CPS Board, February 25, 2008, eBoard

A brief look at the Cincinnati Public Schools' Board of Education's meetings, compiled by the Public Affairs Department.

February 25, 2008

Board members present: President Eve Bolton, Vice President Chris Nelms, Melanie Bates, Susan Cranley, Catherine Ingram and Eileen Reed
Absent: Michael Flannery
Superintendent Rosa Blackwell and Treasurer Jonathan Boyd attended.

The Board's meeting began at 7:07 p.m. in the Education Center, the district's headquarters in Corryville.

Students from West Side Montessori High School led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance, then recited poems from a recent Poetry Slam held at the school. Some of the poems were written by the students. Daniel Dalton, the school's principal, spoke to the Board about the district's newest Montessori high school.

Presentations

Jeff Edmondson, executive director of Strive, gave an update on the district's progress on the McKinsey Report's recommendations for improving Central Office operations. Edmondson said CPS has made "strong progress" in strengthening management efficiency and performance. The update focused on the areas of performance management, human resources, finances and technology.

The McKinsey Report — underwritten at no taxpayer expense by the Gates Foundation and McKinsey, a global management-efficiency consultant — was conducted in 2007 at Superintendent Blackwell's request, as part of efforts to improve central operations to better support schools. Strive agreed to assist by bringing in expertise from area corporations and organizations to work with the district on the McKinsey recommendations.

Board Action

APPROVED action motion No. 120 — the Board's pledge to district residents to allocate new revenue generated by the March 2008 levy to the categories of School/Classroom Learning; Opportunities for all Students; and Schools and Teacher Management Accountability.

APPROVED action motion No. 121 — Community engagement in the search for a new superintendent.

APPROVED a resolution authorizing the start of bidding for bulk purchasing for four bid packages (furniture, and equipment phases I, II and III).

APPROVED a resolution authorizing the start of bidding for bid package No. 1 — environmental remediation, prior to demolition of the old Taft high school building in the West End. A new Taft school will be built on the site.

ACCEPTED the report of the Board's Committee of the Whole meeting on Wednesday, February 6, 2008, which focused on discussion of whether the magnet application process should remain first come/first served or switch to a lottery system.

APPROVED the superintendent's recommendations.

APPROVED the treasurer's report.

The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

The Board's next regular meeting will be 7 p.m. Monday, March 10, 2008, at district headquarters, 2651 Burnet Avenue, in Corryville.