November 13, 2024 Regular Meeting Summary

The Shaker Heights Board of Education held a Regular Meeting on November 13, 2024. Highlights from the meeting include:

Opening & Welcome

• Board President Lora Cover called the meeting to order.
• Fernway Elementary fifth-grader Ra’Vae Hunter-Harrell provided welcome remarks, sharing his experiences as a student.
• Principal Chris Hayward highlighted Fernway’s initiatives, including new staff, flexible learning spaces, and community partnerships.

Approval of Board Meeting Minutes

• The Board approved minutes from the October 8 and October 21 meetings.

Student & Staff Recognitions

• Several high school students received College Board National Recognition Awards.
• Shaker Heights athletes excelled:
  • Boys Rugby won the state championship.
  • Field Hockey finished as state runner-up.
  • Girls Cross Country had strong performances at state-level meets.
• Students at the Innovative Center for Personalized Learning participated in a culinary science trip at Edwins Too.
• Fox 8’s Weather School Wednesday featured Lomond Elementary’s third graders.
• The Shaker Heights High School Theatre Department announced the upcoming musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Cell Phone Policy Update

• Middle School & High School Implementation:
  • Students must store phones in Yondr pouches during school hours.
  • The Middle School saw zero suspensions related to cell phone use in the first 12 weeks.
  • Survey results:
    • Middle School: 91% of staff and 42% of students felt the policy improved engagement and reduced distraction.
    • High School: Compliance has been high, though students requested cafeteria phone access.
  • Yondr Squad was introduced at the high school to ensure compliance with minimal disruption.
  • A community education event (Screenagers documentary) was scheduled to address concerns about screen time and student wellness.

Food Services Annual Report

• The District’s food services met state nutrition guidelines.
• New meal offerings were highlighted, including WOW Butter sandwiches (a peanut butter alternative).

Facilities Planning Updates

• Woodbury Project:
  • New building layout & parking adjustments were reviewed.
  • Preservation of green space and traffic flow improvements are priorities.
  • A Visual Preference Survey was launched to gather community input.
• Ludlow Early Learning Center:
  • Construction updates included interior framing & historic preservation efforts.
  • The District is exploring playground and field upgrades in collaboration with the city.
• Sustainability & Green Infrastructure:
  • The District is partnering with sustainability consultants to explore energy-efficient school design and grant opportunities.
  • Exploring project impacts with Doan Brook.
• City & Community Engagement

• The Facilities Advisory Committee (FAC) will continue providing input on projects.
• Coordination with Shaker Heights city officials on shared-use facilities and recreation planning.
• Outreach to residents (including non-school families) via direct mail, city newsletters & community meetings.

Public Comment

• No online public comments were submitted.
• No community members signed up to speak.

Five-Year Financial Forecast

• Presentation by Treasurer Donté Hayes on the District’s Five-Year Financial Forecast, outlining projected revenues, expenditures and financial challenges over the next five years.
• Current Financial Status:
  • The District has a cash balance of about $58 million, but Treasurer Hayes warned that this balance will steadily decline over the next few years due to anticipated costs.
  • Without additional revenue sources, cash reserves are projected to be depleted through FY2029, potentially requiring a levy request.
• Key Factors Impacting Reserves:
  • Operating Costs:
    • Rising salaries, benefits and inflationary costs are projected to outpace revenue growth.
    • Increased costs for transportation, utilities and student support services will also impact long-term financial stability.
  • State & Local Revenue Projections:
    • The District remains highly reliant on local property taxes, with limited increases from state funding.
    • The Fair School Funding Plan, if fully implemented, could provide some relief, but its future remains uncertain.
  • Levy Considerations:
    • Given the forecasted structural deficit, the District may need to place a new operating levy on the ballot within the next few years to maintain financial stability.
• Board Discussion:
  • Board members expressed concerns about the long-term sustainability of the District’s financial position and the need to plan for future levy cycles.
  • There was a strong emphasis on financial transparency and ensuring the community understands the need for responsible fiscal planning to avoid drastic cuts in the future.
  • Cost-saving measures and efficiency strategies were discussed, including exploring shared services, energy efficiency improvements and potential alternative revenue sources.

Upcoming Meetings

• December 10, 2024 – Board of Education Regular Meeting

Disclaimer: This summary was generated using AI based on the available meeting transcript. While efforts were made to ensure accuracy, it may contain errors or omissions. For official records and full context, please refer to the official meeting minutes or video recording provided on shaker.org.