001Okay, welcome everybody to the August installment of our policy committee. >> We're going to start with some introductions. Um, and we'll start with uh Emily over on my left side. >> Good morning, >> Emily. Michael Gustin >> Sean Murphy superintendent >> Kendra map uh board member and I do apologize uh for my early departure today but I want to make sure I get as much accomplished as possible. >> Ben Lindy uh board member >> Mary Weinberg board member. >> Okay. Um, thanks everybody. Uh, if you haven't joined our policy committee either ever or in a while, um, we have a couple of standard alcohol waiver requests at the top of the meeting. Uh, we have, um, uh, a spot for carryover items from previous meetings, uh, topics submitted by board members, and then we, we
002make a point to review every policy the board has at least once every three years. So, we have some policies that will go through our standing review cycle. Um, I know we're going to lose board member map here about about what time? About 10:30. Uh, and I think we're going to lose member Weinberg at a little before 11. >> At 11. >> And we're going to hopefully >> So, we're going to get this whole thing done before we lose our quorum. Uh, and as close to board member maps departure time as possible. Um uh do we have um anyone who wants to present on the um Clark waiver request or the Hide Park waiver request? Rob, >> I have been told we have >> Yep. Uh I got a text from one of those people
003who I know is here to present on Hyde Park. Um I wasn't sure. Uh Kendra, is there anybody who needs to present on the Clark? Um >> um I I can try to pull up the email. I don't know if anyone Okay, >> I these are these are pretty standard and I don't know that we need to have a presentation unless board members have questions they'd like to ask. >> Question. >> I do not. Um if Dan could just share out um the email from the treasurer from um Clark >> Julie um >> H A M >> and then we're look >> Andy Sailor. Great. All right. So maybe maybe we'll start with Clark and if just board members have any we'll hear from the council and then if we have any questions we can
004ask um the representative. >> Yeah. Yeah. I don't know >> Julie if you'd like to present um please accept the invite. Um if not that's okay. Just drop me a message >> on Clark. >> Yes sir. >> The clerk is uh for the Clark Monastery School Foundation. Um uh they are uh doing their annual fundraiser at Clark in November. I think they uh have sometimes done it offsite but uh have an interest in bringing it on site to Clark. Uh since the event will include alcohol, they are asking for a waiver for the event. >> That's great. I certainly don't have any questions. Um these types of fundraisers and requests uh have been pretty standard, at least in my experience. But do board members have any questions for the representative from clerk? >> No. And
005I think they shared a detailed email outlining a little bit more specifics um about what their uh plans are to ensure that alcohol is served um responsibly. So I think that I am good on any questions. >> I don't have any questions. No questions. >> Used to the alcohol waiverss. Um, so no questions needed. >> Okay. Um, while we're here, uh, any questions about the Hide Park annual fundraiser? This is their pumpkin chuck. I think they did the same thing last year. >> I'm very aware of the pumpkin chuck. >> I'm a regular attendee, >> so no questions there. >> Uh, >> but I do appreciate um our schools definitely following the process or the >> Yeah, this doesn't always happen. So like we have two schools here that are going through the motions ahead
006of time in the right way, at the right place. Um, and Ann Andy and Julie, I I appreciate both of you being here. I don't know that we have any questions. >> Okay. Can you even hear me? >> Yep. You sound great. >> I am not used to any of this. I am just like a little old teacher that is not used to formally being on the spot. Um, I this and this is my first time actually going through this whole process. So, um there is a form that you all somebody has to sign. >> Yep. When we can take care of all that for you. The the thing that needs to happen um is that the uh the committee here just needs to vote that we recommend it to the full board. Is that
007right, Dan? >> That's right. >> Who do I send it to? >> Julie, that's that's the board will take care of the board approval. You'll also, if you're selling alcohol, you need to get a waiver from the or liquor permit from the a state and there's a place for us to sign. You can send that directly to me, the general counsel. >> Awesome. Okay. >> Yep. Or through the board office. They can get it to me as well. >> Okay, >> great. Um, so I know you mentioned that this is your first time, Julie. We can start you off with a win, I think. Um, so any any objections to uh to voting out of committee both of these waiver requests? No objection. >> Great. Awesome. Thank you both. Um, you're welcome to hang out
008for the rest of our meeting. You also don't have to. Um, we're going to then pick up with uh item three here, which is continued discussions of new assignments. >> Can I just make a comment about that? So, I do know that uh as it pertains to the um alcohol waiver process, there's some language that may need to be updated within our policy in terms of um recognizing that we don't have a partnership and engagement. I believe that's what it was titled, committee. So, if we just could have um that language updated at some point in time so that um and and let them know that it's the policy committee that would approve the waiver um just so it doesn't create any confusion for anyone that's trying to um seek that process. >> All right.
009Thank you, uh Ker. Thank you, Dan. Um, I think we'll turn it over to to um the administration around uh each of these next um three starting with commemoration of school facilities. >> Thank you. Uh so this is a policy that's been in place uh since 2020. Um, I I think it's uh on the policy committee agenda because there's been some discussion at board meetings about uh the renaming uh or updating of of school names uh among other things. We have junior highs now and um uh middle schools and and trying to add those formally or having having the board approve some uh names for those to to reflect the changes in their enrollment. Um the only thing I'll say is that naming of school facilities has always been a ve a a a sort
010of board prerogative. Um uh the administration or schools or the community has made recommendations to the board of course, but it's always been very much kind of the purview of the board. So and I think the policy reflects that. >> I I agree 100%. I also feel like we we had this conversation in this room a couple of months ago, right? Um I and I I apologize team if I lost track of why this got back on the agenda here. >> Yeah. So it happened um we were in a board meeting and one of our colleagues um asked a question or just clarifying and so we just basically said that the next time that we would have policy that we would revisit it and it was just nice to hear Dan restate again the procedure
011for this and that the naming of the schools is the function of the board of education. Obviously we do take into consideration the community. we take into consideration um any names that the superintendent puts into place, but it is ultimately our decision and we vote on that as well. So, it's just a clarifying I think topic and that's why it was probably put onto this agenda. >> Any additional followup needed? >> Um I don't think there is it. It says it right here. So, I think I'm good and hopefully our colleagues are are going to be good with that as well. I do have a question um about this as we have transitioned to um you know having middle schools and junior highs and I know that a lot of the schools are maybe reconsidering
012um changing their name uh slightly whether it is um adding on a middle school or adding on that is a junior high school. Um I know that some schools have been trying to you know kind of pull the students to get an idea. they've been trying to maybe pull the community. And so I'm looking at the policy where it says request for naming school facility shall include um under C it has three um different uh criteria. Is that are we expecting all of these three with the written recommendation from the schools LSDMC written recommendations from the community and written recommendations from p public private partnerships. Are we expecting that all of these are to be followed or is it one or the other? I'm just trying to get clarity around that particular section there. >>
013So again, this the policy was updated by the board in 2020 that this section section C was added at that time. It certainly reads like it shall include all three. >> I I we have we have not always the board has approved name changes without having necessarily all three. I think so. >> Okay. Okay. So, I guess that will >> So, we should we either need to be okay with this as it's written >> or we need to decide we want it to be something different. >> Yeah. >> Um, yeah. >> So, I guess is your question well I think I understand your question. I would recommend in terms of after reading this the request for naming school facilities should include I would think that we would want to have all of them because we'd
014want to have an insight from everyone. So I would recommend that we say that it needs to include all because I think it's good that you have the school LSDMC giving their input, you have the community giving their input and then any, you know, public or private. I also think that students should be able to also um give some input. So, I'm not sure if we want to add a uh within the one the school LSDMC and then say something about students in there, but I do think it's important to have everyone's viewpoint and not to say that everyone we're going to have to take every single suggestion, but it's nice to have that suggestion to then be brought back to the board. >> I I agree with that. Um, and so maybe this is,
015you know, an opportunity for us to decide on if we keep all three of these and also to your point add the students and maybe take it back to the full board for discussion around it. But I just wanted to make sure that it was clarity and as uh you stated Dan that that may this process may not have always been followed. Um but so again just to create that cohesion and that alignment as we're you know reviewing the policy how we would decide to move forward. >> Yeah that's great. This is not a topic on which I have a strong opinion. Uh I'm very happy to support what um uh Kendra Mrs. Weinberg what what you all would like to do um really is uh fine with me. >> So what is your recommendation
016to make a change or to keep it the same? Um, I would re the only change that I would recommend is what Miss Weinberg suggested about adding the end students to C1 and then just taking it back to the full board to have, you know, conversation around what their thoughts are. Um, if we should keep it the same or make that uh slight uh adjustment there, but uh yeah, it's not I don't think it's anything that's a major lift, but I just think having the conversation. So, so that's all right with you, Mrs. Weber. >> That would be fine. >> Great. Um, council, I give you what you need to move that forward. >> Yep. >> Great. Superintendent, I'm glad you're here. Uh, you've been working a lot on these schools. Does this fit with
017what you're thinking? Would you do anything differently? >> Oh, no. Absolutely. I'm full in ignoring it. >> Great. >> All right. Um, so we'll move on to the next item under section three, which is on use of district facilities and property. And from council's office, my only note on this is to change the what uh board member map mentioned, which is to make sure it's updated to reflect that the policy and equity committee is the group that alcohol waiverss go to. I have no other notes on this policy. >> I have no other notes either. So, that's an easy one. >> Yeah, >> people feel good about that. >> Great, Dan. I didn't know we were on the same page. >> That's great. Okay. Uh policy 0160 meetings hearing of the public. I think this
018came from a question I asked at the end of our last meeting. Um, and um, I think I was just interested in whether we could learn some things about how other districts might handle um, when there should be offers of extended time. Um, and I think that in a lot of cases that makes a lot of sense. Uh I can imagine groups uh not instead of but in addition to our teachers um like for example parents um that uh maybe maybe not always maybe always but but it seemed like an interesting and important topic and I thought a good place to start would be what other districts do about this uh and would welcome any any thoughts or ideas. >> Yeah. So in in looking at this uh the other district's policies and process for
019this pretty much resemble ours legally. The one thing I wanted to mention is that the any restrictions on speech at a in a public forum like this cannot be content specific. They can't you can't say that one side gets to speak for a longer amount of time and then have a viewpoint discrimination over somebody else who wants to speak for that same amount of time. So that that's the when there's cases brought in this area that's frequently what is alleged is that the public body has differentiated between viewpoints or or the content of the speech. Um that's that's the only sort of limitation I think on the board's ability to change its policy here. You couldn't say um you know any anyone who's speaking in favor of the district may have unlimited time but anybody
020who's criticizing the district may only have two minutes or anyone pro you pick your topic. Um, >> if you want to criticize Dan Hoying, you get no timing. But if you want to say how great Dan is, you can talk as long as you want. Got it. Got it. >> So that's that's really the limitation that is most frequently litigated here. >> Do we do we know anything about it's been a minute. Uh, we I don't think this committee has met in some months. Um, and so um, uh, one of the questions I wanted to ask I'll come back to, but Mrs. Mrs. Wineberg, do you have >> no I so I just had a quick question a thought but in terms of the time limit I've always wondered do we provide elected officials more
021additional time so for example if the mayor came to speak or if the state board person came to speak do we allow for them to have additional time because I know in the past we have done that and I don't know is that the proper procedure to follow is it written anywhere and I would be curious what do other school districts do in regards to that? >> I think we've even been inconsistent about it. I can think sometimes we've done it, sometimes we haven't. It's a great question. >> Maybe we should just have a, you know, blanket. This is what we do. >> The board has sometimes differentiated between what they've referred to as guest speakers. Yes. >> And and hearing of the public. Um, >> but we don't do we have that written in
022here? I don't think I've ever seen anything about guest speakers. >> Not written. I would agree that the policy's been or the it's been implemented somewhat inconsistently. However, I would also say that that is not a what I would call a content or viewpoint specific right regulation of speech. >> Yeah. Um, one of it's it's just interesting. I think there's we have this tradition uh and I'm I'm saying that really clear I'm saying this descriptively. I'm not saying this evaluatively. Uh, but we we do have a tradition here of the CTF president having unlimited time at the microphone. And when I first joined the board, um, I was told that's because it was a contractual obligation in the CFD contract. I don't know that that's actually true. Like, I've tried to look it up and
023I've tried to find it. I can't find anything in the contract that says there's unlimited time. I've I've found a piece that says you can speak at any meeting. Um, but I I did wasn't able to find anything about an unlimited time limit, but I also It's a long contract. I will admit I have not read every single piece of it, and I could be wrong. Yeah, I think I saw something in there. I don't know the exact verbiage. >> The language of the contract, which has not changed for many years, is uh in section 130. It provides during board meetings uh the federation president or designate shall have a seat and the right to speak at all board meetings of the board of education in its subcommittees. So that's the language and there's nothing
024in there about for less time, for more time, for the same time like the the length question I think is unressed. >> There's not. >> Yeah. Yeah. And again, like I'm not advocating that we necess I don't want to cut anybody's time off. Um uh I also think there have been some meetings where um it's felt uncomfortable to me to see um some parents with very real concerns not have as long to speak. Um but I I could also be a minority position on this. I think um one question I have uh that that I would would welcome some additional research on but I want to be thoughtful about how much capacity the council's office has like I I don't Do you have any interns maybe or you do great this could be a great
025intern project um but just what other districts do about this you know like in and and are there um you know is it the case that having you know one particular ular role get unlimited time and hearing of the public is quite common and done everywhere. Is it are we the only school district that does this? Have any districts um had other creative sol I don't want to content discrimination against anybody and I'll say again like I'm not I'm not interested in cutting off people's time but I do wonder if there are or like we have multiple unions you know like we and we have one union that gets unlimited time. What about the others? Like and again I don't I don't know. I'm still figuring out where I stand on this issue, but I
026would really welcome some perspective on what other districts do and is there any wisdom that we could gain from that? Um, is is that like a like a clear enough? I I also like you have other things you need your interns to do >> that's we can >> is that for next meeting >> or or or for two meetings from now like this this is not urgent um at least not from my perspective. That was that was why I wanted to put this on here. But I don't know if Mrs. Weber or Kendra if you have any other >> um I like that you're presenting this um you know I think as as many voices that we can hear I think is truly beneficial um to help us do our work um um you know
027with more insight and also with uh fidelity right just having that level of engagement um I am curious to know in terms of the parent representation um have you kind of thought about are you expecting maybe uh each board meeting that there's a representative uh from maybe the PTO or the LSDMC um speak um per meeting or you're just trying >> if I had something I was advocating for I promise I would share it. I think we're trying to figure out like is there a version that doesn't >> force anybody to speak less >> but also creates an opportunity for other people who might currently have less of an opportunity to speak. Um and I don't know what that looks like whether that's um parents, other unions, um taxpayers, like I I don't but like
028how do you get a representative for those groups in the same way that you have a representative for a bargaining unit? It's it's complicated like and it it may be that if we talk about this at one more policy meeting, there's no good idea out there. We just keep the current system the way that it is. I'm genuinely open to that. >> Yeah. >> Did you have >> I don't have something about this, but I wanted to ask a different question when we're done. >> That's all I have on this one. Is it want to go ahead? >> Yes. So, can I suggest So, the time is 10:11 and I know that uh board member map wanted to get to something. Can we possibly move up number five about the enrollment in neighborhood schools? Is
029is that correct, Kendra, that you had some piecing on that discussion? >> Do you remember Do you remember? >> Move that up. >> Yes. >> I don't have any. >> I think that there was a conversation piece about just uh having some questions about neighborhood schools and having to apply. So, I wanted to make sure if you had any comments that you were able to give those comments before having to leave. So, if we could possibly move that up. that any objections finally. >> I don't know if that's a reminder. >> No, I mean you can give some background information. >> Okay, I'll give the background and then >> Yes. Yes, >> we can start now. >> Go. >> Okay. Yes. So, we received an email from um uh President U Moffett regarding just for
030in regards to enrollment in neighborhood schools and there was a question um I think wanting to make sure that the language was correct and it mentions a policy about families who choose a neighborhood school having to apply each year and just making sure that in our policy that that is either correct or it's being followed or I'm not even quite sure if that is the correct answer. And so I know board member map, I don't know if you remember with that um just jogging um I think there was some insight that you wanted to add to that as well to get clarification. >> Okay. Yes. So, from my recollection of that, and this would be something that uh Superintendent Murphy as well as Stan would have to give feedback on, but in terms of having
031to reenroll um every year in a neighborhood school, I from my understanding, the students would just maintain throughout, you know, their metriculation u without having to reenroll. My only uh knowledge about students having to reenroll or reapply for a seat is if they were out of district. There was a piece at one point, I'm sorry I didn't know that question ahead of time about being even out of neighborhood. So my neighborhood school is Bond Hill. I go to Rose Lawn. At one point you were allowed to do that. Pardon me if there were seats available. at one point you were supposed to reapply every year. I don't know that that's still necessarily the case. So, I would need to be able to follow up on that to um let you know if that was accurate
032or not. >> Okay. Thank you. That's helpful because I'm just thinking about a personal experience for my own child. I know when she was transitioning from kindergarten to first grade, I actually made the mistake of like reenrolling her uh in school and what happened is it kicked her out of the system and put her in a different school. And so they I know customer care service was like, "No, you don't have to reapply." Right. And so just wanted to make sure and just going back into the policy, like I said, the only reference that I seen to having to reapply each year was if you were a student that was out of the district um because obviously you wanted to make sure that there were enough seats available for those students that are currently in
033the district. >> Absolutely. If that's your neighborhood school, there's no reason to reapply. No need to reapply. No. >> And so I I got that for the neighborhood school. And so what I'm hearing you say is if you're if it's not your neighborhood school, it's possible that you would have to reapply. I would have to go back and look at the policy for that as well cuz I'm not familiar with the lang that language being there. I think I only recall seeing if you were out of district. >> I can get something about that today. Um we used to have an out of neighborhood lottery. I don't think we do that anymore at all, but let me follow up. I'll have it today. >> Thank you. >> And that would have been my question too
034because I do have the policy pulled up and I just wanted to make sure that as we're reading it and that it does state exactly what it's supposed to state and I see that there is a red line where it says through a computerized lottery process, but then that's taken out to now say the selection process in which the and then it has uh four requirements. So yeah, if we could just review that, making sure that what superintendent is is stating is actually the case here written down in the policy. >> And just to that point, just for my own personal uh edification, can you explain the difference between the computerized lottery and now this transition that we have started with the selection process? I know we have banners and um you know that go
035that's that's posted to say select your school. Can you just speak to that transition that we have uh recently embarked on? >> Two things. One, of course, we have fewer magnet schools and so less of a need for that lottery process and so we're trying to ease the uh what some may have considered a burden with that process and the wait and the not knowing. Uh and so we've eliminated that over the past year to uh move to something that is allowing families to select what school they want. There are some exceptions. Fair View is still, for example, a district-wide uh magnet. AWL AMI, we still have some, but for the most part, we've eliminated the majority of the magnets we've had over the years. And even though you may remember some had been eliminated
036in previous years but still carried the benefit of being a magnet school. So we wanted to change the language so we could signal we're not doing that lottery process as we had in the past. >> Okay. And so with the select your school is still select your first, second, and third priority. Okay. And based upon the seats that are available that's kind of what your options will be. >> Yes ma'am. >> Okay. Thank Thank >> go ahead Dan. Sorry I'm sitting here raising my hand like it's mine. So thank you. >> The only thing I was going to add is the the move to centralized enrollment as as we go through that is going to is going to really improve our ability to make sure that the board's policies are followed. Try trying to make
037sure that they're followed in 60 different school sites all around the district >> is I mean we've done it don't get me wrong. Um and certainly you know we've advised schools uh what the board's policies are, but it will vastly improve our ability to make sure that the priorities that the board has set for enrolling students are followed. >> Last question, since you you brought up the centralized enrollment and we are, you know, we've obviously made some adjustments. Um, this doesn't necessarily pertain to policy, but just a question around enrollment since we have streamlined this process. Uh can you speak to what our plan would be to make sure that it is you know more efficient? Obviously, this is something new, so I know we're working out, you know, different kinks. Um, but to ensure
038that our students are able and families are able to be enrolled, um, so that it isn't a deterrent, right? If there is maybe a waiting process um kind of what what is the thinking around that? I think the biggest waiting process gap that we have is if a student comes in and has a disability that would um where they would need to be assigned to a unit in the district and making sure we have the proper documentation to get the child in the right place to be successful. Sometimes that is a barrier and can take longer than we would like it to take because we want to make sure they're in their least restrictive environment and that we're not violating any of their IEP rights. Um that probably sometimes takes the longest. So we built
039in that it's more than customer care. They're not um able to review an IEP the way a professional in uh special education could do it. And so we work with our department of student services to do that and to find them appropriate placement. Other than that, other than maybe there's missing paperwork, a parent hasn't brought the proper documentation in terms of lease or birth certificate or custody, there should not be a delay to enrollment. >> Okay. Thank you for that. >> Um, this is a great conversation and I'm glad we pulled this up. So, thank you. Um, uh, couple clarifying questions on my end. So, this the the policy here is about neighborhood elementary schools. This, it does not say magnet. So, if we rewind the clock a decade or so, there's a big deal
040about switching some of the schools that had been enrolled by campout to enrolled by lottery. This wouldn't affect any of that because that was a magnet context and this is a neighborhood context. So like if if are we still you we're still what I'm trying to figure out is can can we say there is still a lottery enrollment for magnet schools? >> We use Fairview as an example like this was this was the highest publicity one. That's fair to say to be clear. That's fair to say because there are only so many seats at so many grade levels in AW for example in fair >> and I think by the way just one board member's perspective I think that's a good thing like lotteryies are they may be administratively challenging they're also fair. Um you
041I think >> yeah I mean to the extent your question is are we going back to a first in first out? Absolutely not. There is no camp outs. There is not nothing like that. I think there is some push back about the >> mechanical language of using a computerized lottery. When when families come into customer care, we do everything we can to try to get them into the school that they want for their children. There are occasionally times when we have more um you know parents wanting that school than we have vacant seats and in that case we use a lottery but there is some push back about the use of like lottery as as opposed to selection process that that uses these priorities. Well, this goes to my my next question, which was let's
042say that you have um one seat left and two families show up who meet the same criteria on that list and they both want that last spot. Does our policy say anything about how that decision gets made? >> There is a piece in the policy that talks about sibling programming etc. There's I think maybe three or four categories that are considered in terms of priority for that individual student. >> I understand. But like let's say let's let's create a hypothetical where they are they check the same boxes. >> Two different families. Both kids would like the last spot. >> Uh is it the first one who shows up gets it? Is it the one with the best relationship with the principal gets it? Is it a coin flip who gets it? like does our policy
043not say anything about which of those scenarios resolves that situation? >> Not the principal uh in this case at this time because the principal is not involved in the process at that point. It's ITM and customer care essentially. So um I don't know that we've run into that. So it's hard for me to say definitively this is what happens. Um >> I do have a quick question. Is is it not randomly done? >> I thought with random. So, if you do have the two families, would it wouldn't the names be removed or >> I guess that's a good question because I never thought about that >> because I I think I think what we're like my my hypothesis first of all I I can't size how big a deal this is, right? Like this may
044never ever ever happen because it's so rare that you wind up in this situation. But I think um >> my hypothesis is the policy as it's recommended here is silent on this issue. Um, and that that would leave it open to and like I I what I'm looking for I think is a way to shrink the size of the administrative difficulties. Like I'm I'm empathic to that. I think it makes sense, but also to somehow get some language in there that we want this thing to be fair. Uh, and I think there's probably a way to do that, but I just that's what I was thinking about. >> Can I just add I my my understanding again if families have registered they they are in the exact same priority. they they've registered during the magnet
045>> uh >> not magnet >> no I'm talking about magnet enrollment uh during the magnet enrollment window and there's more applicants than there are spaces I do believe we still do a computerized selection for those families what what I think we missed when we did these policies initially is there are lots of families who apply for schools and come into the district throughout the year you know they the magnum lottery is open. The first week of school has started. Someone has just moved to the city. They've heard that >> that, you know, Fair View is the best school in the in the city and they would like their kids enrolled. If we have space and are able to do that, we're going to get we're going to try to get them in. So, so that's
046what I think is sometimes missed in our policies is yes, that these priorities are followed. There is a random selection. if there's more kids during the window um than there are spaces, but there's there's a lot of enrollments that happen outside of those windows. >> So, that makes a lot of sense. And I do have a like a suggestion then uh would offer this to to my colleagues and see what you think. Like maybe we we say the administration put a lot of thought into this. Um they are more of experts in this than I certainly know I am um and willing to give this a try. I'm wondering if we could include something in there about um producing some kind of annual report to the board about um concerns that parents have raised with
047this process to the extent there have been any and what recommendations the administration would have to to improve it. I'm just like like I I think you make a great argument that that this could be the right way to go and I also worry a little bit about the absence of some um uh lotteryish process. Um but if it's working and everybody loves it and there are no concerns about it like let's not make it more complicated, >> right? And I would agree with that. I know last year we did hear some complaints and um I think they were able to be fixed, but it would be nice to kind of hear about the process to see those who are actually going through with it. You know, what are some of the pros or cons
048or whatever to then be reported back to the board and hopefully they're all good things that you can tell us and give us. But that's not a bad idea. >> What What do you think? like I'm I'm looking at the superintendent and the council because like I I don't want to suggest something that's dumb and I'm I'm often wrong. >> No, we'll definitely dig in um and give you some feedback. >> Yeah, I I will have a conversation with Tony Fields and um um kind of get a sense of what some of the pros and cons um have been this year. >> And can you um remind me of the dates? Would that be what are the application dates for that? >> So, we moved up the window. There's a few different um windows that
049we've had last year. I can send you those dates. I probably can pull it up pretty quickly. >> Um but, you know, there's a high school process, there's a magnet process, there's a sibling process. >> Okay. >> There's like three different >> But aren't they a little bit later on? >> We moved them up this past school year for 25 26. >> You give me a minute. I'll look up look them up. >> That's okay. I just wanted to kind of see if there was any information from the last one, you know, that you could possibly get, but it's okay. >> I'm good. >> I I will say I think if we go back for just one second, I think what you were describing, Superintendent, is slight it might be I can't quite tell slightly
050different from what I was thinking. I don't have a need for you all to go back and gather information about the past year at all. If other board members would like it, great. But I certainly don't need it. I think my thought would be, can we add a line in here? We could do it now and we could still have it come through at the next bill of board meeting that just like once a year the um the administration will report to the board or the policy committee about um uh how this process has worked over the past year, whether there have been any complaints and any recommended changes. Here's like the here's the scenario I'm worried about. Like a school that is in high demand um has families who are trying to get into
051it from out of that neighborhood. And um this feels like a very thoughtful process, but the one that's going to be rolling and like they'll just keep running this as parents show up until they run out of spots. And what'll happen is one family will hear that did not get in will hear about another family that did get in and they will say, "Well, what what do you mean? like we have the same kids and we're similarly situated like or or like they actually had a better criteria than the other one who's admitted but now there are no spots left, you know, and I don't know that that's going to happen and I don't want to hold you all up with a remote possibility, but having something in here that says once a year we're
052going to look at how it's working and should we make any changes in the future feels like it's a good safeguard. Um, but I'm very open to feedback. I understand. >> And board member Lindy, were you asking for that to be added to? Which one? >> Uh, this was the one about the um >> the eligibility. So, policy, which policy? >> Or excuse me, uh enrollment in neighborhood schools. >> Yeah, the 30, this is 5120. Yeah. >> Okay. 5120. Thank you. And so just for clarity for the administration, you will also go back and look at um what the policy states about uh students having to reapply. Okay. >> Yes. >> All right. Thank you. >> The dates for Yeah. The CPS magnet and high school application uh opens this year on November 1, 2025
053and closes February 28th. Am I doing something that doesn't make any sense or like is is silly for some time? I'm I don't I have not thought about this deeply. >> No. Okay. Okay. >> All right. Okay. Um thank you for being here when you can. Good luck and we'll take you as long as we can keep you. >> Can I just ask one question? Um just for um uh overview, can you I know that the conversation will be about the high schools of choice. Can you um give a preview uh superintendent or Dan about what this policy what we're recommending with this policy? >> Uh mostly it's just updates. So um for example, >> uh we're I I don't think we have any high schools in that was removed. Um just just added that
054we do have career technical education high schools, we have TA technology, we have dual enrollment programs. So nothing just updating what to reflect what our current offerings are. >> Um uh I I think the language used with respect to admission to uh for example Walnut Hill schools with a restricted admission. The langage says it that the student has to pass the test in the current version. What we offer as a more accurate um language would be to meet the minimum test requirements um because you know you're taking sort of these these tests don't necessarily at least in my understanding have a pass fail. It's there is a score that is selected for the school and they have to meet that minimum requirement. It's not a pass fail kind of situation. my understand I say that
055correctly. >> Yeah. Um the uh SCPA language was updated to reflect um work that we did with the uh Ohio Department of Education to ensure that our policy reflected uh kind of the latest and and most up-to-date um guidance from the US and Ohio Department of Education ensuring that students are not uh discriminated against in uh admissions. So that that reflects uh the work we did with them last year. I think that's most of what what we're proposing for that. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh in terms of the Wanda Heels uh assessment and it could be generally stated. I'm fine with that, but I know that there was uh it was brought to the board. Um, in terms of the actual assessment, whether it will be the Iowa or the I Ready, do you think
056it's best to list what assessment or just to keep it at a general broad level of meeting the mineral minimum requirements? I do like the latter better because what if it's the pleasure of the board to make an adjustment >> as as you're headed out um board member Matt um we can later on there's I think a piece in here about um LSTMC policy. Um I'm happy for us to start that conversation. That's fine. >> We may also want to keep some of it on the dock for next month. Um would that be so start but then finish? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> I would agree on that one. >> Wonderful. Thank you. >> Great. Thank you all. >> Thank you. >> Um okay. I think we are done with uh section three. Moving on
057to section four. Um which is topic submitted by board members. Um the first one came from um Dr. Moffett and I am looking at an email from her about this. But I don't know. I don't I'm not um I'm not sure I fully understand what she was hoping our committee would do with respect to immigration policies. Someone else may know. >> I I'm not Was there an email you said that was sent? >> Uh I I asked her I asked Phyllis to follow up with her to see if she still wanted it. Phyllis did that. Um and Um, uh, Kareem replied back that yes, she did, but then went and went on to talk about LSDMC policy and neighborhood school choice, but um, >> do we want to follow? >> Don't know about why. Yeah,
058we can certainly keep it on. Yes. Um, I'm happy to talk. Do do you have visibility into >> Dr. Moffett's interest? While the topic's brought up, I thought I'd mention two pieces of legislation that are pending in Ohio related to immigration, which I think >> the board The public should know about HB42 would require schools to collect immigration information on students. This would be a deviation. >> No, really. >> Uh it would be a deviation from what we do. We do not collect information on students. Uh no other state requires school public schools to collect information uh about immigration status from students and potentially is a violation the Supreme Court president and ply vo. What is this pending in the House Government Oversight Committee? Uh there's been only proponent testimony. There is no one that
059has spoken up to oppose this bill. It was last heard on May 25th. >> And what's the House bill number? >> HB42. >> If we want if we want to line up testimony against it, I'd like to volunteer to speak to >> um or or for somebody from CPS to go. Um >> not that they'll listen to us. And I I'm Dan, have you gotten information that our adult ed program has been given a directive? >> So, the adult ed program already is being subject to. >> I I just wanted to mention also and and the superintendent brought it up, the adult ed program, which is our ABLE, >> is that the old name? Aspire. I'm sorry. I always forget which is it. uh uh is already required to ask its adult students for immigration
060status as a condition of their funding because the protections in like the Supreme Court case don't apply to adult students. So they have already been asked that for that information. >> Yeah. Um same >> I have a thought on this but then I also I just want to make sure I didn't mess something up. Like I think the request here from Dr. Moffett was around transgender student protections. Is that what I brought up? Did I say immigration the first time? No, no, >> they're both on here. >> Yeah, you said that, but then we said we didn't have anything and we're going to follow back up on that. And then Dan said he did have some things that he wanted to introduce. So, I think we're done with the transgender piece because we weren't sure
061what what her request was. >> You know what? I've got a different The printed agenda here, I think, is a little different on there, but I have the regular >> under four. There's two bullets. I'm sorry. >> Yeah, >> you're right. No, I had immigration on here at a previous one, too. >> That's okay. I'm so glad we're talking about this. I just wanted to make sure I hadn't mischaracterized what was on here. So, but nothing on transgender at the moment. >> No, the the policy was passed this summer. It's active. We've gotten lots of questions about it. We're continuing to train on it. >> Okay. >> But we'll come back to it because I don't know what uh President Moffett needed or clarification. So, I think that we should put that on the next
062>> Great. Yeah, I I agree. Um, thank you. And I think on just the to go back to the immigration thing, I'm so glad we're talking about it. um in addition to to like wanting to volunteer on the testimony of peace. This is one of those things where if we have a constitutional argument that that state statute is a is unconstitutional, I would love CBS to be at the front of the charge trying to challenge that, you know, and so like I don't know if we can watch like I you all have a lot to do and I don't want to gear up for a for a fight if the bill's not going to go anywhere, but like if it looks like it's going to pass, I would love for us to be the district
063that challenges this in court first and anything I can do to uh I don't know what what kind of resources or or uh proono um allies we like whatever it is like if we could if we could maybe at a future date hear from you all how we could help position CPA. Sorry. I I speak as though everybody agrees with me. I don't know if that's true. >> Well, I was going to suggest Dan if you could possibly email um the information to the full board so that we're also aware. I it's great that you're bringing it here to policy, but I do think that um our colleagues would definitely want to hear about this and would like to know what can we do moving forward um to advocate um on them not doing this.
064So definitely giving us that information. >> We we had a win where we were one of two school districts I think in the country that sued the Trump administration around this title fund withholding piece, you know, like and and I I don't know that the president decided to release the funds because of our lawsuit. I'm still really glad we did it, you know, and that doesn't mean we're going to win every time, but you know, I do not feel like we need to just sit here and absorb the uh like unconstitutional decisions that come whether from Columbus or from DC. Um and so if there's a way we can, you know, fight back on this, I think that'd be great. >> There's actually a second piece of legislation also. So, Senate Bill 172 would prohibit
065state and local officials from uh interfering in any way with the arrest of um immigrant. Uh this is by local officials. It's expressly includes schools can't obstruct or interfere. It's still subject to the constitutional protection. So, I think there's some argument there. I think one of the biggest pieces of this legislation is uh that a state or local entity cannot prohibit any person from inquiring or sharing information out about an immigration uh immigrant student status. And you know that that's probably comes into conflict with FURPA and other state student protections. So if we if we direct as we have our school staff that they may not share student information that this this seems to come in conflict. So again just a second piece of legislation that's currently pending that um relates that would have a
066negative impact on our immigrant and refugee families. And I'm glad to share a note about both pieces of legislation to the full board. Thank you. >> Yeah, I really appreciate that. Um, okay. So, um, we have covered everything in items one, two, three, and four, I think. >> Well, we have one thing. So, sorry, and for regarding the LSDMC, um, I do know that Dr. Maf wanted to have a discussion and we probably could table this for our next meeting regarding the language around the interim principal and principal selection and um with our administration needing to provide a timeline based on the engagement policy so we could talk about that next time. Do you want to table that or continue to kind of have a brief conversation? >> I'm I'm um I have more time
067than the other board members today. So like I I'm happy to start it now. I'm happy to come back to it next time. I think it's whatever you'd prefer. Um I would like to have uh board member map here as well. So that is something that I would like to table. I know that she did have some um not concerns but wanted to provide some input onto this as well. >> Great. Is there anything administration you needed from us more quickly? >> No sir. Um I will just share based on um previous conversations around this and principal selection um process. We are moving forward uh with our current direction given to us by the board for the two schools in particular. >> I'm happy to answer any questions about that. >> I don't have any
068questions. I think it was just making sure that the policy stated that information and everybody was aware and um understood it and we can table it to provide more input from the other board members as well for the next meeting. >> Okay. Um so now we have finished items 1 2 3 and four. I think we're into the last section of of number five. Um and excited to hear about our standing policy review cycle. >> Sure. So, uh, might make sense to do both, uh, finance, uh, policies. So, policy 3440 and 6520. And pleased to be here with our incoming treasurer, Mike Gustin. Um, >> Mike, do you want to introduce these or I'm happy to also? >> Sure, I can I can go over them. Um, I would start with 6520. It's pretty much
069This one's just some cleanup of existing language. So nothing nothing super controversial there. We added some things to the list of payroll deductions. Some most of most or all of which we've been doing for quite some time. Just kind of making policy match. And then we put some language in um discussing how new um tax shelter vendors could get into into working with the district. the old the old procedure has been has been a barrier to bringing new folks in quite frankly and quite frankly we want to work a little more closely with the benefits committee which has representation from all the union leaders um and give them a little more I guess say say in how those vendors are selected and retained that that one I don't think that's pretty much what it is
070>> uncontroversial >> um so if you're ready I'll go to 440. >> Do you have any questions about 6520? >> I don't. >> Okay. >> You want to move that forward? >> Yeah. Just say say the the So, um on the first page, the the like adding school district income tax, background check fees. This is this is in this category of stuff that um your department has been doing for some time. We're bringing policy in line to make sure it reflects that. >> Yes. School district income tax we're required to withhold. If someone has that's we're legally required to fold that one. Background check fees we offered to the employees. Uh and so if they don't want to bring money they can just have their background check fee paid out of the taken out the
071next paycheck. And then the payroll overpayments is another thing that we are required to do um by law to satisfy the state auditor. So someone gets overpaid you know we take it back in the next check or spread it out over a series of checks. >> Okay. And then on the um the ARIS the Orisa stuff in the in the second part. >> Can um this this felt a little bit more substantive, but I I I don't this is not an area I know a ton about. Can you just say a little bit more? >> Yeah. So, we have we have a number of tax shelter annuity vendors that that are out there and we've had them for years. Um the barrier to someone new coming in is you need to have basically 20 employees
072signed up. 20 CPS employees. >> Yes. But but but you get into this weird catch 22 where like you have to go get people to sign up ahead of time, >> but they can't sign up unless they're approved, right? Or no, >> sort of like intent to sign is is a better way to look at it. Yes. This is why it's rarely used. Um and I know being on the benefits committee, we've had we've had several requests to bring new vendors on. um some of them are very ones you we've all heard of and and this tends to be a barrier. So, so we wanted to allow the old process to run if that happens, >> but also give the benefits committee um the ability to bring on new vendors, which is the same thing
073they do with wellness, the same thing they do with medical and dental plans. >> And just who's on the benefits committee again? not people but like what what positions make up the >> So there's one rep from every union um plus the district's benefits manager um the treasur representative legal counsel >> I think that's the administration is that right >> I mean there's others who sometimes come it's not a closed dooror meeting >> but it sound that sounds like the right group of people you'd want to make these decisions I mean that's got a lot of good that that's great yeah this sounds like it's a very good thing to me >> it it is definitely the stakeholders and the in the district's benefits. >> These are all voluntary contributions. This is not this is
074not one of the district's paid benefit plans. This is if you want part of your payroll to go into a 40 or 403b. Yeah, that's right. Trying to get the right mix of vendors that >> But we also don't want to have a million vendors, >> right? >> We get approached about this all the time. >> That's partly too like we get we get approached or I get approached by people who are trying to get with whatever, you know, and and I I'm not an expert. I don't know. Like I think what I was trying to make sure is that there's the right group of people looking at this and making thoughtful decisions who know more about it than I do. And I think that that sounds like that's what this is. >> It sounds
075like it. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> So then the other policy we're looking at is 3440 which is job related expenses. >> I have a copy of the ethics. >> Thank you. Thank you. Dan's handing out a CIC. So this is this is quite a surprise actually to us. >> Hot off the press. >> Yeah. Hot off the press. Um, is this something different? >> It's a copy. >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah. So, the Ohio Ethics Commission >> recently released an opinion about hotel and travel rewards. And so, just for historical perspective, you know, in our policy and procedures, we have always strictly prohibited employees from getting any travel or hotel rewards, even including, you know, using your Kroger's Plus card if you're buying food for a school event. that was based on previous
076guidance from the Ohio Ethics Commission that was enforced by you know the auditor state in our in our annual audit. So So and yes we have had times where people and we've ended up paying more money for things because you couldn't use your credit plus >> it's truly one of the most ridiculous rules that came out of the Ohio Ethics >> and there are a number >> Yeah. Yes. But this would be really examples of people not being able to use to to pay less for gas using your Kroger Plus card, you know, 3 cents off a gallon and having to charge the district more because otherwise you will get a reward back on your Kroger Plus card. >> I don't know how many principles have come to me and said, "Look, I'm buying I'm
077buying bottled water for for parent conf. It's $3 my Krueger Plus card, but I'm paying an extra, you know, it's just >> truly makes sense. >> So, this is this is a welcome change from the Ohio Ethics Commission for sure. So, we we are happy about this change. Um, obviously, if our policy is more restrictive, our policy would would apply there. So, we're asking to get to go back and re revise policy 3440. There are a couple of caveats. So obviously number one any rewards have to be the same as you would earn as a member of the general public. So so it can't be special can't be a special type of reward but all of your normal clubs your sky miles your hotel points your Kroger plus those are normal. Um and then obviously
078you have to use you know the same district procurement thing. So generally that means lowest cost vendor. So, so you can't decide, hey, I have Sky Miles. I'm going to book a flight with Delta that's $300 more than American Airlines. Yeah. And and we'll and we'll enforce that through procedure. You know, every every travel request is reviewed to look for those sort of things. And then the third one that's kind of a caveat is you can't bundle. So, so like if like if Dan, Sean, and I were all going to a conference, I can't be like, "Hey, I'll put all the tickets on my thing and I'll use the points to So, everyone gets has to get their own points." But I think all of those are easily easily implementable and easily enforcable through our
079current procedures. >> It's only amazing that it took them 25 years to undo this policy. >> Mrs. Weinberg, any questions? >> No. >> This is great. Thank you. I never would have thought of the bundling thing either. I was like, "Oh, that's clever." But and we shouldn't do that. It's in the buds. Great. Thank you. >> Um, okay, great. So, moving right along. So we we can I think these are non-controversial enough that we can put them in the consent agenda. Absent objection. >> Great. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Next. Uh Dan, what else we got? >> Um the the rest are I believe from our um regular review of policies. Uh they were on last month. Actually, the superintendent has looked at these as well and made some recommendations. Uh the first uh is
080from uh let's see is the eligibility of resident non-resident students. Most of this comes straight out of the Ohio Revised Code almost verbatim. Um we updated some of the language relating to the grandparent power of attorney or caretaker affidavit. I'll just say a quick word about that. That's one of the unique things about enrolling students in Ohio is Ohio actually has a terrific rule that says grandparents uniquely have the ability to enroll their grandchildren uh if if something's going on with uh the child's parent, their son or daughter. Um and and so wanted to make sure that was really clear. Uh but but we have lots of grandparents who are uh who have and will continue to enroll their kids in in school. Um everything else, there's a new uh rule we added related to
081you have the ability to enroll if you're in active duty of the armed forces and you're stationed in Ohio. Uh we have several military bases, not necessarily in Cincinnati. So, uh but it's a requirement to have that in the policy. Those are the only changes. Again, very related, uh directly to the Ohio Revice Code. Welcome any questions. >> This is uh makes sense to me, Mrs. Weinberg. I don't have any questions very >> so we can put this through also >> move forward to consent and then the last two are the I believe the policies we've briefly talked about uh 5113.03 903 relating to high schools of choice. Talked about some of the changes we made there. Superintendent and I are glad to answer any questions about that. Um the high schools of Mrs. Wber
082any >> Yep. This is high school enrollment. So we talked about making sure it matches our current array of schools, updating the language about Walnut Hills, updating the language about a CPA and then we we actually removed the selective admissions I think at Dator High School which I don't think we've done for some time >> long time so just updating to mostly reflect current practice glad to answer any questions on that >> any questions you have >> I don't have any questions from reading this it's very clear >> okay um >> good job man >> you helped And then the last is the Oh, I'm sorry. Did were there any questions? >> No, just from like a process standpoint, the two finance ones will go forward. Non resident non-resident will go forward. High schools of
083choice will go forward. In the enrollment in neighborhood schools, do you all feel like you'd like some you feel good about a sentence you want to add now? We can put it through. Do you want to wait a month? We can look at it later. I think >> so. Mr. fields. I text him after you um asked me about the um well actually it was board member map who asked about the neighborhood enrollment and he says um we have not asked students who have been accepted already in the district to reapply each year if they're staying at the same school. If they are switching schools due to grade level or moving, then they apply. Uh the only time it comes up is if there's an issue sometimes. So um at one point we did have
084an outof neighborhood enrollment practice procedure. We had a whole period of time in the lottery process where that took place. None of that's happening anymore. So, for her personal question, there's no need to reapply in any um selection or lottery process at all if you're in a school and if you're out of neighborhood, it seems we're not asking people to do that either. >> Is it I have a question. I'm sorry. Is it stated in our policy? I think that was her question, too. Just making sure that that was stated and it was clear. So, as I'm opening this up to read, I'm sorry. >> I don't think it's explicitly stated in the policy if it matters. I think this was more of practice and a part of how we used to do lottery. All
085of that uh as far as process and procedure has been updated on our website and we're not doing it any longer. So, if you want a line in the policy Is it possible to wait on that one would be my suggestion >> just to make sure that we had clear understanding of what else needed to be added from board member map's perspective. >> That's fine with me. >> Absolutely. >> That's great. And then I think the the piece I was asking about was this um once a year looking to see how things have gone and making any recommendations for improvements um for concerns about fairness and even treatment. Uh and I I I was just trying to say I'm happy either to move it forward now if you feel that's doable or to come back
086to it a month from now. I think that's now moot because we're going to come back to it a month from now anyway so that board member map can ask anything she wants to ask. >> Absolutely. >> Um could it come with that sentence? >> Yeah. >> Next time. >> That'd be great. >> Um okay. So I think that is it for section five. >> Yes. >> Unless I'm missing something. >> I think you're good. >> Rob, would you give some instructions on hearing of the public? >> Okay. We command a large audience here at the policy committee. >> A number of people, but I think >> we've scared them all away. Okay. Anybody in the room like to share anything for hearing of the public today? Hearing nothing? You're always welcome. >> I guess
087can I just say one thing? >> Anything you'd like. >> Is your mic on? Oh, >> it just struck me, Michelle, with CTF. It just struck me as we were discussing state policy um that I feel that our district lobbyists maybe should be providing some information for example on HB42. I have seen community uh level discussions about grave concern about the district being required to report immigration status of our students. This is definitely a topic that is very hot in our community among stakeholder groups. Um, and I I just it's just a rhetorical question perhaps that I feel like our lobbyists could maybe do a better job in forbing our board and leadership of pending policy that impacts our students. Thank you. >> Thank you. I also just, this is for my own clarity, too.
088Have there been some changes to our lobbyists? >> Well, been many budget cuts this year. Yeah, it's right to say like I think we might be um currently are we we're without one now. >> Yes. >> Is that >> as well not today but as of Monday >> as of as of Monday we have Dan >> and that and and I think you know like there are lots of things we wish we could invest in and I think this is one of them. Um but we got to have another plan to make sure and so thank you thank you thank you for I think alerting us about this. >> Um and I just think the point's really well taken. >> Absolutely. >> Uh okay. Um, I don't have any other business. Does anyone else have
089any other business? >> I just have one small thing to say. So, I just wanted to welcome our wonderful treasure. This is your first day, first meeting, right? As a full treasure, I I would say, you know, since >> September, but the last day in the old, >> but we didn't have a, you know, a committee meeting or anything. We just had our board meeting. So, yeah. >> So, you're you're all in. You're all in. >> Solo. >> Hey. >> Yeah. Welcome, Mike. Yeah. Glad you're here. Okay.