To be approved at the Board of Education meeting June 21, 2011.
MINUTES OF THE MAY 10, 2011 REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING.
The Shaker Heights Board of Education met in regular session on Tuesday, May 10, 2011
at 8:02 p.m. at Shaker Heights High School, Small Auditorium, 15911 Aldersyde Drive,
Shaker Heights, Ohio 44120.
Members present: Ms. Freda J. Levenson, Mrs. Jennifer P. Mearns, Mr. Peter A.
Robertson, Ms. Annette Tucker Sutherland, and Mr. Norman A. Bliss.
President Norman A. Bliss presided.
At this time President Bliss welcomed everyone in attendance. Mr. Bliss commented on
public participation at Board meetings. When members of the public are called upon to
address the Board, they should state their name and address, limit comments to two to
three minutes, and remember that this is not a meeting designed for lengthy dialogue.
President Bliss invited the audience to ask questions or make comments pertaining to
agenda items. There being none, the meeting continued.
Upon the presentation of the Minutes of the April 7, 2011 special meeting, the April 12,
2011 regular meeting, and the April 28, 2011 special meeting, Ms. Levenson moved,
seconded by Mrs. Mearns to approve the minutes as presented.
Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Levenson, Mrs. Mearns, Mr. Robertson, Ms. Sutherland, Mr. Bliss.
The motion carried.
11-05-46
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Mark Freeman, Ms. Levenson moved,
seconded by Mrs. Mearns that the following personnel items be approved:
PERSONNEL
Certified
Appointments for the 2011-2012 School Year
Paces, James – Class AAA, grade 1 of the Administrative Salary Schedule – up to 24
days per diem – Effective July 1, 2011
Change in Assignment for the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 School Years
Davis, Amy – (Principal/Onaway School) – From Social Studies teacher, Middle School,
Class M.A.+30, step L of the Teachers’ Salary Schedule to Principal, Onaway School,
Class E, grade 1 of the Administrative Salary Schedule – Effective July 1, 2011
Herbruck, Erin – (Director of Planning and Development/Administration Building) –
From Teacher on Assignment, Central Office, class Ph.D., step p-4 of the Teachers’
Salary Schedule to Director of Planning and Development, Administration Building,
Class M, grade 7 of the Administrative Salary Schedule – Effective July 1, 2011
Joyce, Sara – (Assistant Principal/High School) – From Teacher on Assignment, High
School, Class B.A.+15, step f of the Teachers’ Salary Schedule to Assistant Principal,
High School, Class O, grade 1 of the Administrative Salary Schedule – Effective July 1,
2011
Smith, Ouimet – (Registrar/Administration Building) – From Assistant Principal,
Lomond School, Class O, grade 9 of the Administrative Salary Schedule to Registrar,
Administration Building, Class M, grade 9 of the Administrative Salary Schedule –
Effective July 18, 2011
2
Wigton, Erica – (Assistant Principal/Woodbury School) – from Teacher on Assignment,
Woodbury, Class M.A.+45, step j of the Teacher’s Salary Schedule to Assistant
Principal, Woodbury School, Class O, grade 4 of the Administrative Salary Schedule –
Effective July 1, 2011
Temporary Employee: Lunch Room Supervisors, Substitute Tutors, Home
Instructors, Substitute Teachers, Substitute Nurses, Substitute Library Aides,
Tutoring Center Tutors for the 2010-2011 School Year
Emerson-Davis, Katherine
Change of Rate for Individual Substitute Teacher for the 2010-2011 School Year
Goble, Denise – (Librarian/Boulevard/Fernway) – Class B.A. – Effective April 25, 2011
Teacher Recommended for Continuing Contract
Teachers eligible for continuing contracts shall be those teachers who have successfully
taught for the Shaker Heights City School District, who possess a professional or
permanent teacher certificate or license, and who have served three years in the District
or have previously held tenure in Ohio.
Schwartz, Sara
Sara Schwartz is a Reading teacher at the Middle School. She was appointed to her
teaching position for the 2008-2009 school year. Prior to her teaching appointment, Sara
was a Substitute teacher. As well, she was appointed to the position of Kindergarten
Assistant at Onaway School during the last months of the 2007-2008 school year. Ms.
Schwartz received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music at the University of WisconsinMadison, and her Master of Arts degree in Education-Language Arts from Ursuline
College. She is recommended for tenure by Mr. H. Danny Young, principal at the
Middle School.
Curriculum Writing and Instructional Planning for the 2010-2011 School Year
Authorization is requested for staff members to participate in curriculum writing and
instructional planning. These activities will not exceed 10 units per individual. A unit
refers to approximately one-half day of service at $65.
Mandarin Chinese (Ohio Foreign Language Association Funds)
Li, Luling $62.65
Wu, Jingjing $74.25
Program Planning
Up to 10 units
Brodsky, Amy
Lipovic, Darlene
Special Assignments for the 2010-2011 School Year
Authorization is requested for staff members to participate in the following activities:
Commencement Supervision
1 unit per individual
Ahrens, Amanda
Babinec, Michael
Berger, Brian
Black, Shana
Blakeslee-Vokes, Elizabeth
Blattner, Eileen
Bourisseau, Mary
Brown, Susan
Cotton, Christopher
Crowley, Valerie
3
Dehn, Donna
Doersen, Valerie
Gyurgyik, Suzanne
Herbruck, Erin
Hsu, Nathanael
Joyce, Sara
Kangas, Kenneth
Klapholz, David
Kleinman, Gerimae
Li, Luling
Longo, Charles
Markel, Caroline
Martin, Sondra
Mason, Elaine
McCandless, Christine
Moore, John
Peterjohn, David
Reid, Jewel
Rossi, Julia
Scanlon, William
Schneider, Robert
Steggert, Stacey
Taylor, Tameka
Torrence, Tod
Tournoux, Gene
Vazquez, Enid
Vazquez, Tito
Sixth Grade Camping Project
Up to 2 nights
Adie, Jeffrey
Caffrey, James
Farinacci, Dan
Farinacci, Nicole
Farren, Christine
Garrison, Darlene
Heide, Ruth
Hitchens, Patricia
Keitlen, Todd
Mason, Aisha
Orosz, Gregory
Pincoe, Heather
Portner, Beth
Reese, Nathaniel
Sakowski, Mark
Wells, Judith
Sixth Grade Camping Coordinators
Up to 15 nights
Brodsky, Amy
Lipovic, Darlene
Sixth Grade Camping Nurse
Up to 12 nights
Pawlicki, Mary
Supplemental Contracts for the 2010-2011 School Year
High School
Williams, Jihan – Preseason Basketball Assistant Coach (Women) – 2.5 x 1
Williams, Jihan – Basketball Assistant Coach (Women) – 6.5 x 1
Resignations
Bondi, Erika – (Spanish/Middle School) – Effective at the end of the 2010-2011 school
year – 4 years of service
Dickson, Christine – (Kindergarten/Mercer School) – Effective at the end of the 20102011 school year – 4 years of service
Martin, Sondra – (Mathematics/High School) – Effective at the end of the 2010-2011
school year – 17 years of service (retirement)
4
Moss, Glenda – (Registrar/Administration Building) – Effective September 30, 2011 – 33
years of service (retirement)
Paces, James – (Executive Director of Curriculum/Administration Building) – Effective
June 30, 2011 – 30 years of service (retirement)
Yost, Nicole – (English/High School) – Effective at the end of the 2010-2011 school year
– 7 years of service
Classified
Change in Assignment for the 2010-2011 School Year
Brugman, Jordan – (Building Assistant/Fernway) – from Custodian, Onaway, step 1, to
Building Assistant, Fernway, step 5 – Effective July 13, 2010 (correction to the July 13,
2010 Board Agenda)
Special Assignments for the 2010-2011 School Year
Authorization is requested for staff members to participate in the following activities:
Commencement Supervision
1 unit per individual
Brem, Laurie
Green, Andrea
Long, Vikki
Morrical, Mae
Neil, Myriam
Extension to Leave of Absence for the 2010-2011 School Year
Brooks, Loretta – (Teacher Aide/Woodbury School) – Effective April 25, 2011 through
June 10, 2011 (FMLA)
ADDENDUM
Certified
Appointment for the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 School Years
Robinson, Carina – (Assistant Principal/Lomond School) – Class O, grade 8 of the
Administrative Salary Schedule – Effective July 1, 2011
Change in Assignment for the 2011-2012 School Year
Coffey, Mary – (Latin/High School) – From 100% to 40% - Effective August 22, 2011
Lewis, Gwendolyn – (Grade 5/Woodbury School) – From 100% to 50% - Effective
August 22, 2011
Parker, Dann – (Social Studies/High School) – From 100% to 60% - Effective August 22,
2011
Podl, JoEllen – (English/High School) – From 100% to 50% - Effective August 22, 2011
Sheffler, Candace – (Grade 6/Woodbury School) – From 100% to 50% - Effective
August 22, 2011 (Return from LOA)
5
Temporary Employees: Lunch Room Supervisors, Substitute Tutors, Home
Instructors, Substitute Teachers, Substitute Nurses, Substitute Library Aides,
Tutoring Center Tutors for the 2010-2011 School Year
Bradley, Susan
Burgess, Holly
Harris, Carrie
Kerr Thome, Amy
Lentan, Nancy
Special Assignments for the 2010-2011 School Year
Authorization is requested for staff members to participate in the following activities:
Sixth Grade Camping Project
Up to 2 nights
Campbell, Nicole
Kippen, Nancy
Sakowski,Mark (1)
Wilcher-Norton, Barbara
Special Education Evaluations at the High School - for the following Psychologists
$250 for Record Review and $350 for Formal Assessment
Gesing, Timothy
Moses, Leanne
Shapero, Cheri
Leave of Absence for the 2010-2011 School Year
Coffey, Mary – (Latin/High School) – Effective April 29, 2011 through June 10, 2011
(FMLA)
Classified
Special Assignments for the 2010-2011 School Year
Authorization is requested for staff members to participate in the following activities:
Sixth Grade Camping Project
Up to 14 nights
Brooks, Lloyd
Kisner, Samuel
Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Levenson, Mrs. Mearns, Mr. Robertson, Ms. Sutherland, Mr. Bliss.
The motion carried.
11-05-47
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Freeman, Ms. Sutherland moved, seconded
by Mr. Robertson that the Board approve a change order with Sterling Professional Group
for the Shaker Heights Public Library project in the amount of $69,125.
Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Levenson, Mrs. Mearns, Mr. Robertson, Ms. Sutherland, Mr. Bliss.
The motion carried.
11-05-48
At this time the Board of Education presented to Dr. Jim Paces the following resolution in
honor of his service:
6
WHEREAS, Dr. James J. Paces has served the Shaker Heights City School District and the
entire Shaker community in a variety of roles, including principal, mentor, and Executive
Director of Curriculum; and
WHEREAS, Jim Paces is now retiring after serving the District with distinction for nearly
thirty years;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby expresses its
gratitude and appreciation to Jim for his dedication to the children of Shaker Heights, and
FURTHER, BE IT RESOLVED, that the board congratulates Jim on his impending
retirement and wishes him and his family all the best in his future endeavors.
The Board expressed their gratitude and appreciation to Dr. Paces for his long and
distinguished service to Shaker Heights schools and community and wished him rest,
relaxation and enjoyment in his retirement.
At this time Superintendent Freeman introduced Kathy Fredrick, Director of Library and
Technology Services, and teachers Tina McCauley of Boulevard and Ellen Roberts of the
Middle School, who gave the Board an update on technology initiatives and a
demonstration of Moodle, the online course management system adopted for use by Shaker
teachers. The presentation was followed by questions and answers and discussion by the
Board.
DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTS
HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR NATHANIEL HENRY NAMED PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR
High School senior Nathaniel Henry has been named a 2011 United States Presidential
Scholar. He joins 140 other outstanding high school seniors who have demonstrated
exemplary academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship, service, and
contribution to school and community. Nathaniel will be honored for his accomplishments
next month in Washington, D.C., and has nominated High School social studies teacher
Elizabeth Plautz to receive a Teacher Recognition Award. The Presidential Scholars
Program was established in 1964 by executive order of the President to recognize and
honor some of the nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors.
SHAKER CAPTURES 12 OF OHIO’S 18 SLOTS FOR NATIONAL HISTORY DAY
Shaker Heights High School students had an extremely successful showing at the statelevel National History Day competition held in Columbus on April 30, capturing twelve of
Ohio’s eighteen slots for the national competition at the high school level. Of the 44 Shaker
students receiving recognition for their projects, 20 qualified as National Finalists, 9
achieved National Alternate status, and 15 earned Honorable Mention awards. The national
finals will be held at the University of Maryland at College Park in June.
Shaker students were honored in the following categories:
Research Paper - Joan Thompson, National Finalist, The Emperor Has No Clothes:
How Hubris, Economics, Bad Timing, and Slavery Sunk King Cotton Diplomacy with
England
Individual Websites - Lukun Zhang, National Finalist, Kennedy's Kiddie Korps:
Diplomacy by the Best and Brightest
Group Websites - Joshua Barnett, Zachary Findling, Kendall Kinoshita, National
Alternate, The Suez Crisis: A Diplomatic Nightmare Shifts the Balance
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Individual Performances - Hannah McCandless, National Finalist, Podiums for
Passion and Peace: The Story of Bernadette Devlin and Betty Williams
Jonah Weinstein, National Finalist, The Paternalistic Problem: Great Britain's New
Imperialism
Debate
Cara Sutherland, National Alternate, Elizabeth's Pirates: Spain's Thieves
Group Performances - Sarah Jackson, Juliet Bellin-Warren, Jennifer Mawhorter,
National Finalist, "Kill the Indian and Save the Man" The Successes, Failures, and
Consequences of the American Indian Boarding School Movement
Emily Hirsch, Alexandra Wagner, Ian Mercer, National Finalist, These Are the
Bodies Yale is Exploiting: The 1976 Yale Women's Crew Team and the Debate Over
Title IX
Alysse Eberhard, Barbara Craig, National Alternate, "A Fight to the Bitter End": The
Boer Wars' Destruction of the Imperial Status Quo
Individual Documentaries - National Finalist: Matthew Krantz, Sports, Politics, and
Propaganda: The Nazi Olympics of 1936
Naomi Hill, National Finalist, Tsien Hsue-Shen: Joseph McCarthy's Present to the
Chinese
Shoshana Bieler, National Alternate, Negotiating for Peace: Camp David and the
Beginning of the Middle East Peace Process
Nathaniel Wood, Honorable Mention, Playing Nuclear Chicken: Diplomacy and the
Cuban Missile Crisis
Group Documentaries - Grant Johnson, Colin Sweeney, National Alternate, Lost in
the Maze: The 1981 Irish Hunger Strike
Mia Wang, Julia Scharfstein, Emmett Sweeney, Honorable Mention, In the Name of
God and Humanity: The Debate and Diplomacy Behind the Exodus of 1947
Ilana Kramer, Jessie Garson, Honorable Mention, Waiting for Manana: Diplomacy
Behind the S.S. St. Louis
Individual Exhibits - National Finalist: Claire Lo, Cutting the Lion's Tail: Diplomatic
Lessons of the Suez Crisis
Becca Christman, National Finalist, Fad Mnoid Bheith Saor (Sworn to Be Free): The
Fight for Irish Home Rule
Erin Cullen, Honorable Mention, When Students Speak Out
Group Exhibits - Maggie Butler, Shelby Bauer, Bryson Mercer, Walker Smith,
National Finalist, A Smoking Gun: Nixon Claims Executive Privilege
Ana Sinicariello, Kate Friedman, National Finalist, "The Day It Rained Bodies": The
Triangle Shirtwaist Fire and Labor Reform Debates in the Progressive Era
Alissa Poolpol, Hannah Lyness, Grace Clements, Diana Ponitz, Honorable Mention,
God's Will Be Done? The Religious Debate Behind Eugenics
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Kate Connors, Ella Schneiberg, Leighah Scully, Lauren Woyczynski, Honorable
Mention, Hoover and the Happy Warrior: The Election of 1928
High School teacher Tim Mitchell received the Patricia Behring Teacher of Merit Award,
which comes with a $500 prize and makes him eligible for a $10,000 prize at the national
contest in June.
High School faculty members Amanda Ahrens, Sarah Davis, Tim Mitchell, Dann
Parker, and Elizabeth Plautz provided guidance and suggested resources along the way.
4 STUDENTS RECEIVE NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS
Nathaniel Henry, Ilana Polster, Michelle Scharfstein, and Annabel Wang, all seniors at
the High School, have been named National Merit $2500 Scholarship winners. Of the
15,000 students named National Merit Finalists this year, they are among 2,500 to receive
one of these awards, which may be used at any regionally accredited U.S. college or
university. The National Merit $2500 Scholarship awards category is one of several
scholarship categories to be announced this spring in conjunction with the National Merit,
National Achievement, and National Hispanic Scholarship programs. Further
announcements are expected later this spring.
2 FACULTY MEMBERS EARN HONORS
High School special education teacher Jessica Wilkes was honored as an Outstanding
Educator by the Educational Service Center of Cuyahoga County. Ms. Wilkes was
recognized not only for her work in the classroom with students who have multiple
handicaps, but also for her efforts to increase their visibility, acceptance, and participation
in activities throughout the school.
Donna Dehn, orchestra director at the Middle School and High School, has been named
one of 10 Juilliard Conducting Fellows for 2011. She will spend four days in New York
this summer participating in intensive workshops with faculty members from Juilliard and
other top music schools. Conducting Fellows are selected from band and orchestra
conductors teaching at the middle school, high school, and college levels throughout the
United States.
CLASSICS ARE ALIVE AND WELL IN SHAKER
Fifty-eight Middle School students and 110 High School students received recognition for
their outstanding performance on this year’s National Latin Exam. High School students
Lee Hsu, Anna Hundert, Clara Kao, and Margaret Steinberg earned perfect scores, as
did Middle School students Benjamin Robertson and Erin Setser.
High School students who earned Summa Cum Laude (gold medal awards) are: Chloe
Binczyk (Latin 2); Leighton Albrecht (Latin 3); Grace Clements (Latin 4); Terry
Conlon (Latin 4); Zane Eisen (Latin 2); Steven Friedman-Romell (Latin 2); Paul Goetze
(Latin 2); Nicholas Haubrich (Latin 3); Paul Hilbert (Latin 3); Lee Hsu (Latin 2); Julian
Hullett (Latin 2); Anna Hundert (Latin 2); Rachel Jensen (Latin 3); Clara Kao (Latin
3); Anna Katz (Latin 2); Matt Langhinrichs (Latin 3); Claire Lo (Latin 4); Hannah
Lyness (Latin 4); Rachel Marek (Latin 3); Megan Mathur (Latin 3); Alexander Maytin
(Latin 2); Shane McKeon (Latin 2); Masato Miyagi (Latin 3); Nia Morgan (Latin 2);
Nick Murray (Latin 3); Monica Nemeth (Latin 2); Kerstin Niedermaier (Latin 2);
Katherine O'Donnell (Latin 3); Matthew Podl (Latin 2); Kirby Rayburn (Latin 4); Lucy
Richman (Latin 2); Isabel Roberston (Latin 3); L. J. Shelven (Latin 3); Ana Sinicariello
(Latin 3); Heather Smith (Latin 3); Rebecca Smith (Latin 3); Emma Snape (Latin 3);
Margaret Steinberg (Latin 2); Nathan Steinberg (Latin 3); Ivanna Storms-Thompson
(Latin 2); Emmett Sweeney (Latin 2); Morgan Thomas (Latin 2); Joan Thompson (Latin
4); Evelyn Ting (Latin 3); Lauren Woyczynski (Latin 3); Colin Yule (Latin 2); and Ezra
Zigmond (Latin 2).
9
Students who received Maxima Cum Laude (silver medal awards) are: Shelby Bauer
(Latin 3); Mario Belfiglio (Latin 2); Anna (Kate) Connors (Latin 3); James Egelhoff
(Latin 3); Adam Friedman (Latin 3); Maxx Grass (Latin 1); Jiawei He (Latin 4); Sam
Hertz (Latin 3); Emily Hirsch (Latin 4); Zachary Hofstetter (Latin 2); Ecenur
Kahriman (Latin 3); Savanna Klein (Latin 4); Raza Lamb (Latin 3); Maeve Lyness
(Latin 2); Ricardo Marquez (Latin 1); Isabella McKnight (Latin 5); Bridget Phelan
(Latin 3); Alissa Poolpol (Latin 4); Anna Ross (Latin 1); Anna Russ (Latin 3); Rachel
Shafran (Latin 4); Sophie Shiloh (Latin 4); Anthony Spencer (Latin 2); and A. J. Yule
(Latin 3).
Students who earned Magna Cum Laude certificates are: Jaquan Blue (Latin 2);
McKenzie Clark (Latin 3); Ifeolu Claytor (Latin 3); Zoe Davidson (Latin 3); David
Gabriel (Latin 5); Caroline Hatch (Latin 4); Jacob Herbst (Latin 2); Triantaphilos
Manning (Latin 3); Emily Maury (Latin 2); Tia Morrison (Latin 3); Rebecca Natowicz
(Latin 1); Danielle Nealon (Latin 2); Colleen O’Donnell (Latin 2); Daniel Reed (Latin 2);
Erica Seman (Latin 2); Emelie Sia (Latin 2); Kai Smith (Latin 3); Eric Sterin (Latin 3);
Colin Sweeney (Latin 4); Cara Sutherland (Latin 4); Lauren Vavruska (Latin 3); Grace
Williams (Latin 2); and Luchang Zhang (Latin 4).
Students who received Cum Laude certificates are: Nick Adamson (Latin 2); Anthony
Belfiglio (Latin 2); Sophie Borione (Latin 3); Vita Brown (Latin 3); Grace Gerhart
(Latin 4); Denise Kennerly (Latin 1); Seamus Leahy (Latin 5); Kathy Lin (Latin 5);
Katherine McFarlane (Latin 4); Alena Payne (Latin 4); Joshua Payne (Latin 1);
Shoumik Pennathur (Latin 4); Jasmine Shabazz (Latin 2); Walter Stamm (Latin 5);
Danielle Swales (Latin 5); and Matt Wood (Latin 4).
At the Middle School, Summa Cum Laude honors (gold medal awards) went to: Sameer
Apte, Kieran Aulak, Gianni Ciccarelli, Zicheng (Brian) Gao, Isabel Haber, Cherie Lo,
Sarah Marek, Benjamin Robertson, Ilana Sadholz, Christina Savvides, Erin Setser,
Benjamin Shafran, Benjamin Silberman, Narayan Sundararajan, and Julia Thome.
Maxima Cum Laude honors (silver medal awards) went to: Taylor Butze, James Caffrey,
Casey Crowley, Alexander Cullina, Browning Haynes, Madeline Hertz, Aryanna
Jones, Colin Kempton, Evan Leonard, Sarah Marks, Noah Pollack, Zachary
Silverman, Elliot Srikantia, Bonnie Sutherland, Avion Thurmond, Joshua Weintraub,
and Austin Yoder.
Magna Cum Laude honors went to: Aida Bagheri-Hamaneh, Julian DeGeorgia, Rachel
Elson, Nazhary Jackson, Natalie Kennedy, Jacob Myers, Samantha Portis, Eric
Relman, and Isabel Rothman.
Cum Laude honors went to: Arpit Agrawal, Theo Borchert-Isaacs, Andrew Boyle,
Walker Edwards, Jonathan Goldenberg, William Goodall, Mariah Howard, Anthony
(A.J.) Koch, Natalie Martin, Grant Passell, Phoebe Potiker, Landon Richardson,
David Shakno, Kyle Whitlatch, Justin Williams, Gregory Wymer, and Dominic
Zagara.
The students’ Latin teachers are Lynda Ackerman, Mary Coffey, Nora Murphy, Jane
Troha, and Robert White.
Twenty-five High School students also received awards for their excellent scores on the
National Greek Exam. Purple ribbons for perfect scores went to Miriam Rabinowitz,
Emmett Sweeney, and Ezra Zigmond. Blue ribbons for “highest scores” were awarded to
Zane Eisen, Nicholas Haubrich, Anna Hundert, Nia Morgan, and Kerstin
Niedermaier. Red ribbons for “high scores” went to Leighton Albrecht, Linda Fan, Paul
Goetze, Lee Hsu, Alexander Maytin, Isabel Robertson, Evan Tuttle, and Yixuan
Wang. Green ribbons for “merit scores” were awarded to Benjamin Claus, Terry Conlon,
10
Zachary Hofstetter, Tzu-Yung (Libby) Huang, Matthew Langhinrichs, Hannah
Lyness, Evan Seballos, Spencer Seballos, and Ivanna Storms-Thompson. Nora Murphy
and Robert White are the students’ Greek teachers.
SHAKER RANKS AMONG “BEST COMMUNITIES FOR MUSIC EDUCATION”
The Shaker Heights Schools have been named one of the "Best Communities for Music
Education" by the NAMM Foundation for the third consecutive year. The NAMM
Foundation has been acknowledging school districts who demonstrate a strong
commitment to providing music education for their students for more than a decade.
Only 179 school districts from across the nation earned the distinction this year after
completing a survey that was available to all districts. Survey participants answered
detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation,
instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and other relevant factors in their
communities’ music education programs.
MODEL CHINESE CLASSROOM TO OPEN AT HIGH SCHOOL
The High School will celebrate the grand opening of the Confucius Classroom on May 16.
Confucius Classrooms serve as models for developing Chinese language teaching in
American schools and are selected by the Office of Chinese Language Council
International and the Asia Society. The High School was chosen for this prestigious
designation based on its exemplary Chinese language instruction, partnership with the
Hebei International School in China, and long-standing Asian Studies program. A special
delegation of Chinese educators from the Hebei International School, located in the city of
Shijiazhuang outside of Beijing, will be in attendance.
Currently, all Shaker students in grades 1 – 5 receive instruction in Mandarin Chinese and
students may elect to study Chinese through level IV Honors at the High School.
BOARD, TEACHERS AGREE TO 3-YEAR CONTRACT
The Shaker Heights Board of Education and the Shaker Heights Teachers’ Association
have agreed on a new three-year contract that freezes base pay and increases employee
contributions toward health-care costs. The new contract, which was approved in late April
by teachers and by the Board, enables the District to avoid major teacher layoffs and
continue meeting financial targets in an exceptionally challenging fiscal environment.
BOARD HONORS PACES FOR SERVICE TO SCHOOLS
This evening, the Board of Education will honor James J. Paces, who is retiring this
summer after nearly 30 years with the Shaker Heights Schools. Paces joined the District as
principal at what was then Woodbury Junior High School (now the upper elementary
school) and subsequently became Executive Director of Curriculum. In that capacity, he
has overseen the Middle School and High School, and has played a key role in the
development of Shaker’s Chinese language and International Baccalaureate programs. He
will be succeeded by Marla J. Robinson, whose appointment as Assistant Superintendent
was approved by the Board last month.
APPROVING REVISIONS TO BOARD POLICIES
WHEREAS, a Board Policy Review Committee was appointed to review the District’s
entire set of Board Policies and present suggested revisions as appropriate to the entire
Board; and
WHEREAS, the Board Policy Review Committee has reviewed such Board Policies and
has a set of revisions to be submitted for the approval of the Board;
11
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Education that the Board Policy
Review Committee’s recommended revisions to existing Board Policies be hereby
approved.
FIRST READING
(Note: In accordance with Board Policy, no action is required at this time for this the first
of three required readings of these Policy amendments.)
EBCE
KJ
WHISTLEBLOWER POLICY
DISTRIBUTION AND DISPLAY OF MATERIALS
Complete policies delineated in attached Item B.1.
SECOND READING
(Note: In accordance with Board Policy, no action is required at this time for this the
second of three required readings of these Policy amendments. The first reading was April
12, 2011.)
DJC
DJCA
DLCA
EHA
KBA
BIDDING REQUIREMENTS
AWARDING COMPETITIVE BIDS
MILEAGE EXPENSE
DATA AND RECORDS RETENTION
PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST
Complete policies delineated in attached Item B.2.
THIRD READING
(Action required by State Law) (Note: In accordance with Board Policy, this is the third of
three required readings of these Policy amendments. The first reading was March 8, 2011,
and the second reading was April 12, 2011.)
Upon the presentation of the third reading of these Board policies, Mrs. Mearns moved,
seconded by Ms. Sutherland that the recommended revisions to the following existing
policies be hereby approved.
DFA
DJ
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENT GUIDELINES AND OBJECTIVES
PURCHASING
12
File: DFA
SHAKER HEIGHTS BOARD OF EDUCATION
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENT GUIDELINES AND OBJECTIVES
A. Purpose
The purpose of this Statement of Investment Guidelines and Objectives is to define
the Board of Education’s investment philosophy and objectives. This statement sets
forth responsibilities to prudently implement the Board’s philosophy and objectives.
It also establishes the framework and specific objectives to monitor investment
performance.
The contents of this Statement of Investment policy are subject to change at any
time by a vote of the Board. The Statement will be reviewed and revised
periodically to assure that it continues to reflect the attitudes, expectations and
objectives of the Board.
B. Investment Philosophy
1. Risk Posture
The Board realizes that the primary objective of the School District is to provide
educational programs to Shaker students. Therefore, it shall always act to assure
that the level of investment risk in the portfolio shall be prudent and shall not
jeopardize that primary objective. Accordingly, safety shall be the primary
objective in investing District funds.
Safety is herein defined as the certainty of receiving full par value plus accrued
interest, at the security’s legal final maturity.
2. Liquidity Requirements
Portfolio liquidity is defined as the ability to sell a security on short notice near the
par value of the security. To help retain desired liquidity, no issue shall be
purchased that is likely to have few market makers or poor market bids.
The Treasurer is responsible for projecting the short-term and intermediate-term
cash flow needs. Liquidity determinations are expected to more than provide for
defined cash flow needs.
3. Return
The Board believes, however, that over the long term there exists a relationship
between the level of investment risk taken and rate of investment return realized.
The Board feels that assumption of a prudent level of risk associated with
investments is reasonable and justified in order to enhance potential long-term
investment results.
4. Diversification
The Board seeks to reduce overall portfolio risk by diversifying maturities and
types of investments.
Shaker Heights City School District, Shaker Heights, Ohio
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C. Investment Objectives
In defining investment objectives the Board seeks to, when prudent, enhance the
investment returns of the School District in order to provide the highest level of
financial support to fulfill its objective. Therefore, it adopts the following general
investment objectives:
1. Performance Objectives
a. Preservation of Principal: To protect the School District from severe
depreciation in asset value during adverse market conditions. This objective
shall be attained by diversification of assets and careful review of risks.
Accordingly, all investment purchases should be made with the expectation
of holding until maturity.
b. Competitive Results: To achieve investment results competitive with similar
school districts over the economic and budgetary cycle.
2. Risk
a. Stability: While the Board seeks competitive investment results, it also seeks
to maintain predictable levels of investment income and avoid significant
market price risk.
b. Risk Level: The Board seeks to maintain a prudent level of total portfolio
risk.
D.
Investment Organization and Responsibilities
1. Responsibilities of the Board of Education
The Board of Education recognizes its responsibility to ensure that the assets are
managed effectively and prudently, in full compliance with all applicable laws.
The Board believes it can best manage those responsibilities by its monthly
actions to ratify investment activities and its annual evaluation of the Treasurer.
2. Responsibilities of the Treasurer
The Treasurer is recognized as the chief financial officer and responsible for all
treasury operations. The Treasurer is responsible to directly and personally
manage all investment activities in accordance with this statement of policy and
all applicable state and federal laws.
E. Review and Evaluation
The Board shall review and evaluate monthly reports on the investment results of
the School District’s assets. In these reviews, it is intended that emphasis on overall
results be primary to short-term results.
IMPLEMENTING INVESTMENT GUIDELINES AND OBJECTIVES
1. ELIGIBLE INVESTMENTS
The district will be permitted to invest in any security specifically authorized by the
applicable sections of Chapter 135 of the Ohio Revised Code as amended. Eligible
investments under Ohio Revised Code currently include the following:
Shaker Heights City School District, Shaker Heights, Ohio
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Money Market Funds
Interest bearing checking accounts
Domestic money market funds restricted to the following types:
No-Load Short-term U.S. Government defined in Ohio laws
Certificate of Deposit
Eligible financial institution certificate of deposits not to exceed insured limits,
unless collaterized, with a maximum maturity of 365 days.
Repurchase Agreements
Fully collateralized under Section 135.14 ORC repurchase agreements with a
maximum maturity of 30 days.
Federal Securities
Direct purchase of U.S. Treasury bills, notes, bonds, and other federal
agency/instrumentality securities with a remaining term to maturity of not more
than five years.
Eligible Agency/Instrumentality/GSE (Government Sponsored Enterprises) Issues
Under This Policy:
Federal Farm Credit Banks
Federal Home Loan Bank Board
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
Federal National Mortgage Association
Tennessee Valley Authority
Resolution Trust Corporation
Student Loan Marketing Association
Farmers Home Administration
Federal Housing Administration
General Services Administration
Government National Mortgage Association
Bankers Acceptance
Bankers Acceptance of banks that are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation and to which both of the following apply: the obligations are eligible
for purchase by the Federal Reserve system, and the obligations mature no later
than 180 days after purchase.
Commercial Paper
Commercial paper notes issued by an entity that is defined in Division (D)
of Section 1705.01 of the Ohio Revised Code, and that has assets exceeding
five hundred million dollars, to which notes all of the following apply:
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(a) The notes are rated at the time of purchase in the highest classification
established by at least two nationally recognized standard rating
services;
(b) The aggregate value of the notes does not exceed ten per cent of the
aggregate value of the outstanding commercial paper of the issuing
corporation;
(c) The notes mature no later than one hundred eighty days after purchase.
2. ASSET RESTRICTIONS
All assets must be held in the name of the Shaker Heights Board of Education. Any
type of derivative instrument is not included in any asset class definition.
3. INVESTMENT GUIDELINES
In accordance with current Ohio Revised Code, the use of leverage in which current
investment assets are used as collateral for the purpose of purchasing other assets is
prohibited.
The District will not invest in derivative securities as defined in the Ohio Revised Code.
To maintain the portfolio’s desired characteristics, portfolio restructuring will be
permitted.
All portfolio transactions will be performed on a competitive basis when practical.
Each price will be recorded and the best price selected for execution. In case of a tie
(matching prices), the tie will be broken by the Treasurer. In the case of direct
purchases from agency/instrumentality/GSE “windows,” it will be presumed to be a
competitive purchase.
A copy of this policy must be forwarded to each broker, dealer, or advisor doing
business with the School District. Their signature will be required indicating that they
have received, read, understood and will abide by its contents when recommending or
selling investments to the School District.
All of the above guidelines are to be maintained in compliance with the Ohio Revised
Code, as amended and sound investment practices.
ADOPTED BY BOARD OF EDUCATION ON September 17, 1996
Resolution No. 96-9-158
Revised Date:
May 10, 2011
LEGAL REFS.:
Intergovernmental Cooperation Act
ORC 135.01 through 135.22
3313.51
Shaker Heights City School District, Shaker Heights, Ohio
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PURCHASING
The function of purchasing is to serve the educational program by providing the
necessary materials, supplies, equipment, and services. The Board’s authority for
the purchase of such items is extended to the District administration through its
adoption of the annual appropriation resolutions. All District purchases must be
within budgetary limitations and consistent with the educational goals and programs
of the District.
Purchasing decisions on behalf of the District will be made to obtain the most favorable
terms, including service, price, and quality commensurate with maximum value. When
possible, without compromising value or cost, the District will prefer vendors whose
businesses are located within the school district.
To avoid loss, the District shall implement an effective purchase control system.
Such system shall incorporate a requirement that one person cannot be both the
originator and the approver of a purchase order.
Adoption date:
Revised date:
December 8, 1987
May 10, 2011
LEGAL REFS.: Ohio Const. VIII, Section 2e
ORC 9.314
3313.172; 3313.18; 3313.33; 3313.46
3319.04
3327.08
5705.38; 5705.39; 5705.40; 5705.41; 5705.412
Shaker Heights City School District, Shaker Heights, Ohio
17
Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Levenson, Mrs. Mearns, Mr. Robertson, Ms. Sutherland, Mr. Bliss.
The motion carried.
11-05-49
Upon the recommendation of President Bliss, Mrs. Mearns moved, seconded by Ms.
Sutherland to approve the following resolution appointing Amy Fulford to the Finance &
Audit Committee:
WHEREAS, the Shaker Heights Board of Education previously created and appointed
members to a Finance & Audit Committee; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Education desires to appoint a new member for an existing
vacancy on the Committee; now
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Shaker Heights Board of Education hereby
appoints Amy Fulford to fill a current Committee vacancy.
President Bliss commented that Amy Fulford is the founder and president of Enlight
Advisors, a management consulting firm specializing in helping companies optimize the
three critical components of any successful business: their strategy, structure, and
execution. Mrs. Fulford was formerly with Alcoa and the Boston Consulting Group and
has an MBA from the University of Chicago and a BS from Centre College in Kentucky.
President Bliss strongly recommended Mrs. Fulford’s appointment to the Committee.
Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Levenson, Mrs. Mearns, Mr. Robertson, Ms. Sutherland, Mr. Bliss.
The motion carried.
11-05-50
At this time the Superintendent informed the Board of the possibility of implementing
energy-efficient lighting changes at one or two school buildings this summer.
TREASURER’S REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Upon the recommendation of Mr. Bryan Christman, Treasurer, Ms. Levenson moved,
seconded by Ms. Sutherland that the monthly financial report consisting of financial
statements for the month ended April 2011 (Exhibit T-1), the Interim Investments and the
Transfer Between Funds listed below, be ratified.
Mr. Christman commented on the financial statements as follows:
Real Estate Taxes
Received 1st half settlement payment in April;
$2.9 million or 5.0% more than prior year;
Below budget by $0.9 million due to lower 2nd half 2010 collections, and lower than
expected 1st half 2011 collections.
Personal Property Taxes
$1.7 million below budget for YTD due to delay in OfficeMax delinquent
settlement.
Homestead Exemption & Rollback (HERB)
Preliminary County information indicates we will end the year $139,000 above
budget for this item, partially offsetting the shortfall in real estate taxes.
Purchased Services:
All purchased services are $2,045,523 or 16.1% below budget YTD primarily
attributable to favorable variances in repairs & maintenance, coupled with favorable
variances in utilities and out-of-district tuition payments.
18
Total Expenditures
Cash expenditures $3.4 million below budget;
Encumbrances are 0.1 million below budget; for a
Net favorable expenditure budget variance of $3.5 million or 4.2% at current
month-end, primarily due to timing and lower spending in identified areas.
When netted against the $2.9 million unfavorable revenue budget variance, the
overall net favorable budget variance is only $0.6 million.
Other Items
Levy Election Results – Of the 146 Ohio school district funding issues on the May
3rd ballot, 86 or 59% passed. Results were not as good for Cuyahoga County where
only 2 of 8, or 25% of the issues passed. Of the issues in Cuyahoga County, 0 of 1
capital issues passed, 1 of 2 renewal operating levies passed, and 1 of 5 new
operating levies passed, including Parma (after numerous attempts).
Legislative Activity
House Bill No. 153 – Voted out of Committee and the House, now to the Senate.
a. Some changes to the Governor’s proposal including an overall increase
in school funding;
b. Elimination of Estate Tax; and
c. Removal of the proposal to shift retirement contribution split from 14/10 to
12/12.
Referendum of Senate Bill No. 5 activity is ratcheting up.
SHAKER HEIGHTS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
INTERIM INVESTMENTS
April 2011
FEDERAL & 0THER SECURITIES:
Purchase
Date
Maturity
Date
Investment
Amount
Bond
Equiv.
Yield
Type of
Investment
Interest
to be
Earned
Dealer/Issuer
04/20/11
10/17/11
$998,400.00
0.325%
Comm. Paper
$1,600.00
Citigroup Global Mkts
OTHER DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS:
Account
Star Ohio - General
Charter One - High Balance Ckg
Charter One - Money Market
Huntington - DVP S/K
PNC - Money Market
Balance at
04/30/11
Avg. Annual
Interest Rate
for Month
Interest
Earned
$16,407.61
0.08%
$1.07
$3,698,112.40
0.10%
$333.82
$15,631.79
0.12%
$225.82
$9,645.88
0.05%
$4.51
$172,988.74
0.30%
$175.88
TriState Capital-CD-Comp Bal Acct
$1,500,000.00
0.00% *
P/R Funding Transfer A/C
$2,230,351.41
N/A
* - CD-CDAR contract includes equal compensating balance at 0.00%
$0.00
N/A
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TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS
FROM:
FUND SPCC
001
0000
FUNC.
7200
TO:
FUND SPCC
006
0000
REC.
5100
OBJ.
910
OPU
000
OPU
000
AMOUNT
$250,000
AMOUNT
$250,000
Reason: To provide funds for the Food Service Fund to cover conversion operating and
capital equipment costs as needed.
Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Levenson, Mrs. Mearns, Mr. Robertson, Ms. Sutherland, Mr. Bliss.
The motion carried.
11-05-51
Upon the recommendation of Mr. Bryan Christman, Treasurer, Ms. Levenson moved,
seconded by Mrs. Mearns that the Board of Education approve the H.B.No. 412 Five-Year
Financial Forecast (Exhibit T-3) and further that the Treasurer be directed to file a copy of
such forecast with the Ohio Department of Education.
Mr. Christman commented on the Five-Year Forecast as follows:
Required two times per year, last one approved in October 2010. The second filing
must be by the end of May 2011;
Can be amended and submitted at any time during the year;
Reflects the actual fiscal 2010 revenue and expenses;
And the projected fiscal 2011 revenue and expenses based upon April 2011 data;
Basic format requires three years of historical and five years of projected data;
The forecast is simply a planning tool used in long-term strategic planning for the
District;
It is designed to help identify issues and circumstances that need to be addressed in
advance of occurrence;
This represents but one approach to balancing the District’s finances;
Does not necessarily reflect the exact layout of future events; and
Other events will occur that will likely have an impact on this forecast e.g.
The next Ohio biennial budget;
The success or failure of the repeal of Senate Bill No. 5;
Extent of the recovery of the Ohio economy;
Extent of the recovery of the real estate and financial markets in general; and
Other market forces that impact our expenditure base.
The only thing about this forecast of which we can be assured is that most all of
the numbers will be different.
Major Assumptions and/or Highlights:
1. The two most significant items incorporated into this forecast are the economic
provisions of the recently approved/ratified SHTA collective bargaining agreement
and the provisions of the Governor’s proposed budget bill and the specific revenue
impacts to the District for the upcoming biennium and beyond.
2. Although the State biennial budget has not yet been adopted, the Governor’s
version of the budget proposal was utilized in the forecast as it was the more
conservative of the two options (Governor or House) available as of the time of the
forecast preparation. Under the Governor’s proposal, the District would lose about
$21 million over the next seven years, including about $8 million during the
upcoming biennium. All but about $2 million of the $8 million was anticipated in
the most recent internal working forecasts. The lost revenue includes the
approximately $1 million per year of the Federal Stimulus funds (referred to as the
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State Fiscal Stabilization Fund) that partially funded the State’s Foundation
program; and the proposed accelerated elimination of the Tangible Personal
Property (TPP) (about $2 million per year but declining) and the Public Utility
Reimbursement (about $776,000 per year) payments.
3. The Fiscal 2011 revenue and expenditure items have been updated to reflect the
projected amounts for the year, including both lower than expected revenues and
lower than expected expenditures. Some of these lower than expected items result
in lower future year projected amounts, while others are considered temporary in
nature and do not significantly impact the future projected amounts.
4. A shift to the General Fund 001 in Fiscal 2012 and beyond, of estimated costs
funded by anticipated Federal Stimulus Package monies that are expected to expire
after Fiscal 2011;
5. Continuation of the shift to the General Fund 001 of costs previously funded by the
Cleveland and Gund Foundations’ Achievement Gap grants;
6. A removal of the previously assumed increase in the current 14% employer
contribution to the STRS retirement system by 0.5% per year for 5 years starting
July 1, 2016;
7. A return to the normal effective regulatory accrual rate for SERS retirement costs in
Fiscal 2012, after a two-year increase to accrue for the SERS acceleration of the
six-month arrearage in payment of employer contributions;
8. A projected annual growth rate of 11.0% for health insurance costs;
9. Natural gas budget increases of 4% per year for fiscal years beyond Fiscal 2011;
10. Electricity budget increases of 3% per year for fiscal years beyond Fiscal 2011;
11. An additional $150,000 allocated for new textbook adoptions in fiscal year 2012;
12. A projected annual growth rate averaging 8% for out-of-district tuition costs;
13. A 5% annual growth rate for out-of-district tuition transportation costs;
14. A 7.5% annual growth rate for fuel costs beyond Fiscal 2011. We have allotted an
additional $100,000 as a precaution that fuel prices experience even more dramatic
fluctuations in fiscal year 2012;
15. The approval of a continuing property tax levy with a projected yield
equivalent of at least 9.9. mills in calendar 2013; and
16. A net annual budget savings of $1.5 million each year commencing in fiscal
year 2013;
17. The latest projections now indicate a much better position for the District to be
able to maintain a three-year levy cycle beyond the current five-year forecast
window. However, key to achieving that extended cycle is a continuation of the
budget savings mentioned above.
Significant Changes from the prior Forecast:
A. SHTA Three-Year Collective Bargaining Agreement: The forecast reflects the
economic provisions of the SHTA recently approved three-year collective
bargaining agreement.
B. Decreased State Funding: The forecast reflects the Governor’s proposed State
budget reductions which result in a $21 million decrease in funding to the District
over the next seven years, including an $8 million decrease during the next
biennium.
C. Fiscal 2011 Projected Results: The forecast reflects the projected results for the
year ending June 30, 2011 as compared to the October 2010 forecast.
After a brief discussion by the Board including questions and answers about the forecast,
the motion was put to a vote.
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Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Levenson, Mrs. Mearns, Mr. Robertson, Ms. Sutherland, Mr. Bliss.
The motion carried.
11-05-52
At this time, President Bliss called for Board Committee reports. Mr. Robertson
commented on samples of financial reporting data by other districts that will be forwarded
to Mr. Christman.
President Bliss inquired as to any comments from the audience relative to non-agenda
items. There being none, Mrs. Mearns moved, seconded by Ms. Sutherland that the
meeting be adjourned.
Roll Call: Ayes: Ms. Levenson, Mrs. Mearns, Mr. Robertson, Ms. Sutherland, Mr. Bliss.
The motion carried.
11-05-53
The regular meeting of the Shaker Heights Board of Education adjourned at 9:31 p.m.
______________________________
Norman A. Bliss, President
______________________________
Bryan C. Christman, Treasurer