Bay Board of Education June 28 meeting overview

This report contains member observations and selected highlights of the June 28 meeting of the Bay Village Board of Education. It is not an official statement by the League of Women Voters, nor does it represent the official minutes of the meeting.

Board members present: Beth Lally; Scott Schulz; Dave Vegh, vice president; Paul Vincent; Lisa Premier, president; Jodie Hausmann, superintendent.

The meeting was held in the high school auditorium with several hundred people in attendance.

The first item for discussion was the equity report the board had commissioned from Almitra Berry, Ed.D. from A.L Berry Consulting. Dr. Berry flew in to present the just completed report at the meeting. Dr. Holly Schaefer, Bay Schools' director of human resources, opened the presentation in order to provide context for Dr. Berry’s report. She presented a history of equity and inclusivity in Bay Village and the rationale for forming a diversity and equity committee in the spring of 2020.

Marty Patton, assistant superintendent of special services, discussed equity from her perspective as a special education teacher and the wonderful results she has seen over the years which have stemmed from the school system’s attention to the individual needs of each student. Ramsey Inman, Bay High assistant principal, then presented his view that we have a great school system that does not shy away from continuous improvement. The goal is for every student to feel safe and valued and for the teachers to notice the individual needs of each student so they can optimally learn and grow. He expressed his appreciation for all the family support students in this district receive.

Dr. Berry then presented an overview of the purpose of her study, which was to measure equity assets and challenges in the Bay Schools, and then a summary of her findings. She submitted her 60-page report to the Board at the meeting. Her presentation and other information about equity in the Bay Schools is available at bayvillageschools.com/equity_commitment.

Following these presentations, the floor was opened for public discussion of the report. A lively and intense discussion was held with diverse perspectives and concerns presented. Board president Lisa Premier extended the discussion time by half an hour but then called for the end of discussion so that the rest of the board’s agenda could be completed. Objections were raised to stopping the discussion when there were people who still wanted to speak. Mrs. Premier called for a town hall meeting to be scheduled in the near future so that citizens can continue to discuss what diversity, equity and inclusion means to Bay Village and its schools.

The meeting continued as per the agenda, with the board approving appointments and resignations of certified personnel and classified personnel, approval of continued membership in the Ohio Schools Council, approval of the contract for PEP, approval of new Student Handbooks for each school level.

Superintendent Hausmann’s report included that hiring has come to a close for next school year and the process went very well. She shared the new high school profile sheet which is shared with colleges to give information about Bay schools. The new state report card will have stars instead of letter grades and there will be revisions in the performance ratings. These are being submitted to the state legislature for approval. She recently met with new Bay Village police Chief Rob Gillespie and reviewed the schools’ emergency plans and drills. The recent Supreme Court ruling on student free speech will need to monitored for possible impact in Bay.

Treasurer Megan Rohde reported general fund expenses were less than expected and revenues were as expected.

The Board adjourned to executive session. The next regular Board meeting will be Monday, July 12, at 6:30 p.m. in the Bay Middle School Media Center, 27725 Wolf Road.