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Board Meeting Preview: April 20, 2021
Columbus City Schools
Board of Education Meeting (Hybrid Virtual Meeting)
Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at 5:30 pm
The Columbus Board of Education will convene its regular business meeting in a hybrid manner on Tuesday, April 20, at 5:30 p.m. Four members of the Board will meet in-person, with three members joining remotely. The meeting will be streamed via Facebook Live and on the Columbus City Schools' YouTube Channel, which allows the public to attend virtually.
The Board of Education will also incorporate public participation in a hybrid manner from the District's south Administrative site located at 3700 S. High St. Individuals who wish to provide public comment will have the option of doing so in-person or remotely during the meeting. To sign up, public participants must leave a voicemail with Customer Relations at (614) 365-8888 or email customerrelations@columbus.k12.oh.us by 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 20, let the staffer know which format they are choosing. Speakers will need to provide their name, topic, and phone number. Click here to view the meeting agenda.
Engineering and Advanced Technology for Beechcroft High School Engineering Program
The Office of Career and Technical Education (CTE) requests the District to enter into an agreement with IST Ohio to purchase two Yaskawa Motoman Industrial Robots, 10 MotoSIM Touch FS100 with Standard Teach Pendants, curriculum materials, and training to support the Beechcroft High School Engineering program.
Yaskawa Motoman has partnered exclusively with IST Ohio to prepare teachers and students to earn the Motoman FS100/DX100 Basic Programming w/ Material Handling Industry-Recognized Credential.
Purchasing IST Ohio products for $139,500 for the Beechcroft Engineering program will provide experience on this technology as students work toward a graduation industry credential option and prepare for employment and post-secondary opportunities in these fields.
Also, for Beechcroft High School, the Office of Career and Technical Education is requesting authorization to enter an agreement with Advanced Technologies Consultants to purchase 11 PLC Trainer systems, 11 AC/DC Trainer systems, FESTO LX curriculum, AC/DC Trainer Curriculum, and PLC Trainer Curriculum valued at $114,000.
Students will have the opportunity to earn Industry-Recognized credentials on this equipment and work on a Credential Seal for graduation. These skills can help students successfully enter the workforce or be well-prepared for a successful transition to post-secondary programs.
Testing for Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Students
Using Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Funding, Board Members will be asked to approve $80,000 for student testing at The Greater Columbus Convention Center May 3-17. The need to test these students off-site is magnified for our high schools especially schools with a large enrollment of Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate, the overall number of student assessments in May, and other challenges including:
- Overlapping testing dates for Ohio Department of Education assessments
- The inflexibility of Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate testing dates and times
- Student testing in A and B cohort models adhering to health and safety guidelines.
- Maintaining education for non-tested students
Building A World Language Middle School
It is recommended that the Board of Education authorize the administration of the World Language Middle School to enter into a service agreement with SchoolHouse Technology for Cleartouch computer devices for $141,000. Cleartouch devices will also assist in the immersion program for collaborating with sister schools and programming in different languages to support all learners. Cleartouch also provides free professional development for the teachers and offers support throughout the life of the device so that the teachers can use the professional development throughout the planning. The Cleartouch device also works to cultivate a culture focused on growth and innovation.
School Safety and Security Improvements
The District's "Operation: Fix It" initiative, funded by the 2016 passage of Issue 57, targets various projects, including safety and security enhancements. Based upon current building configurations, the following buildings are recommended for secure vestibule enhancements to improve entrance security and visitor management valued at $514,000:
- Beechcroft High School
- Columbus Alternative High School
- Marion-Franklin High School
- Walnut Ridge High School
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 22: Audit & Accountability Committee 3:30 p.m.