What is a School Board?
Image by Element5 Digital via Unsplash
Election season has arrived! There are many choices on your ballot – from city council candidates, to issues, levies, and more, it can be overwhelming. If you live in the Cincinnati Public Schools District, you will also be tasked with electing a new school board this election cycle. Not exactly sure what a school board does? Have no fear! Our Women of Cincy Residents have taken the time to break it all down for you. Happy reading and forget to VOTE on or before November 7. Find your polling place here.
Writing and editing by Women of Cincy Staff.
What is a School Board?
School boards (also called the board of education) are five to nine elected or appointed representatives from the community who establish and implement a vision for the public schools in their district. The members of the school board hold a variety of duties and responsibilities including:
Enact policies and goals to implement that vision.
Hire a superintendent to oversee implementation.
Set standards for performance for the district.
Approve budgets.
Approve textbooks and educational materials.
Address legal or financial concerns.
Hold regular public meetings to discuss issues, address public concerns, mediate discussions, and listen to feedback.
Review and edit established policies as needed.
Source: https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/articles/the-school-board-explained https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-3313.60
What Can’t a School Board Do?
School boards determine what the district does, while the district’s administration determines how to do it. The policies of the school board must comply with federal and state laws. School Boards do not have the power to manage daily operations of a school district, interview potential teachers, evaluate teachers or staff members, or define what skill sets students should have at each grade.
Source: https://www.ohioschoolboards.org/understanding-your-school-board
Electing the Cincinnati Public School’s Board of Education
How are members elected to the Cincinnati Public School’s Board?
School board candidates appear on the ballot during the general election. All registered voters living in the Cincinnati Public Schools district are eligible to vote for CPS school board members. There are seven members elected to the school board who all serve four-year terms.
Who can be elected to the School Board?
School board members are not required to have professional experience in education.
School board members can come from any profession or background.
Members must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, and live in the school district for at least 30 days preceding the election.
Who’s on the current school board for Cincinnati Public Schools?
President: Ben Lindy
Vice President: Brandon Craig
Members: Eve Bolton, Carolyn Jones, Kareem Moncree-Moffett PhD, Mike Moroski, Mary Wineberg
*Term expires December 31, 2023, for Ben Lindy, Brandon Craig, Eve Bolton, and Carolyn Jones. Term expires December 31, 2025, for Kareem Moncree-Moffett, PhD., Mike Moroski, and Mary Wineberg.
Who is running for Cincinnati Public School Board this November, 2023 election cycle?
Why do School Boards Matter?
School Boards create and implement a vision and mission for the students of their district in order to provide them with resources to high quality education. The Cincinnati Board of Education’s mission statement: “We educate all students with rigor and care in a culture of excellence to develop engaged citizens who are prepared for life.” In recent years, the Cincinnati Board of education has implemented several policies to improve Cincinnati Public Schools.
Equity
In December 2020, the Cincinnati school board approved an anti-racism policy for the school district.
Policy
In March 2023, the Cincinnati school board adopted a new policy “to allow educators to identify and assess school threats and then provide appropriate interventions for the students.”
In March 2023, the Cincinnati school board discussed concerns from the community about transportation to schools. In April 2023, the board decided to transition to new start and dismissal times for the 2023-2024 school year. The plan allows school bus drivers more time to pick up and drop off students.
Budget
In March 2023, the Cincinnati school board considered a $48 million budget cut.
On Monday September 11th, 2023 the Cincinnati school board unanimously passed their 2023-2024 budget. The final budget now totals $609 million which is more than originally projected. The major budget target areas this school year are to increase graduation counselors and attendance social workers in hopes of reducing absentee ratings while increasing graduation rates.
District Leadership
In March 2023, Executive Board members of the Cincinnati Association of Administrators and Supervisors (CAAS) Union, representing over 200 local administrators, principals, and assistant principals, wrote a letter claiming that Cincinnati Public Schools superintendent has created a “culture of intimidation and fear” in the schools through “embarrass[ing] employees in meetings” and micromanaging daily tasks.
Wright responded to the letter, writing: “Upon receiving the letter, I sent an update to central office staff and principals, as I believe there were perceived misconceptions about administrative guidelines and directives. In addition, there have been some shifts in operations to improve efficiencies, all designed to better serve students.”
Later that month, the Cincinnati school board held a special, closed-door meeting where members considered the “employment of a public employee or official.”
No other information has been released.
In July of 2023 Wright received a mid-year evaluation from the School Board of education. Wright was given an approval rating of 2.8 on a 1-5 scale.
Despite a lower approval rating there has been an increase in Algebra 1 proficiency in the school district.
How to get involved
Remember, the school board is working for YOU. They are representing the community and addressing the concerns of the community. Be sure to research candidates for your local school board who will be on the ballot during the November 7th general election. Attend school board meetings, ask questions, and give feedback. If you are considering running for school board, or want to learn even more about school boards, consider attending School Board School.
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