Miss Reyes. Yes. Miss Engles. Yes. You like to abstain? You have the ability to do that. >> I would like to change my vote to a no3. >> I agree. >> But if we do nothing, we just we just did nothing. >> We are going to do something for member Dare as as a board. We can come together and come up with a work plan. of order. Hold on. What What we're going to do >> going to cut jobs. >> Hold on. >> Cut jobs. >> What we're going to do What we're going to do, >> this is a tense and spirited conversation >> and it's and and that's totally understandable, >> but let's

116maintain our order here. Let's maintain our decorum. We still have a motion on the floor that has largely been voted upon. We are now three and three. >> At the end of the day, we know that the math the math in terms of reductions is a slight impact. And it is it is it's a slighter impact to the tune of somewhere around $3 million. We know that about $300,000 already is being expended for Columbus City School students to have KOD passes. What we don't know yet is how much that additional cost would be to incorporate CMP students into that, charter non-public students. But at the end of the day, the point here ultimately for this math to work is to be a signific as as close to a significant reduction and impact on classified and

117certified staff positions. Mr. Treasurer, >> that is correct. And this is for FY28. If if this were to pass, if this motion po if if this resolution 4.5 passes, what will be the impact on staff certified and classified? What will be that personnel impact >> for FY27? There would be no impact. >> Yes. >> Going forward for FY28, it would be a $4.8 million estimated impact. >> 4, which brings us down to what, Mr. treasurer. >> But this won't be a part of >> It's not a part of the 50. The 50 is for FY27. >> President Cole, >> moving forward, >> what does it bring us down to? >> Well, it would bring our cash balance down um to 147.9 million in FY28, but no reduction amount has been set for FY28. >> President.

118>> Yes, sir. >> Um thank you. Um, I just wanted to um remind the board and our community that um as we know from Treasure Cook, our cost to employ um a employee is about $110,000 a non-administrator. Um $4.8 million divided by 110 comes out to 43.6 that is 43 positions. The cost to employ someone is $110,000. $4.8 million can pay for 43 positions. And that's truthfully what is on the line right now with this vote. It is 43 positions. I think we heard from our um some of our staff today and I believe it was the um social worker team. I think I forgive forgive me but I think she said they were a team of 75 or 80. That's half of our social workers. That's what's on the line right now. Um it's

11943 positions and I think the buses are hard. It is I ride the KOD bus every week and it is hard. It takes forever. Sometimes the bus doesn't come. Sometimes it misses you. Sometimes it splashes you with water. um is not always enjoyable, but ultimately I think we have to have the people at the school to provide the services our kids need. And this is 43 positions. That's about half of our social workers. If I understood the speaker from tonight correctly. [snorts] >> Can we mo? >> All right. >> Is she We can moment. Do we need a recess? >> Do we need a moment? >> You can recess. >> It's for her. If if a moment is necessary, I'm happy to give a >> I have a I have a question. With the with

120the vote on the floor, can we table it or >> do we have to do the vote? >> You're in the middle of the vote. We need to conclude. >> Motion recess. >> And can we do a recess in the middle of the vote or so we have to conclude? Okay. No recess. No tableabling. >> All right. So, Madame Vice President, savings >> create the reduction opportunity that saves positions in the district and still provides an option, a very viable one, however uncomfortable, a viable option opportunity. I guess what my problem is is that the the logic that we that we got got here with your everyone's logic makes no sense >> because this the the same concerns that we had about Kota and having a plan are still very present here because we're still

121putting our kids on KOD buses. You get that, right? It's it's not our kids on yellow buses. Actually, it's Charter and Public Kids on yellow buses. That's who's on the yellow buses, not our kids. So, our kids still have these same concerns that you all had about getting to school and um and then we we are not seeing the savings on the um on the financial side. So, that does mean that you know I I I I want more than 40 something counselor. I want more than that. Um and and so I I just if I vote yes on this, we are getting some reduction. >> Motion carried. >> No, I'm not voting yes. >> That is not my vote. >> And if I vote no on it, it means there's absolutely no reduction and

122we are going to be >> that means that means we have more time to work on it. We come back to the table. You all have to do it in >> We want to protect transportation for our students. We need students in our building. >> Not the be all right >> for the for the for the forecast. When is the last time that we can bring this forward? >> So, we'll be providing an update in February. We could do it in January. Um >> at one of the we can do it in January if this should pass. Any resolution that passes tonight, I will build into that forecast, but it could be considered in January and we could do a quick update to that forecast based on the potential outcome of this and reflected. >>

123And Vice President Derek, um, that goes back to what the joint committees talked about neighborhood schools, strong high schools, walking. I mean that's 18 months for the new board and community to think about what are other alternatives. Maybe Kota is not the way. Um unfortunately this is not we didn't do this. This is being done to us and if we think that this is the end of cuts you all are cutting another 50 million next next year. So if we don't if if our community and the and the incoming board doesn't get together and say we need to have strong neighborhood schools, we need to have schools that are full >> with strong academic programs with our strong people in them with our students learning. That means you the new board, this new entity has

12418 months to blow it up. And if you don't blow it up, it's going to be blown up for us just like it's being done right now. We know uh uh board member said, "We've been talking about this for a long time." Unfortunately, >> now the the the rules, the law changed on us and made that a a faster thing. So, we're going to have to get as innovative and creative as this community can get. And unfortunately, you're going to have to close more schools because you're going to have to consolidate somehow because this is not going to stop. So, how do we create strong neighborhood schools where some of our kids who are in safe schools can walk and or we can potentially bring some of our busing back because what it's costing us

125and we've already heard it is that we have buses going all over this city. That's what's costing us. >> So, you all I mean it is a a hard vote. It's it's we don't win. Nobody wins any of these votes, but at the end of the day, you still have as a board, you have 18 months to come back with a resolution that said, you know what, we voted on this, but the community rallied together. We had some great brains, great things, and in 12 months, it's going to look a little bit different, but you all have the opportunity to do that. This is not a forever in stone resolution. that that's that's what you got what that is what you're getting afforded by by moving this to 2728 if you did it in 26

126then that is concrete you have 18 months >> to make a change whichever way you want to go >> and students >> but I also think this resolution and I think the gravity of the decision right now has really honed in and narrowed the fact that we have to really be intentional about what we are doing with our high schools what are the programs that are within our high schools and we need to have a serious conversation around consolidating so our students just like our FMP um committee told us years ago for them to get the best academic opportunities we needed larger high schools for them to have the best athletic opportunities we need larger high schools this decision is affecting our high school students so this gives us an opportunity to start talking to

127our middle school families and saying, "What does your high school experience look like? What do you need to be successful? How can we further prepare you for the Columbus Promise and Buckeye bound in a way that you will be able to be fully successful? We also know that the research says in those types of environments where you have more students, we need more guidance counselors because guidance counselors become even more important at that level. We need the intervention specialists at that level that can help with all of those barriers that our students are facing. So, this really gives us an opportunity to focus on a a student population that we have far too often overlooked. We've overlooked our high schools. And it's time that we really begin to think intentionally about how we are feeding

128our neighborhood elementaryaries, our little bit bigger middle schools that feed into those larger high schools that are regional for us. >> I thank you, Dr. Pierce, that's a wonderful segue into completing this vote. >> Okay. I do not think we need to be buying KOD passes. [cough and clears throat] I do not think we need to be buying Kota passes for charter nonpublic students. do not think we need to be routing them on yellow buses when they cannot get to their school without more than one transfer. I love our staff and I'm going to work super hard to figure this out with our new board. I'm going to vote no on this. >> Okay, motion fails. Thank you. All right. So, [clears throat] motion fails. [snorts] Uh we'll move on to resolution 4.6. And essentially

129what this means is is that we will continue to provide full freight the way we have. We have not made any reductions in this space at all. transportation will still continue to be a 75 plus million dollar expenditure on a peranom basis until such time that you know we designed some major resolve. Madame superintendent uh administration, Mr. Treasur, Mr. internal auditor. I thank you all for your hard work. But I think a message has been made clearly conveyed today is that the getting together, the coming together of these local institutions that are either public or private needs to happen as soon as possible. >> As soon as possible. President, if I may, >> um, I would like to just I would like to put a motion on the floor to take a 5 10 minute

130recess. Just >> second. >> We We need >> All right. There's been motion and second for a fivem minute recess and we'll make it a seven minute recess. All right. 7 minutes. Uh, I amend that motion for seven minutes. Is there a second? >> Second. >> All right. Motion is seconded. Um, let's call the role. Miss Vera, >> yes. >> Miss Engles. Yes, >> Dr. Pierce. >> Yes, >> Miss Reyes. >> Yes, >> Mr. Simmons. >> Yes, >> President Cole. >> Yes, >> Mr. President. Yes, it passed. Motion carries. >> Thank you. Second amendment. [clears throat] >> 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 [music] Nursery with summer experienced students from East Lynden

131Elementary 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, when we're thinking about planting gardens, we have to have a plan [music] 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. [music] Today, there's a savings of 25% off. So, calculating that discount, that is math. [music] 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

132other 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 1/2 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 [music] again. We're here today at Oakland Nursery [music] 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. >> [music] >> 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

133with my eyes. >> Yes. Did you didn't have to count? You just knew. Right now, we are still going to [music] count so we can confirm that there are three. Let's count together. That's >> one, two, three. Hey, so that's three. Great job. Give me 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 [music] 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. [music] I [music] can say it's truly magical. They love

134the taste of fresh produce just from the plant. [music] Some of my student don't even know where some food comes from from the grocery stores. [music] So they learn so many things when they garden. So they really [music] want to be a part of it. Some of them at first they're really excited about it, but then there are others that say, [music] 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 [music] 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 [music] really take care of everything and do it all and know how to do it

135all and they have a lot of pride in that in showing whoever comes into our classroom what they do and how [music] they do it and what they've grown. I think it's really cool that they're learning how food is actually [music] grown now because so many places are using all hydroponics and so it's really opening their mind to see different ways that food can grow. >> Learning how to grow is really important and when [music] you see it in person, it's a lot different than just reading about it or seeing pictures [music] of it. And taking the fresh produce that you grow and then being able to cook it and taste it [music] in your classroom, then potentially going home and requesting it at home, I think is pretty powerful of an impact. It tastes

136different 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, [music] 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 is This salad is so much yummier than my mom's own salad. >> Having like a fresh [music] lettuce that you just picked is really It has its unique taste. It was my [music] first time ever trying and kale. They looked pretty weird at first. When my friends told [music] me to try it, I just I just took a bite and it was super good. Oh, it's so cute [music] because they really have a new taste when

137they 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 [music] are explo like normally they want to ask for ranch and they just pop it without it. So that's amazing. >> [music] [music] >> down. All right. >> [music] >> Heat. Heat. In the spring of 2024, Fort Hayes was unexpectedly without a choir teacher. The principal, Dr. Milton Ruffin, took it upon himself to teach the [music] 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. >> [music] >> Can we get the a drop the jaw and sit up and ya a one

138two ready. We can find [singing] a better tomorrow. And hope [music] we can find a place. And hope we find love for [singing] each other. That's why we clap our hands and we lift our voice. [music] I can find a better [singing] you can find. >> 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 in 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.

139Uh but yeah, >> there's a bright [music and singing] day and it's getting closer. [music] all participate and we'll [music and singing] >> he treated us like he treats his college student. >> 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. So we clap [singing] our hands [music] and we lift our voice. I can find a [singing] home. [music] >> I listen 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 >> thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

140>> All right, we are back from our extended recess. [snorts] Um, we left having voted down uh resolution 4.5. We are now at resolution 4.6, which is our fifth resolution. Um, at this point in time, is there a motion >> on the floor? Dr. Pierce. >> Um, President Cole, I would like to offer a motion um to introduce an additional resolution um to establish a workg group for um establishing uh mass transit options for our students in grades 9 through 12. So the language would be as follows. Our board is well let me start this over. So here's the resolution colleagues. The superintendent is directed to establish a workg group in consultation with the board president or designign with the central Ohio transit authority kota and the city of Columbus and any other relevant stakeholder

141to collaboratively explore mass transit options for students in grades 9 through 12 who would otherwise be eligible for transportation by the district in accordance with applicable laws and to make recommendations to the board no later than January 31st of 2027. In addition, the superintendent is required to provide the board with updates on the work of the work group in sixmonth intervals beginning January 31st of 2026 as the first report date. >> That is the resolution. >> Second. >> All right. This motion is seconded. Mr. Treasure would call the role. >> Dr. Pierce, >> yes. >> Miss Reyes, >> yes. >> Mr. Simmons, >> yes. >> Miss Engles, >> yes. >> Miss Vera, >> yes. >> President Cole, >> yes. >> All right. Motion passes. >> Yes. >> All right. >> Here we go. >> Okay.

142>> Vote anymore without you. [laughter] >> Okay. All right. So, we will move on to uh back to our agenda again. we are considering uh for motion and I will read this to introduce it but let me introduce it this way first. The next resolution for consideration is again item 4.6 a resolution to reduce student transportation uh for students in grades K through 8 attending school buildings other than neighborhood schools or 100% lottery schools. This action will be effective as of the next school year which is school year 2026 and the estimated amount for reduction is $8.7 million. Let me read this language as it is written. uh to and I'm reading this as the introduction of a motion to reduce student transportation or students in grades K through eight attending school buildings other than

143neighborhood schools or 100% lottery schools. Estimated cost reduction, again $8.7 million. Effective for 2026 27 school year, the district will provide transportation to students grades K through 8 who attend 100% lottery schools. The district will discontinue optional transportation for students grades K through eight who do not attend 100% lottery schools. The district shall otherwise provide student transportation services to extend required by law, including but not limited to students with disabilities who may be placed in a school other than their neighborhood school. The student is the superintendent, excuse me, is directed to develop and implement a student transportation plan for school year 2627 consistent with and take such action and take such other actions as are reasonably necessary to carry out this resolution. This is a motion. >> Second. >> Motioned and seconded. Floor is open

144for discussion. If it is not, Mr. Treasurer, call the role. >> Miss Engles, >> yes. >> Dr. Pierce, >> yes. >> Miss Reyes, >> yes. >> Mr. Simmons, >> yes. >> President Cole, >> yes. >> Vice President Adair, >> yes. >> Miss Vera, >> yes. >> Motion passes. All right. >> Thank you, colleagues. Our next resolution is dealing additionally with staffing. And this final resolution for consideration uh with in in the terms in with regards to uh personnel and non-personnel is 4.7. the resolution to direct the superintendent to develop a proposed staffing reduction plan based on the prior actions of the board on the preceding resolutions. The board has already approved the cost reductions. U but Mr. Treasurer, can you let me know if there would be any need to amend this resolution to achieve

145the $50 million cost reduction? Is there any need for that at this point in time? >> Yes, board president Cole, we would need to amend that figure from 34.6 6 million to 25,900,000. >> Okay. So, because of the previous resolution that just passed 4.6, just so folks understand, we are now amending that number down to >> $25,900,000. $25.9 million. We're now amending that amount. That is the cost impact. That is the cost impact as we understand it on classified and certified employees in the district. Yes. >> Yes. We need a motion and a second. >> Okay. It has been motioned and seconded. >> No. No. We [clears throat] need a motion. >> Excuse me. >> Let me read it as Let me read it as please. >> Motion to amend first, then we'll go back

146to the resolution. >> Motion to amend the amount to $25.9 million. >> Second. >> It has been motioned and seconded. Can we call the role? >> Hold on. I don't think we have a second >> On 4.6. Yes, we do. Yeah, we do. >> Okay, >> we're good. >> Motion second. Miss Vera, >> yes. >> And this is for the amendment. >> Amendment. This is for the amendment. >> 25.9 million. Miss Les, >> yes. >> Dr. Pierce, >> yes. >> Miss Reyes, >> yes. >> Mr. Simmons, >> yes. >> President Cole, >> yes. >> Vice President Adair, >> yes. >> All right. Motion passes. Thank you. Now we're back to the original as amended. >> All right. Now I will read resolution 4.7 to direct the superintendent to develop a proposed staffing plan estimated cost

147reduction $25.9 million. Based on the information and recommendations presented, the board directs the superintendent to not later than January 31st, 2026, prepare and submit to the board a staffing reduction plan which shall contain recommendations regarding the number of certif certificated and classified staff to be reduced to constitute an estimated cost reduction of $25.9 million to be effective of 26 as of 2627 school year take such act other actions consistent with and as are reasonably necessary to carry out this resolution. This has been a motion. >> Second. >> It is now seconded. Mr. Treasurer. >> Dr. Peters. >> Is there a question? Dr. Pierce >> there. Um, >> can we change the order? >> I'm >> Never mind. Yes. Miss Reyes, >> yes. >> Mr. Simmons, >> yes. >> Miss Engles, >> yes. >> Miss Vera,

148>> yes. >> Vice President Adair, >> yes. >> President Cole, >> yes. >> Motion passes. All right. >> Thank you all. We'll move on to >> 4.8. Now, >> quick point of order, President. Um, can we get a running tally of where we are right now at cost savings? I'm calculating we're at 50 million. >> 50 million. >> We are 50 million. >> Okay. Congratulations, colleagues. Just wanted to make sure I was following the math. >> Yep. >> We are at 50 million. But the significant part of this conversation, >> the significant part of it is that we have made a very limited amount of reductions that's going to impact our classified and certificated staff. So that's the key thing here today is that as I said earlier in the beginning of this conversation, we

149wanted to make as limited an impact as possible on the personnel side particularly amongst our cert certificated and classified employees. So thank you. All right. Uh the next set of resolutions are our realignment resolutions. In addition to the resolutions that we just considered regarding budget reductions, uh the agenda also includes four resolutions addressing proposed school building closures that were also recommended by the administration. The board will consider each of these building closures separately through though these closures will result in some general fund cost reduction such as savings on utilities. We are considering them separately from the budget reductions because it is difficult to identify other general fund cost reductions at this time. So for example in the closure of a building the best we know at this point in time is what we would otherwise

150reduce in costs maybe even call that savings but acrew in some measure of savings because we're not making those expenditures on utilities. So we save money on the utility bill not by not having utilities at all but we not we're not able to identify any other added costs in terms of savings to that at all. and specifically because the building has not been sold and there are certain requirements in accordance to state law that require us to follow a process for building sale anyway. All right. However, future reductions could result from efficiencies in transportation and staffing and reduce maintenance costs due to the demolition of the building. >> [clears throat] >> In addition, these closures would include the district to preserve FMP investments already made in newer buildings that the district might otherwise be required

151to offer to charter and non-public schools based on pending legislation in the Ohio General Assembly. All right. Uh so now we are at resolution 4.8. I will read it and offer it as a motion. Resolution, close school building, Dubberry Arts Impact Elementary School. Based on the information and recommendations presented, the board directs the superintendent to implement the closure of Duberry Park Arts Impact Elementary School located at 1779 East Maynard Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43219. Present the board with a timeline and plan for the implementation of school closure no later than or before January 31st, 2027, including the relocation of the elementary arts program to the Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center campus, acknowledging the closure and relocation to to not occur prior to the school year. The board approves the demolition of Dubberry Park Arts Impact Elementary

152School upon closure. This is a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motioned and seconded. >> President Cole. >> M. The floor is open for discussion. Mr. Simmons. >> Um, thank you, President Cole. Um, as I read this motion, um, I do have a question that, um, you know, the motion to relocate the elementary arts program to the Fort Hayes Metropolitan Center campus. Um I'm not super familiar with the campus. Um but Dr. Chapman, are you able to tell the board is there space for the um 184 students already at the Fort Hayes campus or will this require a capital investment from the board to become a reality? >> No, we do not have space at the Fort Hayes campus at this time to accommodate an elementary school program. So, this motion would absolutely

153require a significant capital investment to make that happen. Um, because as you also know at Fort Hayes, many of those buildings are historical sites. And so, we can't just build a building anywhere. We will have to make sure that we would be following all of those guidelines regarding to historical sites. And so, we don't have a building on site that would be ready for that. So, we would have to make significant investments to identify a structure or decide if we're going to build a structure to make that happen. >> Thank you, Dr. Chap. And then I understand you probably don't have um cost estimates right in front of you, of course, but when you say significant, is that in the multi-million dollar range? >> I would say a cost to build an elementary school, a

154cost to renovate um a historical building, so to be significant. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, I'm a little concerned because I think about, um, back to last December when the board voted to close the McGuffy building without there really being a place [cough] for cause to go at the time. Um, and you know, I know that's still being sorted out. Um, and so I'm I'm just a little bit concerned about the decision to close a pro a school without really a firm place identified for where those students could go for this program to continue for their education to continue for the school community to continue and live on. Um, and so, you know, certainly maybe would be in favor of um, exploring that. Yeah, I do think it would be good to have all of

155our K12 arts programming on one campus. I think that would be really good for our district and our students right here downtown next to um the arts campus, um the arts college. I think that would be really good for our city. Um but, you know, I am concerned that um I I don't quite see the virtue in making a decision to relocate students without there actually being the space to relocate them to. Um and so just a little bit concerned with that um resolution today. Colleagues, >> are there any other comments? vice president. >> Um, for all of >> you. Okay. >> For all of these, um, the duty of the board is to really look at the asset. And this is really hard because the planning and what comes after is the superintendent's job

156and responsibility. Um, and we definitely want to know these things and it's very important. Um and for this one in particular, if we remember as it was presented to committee, this is actually different. Um it was first presented to committee, uh the superintendent proposed that when Ducks would close, and really that is the board's vote here about the actual building itself, um that that building that those students would then go to South Mifflin and coexist with them. Um, we had the opportunity, some of us yesterday went and visited the buildings um and had many questions about some of these moves. Um, understanding that came back and talked to the superintendent as well as just this concept that for years and years and years and years and years and years and years we've been talking about

157establishing this integrated arts campus at Fort Hayes uh from preK to 12. Um and so if we are going to close Ducksberry, which we should, that building needs to come down. Um the point of adding in specifically the Fort Hayes campus here, and you'll notice this is different than the other resolutions. The other resolutions do not name something. It's because this is the community's value that we want to ensure that we are speaking out loud to our superintendent. We do not want a transition spot. We do not want a holding spot. We do not want a spot for Dubberry to sit maybe temporarily for years. We want a plan to get them and to get this integrated campus. Um and so it will take an investment. It will take us planning. Um but the it's

158kind of like the West Broad situation, right? Ducks won't move until that happens. So it's not an immediate thing. Um, it does have to integrate into the rest of the planning, but this is the board's intention of saying that this building is not in a condition for current students, and we want to effectuate our community value of creating that integrated uh, preK to 12 arts program at Fort Hayes, the location that we have been talking about. And that's really the purpose of this, adding that second part in about where we're putting it. that is different than all the other pieces of legislation. And again, I just want to remind my colleagues and you can disagree with me if you want to, but the point the purpose the the responsibility of the board is to manage

159the asset, the programs, the people, um the enrollment boundaries. That's the superintendent's job. Um we all are part of that. We hold her accountable to that. We hold her accountable to making plans and getting all of our questions answered. But we at this moment are talking about asset management and pouring money into these buildings um is a really not a good investment where we could be putting that back into our academic programming. And last thing I will say and I won't do this on all of them. Um this has nothing to do with what's actually happening in our buildings. Like the learning communities in all of these buildings are strong and vibrant. Uh the staff is great, the kids are great. um Dubberry Park, we need to work on enrollment if we really really really

160want this uh integrated campus. We need more kids here. Um so we have lots of things to talk about with around enrollment and how we do this. Um I put videos out on my own Facebook page. You all can go see those and I will stop talking about that. Um but uh for all of them um but but again it's about the asset and at this point walking through that building um it is not it's not a condition I think for our students and we can do better. So um I am I will be supporting this one. >> I thank you. All right. Um >> President as a point of clarification. So, if I'm understanding uh what Vice President Adair just mentioned, is this then saying that this resolution is either way, if it's passed,

161if it's passed, it's the understanding that this school isn't able to relocate until the investment or plans for Fort Hayes has been established? >> That is correct. Because at the end of the day when we visited these schools and by the way thank you to board member uh vice president Adair board member board member Vera for joining me and everybody for being at these schools and visiting and talking to our staff and principles. Um at the end of the day the answer to that question is yes. It was made very clear to us by Ducksberry that they wanted their landing spot to be Fort Hayes, the Fort Hayes campus. We understood that walking away as the value of what they expected. And that is that is possible. And if that's the case, then let's plan

162for that transition as opposed to just planning for moving them to a temporary space in a way that also disrupts that academic program. >> The one there. So, South Mifflin has a South Mifflin Elementary has an incredibly strong STEM program. They are they and they have all the things in that building, staff to resources, all designed to create that rich experience for them as you saw with your own eyes, understanding that that program is successful. So is Duxberry's program. But how does that integrate? and even that staff was very unclear as to how that could actually work. This is why we wanted to make sure that there was an opportunity for the board to honor what it is that Duberry was looking for and give you the time give you the time to be able

163to plan that the resources around that and figure out how that can actually work. So the answer to your question is yes. Just as a point of clarification, um, President Cole, who is we in your sentence? Like when you say we wanted to give because I understood it like when we went to see it yesterday, South Mifflin thought they were coming there. So when in the we hours did we suddenly land on Fort Hayes being because that's not what you presented to us. And so I'm confused on where this Fort Hayes line is coming from because just to your point, Vice President Adair, we just said that that's her job to figure out how to move these schools. So I would actually offer that we should consider amending this and taking out that Fort Hayes

164Metropolitan line. Not to say that's not where they should belong. I'm not arguing that. But if we're saying that this school needs to come offline, but now we're putting another barrier, we still haven't figured out what what's happening with West Broad Elementary. So this is yet another school that's not really going to come offline. >> It's going to sit stacked up until you can get to it. So when you talk about cost savings, this is not going to be a cost savings. So I just want to be very clear that I was not in support or of, you know, making sure that this was tied to a Fort Hayes relocation. I understood it that it would be a closure. You would figure out and work with the staff of these schools to figure out where

165these kiddos would go. So, I just want to be clear on who is the Wii in that statement around Fort Hayes being the landing site for this closure. >> So, >> well, in her presentation, she did say it as the next step, but I'll let her talk about that. Um, so the Wii is the I guess the community and and it was always a temporary spot. That's how the superintendent presented it to committee as a temporary spot. Here's the other thing to be temporary. We still have to make capital investment into that South Mifflin school. So, we're spending money um either way. Um so, why not just get them to the place that they need to go instead of trying to create more squeeze in a school and then those two schools basically if you

166put them in it's it's a full building. Neither program can grow. And so then you've capped them. And then if the goal was to pull the art program out, then when you do that finally, you have a a STEM program that has not been able to grow and now it's an an underutilized building, too. >> No, no, I get that. I guess my my my concern is when you give us these kind of simulations or ideas of where these schools could be relocated, you still have to do an entire process. So it it's not that it will be at Mifflin, South Mifflin. So I think before we pigeon hole her to one specific site, we should really give her the opportunity like we just did with this last consolidation. There's still conversations about where cause

167is going to go. So I just I would offer just as my personal opinion, I don't think Fort Hay should be tied to this specific legislation. I think like the process we've just gone through with the last consolidations, you will have to figure out to honor as to my colleague just said, South Mifflin is doing amazing STEM work there. Duxberry has a very robust arts program. You have to make sure it makes sense. We did the math, the enrollment, it doesn't make sense. So, I'm hopeful that you will consider a different site because based on what we saw yesterday, the math does not math for that particular solution. But I recognize that that wasn't your final solution and that's not what we are voting on tonight. By adding this particular line, I believe that goes

168into you telling you now where this school has to go and that may not necessarily be something we can do in the immediate. So going back to cost savings, this is not something that I don't believe is going to happen anytime soon. Then that puts the Ducksberry community in limbo like cause like West uh West Elementary like there's a lot of schools right now. What about our school? What's happening? This is going to be another school we add to the list if we do this line around Fort Hayes. Just my thoughts, >> Mr. Simmons. >> Um thank you, President Cole. Um I I certainly do share board member Vera's concerns about stacking up on buildings. Um the board has to this date made several um construction commitments. Um we kind of made a commitment to

169West Broad last December. Um we have a commitment to cause from years and years ago and we also have our FMP plan um that we're still in some ways committed to um which includes things like the Mifflin Middle School site which is a really good opportunity for us to build on um as are a lot of other properties throughout the district. Um and so I'm concerned, you know, we're in this space where we're about to not just make a a closure decision, but we're also about to make a capital plan decision. Essentially, we're about to make an in a way an FMP decision because we are essentially committing the district, committing the superintendent to spending permanent improvement dollars to make the investment on the Fort Hayes campus. Um, when you know that we don't know

170if it will be cheaper or more expensive to make the investment in South Mifflin because we haven't done the cost estimates. So, to our colleagues point about why not make the investment in Fort Hayes, but we really can't say why not because we don't know what's cheaper. Um, and I think, you know, the only, and this is my biggest concern, the only reason why this move, this closure would not happen, um, you know, in the near future is because there's no space for the kids to go. There's no classroom available. As we just heard from a superintendent, there is no elementary classroom available um, on the Fort Hayes campus. And so without a significant, as the superintendent said, without a significant capital investment to make that a reality, um there's nowhere for these kids to

171go. So it it's it's not a closure that's going to to I think to board member Vera's point, you know, it's it's not in a way a closure. It's a kind of a a delayed decision, delayed on on further action. Um and I I do agree. Um, I think consistent with how we did the resolutions last December, which is what we discussed at our last meeting, those closure resolutions would be, we did provide our superintendent the opportunity with Columbus Alternative High School to take that, work with her team, come back to the board with a plan several months later. Um, I know we've gotten some updates since then, but we're still, you know, more things are cooking. Um, and so I do think, um, it probably would be best if we continued our past practice

172and did provide the superintendent that opportunity. And again, I think it would be great if we had all of our K12 arts programming on the Fort Hazes campus. I think that would be amazing. I think there's so much potential on the Fort Hast campus, but I'm just not prepared to in a siloed decision that only looks at one of our buildings and not all of our land, all of our buildings. Um that doesn't take in consideration the whole picture. I'm just not comfortable making a capital um a permanent improvement dollar in investment commitment and um committing the superintendent to one particular building. I I really would like to see what your team would could come up with in six to eight months down the road. I make a motion to amend the resolution to strike

173in 1B after the date July 31st, 2027, including the relocation of the elementary school arts program to the Four Hazes Metropolitan Education Campus acknowledging the closure and relocation will not occur prior to 2027 2028 school year >> or just wait >> you're going from >> No, just the including >> second >> including to the name of the campus, right? So, does that mirror the rest of them? >> Yes. >> So, you're striking out including them, >> including >> one comma to the next. >> Yes. Comma to comma. >> Okay. >> All right. That's a motion. Is there a second? >> Motion and seconded. We are now >> You want to second because that was your idea. >> Motioned and seconded. >> What we're doing is voting on the amendment >> amendment >> to strike language.

174>> Correct. to align to the other resolutions that give the superintendent the opportunity. That's correct. >> To decide where these schools will actually land. >> That's correct. >> Where Ducks specifically in this resolution. >> Correct. >> All right. It's been motion second and call the role. >> Miss Vera. >> Yes. >> Miss Engles. >> Yes. >> Dr. Pierce. >> Yes. >> Miss Reyes. >> Yes. >> Mr. Simmons. >> Yes. >> Vice President Hadair. >> Yes. >> President. [clears throat] >> Yes. >> Amendment carried. >> All right. Motion to motion passes. All right. Now we have a motion to adopt this resolution. >> We've already got the motion in the second >> and we have it >> as amended. >> Y'all don't let me just walk towards it, but I thank you. >> All right, call

175a roll. >> Miss Vera, >> yes. >> Miss Engles, >> no. >> Dr. Pierce, >> yes. >> Miss Reyes, >> yes. >> Mr. Simmons, >> yes. >> Vice President Adair, >> yes. >> President Cole, >> yes. Motion passes. All right. We will move on to resolution 4.9. I will read this as a mot as a motion offered. uh to close building Fairwood Alternative Elementary School. Based on the information and recommendations presented, the board directs the superintendent to implement the closure of Fairwood Elementary Alternative Elementary School located at 726 Fairwood Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43205 to be effective for the 2627 school year. Present the board with a timeline and plan for the implementation of the school closure not later than or on before June 30th, 2026. The board approves the demolition of Fairwood Alternative Elementary School

176upon closure. This is a motion. Is there a second? Motion and seconded by the vice president. Uh floor is open. >> Okay, >> Mr. Simmons and well, let me go to Miss Engles >> and then board member Simmons, board member Ver. >> Yeah, I just want to uplift that it is really hard to take schools in isolation and what we need is a full and comprehensive plan. And I feel like we've continued to say that as a board over and over again and that is what we need is a full comprehensive plan. We need a full strategy that looks at the entire district and takes into account where we are going to go so that we can easily communicate that to our community because I think right now I mean we saw people tonight talking

177about a school closure that's not going to happen that's not on the table tonight and we are going to buildings and people are getting confused about are you coming and closing my school next do I have to worry about that next year and if people don't have a clear vision they don't understand where we're trying to go as a district and what we're trying to create for our kids. It's going to continue in this mass confusion. And I hate being here and I hate that we continue to put ourselves in this position. We need a massive comprehensive plan that looks at all of the buildings and that really creates the vision to drive forward. So, I just I want to re-echo that. I know that was said in pieces by my board colleagues, but I

178want to make sure I'm saying it, too, because it is very frustrating. Um, and and I and I know that, you know, we need to look at what kind of learning environments our kids deserve and and what that looks like moving forward, but it's got to be more strategic than the way that we're doing it right now. >> I'm excited and looking for the reintroduction of 7105 from your committee at our next meeting. I'm excited. We're doing the work. >> It's sitting in um academic and facilities alignment committee. >> All right. Thank you, Mr. Simmons. Um, thank you, President Cole. I just had um one question and one concern. This resolution is worded differently um than the the Cuomo resolution, for example, and I'm just curious if if that was an intentional choice or may

179because I know this did come up last December if maybe we just use the same document and didn't make all of the revisions that were necessary. So, I wanted to get clarification just that the the language is exactly what we want it to be. Um, and then in addition, the timeline doesn't exactly make sense. It says, "Present a plan on or before June 30th, 2026." Our board has traditionally taken a recess in the month of July, which means we would receive that plan on June 30th. We would not meet for a month and then we would come back and it would only be one meeting before the start of the school year in which the closure is to be effective. And so I'm I'm unless I have the timeline wrong, I'm a little bit >>

180That's That wasn't the process. That's not the process. >> Oh, go ahead. got a point of clarity. >> Well, I think the superintendent talked about the timeline if it's it's going to follow the same process that we've been using. So, when she says when it says create a timeline and plan, if you remember, that's the thing that um they came to us and they said like here's when we're going to do the go community meetings and we're going to do these. >> Is there a template per se that can be applied to to the school? Is But I'm I'm concerned. My concern is actually um it it's not so much the what what plan Dr. Chapman puts together. That's not the nature of my concern. The nature of my concern is that the board would

181have July to review it, which we don't meet during July, and then we would have one meeting in August and then it would be the start of school. And so if the intention of having this language in here is to create space for the board to review the plan the superintendent presents, we're >> I'm not sure we're leaving enough time on the calendar to do that. is the concern I'm raising >> for Dr. Chapman. >> So, should this one be January 2027? >> It's it's this >> No, it's for next year. >> Dr. Chapman, >> so this transition for um Fairwood would be for the following school year, next school year, for the 26 27 school year. Um to board member Simmons, we could certainly move that date up um a bit earlier. Um certainly

182we have um a structure for how we transition a building because we've been working on that um and building that framework over the last couple of years. And so we could certainly provide um an update prior to June because it would be for the 2728 school year which would be August of 20 August of 2027. August of 2026 I'm sorry. >> Okay. Thank you Dr. Chapman. Um, you know, I think we typically meet twice in two regular business meetings in June and then a close of the books meeting. Um, if we were to move the deadline up a month, would you think that would be feasible for your team? >> Absolutely. >> Okay. Um, thank you, Dr. Chapman. Um, President Cole, I would like to make a motion to amend the resolution um to strike

183June 30th and replace that with insert May 31st. >> That is a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motioned and seconded. We will call the role for the amendment. >> Miss Reyes. >> Yes. >> Mr. Simmons. >> Yes. >> Dr. Pierce. >> I'm looking at a calendar. >> You can move on. >> Miss Engle. >> I didn't say my vote yet. >> I'll come back. Miss Engles. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Miss Vera. >> Yes. >> Vice President Hadair. >> Yes. >> President Cole. >> Yes. Yes. >> Motion carry. >> All right. Thank you. Amendment. >> All right. So, that motion carries. We still have the motion on the floor. So, the language is now amended for a May date as opposed to the June date. All right. We're back to the motion

184on the floor. >> We have a motion and second >> and it has been seconded. Now, can we call the role? >> Dr. Pierce. Um, so I'm I'm concerned that um, as a board colleague, we need to visit our monitoring calendar and all of these updates to ensure that we are really calorizing the work that needs to be done. So, we're getting these reports as they should be given. Um, my vote is yes, but I think we need to as a board really look at our calendar. >> Okay. You'll do that certainly in the future. >> Miss Reyes, >> yes. >> Mr. Simmons, >> yes. >> Miss Engles, >> yes. >> Miss Vera, >> yes. >> Vice President Adair, >> yes. >> President Cole, >> yes. Thank you. All right. Motion passes. All right. We

185will move on to section 4.10. I will read this and it will be offered as a motion uh to close building Komo Elementary School. Based on the information and recommendations presented, the board directs the superintendent to implement the closure of Ko Elementary School located at 2989 Rice or is that Reese? Thank you for y'all Northsiders. Ree Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43224 to be effective for the 2627 school year. Present the board with a timeline and plan for the implementation of the school closure not later than or before January 31st, 2027. The board approves the demolition of Ko Elementary School upon closure. This is a motion. >> It's been seconded. Floors opened or any discussion. Just for clarity sake as well, this timeline was established uh to give the superintendent opportunity to ensure that families that wanted

186to either lottery or transition to another school had that opportunity to be able to do that. So with that, we'll call the role. Mr. Treasurer, >> Miss Reyes, >> yes. >> Mr. Simmons, >> yes. >> Dr. Pierce, >> yes. >> Miss Engles, >> yes. >> Miss Vera, >> yes. >> Vice President Adair, >> yes. >> President Cole, >> yes. >> Motion passes. All right. And we have uh resolution 4.11 4.11. The resolution is and I will offer this as a motion to close school building Everett Middle School aka actually known as Columbus Gifted Academy. Based on the information and recommendations presented, the board directs the superintendent to implement the closure of the former Everett Middle School building, which currently houses the Columbus Gifted Academy located at 100 West 4th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43201 to be

187effective for the 2728 school year. present uh present the board with a timeline and plan for the implementation of the school closure not later than on or before January 31, 2027, including the relocation of the gifted program to another school building. The board approves the demolition of Everett Middle School upon closure. This is a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motioned and seconded. >> Floors open. I just wanted to say that I um and this is why all the Aenddale people are here. Um >> so the again that the the board is voting on the the closure of the of the building and what was proposed by the superintendent was a move to Aendale. That would be her responsibility as we've kind of already outlined. I want to just put on record by

188saying that visiting these locations I do not think that is a good idea. Uh I do not think it fits. I do not think that the space is appropriate. I I think that um that is that is something just immediately walking in you could see that Aenddale would not be a good fit for the gifted population in terms of programming size of student um and just facility needs in general. Um so I do support this resolution concerning the building. Um but we're not voting on that part of it for her. So, but I just want to put on record that I do not support that suggestion by the superintendent. >> And I echo uh Vice President Adair's comments. I too visited Aenddale and um Gifted yesterday and it's two incredibly amazing programs. Um and certainly

189some real hard consideration will need to go into where to put gifted. Um but Aendale and this is your job to figure out Dr. Chapman. I would agree. I I do not believe that is the place for the gifted program. >> Um I had the same opportunity and shared space with everybody while we were there as well. Um that building has been uniquely designed over time at the Ever building has been uniquely designed over time to accommodate what has grown into a very robust series of programs. whether it was the vocal piece, whether it was the music piece. [cough] I mean, when you're thinking about where to house that music program at Aendale, there is no way on God's green earth that that could happen at all. And that's just one example of several. Um,

190I am in absolute agreement as well. But this is why I'm I'm I will certainly continue to encourage the future board of education to always incorporate school visits into your decisions to close or consolidate facilities. This is why we took the very thoughtful and considerate process to ensure that this alignment, this realignment made any kind of sense for schools. And we found out in several incidents that that just wasn't the case. Um, so I recommend it. I if there is anything if we found a better landing space specifically for Columbus gifted if there were such an opportunity because we built it for them or because we found the most accommodating space for them to be um I still see Everett as a tremendous opportunity for public private partnership a tremendous opportunity and not just because

191of the building and asset itself but also because of what it's adjacent to. It's right next door to one of the cities the city's only indoor pool. I mean, it's just an incredibly rich space with a great opportunity in what is still an emerging community in Columbus as a south as a as a short north. So, it's it there's great potential there, but also even greater potential for our students. Um, so that now um, last comment. Go ahead, please. >> Thank you, President Cole. Um, Dr. Chapman, could you provide the board with some insight into why Aendelle was selected? So when we began this process um in all of the conversations that we've had about school closures and realignment work, we were looking at consolidating, not thinking about um adding additional funding, asking for additional

192funding because we recognize that is a part of future planning regarding our facility master planning. So for the schools that we were considering, it would require a merger of some sorts. And so Aendelle was one of the schools that we considered because of where it's located. It is locked in in terms of the neighborhood and there are um limited there's limited opportunities to um think about the number of students that live in that area. And so it was an opportunity to bring um the programming to the west side um at Aendale and to transition. Again, we know that Everett is probably one of the oldest buildings that we have in our inventory um in Columbus City Schools. I believe it's over a hundred years old. I have to double check that. Um but it was

193one of the buildings that has been brought forth through um several facilities task force for several iterations, right? Not just the most recent one, but previous ones and strongly recommended for consideration for closure. And so when we were thinking about um this set of schools that we brought forth, we were thinking about enrollment at all of the schools where we've already made significant FMP investments that were not at the maximum capacity because that was another piece um that was um really causing us to think very urgently about these schools that we've already invested in so we didn't lose our investments, our community investments and our FMP buildings. When we have FMP buildings that are not full or at capacity, we as a district because of the legislature could potentially lose those buildings. And so we

194were looking at the buildings that have additional capacity and we've already invested in so that they would not become at risk for um us having to force to sell them um and lose them. >> Thank you. Um, and the proposal was could I just want to make sure I understand um in the joint committee slides was it to combine gifted and Avidel or I believe it was to redraw the boundaries so the students currently going to Avidel would go to surrounding elementary schools. >> Correct. That was part of the recommendation. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, but currently as it stands, the existing enrollment at Aendelle leaves the building a as a risk if depending on the pending legislation. >> Correct. >> Okay. Thank you, Dr. Chapman. Oh, I'm sorry. I just I did have one

195more question. Um, similar to Dubberry, um, you know, I look at the enrollment at um, the gifted academy, there's 409 students. That's a little larger for one of our schools. Um, where in the district are 409 seats for those kids if not at Aendale? >> In order to accommodate um a robust program like the gifted academy, we would have to if not Aendale, it would be another school that we would have to um reassign students redraw boundaries to accommodate them. So if not Aendale, is it another school across the district? un that's the only way that that would be able to happen given the size of the program and the number of students that they serve. Remember most of the other schools that we've considered before were um much smaller in enrollment [clears throat] >>

196150 students under 200 students and so forth. I just I just want to remind like in walking through the biggest thing that I took away from that is that they it's one school but they actually run it very much as two separate schools. They have the elementary programming, they have their own art gym, all of that. They have they run them at the same time. They have then their middle school program. So they're running two schools in one school. So I think we can think a little bit more creative about it. And if we do want to do something more like a, you know, a bigger prek to 12 gifted cause thing, [clears throat] we got to think about it. We got to plan it out. We got to make it right. I just want

197to say, and I'm I just want to say we can we need to stop trying to shove kids in buildings. >> This has to be about student experience. And um you know, when we look at at buildings on paper and we're like, "Oh, well, yeah, 400 seats, 400 kids. Let's do it. and then you go and you see what's happening or or the needs of the of the program. I mean it makes no sense and we know what that's like because we are trying to unfold from that now. Um and so we cannot and look community that might mean we're going to lose some buildings to charter schools and that's not our fault. We need to go yell at the legislature for that. But I would rather that than than harm our students and their

198experience by shoving them in um educational environments that do not meet their needs. And so it's hard, right? This all is very very hard and we have to have those conversations and that's why the integrated plan is is really important. >> All right. So the motion the motion is on the floor and has been seconded. >> I was still with Dr. Traman. >> You have one more. >> Thank you. Um and then Dr. Chapman. So, what you're saying is when the board chooses to relocate a building and in in this on this motion, we are displacing someone in the district. >> No, we're just voting on closing a building. >> I'm sorry. So, I I understood what you said, Dr. Chapman, was that um in order to move the gifted program and the amount of

199students they serve over 400 that if it's not at it would have to be another building in which I believe you said that the students would, you know, redraw the boundaries, be reassigned. That sounds like a displacement. >> Correct. [cough and clears throat] But I also hear um a strong sense of urgency from our board that is shared by the administration to dedicate and commit to doing this work in a thoughtful way by taking the time to develop an integrated facility master plan, which we currently do not have as an organization that acknowledges where we need to build new schools. where we need to close and consolidate and shows what that realignment looks like across the entire district with a smaller footprint that accommodates larger schools so that we can increase our enrollment and serve

200our students and provide them with the programming that they need to be successful in K12 and beyond. And so I think that this is a great opportunity for us to say that in starting in in January, we talked a lot about January, um about making the time through our committee work, um community engagement to develop an integrated facility master plan that acknowledges all of those needs in one plan. We do not have that as an organization. It will take a commitment from everyone. It will mean we will have to stop doing some things so that we can make the time, energy, and effort to commit to that planning process. Planning doesn't happen in a vacuum. It happens when we all show up. Board members, community members, staff members, our school-based staff, our central office staff,

201our parents, our students, our future students. And so I believe that this is a right time for us to make a commitment to do that work earnestly. um as soon as possible so that we do not have to play whack-a-ole when it comes to our facilities work. >> Thank you, Doc. Dr. Chapman. Um I certainly agree and I I would just add that um I do think there needs to be an assessment or review of the previous FMP plan to see, you know, it was only a few years ago, but to see um how that might fall in alignment with the district's current needs um I think starting from square one um when we do have a plan that's fairly recent, I I don't think makes a lot of sense. And so I would just

202encourage us in the new year to really look back at that 2022 I believe it was FMP um and and review it to try to dust it off and see what could still work for the district and before we endeavor on a brand new plan. >> All right. I thank you for the feedback and insight. Uh please uh Dr. Chapman walk away with uh this salient and board colleagues particularly those who will be here next year. I think it's important to not forget the timeline, the clock. When the clock begins, when a school is closed, the clock starts as per Ohio Revised Code, as per Ohio law. So stuff that you put off for now, things that things that have been delayed for whatever reason at this point in time or maybe in the near

203future, you better give deep consideration as to what the impact is going to be on you fiscally and from an asset perspective, what can be taken versus having the opportunity to do some other things with it. So thank you for that. Uh moving on, we will move vote, don't we? Mr. Simmons. >> Yes. Miss Reyes, >> yes. >> Dr. Pierce, >> are we voting on the amendment? >> We are voting on 4.11. >> 4.11. >> Um, yes. >> Miss Les, >> yes. >> Miss Ver, >> yes. >> Vice President Adair. >> Yes. >> President Cole, >> yes. >> Motion passes. Thank you. All right. Um, Dr. Chapman, before we get to our sections, you know, 5.1 to 7.1, I just want to leave you with this thought. It's really important. There's some takeaways that this

204administration needs to hear. And the key thing is is one, have a plan. I think it's better to come to the board much more equipped with a plan. Not just a vision, but the plan that actually accompanies it in a way that was thought through in a way that incorporated more voices, particularly even your building staff, your administrators in the building. The other piece is the the expeditious work that has to be carried out and putting together this work group around student transportation. I don't I'm not as cynical as some of my other colleagues may feel their themselves being. I believe that we have the opportunity and ability to solve the problem. I think that the community can come together and do it, but it has to get done and there's a deadline. So with

205that, we will move on to >> quick point of order. President Cole, before we move on, can we just get a running tally of the the total of the cuts that we were able to make this evening, the rough estimate? >> Yeah. So we had on the initial it was the full 50 million. >> Uhhuh. >> And then on the resolutions that passed for facilities. >> So I have us down for the utilities. My number that I have is um 50,453,610. That is correct. Correct. >> That's correct. >> All right. Way to go, colleagues. >> All right. Thank you. Okay. We're moving on to sections 5.1 through 5 uh 7.1, excuse me. Uh madam superintendent, is there a report? >> I have a few comments. Um thank you, President Cole, Vice President Adair, and members

206of the board. certainly want to begin by thanking each of you for your leadership through some of the toughest decisions our district has faced in recent years. Navigating more than 50 million in reductions is difficult work and I appreciate your willingness to keep our students at the center as we confront our financial challenges head on. You have made yourselves available to our community through months of meetings, school visits, work sessions, and many conversations to support this work. You have asked thoughtful questions, weighed every recommendation carefully, and remain committed to our shared mission. I also want to extend my gratitude to our joint committee members for their thoughtful collaboration, and for standing with us throughout this process over the last few months. I want our community to know that we have collectively taken on this taken

207on this work with empathy for our staff, our students, and with a focus on long-term stability with a clear understanding that our students are counting on us to build a stronger CCS. I also want to thank our dedicated CCS staff. I acknowledge that these reductions and this journey is very challenging and it affects our people who we rely on to show up for our students every day. I want our staff to know that we are committed to make sure that we address these reductions through attrition first. That's retirements and resignations. In a district of our size, we typically have at least 200 transitions for employees each year. That means resignations or retirements. We will also work very closely with our labor partners to follow all of our bargaining agreements and our state laws regarding a

208reduction in force. To our union leaders, many of whom were here with us this evening, I want to thank you for your ongoing partnership. Thank you for standing side by side, shouldertoshoulder with us at the state house, advocating for CCS, and for working with us to navigate this moment with professionalism and care. Together, we have navigated both challenges and victories. I appreciate your willingness to stay at the table, to ask the hard questions, and to hold our administration accountable. We remain focused on what we all care about, which is the success and the well-being of our students and our staff. We all know that the source of these challenges did not begin here. Decisions at the state house and years of underfunded mandates at both the state and federal levels have placed district likes ours

209in impossible positions. And still we show up. We lead. We teach. We serve the over 45,000 students who count on us each and every day. As we move forward, we are committed to protecting what our students need for future learning. Robust instruction, whole child supports, stronger pathways, and safer schools. Our board goals and guard rails along with our district mission that each student is highly educated, prepared for leadership and service and empowered for success as a citizen in a global community remain our north star. We are all in this together. Our entire Columbus community. We will get through this as one community as we navigate these challenges, remaining committed to the students and staff and families of CCS. Thank you. And one more um reminder for all of our families. Certainly on a lighter note,

210I want to welcome all of our families back from wellness week. And um today and the start of our return, a snow day is the first very the first Tuesday back. But today marks the first um inclement weather closure of the school year. And I want to thank our outstanding staff members of our operations team who serve as the eyes and ears of our district. They are out before dawn checking road conditions, monitoring temperatures, and making the tough calls that help keep our community safe. I believe they refer to themselves as the road warriors. And after today, I wholeheartedly agree. Thank you to all of our custodians who worked all day to clear our sidewalks, parking lots, and driveways this morning. I also want to thank our communications team for moving quickly to provide updates

211via social media, email, phone dialers, and text messages as early as possible this morning to help families plan their day with minimal disruption. to our families. Today is a great reminder to doublech checkck your contact information in the parent portal to make sure we have the most accurate details on file. If you did not receive a phone call, a text message, an email from us today, it means we don't have your correct information. Please help us so that we can make sure that we get these important urgent updates to you to your direct um phone email as soon as possible. to our entire CCS team and our community. Thank you all. We will continue to move forward together with purpose, clarity, and dedication to our district. Thank you. >> Thank you, Madam Superintendent. Thank you

212to the team. Uh Mr. Treasure, >> yeah, thank you for the uh difficult decisions that you made tonight. We will be updating the forecast based on those resolutions. Um, at the October meeting, we just had a blanket 50 million inserted. With the passage of these resolutions tonight, we will now be able to categorize those into the appropriate bucket on the forecast. And as we update that towards January for a February presentation, we will then have those categories appropriately labeled. And so again, I know that was incredibly difficult tonight. As Dr. Chapman said, it's difficult, but we're working diligently to prioritize student instruction. So I thank you for your efforts on that. >> Thank you, Mr. treasure, Mr. Internal Auditor. Good evening, sir. >> Good evening. Nothing tonight. >> Nothing to report. Well, glad to have

213you here with us and thank you for all of your combined work and efforts uh and all that we do here in the district. Okay, we are going to move on to our consent agenda. >> Sorry, we have a uh item eight is actually a notice of public hearing on remployment. >> Thank you. All right. Uh so, madame vice president, would you read that? >> Yes. Um, item 8.1, notice of public hearing on the remployment of Diane Bowman. Pursuant to highrise code section 3309.345, the Columbus Board of Education gives notice that Diane Bowman, secretary the to the treasure, will retire from the Columbus City Schools effective January 31st, 2026 and is seeking re-employment with the Columbus City Schools as secretary to the treasure effective February 2nd, 2026. The board will hold a public hearing on

214January 6, 2026 at 6 PM in the boardroom at 3700 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio on the issue of Miss Bowman's retmployment. >> All right. Thank you, Madam Vice President. All right. We will move to the consent agenda, which is 9.1 to 24.4. Um, is there motion to approve the consent agenda? >> Motion to approve the consent agenda. >> Motioned and seconded. >> Mr. Treasur, we will call. Can I just I just want to say um there are a number of repairs in the section 17 facilities management legislation and these are really good opportunities to find long-term cost savings measures that are both um energy efficient um that are uh long-term um strategies toward um climate mitigation and um protecting ourselves from uh the very real impact of climate change. um and also uh opportunities

215for us to save money moving forward. And so um I'm hoping that this board in a future board meeting will take up the board policy around the green schools initiative. But I also want to call out that um these types of approvals are really key spots. I mean, just looking at 17.5, that is a $6.5 uh million investment into HVAC systems and making sure that we have energy efficient systems that are sustainable and that will last a very long time um are things that we should be looking at every sing every single time that we're making these massive investments. So, that's all I wanted to say about that. >> And I would just add um for 14.1, we had a number of community members come from um Aenddale Elementary School to to speak today and

216their students as well. And to see our district um and our board making the commitment to the facilities, I think is important that we are showing that we are not only invested in their academic success, but we as a district are also invested in making sure that they have safe, modern, um safe spaces where they can be educated. And so I want to thank our team um from our superintendent to our treasurer to all the people that work on making sure that we are um continuing and building solid relationships with contractors so we are maintaining our facilities. I think there was some time where we were not maintaining our facilities and we are seeing a stronger commitment to maintaining them so we don't have to wait until the last minute to make those large investments.

217So, thank you to our team for doing that due diligence >> and to our voters who made that really happen because that's that PI that we passed in 2020. >> All right. Thank you all. Uh there's been motion and seconded. Can we call the role? >> Miss Vera? >> Yes. >> Miss Engles? >> Yes. >> Dr. Pierce? >> With the exception of 22.2, yes. 22.2 is no. >> Miss Reyes? >> Yes. >> Mr. Simmons? >> Yes. >> Vice President Adair? >> Yes. >> President Cole? Yes. Motion passes. All right. Thank you all. It's uh for uh getting us back through uh what be was a very tense re-entry into the district after wellness week, but I think everybody got the rest that they needed to be able to to do this work that we did

218today. That was very tough. Um I appreciate everyone's passion. I appreciate everyone's proaction and progressive thinking. I do. Um, with that, is there a motion to >> motion to adjurnn? >> Second. >> Motioned and seconded. If all are in favor, I >> I >> All right, we are adjourned. Thank you.