Report on School Board Meeting - Tuesday, July 9th

Report on School Board Regular Meeting - Tuesday, July 9th

The meeting commenced at 6:00pm with all of the school board members in attendance. Also in attendance were Superintendent Mark Freeman and Treasurer Bryan Christman.  Gregory Hutchings, who will become superintendent on August 1st, was present in the audience. 

Superintendent’s Report and Recommendations
The board approved all of the changes in assignments, supplemental contracts, special assignments, leaves of absence, appointments, and resignations included in the agenda and in the addendum available at the meeting. Another 6 certified appointments were listed in the addendum in addition to the 16 on the original agenda. Included in the 22 appointments were the 9 individuals Dr Freeman had recommended in June that the board retire and immediately retire. Two members of the public spoke in opposition to the retire - rehire decision. A list of the individuals retired and simultaneously rehired with age and compensation information is here

Resolution Honoring Mark Freeman
WHEREAS, Mark Freeman has served the Shaker Heights City School District and the entire Shaker community in a variety of roles, including teacher, assistant superintendent, and superintendent; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Freeman played an instrumental role in the successful integration of the schools and the establishment of distinctive programs such as SGORR and the Minority Achievement Committee; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Freeman has been committed to the development of well-rounded students by ensuring Shaker’s continuing excellence in academics, the arts, and co-curricular activities; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Freeman has advanced global education in Shaker through his strong support for the study of non-western cultures, student and faculty travel, the teaching of Mandarin Chinese, and adoption of the International Baccalaureate program at all grade levels; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Freeman is highly regarded by his peers, having taken a leadership role in founding the national Minority Student Achievement Network and the local First Ring Superintendents’ Collaborative; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Freeman has been a careful steward of District resources, securing financial stability through the passage of levies and the development of outside funding through foundations, corporations, government grants, and the Shaker Schools Foundation, which he helped to create; and
WHEREAS, Mark Freeman is now retiring after serving the District with distinction for forty-six years, including twenty-five years as superintendent;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby expresses its gratitude to Mark Freeman for his dedication to the young people of Shaker Heights and to ensuring that this is a community that still, consistently and persistently, cherishes its public schools.
FURTHER, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board confers upon Mark Freeman the permanent honorary title of SUPERINTENDENT EMERITUS with the customary honors attached thereto.

Treasurer’s Monthly Financial Report
Positive variance from budget for both revenues and expenses was reported. A full and complete financial report will be available after the books close for the fiscal year later this month.

The posted July 9th agenda is here. The addendum is here 

July 17th, 7:00pm - Finance & Audit Committee Meeting
July 19th, 5:30pm - School Board Special Meeting Work Session
July 20th, 8:30am - School Board Special Meeting Work Session
August 13th, 6:00pm - School Board Regular Meeting
Want more information?   Subscribe to ONE Shaker School News here