Bay Board of Education March 7 meeting notes

This report contains member observations and selected highlights of the March 7 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.

The Board approved the first reading of revised board policies which are available on the website, bayk12.org.

Various personnel changes were approved.

Finance Committee: School treasurer Meghan Rohde reported the external audit has been completed and no issues were identified. They are making progress on creating a 5-year priority list for capital improvements.

Policy Committee: This committee is developing rules and ethical practices for contracting with private vendors as well as ways to increase community involvement with the board. They are exploring the feasibility of broadcasting board meetings and options to facilitate more community input. Examples under consideration are changing the requirement to provide a home address before addressing the board to only stating town of residence, and decreasing the allotted time to speak from five minutes to three minutes to allow more people a chance to be heard within time constraints.

Curriculum Learning Committee: This committee analyzes data from student test results to make data informed instructional decisions that will maximize learning for each individual student. An example was provided.

Superintendent Update: Bay High students Nina Manos and Annie Mullahy, leaders of the 23-member "Team Takes a Village" project, reported they have so far raised 60% of their $100,000 goal for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. More fundraisers are planned.

Teacher Melissa Wolf and students Cam Williams and Caitie Peterson of the seventh-grade Launchpad makerspace presented gifts to the school board members of items the class has made with the equipment and space provided by this program and discussed the integrated learning and teamwork that was involved in creating the projects.

Thought Leaders were present to describe the "Learn. Launch. Lead." program to the Board. This program is focused on developing and maintaining a “caring community that encourages children to be happy and successful.” There are seven driving factors to the program, each of which has thought leader teachers and/or administrators guiding them.  The factors are:

  • Recognize Growth and Cultivate Success
  • Lead Educational Excellence
  • Prioritize Service to Others
  • Promote School-Life Balance
  • One Community Many Voices
  • Foster Real Work Skills
  • Inspire Creativity and Innovation 

Treasurer Report: Bonds are expiring in 2025 and options for future financing are being explored. Ms. Rohde described the fiscal challenges that some bills before the Ohio state legislature, if passed, will present for all public schools in Ohio, including Bay Village. HB 126 regarding property value challenges and HB 290, known as the “backpack bill” would have significantly negative impact on our school system’s finances. HB 327, the “divisive concept” legislation is also predicted to have negative consequences, including the loss of Advanced Placement programs since that organization is threatening to pull out of states that pass this form of legislation. Various statewide educational groups are opposing these bills. The superintendent and the school board will explore developing a resolution to oppose them.

Superintendent Search: The semifinal interviews are next week and they expect a finalist to be chosen by the end of the month. Extra board meetings are scheduled this month to complete this task.

Public participation: No one chose to offer public comment or questions.

The next regular meeting of the Board of Education is Monday, March 21, 6:30 p.m., in the Bay Middle School cafeteria.

LWV observer Cynthia White

I am a 35 year resident of Bay Village and currrent Chair of the Bay Chapter of the League of Women Voters.

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Volume 14, Issue 6, Posted 10:38 AM, 03.15.2022