001Good evening. We're going to begin our regular board meeting for our charter school education. And we will begin with a moment of silence. And before we begin today's meeting, I would like to invite all of you to observe a moment of silence. Uh this is a remembrance of the lives lost and forever changed by gun violence in our communities and across the nation. Let us honor the memories and stand in solidarity with those grieving and with all of our shared responsibility to build safe and inclusive spaces for all. We will begin shortly. Thank you. Mr. Sebastian? Here. Mr. Parker? Here. Mrs. Harden? Present. Ms. Warren? Present. Okay, before we move on, I'd like to let everyone know that our colleague, Ms. Oliver Bergen, will not be joining us this evening. She just had surgery on
002her son and her son is still hospitalized. Okay, we're going to turn our attention to the Pledge of Allegiance Okay, and would anyone like to stand and would like to I I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. TPS is purpose-driven, future-focused. We provide innovative education opportunities that ensure each student is prepared for their future. We empower each and every student to lead and live a purpose-driven life. I took the state of this degree of great class for professional military or the public regions. And then, Mr. William was presented by Mr. William right from another degree. At this time, um we will move through the board agenda adoption. Technically, uh motion to
003adopt, please. So moved. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion? I now present the resolution. Mr. Nesky. Yeah. Mr. Nesky, yes. Mr. Nesky. Yes. Mr. Nesky. Yes. Great. Section two of presentations, I would like to turn it over to Mr. Brent. I'll turn over the papers. Good evening and thank you. I would like to recognize and congratulate tonight's retirees. Denise Demaison, she's an MD paraprofessional at Rogers. She's retiring with 41 years and eight months of service. Shelly M. Ewing, secretary here in the administration building, 28 years, three months of service. Patricia Parker, food service worker two at Burndale, 45 years, five months of service. Marie Nadra Tamansky, sorry about that. MD paraprofessional at Woodward, 42 years, eight months of service. And Karen Elaine Wadley, MD at Big Tag, 37 years, 9 months of service
004for a total of 196 years and 3 months of service to Title Public Schools. Thank you, Mrs. Miller. Moving into section three, which are community comments. Section 8 is a reserved policy. The board values the input of citizens and community members regarding all aspects of the district. The board understands that that education is a center of all community issues and activities, and that the input is important as long as the board hear all views and all matters. In order to ensure a quality of public comment portion during board meetings, all citizens and community members who are scheduled to speak before the board shall abide by these general rules. One, each speaker has 3 minutes unless modified by the board president. Two, the time will be displayed for the speaker and the public to see. The
005timer will announce when time is expired. Three, any questions that speakers would like responses to be to be submitted in writing to the board president and the security concerns within a reasonable time frame, normally 7 to 10 days, depending on the amount of research required to provide a comprehensive response. And it depends on the nature of the question. Four, board members will not engage in policy dialogue with speakers, but will use their established meeting format to address stated dialogue. The public comment section is an opportunity for the board to listen to all citizens and community members who may contact the speakers following the meeting where they will receive feedback and questions. The guide The general guidelines are established as a means by which a maximum of 10 minutes for board members to discuss citizen and
006community members who have spoken. organized instruction for student feedback that will help our students succeed. Thank you. And our next speaker tonight is Ms. Sue Terrell. Ms. Terrell, do you need that chair? It was originally at the one for your design. I don't know if you want to stand or sit. I think I'm just going to like that. You're to stand. But it's true. Speaking of reading this, does require a little bit. Okay. My name is Sue Terrell. I'm a Libby High School alumna, advocate, and activist. In the course of more than 16 plus years, I've attended very contentious TPS meetings when schools were pitted against each other to stay open, especially in the poor South Side community of Everett Junior High and Libby High School over 16 years ago. Since the demolition of Libby
007High School, I've seen the effects of community struggling to gain a new identity, deteriorating, and working to improve conditions. I see the anger and confusion that lingers when there are no longer neighborhood schools. In contentious TPS meetings in 1991, TPS Libby High School and Cleveland both became middle schools. And yet despite the 1991 decision that they closed, today the former Cleveland High School was sold and is currently repurposed by the Church Street Mission, and Cleveland High School thrives now with the Cleveland STEM Academy, Medical Center, and etc. Well, in 2012, the Libby High School community comprehensive South Side School, then honored one of Cleveland's most famous benefactors, was demolished with nothing left but a barren campus. So, I have witnessed much. I would guess everyone here feels anger. The Board of Education, the staff, the
008teachers, the parents, the unions, the students, and the community, yes, anger, but take a deep breath. We have heard the community shaking news, but citizens want the information to act, and that will come from our local leaders and communities. But wait, who didn't show up tonight? Where are they? Not the people who Not the people like you who care. What really needs to be to hear who really needs to hear our anger and our frustration. So, who is not here to face the consequences of the loss of public education funding? No questions to be asked of them. They who have the most power to make this this right. And may I introduce the North And I'm sorry, I don't hear their photographs. They were should all be here. May I introduce to Northwest Ohio two
009faces you've likely never met before, but who have had the power to make draconian educational cuts here and truly statewide. These are not mug shots, but the smiling faces of our state Department of Education Committee, representatives and senators in Columbus. And I have their contact information available for anybody that wants it to be passed out. Um earn your grade. A for advocate, A for activist, and don't let the state divide us. United we stand. Get this list of smiling faces and contact these elected officials and organize. I hope not. As she said, don't touch it. Okay, excuse me. Hello, everyone. Thank you for having me here. Hello Dr. Grant. Uh I don't know how to follow what Sue just said. Um that was great. Um I love the 419 home of Toledo. We are a
010special place, but we are always at risk. So, I just what I wanted to do is take up your time today with just a few questions. And I have them um here so I can turn them in to you. Um what can be done to reverse and or change funding problems and negative public school legislation at the state and federal level? I know Sue seriously spoke to that to some degree. Contact those legislators. What can parents, citizens, and community members do to change or assist Toledo Public Schools? Maintain community-based schools, stop the demolition of historic buildings, and the destruction of Toledo neighborhoods. Number two, what assurances can you give that historic buildings such as Harvard Elementary School will not be demolished or repurposed for charter schools? Um I believe Harvard Elementary was built in 1928.
011And I want to say it was Edward Gee, but I'm not sure. Thank you, Sue. Um and of course Edward Gee was hired by Edward Drummond Libbey. And he's also the architect of Libbey High School. South Toledo has endured a loss of community spaces and educational institutions, causing the breakdown of neighborhoods. 15 year 15 years ago Edward Drummond Libbey High School and the South Toledo YMCA closed, leaving an empty space and a and a dog park. I'm not against dog parks. I love dogs. Recently Toledo Heights Library closed. Now we are faced with the planned closing of Heather Downs Branch Library and Harvard Elementary. I understand you guys can't do anything about the libraries, but it all fits together. What can be done to reverse the the proposed closing of Harvard Elementary? Respectfully submitted. Oh,
012and I did want to say really quick, Stewart brought up the Mayflower Landing. I'm so glad to see that repurposed for Cherry Street, but what I'm really bummed out about was that the Whitney was destroyed. The demolition of Whitney, we may not have understood what a creative and historic building that was. I wanted to mention that, too. Thank you. All right, we thank you. Thank you to our community members that signed up to speak. We'll go ahead and move to the section four, which is organizational input. I'll ask regular parent congress Ms. Joann White, president of the Parent Teacher Organization at Jones Leadership Academy of Business, and member of community guest parent leadership network. Good evening, everyone. As she said, my name's Joann White. I've been the president of PTO at Jones Leadership Academy for
013about like 7 years now. I've been doing it for the last one. I know I don't have students anymore. I'm just here and I'm staying because I don't have any kids to step up and put their name in the town. I know some of my PTOs know how that goes. Um, I wanted to tell you all some positive things that I've seen in the district lately. I want to talk about the chess tournament that was hosted at Jones Leadership Academy of Business. I was there the whole day. I had two daughters participating in it, and it was the biggest turnout I've ever had. We had schools that had never been at a TPS tournament. Iota Phi Omega showed up. Berry Elementary showed up. And then both of us and Academy showed up, really deep. And
014we had more people than ever before, so I'm super excited that the chess tournament for TPS is growing into other school districts and communities. Also, I am a success coach at Pickard Elementary. I network with my girls twice a month to help them tomorrow. I have two big grade girls and I'm excited about that. Um and we will be keeping up with them as they change schools. And today I found myself doing that I never knew TPS did even though I've been affiliated with them so long. I never knew that we had a partner in the community that helps put uh it's called "You Get It Right." Safe Routes to Schools, right? I didn't even know that existed. Today I went to the Thai Elementary School and the gentleman who gives up their own time
015to be there to help the kids be provided space. And it was super cute. The kids are lining up there with their signs and goals. Big kids with the big bikes and I didn't think that that is awesome program and I love it, right? Um And I have to get over and I talk about the elephant in the room, right? Our MJ Lab. Our school is on the list of potential closings. I have a fifth grader and a fourth grader at Andrew Jackson Elementary School. That school is on the list for potential closings. And I was upset objectively. My school is closing, right? Nobody is happy about any of it. Nobody sitting up here. Nobody up here. Nobody is listening. But I believe as a parent, right? I truly believe that you're doing the best
016that they can for our kids. And I have to believe that. I have to trust these people who we vote to be up here, right? We vote for them. And if you didn't vote for them, it doesn't matter cuz it didn't work for you, right? And so I'm asking everybody to just take a breath, let it out. This is not the first time that the district has had to make very, very difficult decisions. I want to mention our baby, it doesn't exist anymore, right? McKinley doesn't exist anymore. There's lots of schools in going to exist anymore. And we made through the tough times and we still see the community stand strong when we stand together and not fight and not argue, we just listen. Listen to each other. And we need to fight for what
017we believe in because somewhere a change is going to happen. I know we can change every single thing we need to change and then things are going to get better because that's the positive. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. White. I appreciate your words. Um next is Amelia Garcia. Thank you. First I want to acknowledge the three speakers that spoke, the two community representatives and a parent representative. That was It was good and they were right on. I also want to thank and commend everybody that came to show up, whether it's staff, parents, students, community members. Uh this is important. These are community schools. As I've said before, I'm a I'm a Wake graduate. I went to Birmingham Elementary, Solorio High when I was there. And you could say that we've we've been through some of
018these issues before. Um and as a as a East Side and as a public educated student, I know the value of those neighborhood schools and and it is important that you're here and represent what you know is true and and what you can convey. So I thank you all for being here. Um I do want to address we did a thing on Thursday. You do We that MOU that you're going to be looking at today for approval. Um the membership TAP, UAW Local 5242 did vote for a freeze to save 30 positions. But it's not just those 30 positions. Those positions, counselors, psychologists, assistant principals that would be in schools that would not have been there. Uh which I think is less services for kids and communities and parents. So it was a sacrifice. It's
019not an easy vote for myself and for the trustees, the union to to fight for wages and increase in working conditions, new contracts, to come back a year and a half and tell them to to pause that, to give that back. Uh so I I do commend them and I'm proud to represent the membership of TAP and they made a decision. You also should know that we had 18 cuts in 2024, I don't want to forget, in 21 2025, 40 mid-year cuts this February where I had mentioned it we had nine people that were not going to retire for a year or two that chose to retire to again sacrifice so that we have less bumping, less changes in the schools uh during the second half of the year. So I I do commend them
020and their names are still on my wall and I do thank them for doing that. And now we have this other sacrifice that the union did to try and save positions to to help to save to be in the schools and buy resources that students and community need. Uh it is with a heavy heart, you know, she mentioned anger. There's some anger there in why we're here that we shouldn't be here. You know, state legislator has a a huge part of that. Uh the district has some of that as well. Um I think as a union and as a membership and as a graduate TPS, we want to see this successful as much as everybody in this room. So, I want all of you to know we're still uh here and we're still going to
021fight and support TPS. Thank you. Thank you for your very honest and heartfelt words. Good evening, Mr. Miller. I guess it's evening, so good evening everybody. Um thanks for allowing this opportunity to address the board and superintendent and deputy superintendent. Um first, I do want to um congratulate and recognize the speakers that came before me. Um I appreciate the passion and emotion that gone into the their their comments. And I have had a chance to speak with parents outside on behalf of the heart of our schools and other schools that are being impacted by some of the decisions. And I I know it's not easy. You know it's not easy for them. There's generations of families that attended those schools and they're watching a piece of the fabric of the community ripped away. So, I
022know when TFT was asked to weigh in at one of the oversight meeting what building should be closed, and I said it then, I'll say it now is that is not a decision that I can make a recommendation without knowing all the facts. What does it do? How does it impact their schools, their communities? How does it impact the receiving schools? All that. And at that time, and I know Sue and some others were there, um you know that information wasn't readily available, just the average of what it could save dollar-wise. So, those are not um decisions that I could just fully make or either recommend just based on a dollar sign. With that being said, I want to um talk a little bit about the deficit. We've heard back in November, we heard in
023December, actually we heard in December, um $68 million dollar deficit. The keyword is projected. Um I lean back anytime I start talking about about education, fall back on my first grade roots of 17 years in the classroom and just I guess everything I need to know I learned in first grade. The math is simple. So let's assume those numbers are accurate. 68 million dollar projected deficit. All right? Then at some point in the couple weeks ago, I believe it was announced to the building reps and building principals that the deficit was now down to roughly 27 million dollars. So that was pre-transformation plan. So 68 minus 27 is 41 million of savings have already been generated due to cuts and other cost-saving mechanisms, whatever that looks like, whatever the words are being used. Then I
024go back to the letter the state sent the district, a communication I believe in July and then one in October, roughly October 20th, 21st, that said the the district had a hole in the budget around 38 million dollars, maybe just south of 38 million dollars. So my first grade math would tell me that 41 minus 38 is a 3 million dollar 3 million dollar cushion that has been generated and I know sitting through some of the oversight committees, there has been talk about why I want a cushion when we do these cuts, why I want wiggle room here and certain there. Well folks, when we lay off 17 nurses, we don't have room for a cushion. If we're talking about reducing services for students in classrooms, we don't have room for a cushion. It needs
025to be razor thin until we get this figured out on behalf of the students and the community. So those are some of the first grade numbers that I have. Now, we committed to digging into the deficit and we have done so. We've attempted to do more. And our people say, "Well what did AFT say? What did your auditor say?" So we we vest our information because it was incomplete what we received. But one of the things that did that was striking to us is that the information that was provided, it realized that 22% reduction over from FY21 to FY25. 22% reduction in FY25 was spent so less dollars spent on direct instruction to students in those four years. That's important for the my next few comments. Where other areas expanded by over 400%. Those were
026instructional dollars. We have questions. We've asked for formulas and worksheets to complete our review. That request was met ultimately with the statement that the information that we are requesting that the program apparently that designed the budget is proprietary. On the face of it, that's nonsense. This is a public entity that is committed to and obligated to open access and open If the district is using a vendor that is claiming that their information is proprietary, then I would be questioning that vendor. Because we deserve answers. You want our support. You want us to recognize this deficit and you're asking us to make catastrophic life decisions. Some members looking to lose 20% of their income out of their household budget. Unacceptable. We need all the facts before we can get up in front of my membership and
027say, "Hey, this is what we recommend. This is what we believe." We've never said we're not ready to stand and help, but we do need full transparency. We need transparency, not communication that ends up being divisive. So, for what it's worth, I want to preface my next comments by saying I'm not here to marginalize any of the work that Mr. Ramirez has done with his members in any decision they have made. However, back to my first grade group here. I was thinking of a story I was in a building the other day, one of my favorites in the classroom, Click, Clack, Moo. Cows that type. I don't know if you remember the story or not. Um a lot of kids don't know it, but it's really a story about organizing and union efforts. All the
028farm animals come together, type some stuff down, they need some basic needs and necessities. Well, comparing that to what we do, we sat down in 2020 2024 and bargained in good faith. We had back and forth, give and take. We came up with a settlement. And when I say we, it wasn't just TFT. It was Mr. Gann, Dr. Duran, Ryan Scholty, Ronald Parker, Chris Barber, Sheena Barnes, Lyle Logan, and Bob Escudero. It was all of us. And we said, "This is our commitment to doing what's right for students." And that includes compensation for teachers. That includes classroom size, student services, nurses in buildings, extracurricular, all the things that we agreed to. Now, we have been asked to forego and break that commitment. The promises that we made not just to ourselves, but to the community,
029because that's what that contract is. It's not just a contract for benefits and wages, it's a contract and it's a promise and a commitment to the community and the students that we serve every day. And when we lost 17 nurses, we saw the impact that grew rapidly with some phone calls and incidents that occurred. So, don't think for a second that those decisions did not have real-life impact when they were made instantly. So, yesterday, an email came out on behalf of the Board of Education, written I believe by Dr. Green, thanking Mr. Ramirez and his membership for their sacrifice. Understandable, I guess. But line in the email that was not received well at all was that their decision just wasn't one of financial action but one of leadership and a commitment to public education and
030a collective responsibility that we had to navigate the situation. And then it ends with an appeal that essentially that all of their bargaining units would step up and do essentially do the same. So, our members and myself included feel that that line was a slap in the face to the work we do every day. Refusing to avoid a lawful contract is not a lack of commitment. It's a commitment to the fidelity and the process in which we participated. We collectively, all the members of CFT, all the Board of Education, and everybody that participated in it. So, when you say we don't have a lack of commitment, I ask you, what evidence do you have that supports that? Is it the assaults our members are taking every day? Is it the safety and the safety and
031security that our members provide? Is that not lack of commitment? How about the fact that school schools were given very little notice, blindsided in some instances, that their buildings were closing and the entire staff showed up the next day to make sure their kids were under were home and were safe? I'm not sure how that's characterized as lack of commitment. Secondly this collective responsibility. I believe collective responsibility would have to start with collective decision-making. CFT was not asked if we should purchase Scott Park campus. We support the concepts. In fact, we helped draft them up. But, we did not We were not asked to support We were not asked to buy Scott Park campus. We were not asked collectively if we thought putting a levy on a 2024 that left our district with an $18
032million deficit was a good idea. In fact, I was at the oversight committee meeting and I questioned that about the polling. I was told there was no polling. It was a decision we made. We not with TFT. So, before we ask for the collective responsibility, I would ask that you put in place the collective decision making. And then we're more than happy to sit down and help you with this responsibility. But, what we cannot do and will not do is be called in at the 11th hour and then say, "Oh, by the way, we got a mess. We need your help to fix it." Because when I looked at some of the reports that I received from AFT, that's kind of what I'm seeing. We have no doubt. And we heard it from Sue Sue
033put it well. We have no doubt public education is under attack from the state legislature, feds and the state pushing back on the locals to fund schools. Public education has destabilized us. However, the biennium budget impacted us by roughly $25 million. We had a cash reserve that could have covered that $25 million. But, I'll go back to what Amelia said. In 2023 or 2024, collectively we made $30 million worth of cuts by laying by not laying off, but by cutting positions and removing those individuals from that spot and adjusting things like that. So, again, if you want collective responsibility, then don't bring us in at the end and say, "Okay, fix this." Bring us and start us from the beginning. Because I would have said we should do polling for that. We should check the
034viability of what we can and cannot do. But again, our members are worried not just for themselves, but they're worried about classroom sizes. They're worried about the angst and anxiety of cutting supplementals and the closing buildings. These are all questions that are falling back on them from parents and students alike, and we have no answers. Even today, I've asked for information from the district saying I would we need this to review some stuff. I sent HR committee meeting, I think it was in March, I believe Mr. Porter's error. I asked the um request information from the cabinet member. As of today, which was a month ago, I still do not have that information. So, if you want collective responsibility, open the books, give us the real information, and let us help you. But, until then,
035we're not there. We're not there yet. And it doesn't mean we don't have a commitment to public education. Moving forward, cuz we will have to move forward, and make no doubt about it, we are going to be fighting for everything that we promised and agreed to to our members, our staff, and students, and we're going to be continuing to fight for Toledo Public Schools. Cuz it's not just an educational institution, it's a legacy in Toledo. It is what people look to go There's things that we do here that are should be modeled after the nation. One of which you guys cut in January, leaving me close to 100 members I supported throughout the remainder of the school year in some of our most difficult assignments. But, moving forward, I would encourage you, if you want
036shared responsibility, the collective responsibility, I believe the words were used um by the letter on behalf of the Board of Education, is we need to create a committee where real decisions are made. I don't want to be an open public committee. It needs to be a committee where we're having conversations. If you want it done in public, I guess that's up to you guys. But, what we What I don't want and what we can't have, are predetermined decisions bringing them from a committee and then have already predetermined. Don't waste my time. Don't waste our time. So, we'd ask that there be a joint district committee that helps identify those on budget decisions and moves that forward. Again, TFT stands for high-quality public educations. We stand for the commitments we've made on behalf of our members
037and our teachers and our students and staff in the community. If something is needed, what we need is full disclosure of this information. Information cannot be kept proprietary and we're just supposed to trust you. Thank you. Good evening. I'm not going to reiterate what President Dalton said. He said it quite well. And we did our independent audit starting after the board meeting in December. Our economists in Washington do not agree with the numbers that have been provided from your institution, from the district. They do not coincide with what has been potential deficit of 68 million. We have inconsistencies in statements. We have inconsistencies in information. We have inconsistencies in positions. We have inconsistencies in almost everything that it would take for us to collectively be part of what's you're being asked of these unions. Yesterday's
038email that was to us as a union, and I mean our members, almost 700 who asked me, who clean the buildings, transport the kids, feed the kids, make sure they get checked in, their enrollment, their medical records, and everything else we do. And yet, we cannot get factual information. We cannot get accurate information that coincides with we do an audit from our Washington labor economist that can bring us remotely close to what has been presented to forego what we bargained in good faith. President Don said he bargained in '24, we bargained in '25. We all sat at that table. There's no reason, if the district is where it says that it is, then someone did not bargain in good faith. And I'm not saying the board And I will fully acknowledge the board votes on
039the information that it has provided. But if it was the same information information that we have been provided on which to make these decisions, that is not bargaining in good faith. That is not factual information. We brought the president and council late in to meet with all our members from all five locals. We invited all 700 our members in to talk about where we are, how we got here, using accurate information, emails, information, financial information, vacancy listings, all of that stuff. And yet, none of it was consistent from December's board meeting when we were all alerted to this, when clearly July we knew that that spare funding money was gone. In October, the ODE sent the letter. We find out in December. As AFSCME, as our leader as the director of AFSCME for this region,
040we had no idea that was coming. Cuz no one talked to us. No one came to us and said, "Hey, we see this coming. Can we sit down and have a conversation what it looks like?" No. We found out when President Dalton in December. Some may have known earlier, some later. And that's the minute we found out we did the audit. And nothing has coincided with the numbers that we've been provided since. So, that email that went out yesterday to our members was at to the best I can say, not only was it unfair, it was inaccurate, and it was I'm just going to say, for all those words, a slap in the face to those of us who were relying on information to coincide. We would love our information to match up with what
041the district has given us to validate what the district is saying. But at this point, we can't do that. And for us to ask our members to forego something that was negotiated on our behalf in good faith in early '25, I can't ask them to do that. Our members voted collectively on contracts that was negotiated on our behalf in good faith with this board. And I'm not saying the board, I'm saying the district. I'll correct that. So, I will not take that. Collectively, we need to do what some units, no no disrespect to Mr. Ramirez, have chosen to do. But clearly, without our information matching up, we cannot and will not ask our members to forego anything. >> And I came up to TBS. I worked at TBS for 13 years. My kids have gone
042to TBS. We are TBS strong. We are TBS proud. My family is. And yet we're now at a precipice of where where do we go from here? How do we move forward? It is impacting literally every single person we run into. And that's not just our neighbors. That's not just our families. That's not just our neighbors. It is the entire community. And yet, this is what we're faced with. The inaccurate information, the inconsistencies, and all of that. And we have made it available to our members. We have put it out there as factual, not opinions. I am not basing any of my communication with my members on opinions. But to say in any way that we, as AFSCME members, along with everyone else in this room, are not dedicated and committed to this district as
043a whole, how dare you? And if and when we can get that information, we'll be more than happy to discuss it with our members. We'll be more than happy to sit down and talk and have a further discussion. But until then, we will not. I think it's important to state two words, "truly unique". Again, this is section five. And we will have 15 minutes to make comments and this is what I perceive this board to be. >> Can I read that? Yes, so I will thank you. Mr. I will read the resolution to approve the agreement with the Toledo Association of Administrative Personnel and non- represented personnel in support of the district's fiscal stability. Whereas, the Board of Education of the Toledo City School District, the board recognizes that all employees play a central role
044in serving students, supporting families, and maintaining the long-term strength and fiscal stability of the school district. And whereas, the board further fully understands the fiscal and financial challenges currently facing the district and share responsibility required to address budget deficits while accepting the opportunity to strengthen the quality and fiscal stability of the school district. And whereas, members of the Toledo Association of Administrative Personnel, TAP, have approved to take a day's leave in support of the district's efforts to address budget deficits, which reflects a commitment to public education, fiscal responsibility, and the student family. Toledo, the terms of the paid leave are set forth in a memorandum of understanding, MOU, between TAP and board. And whereas, board expresses its shared appreciation to the members of TAP for considering approving paid leave. And whereas, Treasurer of the Superintendent,
045Superintendent's Cabinet, will also take the same paid leave for the collective bargaining to reduce costs and demonstrate shared sacrifice across leadership. And whereas, board believes this action represents a meaningful step toward shared responsibility while continuing to further prioritize student staff in the community. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Board of Education of the Toledo City School District hereby approves the agreement with the Toledo Association of Administrative Personnel and a paid leave for non-represented uh represented administrative personnel. Section 1, the board authorizes and directs the superintendent to take all necessary necessary steps to implement the CAP MOU. The board further authorizes and directs the implementation of a corresponding pay and step increases for non-represented administrative personnel, including superintendent, treasurer, and cabinet under the same terms, conditions, provisions, and duration as set forth in the CAP
046MOU. Section 2, the board finds that all formal actions concerning the resolution were taken in open meeting and fully complied with applicable law. Section 3, the resolution shall be in full force and effect immediately upon adoption. I ask that uh we pass this resolution. Thank you. Is there a motion then? So moved. Second. Is there a motion and a second, any discussion? Mr. Vasquez, this is roll call. Mr. Vasquez. I want to say something in this topic. I know that decision wasn't easy for your members. Um but I I do appreciate that you did so. Um and I know it wasn't the easiest one to acknowledge, but Mr. Vasquez. Yeah. Mr. Barker. Yeah. Mrs. Lowery. Yes. Mrs. Sparks. Yes. Any one more, please? >> 2.0 and I will read uh very lengthy memo. Uh whereas
047the School Board of Education Board is committed to ensuring long-term financial stability for the School Board of Education for the district while ensuring student opportunities remain strong and aligned with resource and student needs. And whereas the district, like other school districts across the country, has experienced a declining enrollment and rising operational costs requiring strategic alignment realignment of facilities, programming, and services. And whereas the PDS superintendent has presented transformation 2.0, a comprehensive based in approach to academic programming, facility utilization, transportation routing efficiencies, and student opportunities beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, which is attached here to and incorporated by reference. And whereas the board has previously authorized the implementation of cost containment measures pursuant to the state financial recovery plan adopted in December 2025 resulting in reductions to staffing, programs, and support services. And whereas the
048board recognizes that the district has implemented cost containment measures in advance of the state required timeline resulting in savings that reduced the remaining budget gap from approximately 26.4 million as compared to the approximately 41 million initially identified by the state plan. And whereas the superintendent has presented transformation plan 2.0 that identifies cost savings of 26.8 million through various initiatives, including, but not limited to, closing and possible repurposing of several schools and adjustments to transportation routing and arrival of school departments, thus creating greater efficiencies that align with the program adjustments. Whereas the board finds it necessary and appropriate to authorize the superintendent and treasurer to implement cost-saving measures beyond those set forth in the superintendent's plan 2.0, including but not limited to those that align with the state health recovery plan. Now, we're straight forward here.
049Yeah, the other part the other result that the school board of education hereby accepts and approves the recommendation of the superintendent and authorizes the communication of all divisions provisions of Christmas plan 2.0. The board also states in section one the board authorizes and approves the closing and future options of or repurposing of the following school buildings effective beginning the 2026-2027 school year. Dover Elementary, Martin Luther King Academic Boys, Spring Elementary, Walbridge Elementary, Parker Elementary, Pickett Elementary, Wheatley Achievement Academy, and Haven Elementary. Section two, the board authorizes and directs the superintendent to negotiate and enter into an agreement with the Louisville Federation of Teachers concerning the implementation of the three-tiered bell and schedule for the 2026-2027 school year, including high schools and magnet schools beginning at 7:30 a.m. Rogers, Shawnee, and Moore Elementary schools begin at
0508:25 a.m. Breckenridge, Gotten, and Wheatley beginning at 9:25 a.m. for elementary schools. If an agreement is not reached by May 13th, 2026, the board hereby directs and authorizes the superintendent to identify and implement cost-saving measures equivalent to the projected savings associated with three-tiered about the schedule with staff working time adjustments. Section three, the board hereby approves implementation of three-tier bell time schedule set forth in section two for the 2027-2028 school year. Section four, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, athletic programs across the district shall be maintained based upon student participation levels sufficient to ensure program viability. Section five, the board hereby authorizes the establishment of the Downtown Arts and Sciences Academy, including the expansion of Downtown High School to include seventh and eighth grade. Section six, the board hereby authorizes the expansion of Sterling Middle
051School to include the seventh and eighth grade. Section seven, the board hereby authorizes and directs the superintendent and treasurer to implement all necessary cost reduction measures identified in the state cost recovery plan in order to achieve the required budgetary savings. These steps include but are not limited to staffing adjustments and workforce reductions, program modifications or eliminations, operational and administrative cost reductions, and resource reallocation and efficiency measures. Administration will provide bi-weekly written updates to each board member outlining the plan of action, key decisions, implementation progress, and any anticipated challenges, ensuring timely visibility, collaboration, and eliminating late state disclosures. Section eight, the board finds that all formal actions concerning this resolution were taken in open meeting and in full compliance with applicable law. Section nine, the resolution shall be in full force and effect immediately upon its
052adoption. Is there a motion? So moved. Second. It has been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, Treasurer, please call the roll. Mr. Westness. Yes. Mr. Barker. Yes. Mrs. Farley. Yes. Mrs. Barton. Yes. And this brings us to section seven, which is comments by the board. Mr. Westness. I have none. Mr. Barker. Thank you, Madam President. Um So moved. Second. I first want to thank the new president. So people think I'm only after the minutes to get your accomplishments, but uh I want to thank the new president for the advice she gave to me. Talked to me. Gave me the best advice on how to address the situation. But what many people don't know about us is we have lives we like to live. This is not our our real job. Right? And
053we say no job. But this is not our really paid job. We have real paying jobs. This is something that we all volunteered to Um last year um we only got paid I think I got paid about $1,650 to do this position. So, we're not doing this for the money together. So, I hope you understand that as teachers and I don't My mom is a teacher, but she would have pulled her kids out. You know what they could have did? Just like if you were offered that safety with that you didn't care about for your students or your school, it's the same safety that I have to leave. When my kids go to your school, my kids graduated from MLK. He's probably going to go to Jackson. I don't want my kids to go there.
054I have family and friends in the district. So, when and I'm not blaming you. I know that you're emotional and I know that you're upset. I'm a wife, too. So, what I am so tired of is that we're fighting each other and we're both losing. Right now, we are both losing. I'm losing you. A school district just like you. I live in the same neighborhood. I'm a CPS parent. I have babies that I work with with their families that I can't go to I'm a visionary at that school. These schools as just like you can. I literally and you can talk to some teachers and also some I have gotten food, shelter, clothing. You name it. Call me. Shelter is made for your family. I will show up. I'm tired of fighting you all to
055save our district. When we have people in here and what they got to do is fight for you. Who they got to fight for is you. What happened to the pilot? You have no safety in your eyes. You know what that means to me as a special needs mom? They used to liberate my child's care in CPS. Because if you think it's a safe level, you can come talk to me about it here locally. I don't want to fight with you anymore. This sucks. to be I know what it feels like to lose a school district and what this city is looking at right now. I have no longer an elementary or middle school or high school. All of my children. I know what it's like to have to relocate and make new friends, try
056to fit in cuz you're a different area. I know how hard it is to sit in the kid. I know how hard it is to parent because when Broadway closed right here on Broadway and we had moved back into that. My daughter was in that school. I know how difficult this is. Nobody wants to do this. Nobody. But what I will tell you is we have to start working together. I think that we can get out of this and we can get involved and guess what? If you think this is bad now, if you think this is bad now, if we don't pass my I can't remember what bill it is. I can email it to you. Look at my Facebook page, whatever. It is a bill right now saying that that's been up for
057a vote that the state wants to they will close the capacity of 60% or less. Y'all went to the transportation plan meeting. Y'all have the packet. It was several of the schools that were at 64, 58 and guess what? They're not counting special ed kids. They don't think my kid who's autistic matters. They're not counting special ed kids. I want you to know that. They're from general or gen ed which sounds like prison to me. But general education students at at the 60% or less. But guess what? If it's at 50% or less, the state will close our schools. That's the bill I'm talking about right now. So we have to start figuring out this together. You can blame me today, but let's fight together tomorrow. I'm so serious. Because my babies are here in
058this district. Yes. How do you know? I'm not just a board member. I was born in this district. Kindergarten through 12th grade in this district. My wife, my kids the bottom line is my family has a good quality of life in this district. I remember that day in 1991 when I was a student of Metropolitan Educational Center High School. Came to that school for a meeting on my head. And all I had to say to them was, "Please don't close this school." I got to be honest. Tonight I feel really good here. And I want to take this moment to acknowledge the parents, every teacher, every staff, and of course our students. Especially those who are directly impacted by the environment. This is a decision because many of us know for all of us in
059this room, this is not my plan. It's personal. You have every right to feel what you feel or what you don't feel. Every frustration, every concern, every anger because that's proof that everybody in this room cares. It's proof that every high school in this district This is not easy. I have thought about ways, options, but considering the impact that in the end of the day selling something different not just as big as it would be in our homes. But what we need is hope. There are real challenges facing our town that no matter what area you subscribe to, and I know we're a sacred not the only district that's dealing with this, but we have to answer for the real public schools. I can't speak for everybody else. I can only answer for myself. And
060what matters is that something that we can save. So this doesn't make it any better. But if we're going to move forward, we have to do it the right way. Everyone that spoke made a comment before I even gave the presentation. Doesn't mean anything if everybody takes it, money or not, together. Got to start somewhere. And there are many of you that with this plan won't agree with it, and I respect that. Whether you receive this today or not, believe this is not without thought. This was not without fear. I still believe in this district. I have a lot of pride in this district. I still believe in our schools. And I really hope and those of you don't know, we have a really great that we attend to this done the right way. Speaking
061as a board um I wrote down my comments before um I didn't appreciate your emotion. The part I would be in myself and speak about right now. Um so I'm going to go ahead and read mine. I want to acknowledge the deep concern and range of emotions following this board's vote to close certain school buildings for use as learning opportunities and possible changes in education. no bands. These decisions were extraordinarily difficult. If this were a matter of the heart, none of these decisions or actions would have been made. We understand that our schools are more than buildings. They are in the heart of our neighborhood. Before I was on this board, I was a heavily parent and PTA and TAP and half day also. This is like a great person to get on board and
062she's going to fight for our our numbers. And I continue to do that behind the scenes whether people see it out and about or not. My family is huge. My family is TAP. My family is half day. However, the reality we face is a significant by year old deficit that requires immediate and responsible actions. We must align our district's operations funding available to us. Over the years, changes at the state level including the expansion of vouchers and continued support for charter schools have reduced the resources available to our traditional public school districts like the Louisville public schools. Even as expectations and responsibilities placed on public schools and our staff, and you all know that. It's going to be rough. And all of our TPS is working to create opportunities for our students that you provide.
063We successfully negotiated three-year contracts, which are staff stability, a decision made to value our educators. We all fought for those three years. These contracts were based on the state of Ohio's 2021 promise to phase in the fair school funding plan over 6 years. Unfortunately, this current state biennial budget failed to honor the final 2 years of that phase in, creating an immediate and unexpected revenue shortfall. Additionally, state aid is tied to enrollment. So, like many cities in the state, we are feeling the impact of lower birth rates and population shifts, which further reduces our per-pupil funding. It's also important to understand that Twinsburg City Schools is not alone in facing these challenges. Districts across Ohio, and I've spoken to many board members across the state, including Columbus, Cleveland, Lorain, Barberton, Lexington, Hudson, Fairfield, Norton, New
064Richmond, Streetsboro, Riverside, Elyria, Amherst, Akron, Southwestern City, all experiencing immediate financial strain. While many are facing deficits, or are turning to the communities for additional support through levies. Even closer to home, the Twinsburg Local is confronting similar challenges. I want to remind everyone that 90% of our students in Ohio attend public schools with only 70% of Ohio school funding which goes to public schools. That's a policy Across Ohio, public school districts are collectively using billions in available funding while being asked to do more for students and families. This broader context does not make these decisions any easier, but it underscores the situation we face is not isolated. It is a part of a larger statewide challenge. There are difficult and uncertain times, but our responsibility remains clear to ensure the long-term stability and success of
065Cleveland public schools. We are committed to moving forward with transparency, compassion, and a continued focus on minimizing the impact on our students, families, and staff. We will continue to engage with our community, listen carefully, and work together as we navigate these necessary but painful changes. There's going to be forums set up. I know some have a day for the families and the staff that are impacted with the schools that are going to be closing or even the transforming Chris Chris Jenks to the Lee Brook and the high school. In closing, to our students, parents, and staff members who are feeling the weight of these changes, these decisions were not made lightly. They do not reflect the lack of value for your hard or your school's success. We are making difficult choices now to ensure that
066the school remains strong, stable, and vibrant pillar of the city under for generations to come. And I thank you for your continued support of the student public schools and the certain students we serve and public education. The one thing I I do want to add with this bond, I'm in agreement. I want all of us to work together. That was the whole point of the oversight committee was to work together with administration and board and union leaders and the community as a whole to find a way out of this unfortunate situation we find ourselves in. So, moving forward, I will also make that commitment that we do um executive non-productive starts. Thank you. We're going to move on to Go ahead, please. I I do apologize not for what I said, but for forgetting once
067again. The last city students and counselors sent a card over I want to say last month to the last um Oh, was it >> They were at the time They had students who experienced some violence at their school like before. Um and as an advocate for my safety and reducing gun um reached out to the counselor and things like that to make sure they were okay. Um I mean they did contact me okay with this stuff. Um but they uh took the time their students um and some counselors took time to say you know pretty much from all of us at last city academy um wishing you well because they know what we're going through um the situation but also um has to be sympathetic by ourselves and what I wanted to say thank you
068publicly to the death of last meeting. Um Sue and the counselors here. Thank you. Thank you. We're going to go back to section 8, which is the consent agenda. Agenda item 8.01 for April 19th, 2018. Of the consent agenda items, board number zero plus zero one, item three, consent and move to this consent section of the agenda. Items 8.01 through 8.05 Human Resources Committee, which is chaired by Mr. Burken, co-chaired by Mr. Burken and Items 8.06 through 8.11 Enrollment and Budget Planning and Enrollment and Retention Committee, which is chaired by Mr. Burken and co-chaired by myself. Items 8.12 through 8.13 Academic and Program Review and Oversight Committee, chaired by Mr. Burken and co-chaired by myself. Items 8.14 through 8.31 Legislative Policy Committee, chaired by myself and co-chaired by Mr. Barnes. Items 8.32 through 8.34 Community
069Building and Relations and District Growth and Engagement are branched committee, chaired by Mr. Burken and co-chaired by Mr. Barnes. Items 8.35 Transformation and Oversight Committee, no actions this month, chaired by myself and co-chaired by myself. Items 8.36 through 8.38 Approval of meeting minutes, I'd like to request a motion to approve the consent agenda items please. >> So moved. Second. This has been moved and seconded, any discussion? Turn on your microphones to vote. Mr. Nesky, yes. Mr. Barnes, yes. Mr. Burken, yes. Mr. Ford, yes. Section 9 of the agenda concerns the closed minutes from this month's meeting. They are here for information and reference. No action is required to proceed to section 10 of the agenda. Section 10 are discussion items. 10.01 is 28 minutes non-certified section. I would request a motion to approve the April
07028th, 2020 non-certified section. So moved. Second. It is moved and seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none, Mr. Christian, please call the Mr. Sylvester? Yes. Mr. Parker? Yes. Mr. Baldwin? Yes, same. Mr. Boyd? Yes. Items 6 through 11, are there walk-ins? You know that there's a resolution that um that will be coming through HR committee and we just went ahead and added that on. Correct. Yes, we do have one walk-in, TLC 26-005, closing and repurposing of schools and placement procedures. I can have the attorney explain that. Please. With the repurposing of the schools, the placement procedures, um and typically whenever a school is repurposed or closed, we do have procedures um that dictate which uh staff members will have priority bidding to their respective schools that they are entering. Is there a motion to approve? Dr. Jackson-Mims,
071okay, can you please there's a lot of emotion with my AAE in this agreement. Can you tell me the timeline of the school closing and the work? Yes, absolutely. So, in accordance with the CPA, we work with the federation to determine if this is the same thing that we do we have historically done. So, basically when a school is closed after we follow the CPA procedures for staffing within the receiving schools, we then allow those schools of the staff members from the closed schools to bid into the school that is the receiving school. And this just talks about how they bid into those schools and it talks about the packing and the transition of those repurposed or closed schools. So, with that, do they have I don't know I guess it would be like the
072old senior high school but as the number of kids increase, right? As we add kids of the repurposed schools to the new school, would that also affect so the staff breakdown? Absolutely. So, the staffing is done separately and the staffing will dictate how many positions are available, how many vacancies are available in said schools or the respective schools that are the receiving schools. So, once we know what the staffing is, then we will list that and it is done by seniority again by in accordance with the CPA TFT CPA. And will the board ever have an idea of that if staff need to be moved? Excuse me? know this by the end of this week, yes. Okay, fine. Correct, yes. Or or earlier. That's perfect. So, I have another question. So, my understanding is these
073these memoranda are outstanding and have been agreed to by by the legislature. Yes, and signed. Yes. Correct. They're signed by the Yes, and again, this is just a procedure. This is not the actual staffing. So, these are the procedures um dictating which schools and this was in uh presented in the oversight committee as well. So, which schools um are the receiving schools and um also the reiteration of the CPA procedures as well. Is there a motion? Any any further discussion? Please call the roll, please. Mr. Vazquez. Yes. Perkins. Yes. Mr. Burley. Yes. Mr. Clark. Yes. Next section, are there any other items? Yes. Section 12, Early Childhood Education Act by Mr. O'Donnell. Actual items as well. Chair Chair or Chair Campbell has left the room. Anything that you want to add on this part of
074the Mr. O'Donnell, please? Next section, 13, any objections to this Early Childhood Education reports submitted from this House Committee meetings and are provided for your information and reference. To no action is required. We proceed as such. 14 um which are related to walk-ins and other administrative matters. No, we have no walk-ins in the elevator. Okay. Sections 15 through 17 are comments. Um you can skip I just wanted to speak on the pending adoption decision. Parents have a lot of things that we have to go through. I appreciate the motion uh 412 elementary options in the district as well. I want to make sure that uh the intention I can hear anything that every parent would want to do with respect to that number eight that we do with what it is that we have to
075do with it with it. And so, I want to offer you that that's the important perspective that I ever want to do with respect to every day where you're having to make a decision and you're showing your kids each and every day. Uh I want to say in essence uh the little kids make a huge respect uh to the community as well as families that have a conversation about what this looks like in that transition. I know some students have already gotten their already started with their school future campuses. They have picked it uh school that's over there in the beginning and they already have their pre-elementary as well. Uh these are the same that we've done in the past and that's what we're making sure families have a good sense of what are their
076options for their elementary schools. And we'll begin to get those dates out uh sooner or later. Uh within the week, you'll be able to get personal contact with that district. The school of choice is changing for most of the community and having a sense of where their kids will be tested. Uh what are their options out there for the same uh that we can support them in that process. Any other questions? No ma'am, we're good. We're done with this. Thank you, Ms. Brooks. 412, I understand that uh the reason I'm not going to get caught up in this discussion now is that guys are here. I just want to personally thank the staff, honestly the teachers. I know what y'all do is offensive but with that you are appreciated. I know what you do. I
077have helped you do to do for students who have trouble. This is not what to ensure you that I'm not stopping that. So, if you do have a student that any type of food, I have a shelter and advocate because I just know that I know I have to get you food. I will get you all food. This is not going to be the end of the beginning of this chapter. We have to all make sure that we all work together. So, then Okay. Okay. Um For me, I also want to reiterate that everyone's opinion outside the staff meeting, nobody wants to do this at the end of a long day. I understand that. I can appreciate that. I thank the leaders for being here. Again, I have heard you. I understand. Um Unfortunately, what
078we can do at this point is move forward. Uh my goal is to continue to advocate for the 1,341 days of school on the board. Um happy to work with all of you to um see what we can do to make it happen down at the office because therein lies the true issue. Motion is returned. So, moved. I think Second. I'll second it. Any discussion? I have a question for the board. Yeah. For the meeting? Yes. Thank you. I have a question. Is there a second to I have a question. No.