Jennifer Howard, Chair, BPS Board and Alan Kopit, Chair, School Boards called the meetings to order at 5:01 pm.

Alan Kopit requested a motion to approve the May 13, 2021 CLA Special Board Meeting minutes. Sam Steinhouse so moved and Linda Zucca seconded and all were in favor. 

Alan Kopit requested a motion to approve the Joint BPS School Board minutes of June 23, 2021. Linda Zucca so moved and Sam Steinhouse seconded and all were in favor. Motion carried.

Jennifer Howard requested a motion to approve the Joint BPS Board minutes of June 23, 2021. Paul Harris so moved and Yolanda Saunders-Polk seconded, and all were in favor. Motion carried.

None.

J. McBride provided the update on the end-of-year I-Ready assessments provided in the board materials supplemented with a PowerPoint presentation. Overall, we did see moderate gains in the results comparing I-Ready assessments from the fall, winter, and spring. The reading results were much more divergent with more ups and downs by campus and individual grades, and we saw more significant growth in Math. Most importantly, the test results confirmed what we know—the vast majority of our scholars are at least one year behind and many are two or more years behind. These results were anticipated and did not change our focus on learning acceleration in the coming year.

MB. Whyel provided the update on the Academic Data Metrics provided in the board materials and supplemented with a PowerPoint presentation. It highlighted the process for developing the minimum viable product (MVP) for an academic data dashboard’ She reviewed the core tenets, timeline, and SY21/22 Network Academic priorities, and KPIs for addressing unfinished learning throughout the year.

No updates.

Enrollment Update – A. Prass provided the update highlighting the following:

• Enrollment Update as of August 10 – latest report distributed at the meeting
• Enrolled 690 scholars this year; 206 withdrawals since March
• Currently have 3630 scholars enrolled; budgeted enrollment target is 3753; ideal enrollment target is 3943
• Experiencing Kindergarten challenges – families are concerned regarding latest surge; working to convince families we are providing a safe space for our scholars
• Have seen spike in applications over the past few weeks and closing applications faster than previously and filling seats
• Will continue to recruit even after school starts
• Concern about the potential number of No Shows when school starts, especially due to COVID concerns

Excited to announce we have hired two new candidates for Family Partnership department. Resumes included in the board materials.

School Talent Recruitment and Transitions Update – J. Younker provided the update supplemented with a PowerPoint Presentation highlighting the following:

• We are 83% filled; goal is to be 100% by the first day of school and working on contingency planning
• Big increase on positions we needed – equity floor and expansion of ESE
• Intervention Specialists are hard to find
• Promoted 12 teachers into other roles which we are proud of, but added to openings

Recruitment & Marketing – really targeted our social media; TA team worked closely with Odell Coleman and JetPack in making sure we had new and robust ways of thinking about targeting talent and took on some different opportunities – sourcing teachers from LinkedIn and spotlights on hard to fill position; employee referral bonuses, etc.

J. McBride shared the resignation of the Principal at Village Prep Willard. We are in the process of interviewing internal candidates for the position to fill this seat. In addition, with our Equity Floor staffing commitment, we added a number of positions, which has exasperated the situation. It’s been a really hard year for recruiting educators. While there are still vacancies, we are able to think creatively around contingency plans, which enables us to make sure we are maintaining a quality bar in hiring.  

J. Younker provided the update on our planned compensation and benefits review supplemented with a PowerPoint presentation. She announced that this fall we will launch a full assessment reviewing everything and seeking input from staff and teachers. By late October, we will make decisions on what we need to reboot or redesign. Between Phase I and Phase II, the CEO transition will take place and we will provide the new CEO with the Phase I work so as to be a part of the process as we determine what Phase II will actually look like. We will pilot Phase III in the spring and plan to implement in August 2022.

Action of All School Boards – A. Kopit raised approval of the June 2021 Schools Financial Reports. Yolanda Saunders-Polk so moved, and Linda Zucca seconded, and all were in favor. Motion carried.

Action of BPS Board – J. Howard raised approval of the June 2021BPS Financial Reports. Brad Schlang so moved, and Cynthia Tancer seconded, and all were in favor. Motion carried.

June 2021 Financial Reports – Doug shared the Schools and BPS highlights from June 2021 financial report included in the Board materials, and previewed the July 2021 report as part of a PowerPoint presentation. Doug then provided an update on the FY22-23 State Biennial Budget impact and FY22-26 revenue, expense and reserve projections; announced that we now have new auditors across the board for the schools – moving from Rea and Associates to the Cleveland Auditors State Office; also completed a RFP for BPS and FOB audits and happy to report that Rea prevailed and we will save about $30K a year on audits; update on PPP loan forgiveness – successful for two so far, CA and BPS; will know more on the remaining applications in the next 4-6 weeks.

Jennifer Howard provided the update in Kristen San Marco’s absence highlighting the following:

• Held a meeting in July to discuss Board Governance priorities for the year
• Priorities include: ensuring that the Board and Committee goals are established and tracked; assessing current Board makeup and actively cultivating a pipeline of potential board and committee members; and creating new Board member on-boarding materials; creating new board committees – immediate plan to have a Talent & HR Committee; and Marketing Committee

T. Thornton provided the update highlighting the following:

• Very busy getting ready for the start of the school year; shared 2-page overview with staff and families; also getting Health and Safety related materials translated in Spanish and Mandarin for families;

P. Schaar shared and reviewed the latest Qualitative Dashboard that links back the Annual Plan priorities. The Board will receive an updated version of the Qualitative Dashboard before each board meeting.

1. Rosskamm provided the update highlighting the following:

• Cleveland Transformation Alliance – Mayor Jackson has agreed to appoint John Zitzner to my unexpired term on the Board
• Alan also serves on the Cleveland Plan Refresh Committee – the original Cleveland Plan is now almost nine years old; Alan will be able to continue to see through the publishing of an updated Cleveland Plan Refresh
• Alan also serves on the Operating Committee for Say Yes to Education – spoke with Diane Downing, the Executive Director, and we believe this would be a great opportunity for the new CEO to serve and great way to meet a lot of players in education

Action of All School Boards – A. Kopit raised approval of the Schools Board Consent Agenda. Linda Zucca so moved, and Sam Steinhouse seconded, and all were in favor. Motion carried.

Action of VPWH Board – A. Kopit raised approval of the VPWH Expansion Expenditures, whereby VPWH will assume the full cost of the expansion. Linda Zucca so moved, and Joy Johnson seconded, and all were in favor. Motion carried.

CMSD Updates – M. Rado provided the update highlighting the following:

• Held our Virtual kickoff on August 10; we shared a survey and would like feedback by this Friday for those in attendance
• Pre-Opening school visits to all the buildings going over typical walk-through matters and specific Covid matters
• Starting up our sponsorship newsletter again with the first issue coming out in about two-weeks
• Fall site visits being planned September through November

Buckeye Updates - M. Barbessi provided the update highlighting the following:

• On-site yesterday at Woodland Hills – expansion looks amazing
• Completed opening assurances – a check list of items we need to go through to make sure everything is in place
• Will be scheduling the bi-annuals shortly
• Reminder to schedule Board Training for the new year; Buckeye will offer its Annual Board Training in November
• Will hold all schools meeting in September

John Zitzner provided the update highlighting the following:

• J. Zitzner shared the results of his goals for the year
• Golf outing for this year a big hit – netted $93K
• Blue Plate Luncheon scheduled for August 31st is sold out, but will also be lived streamed
• Working on the disposition of the CLA building; received a signed Letter of Intent from Positive Education Program (PEP) to purchase and keep the building as a school
• Alumni Success program off to a good start – thanks to Danielle Eisenberg
• Alan Rosskamm will be the honoree at this year’s Bash; presenting sponsor will be Jo Ann Stores and scheduled for January 29 – encourage everyone to get tables now as it will be sold out

There being no further order of business, J. Howard excused staff, and the BPS Board and All School Boards continued the meeting in Executive Session with roll call at 6:52pm to discuss the employment of Breakthrough Executives.

The BPS Board approved the authorization of Jennifer Howard and Alan Kopit to approve a compensation package within guidelines, including base salary and a signing bonus for the new CEO of Breakthrough Schools.
Alan Kopit, made a motion and Sam Steinhouse seconded, and all were in favor.

J. Howard and A. Kopit motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:08pm. All were in favor.