The Euclid Board of Education met on November 9th, 2023, in the Board Room at the Fordyce Administration Building at 7:00 pm.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Board President Kathy DeAngelis, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
All five Board Members were present.
The Board reviewed and accepted the agenda for the evening, with only the deletion of one agenda item–the planned executive session at the conclusion of the meeting.
The Board adopted the minutes for the October 11th and 25th, 2023 Board Meetings.
Educational Options Center Recognitions and Presentations
Four outstanding Memorial Options Center Students were recognized at the meeting. The students were recognized for their outstanding efforts, great cooperation and collaboration, and because they exemplify the spirit of OneEuclid.
Kraig M.
Jace G.
Kvontae R.
Evyonna M.
Staff member Cassie Kolich was recognized as Staff Member of the Month for her excellent attendance, terrific work ethic and positive and friendly rapport with staff and students.
Teacher Becca Simmons was recognized as Faculty Member of the Month for demonstrating a tremendous commitment to her students, colleagues and the Euclid community. Becca goes above and beyond in and out of the classroom, serving as Team Leader for the growing Thrive team as well as attendance captain.
Mr. Paul Williams and Ms. Christina Taylor were recognized as Family Member of the Month. The parents of 7th Grade Thrive student Sierra W, Mr. Williams and Ms. Taylor
have been actively involved in the Memorial Options Center, participating in every parent engagement event throughout the year.
Following the recognitions, Principal Jason Coleman presented about the many things happening at the Memorial Options Center–a little building, with big ideas.
The Memorial Options Center is home to several unique programs that have been created to teach workforce readiness skills, inspire curiosity, increase educational engagement, and prepare students for a meaningful entry into the world of work or post-secondary education. Amongst the programs offered are:
Thrive Program - 7th & 8th Grade
Panther Academy
Panther Assist
EVLA
CTE
JTC
CBI
365 Students across all programs
Aspire program that is run by Cuyahoga Community College out of the community wing of the building.
The Thrive Program is in its second year of existence. Initially starting as a pilot program for 7th graders last year, Thrive has grown to serve both 7th and 8th grade students. The goal of Thrive is to re-engage students in their education through hands-on, collaborative learning with an emphasis on open-ended design, careers and real-world connections.
Through partnerships, projects and field trips students are encouraged to design, construct, build and test while working with peers.
Since joining the Thrive program, student attendance data shows a huge increase in daily attendance and student engagement.
Panther Academy is a Middle School and High School level program that is designed to support at-risk students through a hybrid education model, with students learning online while attending school 2 hours a day to meet with their instructors and receive wrap-around services such as therapy and counseling. Students are often placed in this program in lieu of expulsion or other long-term behavior solutions.
Panther Assist is a short-term placement for all grade levels in an emergency or crisis situation like medical issues or exhibiting tier 3 behaviors. Students can learn either virtually or in person and receive wrap-around services while retaining the connection with their home school.
EVLA (Euclid Virtual Learning Academy) is a family-choice program for first through 12th grade students. Students who may need flexibility in their schedule or who benefit from a non-traditional setting learn through the Edgenuity online curriculum. Students are still able to participate in school activities, groups and extracurricular activities while learning online.
Several Career Tech programs operate out of the Memorial Options Center.
The Urban Agriculuture
Robotics and Automation
The Job Training Coordinating Program is new this year and has three different tracts to help students with higher needs develop into independent workers and find success in the workforce after finishing school. The three tracts are:
Landscape Design
Hospitality & Retail Services
Environmental Services
The Career Based Intervention program helps Juniors and Seniors earn school credits while entering the workforce. Students receive in-class instruction during part of the day and spend the other part of their school day working in local businesses.
There were no visitor comments.
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 report for October 2023 and approved payments and funds transfers.
The Board accepted a monetary donation to the High School PBIS program from the Roseum Family.
Reports and Recommendations of the Superintendent
Personnel
The Board approved changes to 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, and leaves.
Contracts/Agreements
The Board approved a contract with The Music Settlement for the 2023-2024 school year. The Music Settlement is a not-for-profit group that will provide music therapy services for the school year for various learning situations including the ELV.
The Board also approved an agreement with Case Western Reserve University for Community Engagement processes. The agreement will help fund 25% of the project with the Euclid Gun Violence Reduction (HOPE) Task Force.
Routine Business
The Board approved agreements with the following groups in a consent agenda, meaning that these agreements are all typical and annual agreements.
Title I Service agreements to provide funds for tutoring services for Communion of Saints School, Corpus Christi School, and Cleveland Central Catholic High School for the 2023-2024 School Year.
The Board approved the Food Service Annual Report.
Miscellaneous
The Board approved a motion formally certifying 287 students as graduates of Euclid High School.
Policies
The Board approved revisions to policies regarding:
Weapons
Section 504/ADA
Anti-Harassment
the Third Grade Reading Guarantee
Complaints
and several others.
Superintendent’s Informal
Superintendent Papouras welcomed the new Board Member-elects and thanked all the candidates that ran in the election. He also reminded the community about the Culinary Bistro’s lunch hours and public activities like Pickleball, Lap Swimming, and Walking that are available throughout the week. He also talked about the PBIS program at Euclid Schools and announced that the Euclid Schools has been awarded the District Recognition Award for the 2023 Ohio PBIS Showcase.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:17 pm.