How does our school board work?

I made the following statement at the October school board meeting. If you still have questions about how the board works, or any other questions, please ask.

There has been recent discussion that the school board is not transparent and is not discussing items during our meetings. I wanted to address this. I apologize for this long statement, but there are several important topics I’d like to cover.

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Highlights from 1/17/19 school board meeting

Milford school board places bond on May 2019 ballot
District continues to investigate changing school start times; option for juniors/seniors will be implemented next year

Here are the highlights of the 1/17/19 school board meeting:

Highlights of 12/13/18 school board meeting

New concept for structure of school day explores how to increase student engagement, success
The benefits of not getting straight As

Here are the highlights of the 12/13/18 school board meeting:

Highlights of 10/18/18 school board meeting

Five-Year Forecast indicates Milford is in sound financial shape
Board approves new brandmark

Here are the highlights from the 10/18/18 school board meeting:

Board approves new brand mark

Highlights of 8/16/18 school board meeting

Board votes on agreement between FC Cincinnati and school district
District implements new procedures to increase safety

Other than the two articles linked above, the only other highlight item is the 2019-2020 school year calendar. The calendar is presented to the board and the public for two months before the final vote. This gives plenty of time for comments and questions. The board held a public hearing on the 2019-2020 school calendar at the August meeting. The calendar will have its first reading at the September 20 board meeting, then be approved at the October meeting.

Here is the calendar for review: Proposed District Calendar 2019-20. If you have questions or comments, please contact Superintendent Mrs. House or me.

Resolution Opposing HB 512

Resolution Opposing HB512  (Consolidating the Ohio Department of Education, the Ohio Department of Higher Education and the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation into a new state agency called the Department of Learning and Achievement)

While I have decided to support this resolution, I have significant concerns about how the Ohio Department of Education and the Department of Higher Education function. The ODE has been a source of frustration since I’ve been a school board member, and I’m sure long before that. Lack of communication, varying answers and interpretations, mandates that make no sense – those are just a few of the problems.

Board approves BAC recommendation to commence branding effort

Last year, local attorney Geoff Pittman was named Chair of the Business Advisory Council (BAC), a group appointed by the board to provide business perspective on a variety of issues. One task they were assigned was to evaluate the efficacy and potential costs/benefits of clarifying the district’s image, awareness, and presentation to the community (i.e., the district’s “brand”).

Too much screen time is, indeed, not good for you

Does spending too much time with a screen – playing video games, on social media, texting, even watching TV – decrease happiness? Many people are likely to say of course – and now a new study among 1 million 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students has proven this out.

Highlights from 5/18/17 and 6/15/17 school board meetings

May 2017 Five Year Forecast approved by school board
Athletic Update
Extracurricular Update

So sorry – I think last month was the first time in 7.5 years that I missed publishing articles for a monthly meeting when I was in attendance – but I guess it was bound to happen. So, I am making up for that now by including information for last month’s board meeting as well as this month’s. Below are highlights from both, as well as information from the special board meeting held on Monday, June 12: