The Euclid Board of Education met on February 8, 2023, in the Board Room at Forydce Administration Building at 7:00 pm.
The meeting was called to order at 7:01 pm by Board President Kathy DeAngelis, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Four Board Members were present. Board Member Donna Sudar was not in attendance.
The Board reviewed and accepted the agenda for the evening.
The Board adopted the minutes for the January 11th and 26th, 2023 Board Meetings.
Arbor Elementary School Recognitions and Presentation
Four Outstanding Arbor Stars were recognized at the meeting as Students of the Month. These students were acknowledged for their behavior, Honor Roll status, and their willingness to help
others.
Carter Rose
Jordyn D.
LaDon K.
Landric B
Staff Member Denise Adamski was recognized as Staff Member of the Month for jumping
in and helping whenever she’s called upon and doing whatever she can to help make Arbor Students successful.
Teacher Christine Varady was recognized as Faculty Member of the Month for being an
extraordinary educator that is always thinking about what’s best for Arbor Students. She is also willing to help wherever and whenever she’s needed.
Christine Polachek was recognized as Family Member of the Month. Mrs. Polachek is a very
supportive parent and what's best not only for her children but for all students. When Arbor needed a PTA president, Mrs. Polachek jumped right in to take on that position.
Following the recognitions, Principal LaWanda Johnson and Assistant Principal Velma Bell-Clark proceeded to present about the many things going on at Arbor Elementary.
To start off the presentation, Ms. Johnson asked all Arbor Stars in the audience to stand and give the “Arbor Pledge,” which is said at the start of every day at Arbor.
The Principals discussed four major topics, starting with Climate and Culture at Arbor Elementary.
Arbor emphasizes student activity and involvement with different activities, recognitions, and clubs. One of the programs that is new this year is “Officer Rico’s Reset,” which gives students who are having difficult moments time to spend with Officer Rico, the school’s public safety officer. The students spend some time with Officer Rico walking around the building while working to “reset” their emotions and prepare them to re-enter the educational environment.
The next topic the principals covered was Community Involvement and Engagement.
Through their Arbor Garden, students are getting involved in their school while learning about science. Kathy Rich, the school’s Educational Coach, started the Arbor Book Bash, which provides free books for children and families to take to create a home library.
Arbor also created a Family Engagement Committee this year that includes nine parents, eight teachers and both principals. The committee has created family nights and is hosting a Spring Fling on March 9th.
Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) was the third topic the Principals discussed.
Some of the MTSS initiatives that Arbor uses are:
Positive Behavior Interventions and supports, which set the expectations of both the building and the classrooms
Daily Focused Groups for Social Emotional Learning Support
Perfect Attendance Recognition
Shooting Stars and Arbor All-Stars Recognition
All That and a Bag of Chips
Scoop Your Way to a Sweet Treat
The final topic the Principals addressed was Academics.
Ms. Johnson and Ms. Bell-Clark talked about many of the academic programs going on at Arbor:
All-Star Readers
A program that the students love where Euclid High School Students come over and read to the Arbor Students. This helps kids get excited about reading and gets them thinking about their futures.
Science experiments with District Science Coach Mrs. McGarry
Academic Achievement Recognition Day
Music class
Orchestra and Band
Working on problem-solving skills with Mr. Johnson, Coordinator of Student Mentoring Programs
Professional Development for Teachers, which includes Staff meetings, Lunch and Learns and Teacher Based Teams.
Following the presentation from Arbor Elementary, Mr. Papouras read two proclamations that the Board Approved:
Proclaim March 6-10th as School Breakfast Week
Proclaim March 19-25th as Severe Weather Awareness Week
There were no visitor comments relative to the agenda
Reports and Recommendations of the Treasurer
This portion of the meeting covered the financial data of the district. Euclid Schools Treasurer Steve Vasek led the Board Members through District Financial Statements.
The Board approved the Financial Data and approved items involving transfers, securing funds from taxes and approving health care rates.
The Board approved the establishment of a Service Fund for $20,000 which helps to cover the expenses of Board Members in the performance of their duties
Reports and Recommendations of the Superintendent
Personnel
The Board approved changes to Administrative, Certified and Classified personnel in the form of resignations, terminations, retirements, permanent substitute appointments, non-teaching appointments, non-teaching assignments extra duty, athletic duty, athletic duty resignations
Approved Patrick Ciamacco as the Director for Big Show 2023. Mr. Ciamacco is an experienced director who has worked all over Northeast Ohio in community theater and professional productions, including his own theater, Blank Canvas Theater.
Opening Night for the 2023 Big Show is scheduled for April 8th.
Contracts/Agreements
The Board approved contracts regarding Title I, PSI Service Agreements, and ESCNEO.
Miscellaneous
The Board approved a resolution to authorize membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association for Euclid High School and Middle School
The Board approved a resolution to approve the Ohio Schools Council Governance Policy Change.
Designed to reflect the authority that the superintendent has in front of the board at the OSC. Despite the changes that the OSC makes, the Superintendent still has the power to act on behalf of the Board.
The Board approved a resolution granting authority to the Superintendent, Treasurer, Director of Human Resources, and/or Board President to act on behalf of the Board in a Legal Proceeding.
The Board approved a request to submit two grants with the Attorney General’s office.
The Board adopted the 2023-2024 School Calendar
Policy Readings
The Board reviewed policies regarding Holidays, District-sponsored clubs and activities, and Interscholastic Athletics.
The Board approved Policies 0165.1-Regular Meetings and 7510-Use of District Premises
Public Participation
Ms. Gail Simmons, a parent of a Euclid Graduate and a District employee, spoke about helping students find achievement after Covid and her passion for her job.
Superintendent’s Informal
Superintendent Papouras discussed the newly adopted policy regarding the Use of district premises. The new policy will make it easier and more efficient for community and recreation groups to request the use of Euclid Schools Facilities.
Superintendent Papouras reminded the audience that there is no school on Friday February 17th or February 20th, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
Mr. Papouras informed the Board that he met with State Representative Elliot Forhan last week. He gave Rep. Forhan a tour of some of the Euclid Schools facilities while discussing school fair funding and the future of education.
Superintendent Papouras talked about the way the Schools are celebrating Black History Month, which includes Black History Spirit weeks, Fact Competitions, celebrations and assemblies.
Episode seven of the Panther Pawdcast, featuring Director of Student Services Becky Furbay, Attendance Coordinator Jeremy Acree and Truancy Officer Amber Quigley will be released on Friday where they discuss Attendance and the District’s participation in attendance programs.
Board Member’s Informal
Turos expressed appreciation for the Board’s support in working with the City to address violence in Euclid.
New Business
There were no New Business items
The Meeting adjourned at 8:23 pm.