Bay Board of Education June 7 meeting overview

Board President Lisa Priemer called the meeting to order at 6:38 p.m. The later start time was to accommodate the large number of community members. Also in attendance were Vice President Dan Vegh; Mrs. Beth Lally; Dr. Scott Schultz; and Mr. Paul Vincent.

Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Jodie Hausmann made two major points. The first point was regarding the use of the term “equity.” She emphasized that the Board and administration want to be prepared for learners to ensure that all voices are heard. The equity audit has been in the planning stage for over two years and grew from the Strategic Plan. The purpose of the slated equity review is to give more information on how to best serve all children. Although Bay Village does very well as it is, Superintendent Hausmann posed some theoretical questions. For example, she questioned whether more students would take AP classes if the District did something differently or whether some students would be more involved in Bay’s stellar music program if transportation were provided. She said that an equity audit is similar to a financial review.

The Superintendent also reflected on the past year and the District’s achievements in the pandemic. She thanked all staff and board members and gave condolences to those who lost family members. Despite the many problems the pandemic caused, Superintendent Hausmann said that Bay Village was the first public district in Cuyahoga County to reopen for in-person instruction. “It was not perfect, but it was impressive,” she said and pointed to the fact that Bay Village did not cut one program and that teachers in the elementary schools continued to eat lunch with their students. She said it was “… an emergency response of the highest order.”

Public Comments

Mrs. Priemer allowed over an hour for public comments. The following is an overview of those comments. 

• Former Bay students spoke of their limited experiences with equity and diversity in the Bay District and their gratefulness that the District is moving forward in a broader direction. 
• A petition was presented with over 125 signatures from Bay residents in support of the school district.
• Bay League of Women Voters chapter chair Cynthia White read the League’s position on education that supports the Board’s decision.
• Equity and diversity in the schools is supported by the Bay Anti-Racism Network.
• Mrs. Priemer pointed out that Bay does not teach Critical Race Theory as our district follows the Ohio State Standards and Critical Race Theory is not part of that.
• Whatever the outcome of the audit, transparency is important.
• There was concern about the firm that was hired to complete the Equity Audit. However, the firm is endorsed by the Ohio School Board Association.
• There was also concern that some AP classes could be cut from the results of the equity review. The speaker was assured that that would not happen.

Board Communications

School Resource Officer Report: Officer Ben Kitchen reflected on his time working in the Bay Schools. He emphasized that he wants students to use him as a resource and that his primary goal is to further students’ education. He was happy that the response to the Jan. 29 active shooter experience worked as planned. The results of the investigation into that incident are incomplete but will be reported to the community as soon as they are available.

The Board approved the minutes from the previous regular meeting. Those minutes can be found on the Board website at go.boarddocs.com/oh/bvcsd/Board.nsf/Public.

The Board also approved several certified and classified personnel changes; the Food Service Supervisor salary schedule; and continued membership in OHSAA. Other items that were approved were the acceptance of a donation from Casey Martin for needy families; the cost of one new school bus; a contract with outside companies for occupational therapy services, physical therapy services, transportation services, consultative behavior and therapy services, and 1:1 student nursing services. Participation in the Ohio Schools Council and Forecast 5 Analytics was approved. The Superintendent announced the foreign exchange students for the 2021-22 school year who will come from Germany and the Czech Republic. 

Treasurer Update

Treasurer Meghan Rohde said that it was prudent for the District to pursue a $1 million grant from the State of Ohio which it was awarded. Those monies will be used for special education, the new school bus and personal protection equipment. The Home of the Rockets project is underway with three-quarters of those funds coming from contributions. Treasurer Rohde expects that the State will release its education budget this month and is hopeful that Bay Village will receive a small increase. The District is disposing of mowers and bus tires. Rohde recommended that the Board approve the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 temporary appropriations at 35% of the fiscal year 2021 expenditure amount. Her report was approved.

The next Bay School Board regular meeting will be Monday, June 28, at 6:30 p.m. at Bay Middle School.