ROLL CALL. Mr. Favre Ms. Petrie Barcelona Mr. Einhouse

Transcription

1 Lakewood, Ohio September 17, 2012 The Board of Education of the City School District of the City of Lakewood, County of Cuyahoga, State of Ohio, met in regular session in the Grant Elementary School Gymnasium, 1470 Victoria Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Members Present: Members Absent: Mrs. Shaughnessy Mr. Favre Ms. Petrie Barcelona Mr. Einhouse Mrs. Beebe #234/12 ADOPTION OF AGENDA Mr. Favre moved and Mr. Einhouse seconded the motion that the Agenda for the Regular Board of Education Meeting Held on September 17, 2012, be approved. Upon roll call on the motion, the vote was as follows: Mrs. Shaughnessy Yea Mr. Favre Yea Ms. Petrie Barcelona Yea Mr. Einhouse Yea DISPOSITION OF MINUTES Board President Shaughnessy called for a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Board of Education Meeting Held on August 6, 2012 and the Special Board of Education Meeting Held on August 15, Ms. Petrie Barcelona moved and Mr. Einhouse seconded the motion to approve the minutes as published.

2 REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS Superintendent Patterson said that this was the first Board of Education meeting of the school year that we have had the opportunity to have a building principal report. Mr. Patterson introduced Ms. Roxann Ramsey, principal of Grant Elementary School. Ms. Ramsey reviewed several programs in place at Grant Elementary: Principal Bucks Proud Principal Papers PeaceBuilders Positive Behavior Supports (PBS) Supplemental Tiered Academic Reinforcement (STAR Block) Project MORE (Mentoring in Ohio for Reading Excellence) She touched on the many wonderful volunteer events provided by the Grant PTA and Grant families. Ms. Ramsey thanked the Board of Education and the administration for their support, willingness to collaborate, clear and consistent policies, and other opportunities provided to Grant students and staff. Of special note is the Girls on the Run program, a new after-school program, and the various music programs available at all Lakewood elementary schools. The Grant Singers, directed by Ms. Carrie Smith, performed Pay Attention, a song about selfreliance, hard work, and a positive attitude. Mr. Patterson and Ms. Ramsey thanked the students and Ms. Smith for a tremendous performance. Mr. Patterson said there was a second topic to be discussed in this evening s Superintendent s Report. The Board will recall that 30 community and staff meetings were conducted last year to gather thoughts, ideas, and priorities about reducing the projected deficit. Ultimately the Board approved reductions which included closure of an elementary school building at the end of the school year as well as reducing positions. On August 6 the Board reviewed census and enrollment data which formed the basis for the Superintendent s recommendation to postpone closure of an elementary school until such time that the District approaches Phase III of our Facilities Master Plan. An elementary room utilization study has recently been completed to determine the availability of extra classrooms in the District s 7 elementary schools. There are currently 112 K-5 classrooms in use throughout the District and 6 empty classrooms. If we were to consolidate spaces used by Title tutors, Intervention Specialists, and English Language Learners personnel, we could reasonably free up another 8 classrooms.

3 One of the strongest comments that we heard last Spring from both the community and staff when we were considering budget reductions was to keep the class sizes at the elementary level as low as possible. Currently the average elementary school class size is just over 22 students. Superintendent Patterson reviewed the number of available classrooms under each of the elementary closure scenarios: Close Roosevelt Close Grant Close Lincoln 111 classrooms available 110 classrooms available 108 classrooms available In addition to available spaces, we are experiencing a spike in our K-2 enrollment, and there is every indication that this trend will continue for the next several years. This is another contributing factor to the recommendation in keeping all 7 elementary buildings open until we enter Phase III of our Facility Master Plan. Superintendent Patterson reviewed enrollment figures as of today: Grade students Grade students Grade students Grade students Grade students Kindergarten students Since the beginning of this school year we have added one teacher at Grant Elementary, and we are in the process of adding one additional teacher at Emerson in the fourth grade. Also since the beginning of the year District officials have analyzed the effects that the certificated and classified reductions in force have had on our District s operation. Superintendent Patterson recommended that the following be returned to duty: 2 Library Media Specialists 1 Science Teacher.5 (FTE) Health Teacher at LHS 1 Computer Assistant

4 Upon the Board s approval of this recommendation we will have returned all individuals who were laid off at the end of last school year. The District will continue to monitor operations going forward. In addition to the afore-mentioned RIF positions, the 23 positions reduced through attrition last year and renegotiated contracts with all labor groups enabled the projected deficit to be reduced by over $8 million in fiscal year Superintendent Patterson stated that it continues to be a very delicate balancing act to keep our community priorities intact while at the same time being fiscally responsible. Our goal is to keep a close eye on our financial picture as we approach an operating levy in the Spring of Superintendent Patterson reiterated that state officials have demonstrated that a shift in the tax burden to support schools has taken place from the state level to the local level. We will need to have the continued support of Lakewood citizens to keep our community and schools strong. Mr. Favre thanked Superintendent Patterson and the staff for recrunching all the data and surveying the availability of the space in the buildings in order to help the Board in making their decision. President Shaughnessy commented that she felt a key component to meeting the Third Grade Guarantee was classroom sizes so that teaching and learning can take place as well as meet the individual needs of students. The resolution and vote will take place later in the evening. This ended the Superintendent s Report. COMMUNICATIONS Board President Shaughnessy asked if there were any communications received by the Treasurer, the Superintendent or members of the Board. There were none. Board President Shaughnessy asked if any members of the public would like to speak. No one wished to address the Board.

5 #235/12 245/12 CONSENT AGENDA Mr. Einhouse moved and Mr. Favre seconded the motion that the Consent Agenda items be approved. Mrs. Shaughnessy Yea Mr. Favre Yea Ms. Petrie Barcelona Yea Mr. Einhouse Yea

6 HUMAN RESOURCES VIII. Report of the Human Resources and Community Services Chairpersons: Mr. Favre, Mr. Einhouse #246/12 A. Certified Mr. Favre moved and Mr. Einhouse seconded the motion to approve the resolution.

7 #247/12 B. Classified Mr. Favre moved and Mr. Einhouse seconded the motion to approve the resolution.

8 #248/12 C. Community Recreation and Education Mr. Favre moved and Mr. Einhouse seconded the motion to approve the resolution.

9 #249/12 A. Certified - Resignation OTHER BOARD BUSINESS Mr. Favre moved and Ms. Petrie Barcelona seconded the motion to waive the two reading requirement and approve the resolution on one reading.

10 #250/12 B. Certified Appointments Mr. Favre moved and Ms. Petrie Barcelona seconded the motion to waive the two reading requirement and approve the resolution on one reading.

11 #251/12 C. Classified Appointment Mr. Favre moved and Ms. Petrie Barcelona seconded the motion to waive the two reading requirement and approve the resolution on one reading.

12 #252/12 D. Resolution to Approve the Superintendent s Recommendation to Maintain Operations of Seven Elementary Schools (Second Reading) Mr. Favre moved and Mr. Einhouse seconded the motion to approve the Superintendent s recommendation to Maintain Operations of Seven Elementary Schools.

13 EXECUTIVE SESSION Mr. Favre moved and Mr. Einhouse seconded the motion that the members of the Board of Education of the Lakewood City School District shall hold an Executive Session for consideration of the employment of a public employee. Upon roll call on the motion, the vote was as follows: Mrs. Shaughnessy Yea Mr. Favre Yea Ms. Petrie Barcelona Yea Mr. Einhouse Yea The Board recessed to Executive Session at 7:31p.m. The Executive Session ended at 9:14 p.m. The Board returned to public session at 9:14 p.m. No action was taken. Board President Shaughnessy called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.

14 ADJOURNMENT Mr. Favre moved and Mr. Einhouse seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Board President Treasurer