Meeting summary:

  • The Fairview-Clifton German Language School community is concerned about disparity in discipline and racial bias. While an action plan was put into place to address concerns, some parents and others would like to see an independent investigation to ensure all issues were identified. 
  • The 2027 Fiscal Budget was discussed and the General Fund Operating Budget was passed. However, the board members could not agree on which proposed levy option for the November ballot would be best for the district, so the vote was postponed until a closed meeting could be held for additional discussion.
  • The 2023-2027 Strategic Plan is on track and is now moving into the third phase of the planning process. Feedback from community stakeholders was compiled through town halls and surveys. While the feedback appeared to be positive overall, some concerns surrounding implementation, accountability and equity were raised. 

Documenter’s follow-up question:

  • Is the Fairview action plan available for parents and other community stakeholders to view? Who was involved in creating the action plan? How serious does the board view the reported concerns at Fairview? Will they be considering an independent investigation as requested? 
  • Why were the members of the board so conflicted on the different proposed levy options? Were there not any previous discussions before the planned proposed vote for this meeting?
  • What will be the overall cost of the Strategic Plan and how will the district ensure checks and balances for equitable implementation?What is the state of homelessness in Cincinnati? What’s the population in the city’s downtown core? In Over-the-Rhine? In each of the city’s 52 neighborhoods? 
  • How much money (state and federal) does Cincinnati spend on homeless people?

Notes

CPS Board Members in Attendance: Board of Education – Cincinnati Public Schools 

Acknowledgment and Announcements:

Hearing of the public:

Each member of the public who submitted a request to speak was allotted the floor for two minutes. Some of the most significant issues raised are listed below. It should be noted that the board members did not respond to any of the speakers’ issues.

  • A parent and Local School Decision Making Committee parent representative at Fairview-Clifton German Language School renewed a request for an independent investigation into the climate and culture at Fairview. According to the speaker, this follows numerous concerns reported to the CPS board from stakeholders within the Fairview community that resulted in the district developing an action plan. In addition to the action plan, she said she would like to see an investigation into whether the district has identified everything that needs to change.
  • This was followed by another speaker who said there has been inaction with the issues at Fairview. Some issues both speakers identified include: discriminatory and illegal incidents, complicity, discipline, transparency, student support, communication, and parents’ fears of retaliation if they came forward. Another parent spoke about her issues with the principal of Fairview as it related to her son and what she described as disparity in discipline when it comes to Black students. She said data collected reflects 130 Black students receiving disciplinary referrals compared to nine referrals for white students.
  • A parent spoke regarding transportation issues including transportation checks that were supposed to be dispersed to parents in May but have still not been handed out.
  • A parent and CPS employee spoke about the negative impact that losing counselors and social workers across the district would have on students and staff. She said the CPS initiative of recruiting Black men for student-forward-facing positions would also be impacted as some of these men are newer to the district and lack the seniority necessary to retain their positions when these cuts are made.
  • A CPS social worker followed up by giving specific examples of issues some students face outside of school and how it impacts their behavior and attention during the school day. She explained what role the social workers play in assisting and supporting these students and families.
  • One parent and community advocate expressed her concerns about what she sees as confusion in the district. She described the board as having “internal disagreements, conflicting data, and a slow  bureaucratic pace that does not match the emergency and our students’ needs.”
  • A speaker who introduced herself as a community leader pointed out the district’s 30% literacy rate and made remarks about how the “blame game” among the parents, faculty, union and board are affecting these numbers and what she describes as our “youth crisis.”  She is also a parent of a Fairview student and described issues her son experienced.

Budget Presentation for 2027 Fiscal Year: Michael Gustin, treasurer

  • Open proposals for sale of Wireless Spectrum and Sale of unspecified property to increase budget target.
  • The new proposed Budget Target of $634.6 million is $80,000 less than the 2026 budget.
  • The board is recommending changes to the transportation budget. A working group in place had its first meeting July 10. The focus will be on building a comprehensive budget and forecasting module for transportation costs more aligned to services than vendors. The group will also explore cost containment strategies and recommend changes to services as needed. No specifics were addressed. 
  • The board identified a General Fund budget gap of $8,704,582.
  • A 2% expenditure reduction was recommended to close this gap. This may include cost shifts, existing budget adjustments and new budget structures.
  • New budget structures moving forward will include:
    • Monthly budget monitoring
    • Restarting and expanding the scope of the insource/outsource committee
    • Review of commodity contracts
    • Continued exploration of revenue-generating opportunities.
  • There were questions and comments from several board members addressed to the treasurer to gain further understanding of the budget, balancing the budget, where budget and grant dollars will be spent, the deficit, and the need to improve on the budget model for the future.
  • The board unanimously passed the motion to adopt the 2027 Fiscal Year General Fund Operating Budget.

Strategic Plan 2023-2027 – Cincinnati Public Schools presentation: 

Akeshia Craven-Howell, Bellwether  akeshia.craven-howell@bellwether.org   

  • According to Craven-Howell, the planning phase of the Strategic Plan is on track moving from Phase 1 – Strategy Development  to Phase 3 – Plan for Implementation.
  • Town halls were held for public feedback in July, and a survey is open for additional community response.
  • More than 300 community members attended the town halls.
  • Some themes raised at town halls included:
    • Value, equity and consistency
    • Visibility for teachers and school leaders
    • Family partnerships
    • School cultures
    • Accountability and real resources.
  • The survey had 132 respondents, including parents, CPS teachers, staff, alumni, other CPS representatives, community members and LSDMC members.
  • According to survey responses, 72% agree that the CPS promise, 2030 commitment, and the four priorities address the pressing needs of CPS students extremely well or very well. Eighty-two percent strongly agree/agree that “The CPS promise reflects what I want for every CPS graduate.”
  • Several open comment concerns from the survey included:
    • Focusing on ensuring the promise is upheld.
    • Ensuring students with exceptionalities and special needs are included in the promise. 
    • Detailing the “how” of implementation and its consistency across the district.
  • Working groups are developing the first-year implementation plans for each of the four priorities of the plan.
  • A financial model will help district leaders understand implementation costs and funding options.
  • Take the survey: CPS Strategic Plan: Community Feedback Survey 

Resolution to Proceed presentation:

  • The Resolution to Proceed directs the administration to file the ballot language with the Hamilton County Board of Elections. This is necessary to place a levy on the ballot in the upcoming November election. 
  • Additional revenue will:
    • Keep pace with inflationary cost increases
    • Fund Strategic Plan Initiative
    • Provide for priority facility repairs and upgrades
    • Build the foundation for longer-term growth, including:
      • Student-centered equity and mobility
      • Regional Hub Development
      • Coordinated student support
  • After much discussion, the board members were not in agreement on which option would be the best, so, ultimately, there was no motion made and no vote held.
  • A closed meeting will be held for board members to flesh out each option further before a motion is passed and a vote is held.
  • The following charts show the recommended levy proposals:

Additional discussions among board members included:

  • The Montessori Teacher Training Program on Bramble Nature Campus. Updates on this will be addressed at the next CPS board meeting.  Cincinnati Public Schools launches Montessori educator training program 
  • The renaming of several schools in the district and if other schools should be designated as middle schools or junior high schools. No decision was made at this meeting.
  • Numbers surrounding the district’s economically disadvantaged families are still being compiled. These numbers will have an impact on the Strategic Plan.
  • The consent agenda was discussed, and requests for clarifications on certain lines items were made. These were given by the superintendent and the treasurer. An amended consent agenda will be prepared and submitted. 

The meeting was adjourned after 4 hours and 17 minutes.

If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@signalcincinnati.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.

Find more Documenters’ notes here.