Latest news with #CincinnatiPublicSchools
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Cincinnati Public Schools to cut some yellow buses, place more middle schoolers on Metro
More than a thousand additional Cincinnati Public Schools students, most of whom are middle schoolers, will ride public transportation this year. The district's board of education approved moving the seventh- and eighth-grade students from yellow school buses to Cincinnati Metro during a recent business meeting. The cost-cutting measure comes as the district works this month to bridge a roughly $50 million budget gap between the current fiscal year and the upcoming one before the June 30 deadline. That gap was prompted by a decrease in government funds, and not, according to the district, due to overspending. The change impacts 1,260 students across 13 schools, the district's Chief Operating Officer Chris Burkhardt said, and will save the district almost $3 million per year. Most of Cincinnati Public Schools' high school students already ride Metro buses, as do some seventh and eighth-graders. Roughly 10,500 students rode Metro buses for school transportation last school year and roughly 2,800 of them were seventh and eighth graders. The board approved moving seventh and eighth-graders who attend grades seven to 12 schools to Metro busing last July. The decision to increase student ridership was made despite recent concerns about teen violence in Downtown and Oakley connected to students from Cincinnati Public Schools riding the Metro buses. A handful of high schoolers riding Metro were involved in brawls and an assault at bus stations in 2024. Metro and the district said they have been working to address safety concerns. School board member Ben Lindy said moving more students to Metro was a difficult decision. However, district officials said they meet regularly with Metro to address student safety concerns. "Given our experience these past few years and the work our transportation team has done," Lindy said, "I think this is a tough but right decision." This upcoming school year, students will ride Metro buses even if they attend a school that also serves younger grades, such as a K-12 school or one with kids from sixth through eighth grades. The switch also affects some high schoolers who were not assigned to ride Metro in the past. The following schools are impacted by the change: Academy of Multilingual Immersion Studies. Academy of World Languages. Hartwell School. LEAP Academy. Mt. Washington School. Oyler School. Pleasant Hill Academy. Roberts Academy. Roselawn Condon School. Sayler Park School. School for Creative and Performing Arts. South Avondale School. Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students. High schoolers at Sayler Park School and Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students will now ride Metro if they choose to use a bus system. The district said it anticipates saving about $2.9 million annually based on internal cost comparisons. Yellow bus service costs an average of $3,085 per student, while Metro costs approximately $364 per student. Students can choose which high school they want to attend, and with Metro, the district doesn't need to hire a yellow bus to take a small number of students to and from a specific school, Burkhardt said. Metro has pre-determined routes that can carry students across the city. Burkhardt said he meets weekly with Metro to discuss student safety and to determine if changes need to be made. One of the areas they've worked to address is Government Square. In January 2024, there were multiple high-profile attacks in Downtown, which police traced back to students who congregated at Government Square. Individuals from the district, Metro, Cincinnati police and the city of Cincinnati worked together to create a larger adult presence at the bus station. A group of community outreach specialists has been staffed at the stop, watching the students and passing out flyers for job opportunities and various programming since February 2024. Metro spokesperson Brandy Jones said the community ambassadors will continue to be at Government Square and the Northside Transit Center every day during the upcoming school year. The district said it also tries to ensure that only students who absolutely need to transfer through Government Square do so. "It takes a village," Burkhardt said. "It takes all of us working together to make sure that students not only are safe, but that they feel safe." Jones said Metro has several measures in place for the safety of all passengers. Metro buses and transit centers have cameras and security monitors. Metro also contracts with the Cincinnati Police Department to staff transit centers and to conduct random rides on routes. If students have any issues while riding, Jones said, they are encouraged to notify the bus operator, who will address the concern or call for assistance. "Historically, we rarely have any safety issues involving students riding with the general public," said Jones. Officials from the district and transit company said they are working together to help students who are new to riding Metro. Jones outlined the following reminders to help students adjust to public transportation: The bus service encourages parents to ride the route with their student prior to the first day of class. Parents can ride with their student to class free of charge during the first week of school. Metro staff members will attend orientation sessions at schools to answer questions and help parents identify the best route for their student. Parents can visit for answers to frequently asked questions. Jones said Metro has provided transportation to students for more than 50 years. "What we have found, year over year … is that students are pretty adaptable," she said, "and it's a pretty smooth travel experience to and from class." This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Public Schools places 1,200 more students on Metro buses
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Police ID 17-year-old high school student killed after being shot multiple times
A 17-year-old high school student killed in an Ohio shooting has been identified. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Cincinnati Police said Jayshawn Cornelius, 17, died after being shot several times inside a home early Tuesday morning, according to our news partner, WCPO-TV in Cincinnati. As previously reported by News Center 7, officers found Cornelius shot at the 3000 block of Percy Avenue. They found over a dozen bullet holes scattered across the front of the home, WCPO said. TRENDING STORIES: Officers looking for man, woman last seen at Troy Aquatic Park Busy street closed after serious motorcycle crash in Montgomery County Bodies of 3 sisters found after visit with their father; Court records reveal likely cause of death Police told WCPO that they received a Shotspotter alert around 1:30 a.m. Shell casings were discovered outside, and police said that this indicated that Cornelius was shot from outside the home, and the bullets went inside, WPOC reported. Cincinnati Public Schools released a statement on Tuesday. 'Cincinnati Public Schools mourns the death of a Hughes STEM High School student, Jayshawn Cornelius. We recognize this tragic event, and our sympathy and support remain with the family, friends and school community. CPS has counselors available, encouraging families to contact the school for assistance if needed.' The shooting remains under investigation. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cincinnati Public Schools to cut vacant positions amid $50 million budget gap
Cincinnati Public Schools could see personnel cuts because of a $50 million budget gap for the upcoming school year. But on June 2, the Board of Education voted only to eliminate vacant positions. The board may still approve layoffs in the near future to address the budget gap. During its meeting June 2, the board approved the cuts in a 6-0 vote that included additional cost-cutting measures in the upcoming fiscal year. Board member Mary Wineberg was not present at the meeting and, therefore, didn't vote. The number of vacant positions and which ones will be cut was not specified at the meeting; however, officials said it is unlikely certain open jobs, such as science and math teachers, will be eliminated. The vote also excluded immediately cutting the roughly three vacant social worker positions in the district. Instead, the board will freeze hiring for these positions until the next board meeting in two weeks, during which board members will discuss whether it needs to eliminate these positions. Cincinnati Public Schools community members repeatedly pushed back on cutting social workers at recent board meetings. Parents and district employees emphasized the importance of social workers at the June 2 meeting. "Social workers identify students in crisis, connect families with vital services and ensure kids are seen and supported,' Sandra Horine, a school counselor for the district, said. 'Without school social workers," she continued, "we're asking students to focus on math and reading while their world feels like it's falling apart." The district could also see property sales. Board members gave approval to the administration to sell properties. One that's likely to sell is a set of tennis courts above Coy Field near the University of Cincinnati, said Daniel Hoying, an attorney for the district. The property is expected to bring in $500,000 or more, he said. The district did not discuss selling school buildings currently in use. The board previously approved cutting the district's contract with the Cincinnati Health Department to supply nurses, and could make other such cuts of third-party contracts. It's not clear which, however. The cost-saving measures are in response to an anticipated budget gap of roughly $51 million to $52 million between the current fiscal year and the upcoming one. The gap is due to the amount of money the district will likely receive from government funding, it said. The district's COVID-19 pandemic funds, which provided relief for kids struggling after the pandemic, have dried up and the Ohio legislature's draft budget for the upcoming fiscal year shows a drop in funding to public schools, the district said. A district spokesperson said the budget gap is not due to the district overspending. District officials are scrambling to finalize a balanced budget before the June 30 deadline. Some board members expressed concern that, even after the June 2 meeting, a clear way to a balanced budget before the deadline does not exist. Member Ben Lindy stressed protecting and improving the district's academics during the process. "The most cost-effective investment we can make is for us to fund training and support for teachers so that we help them implement the high-quality curricula we've already purchased," Lindy told The Enquirer. "This kind of investment is 40 times more cost-effective than class size reductions," he said, citing a statistic from the policy institute Center for American Progress. The board asked Cincinnati Public Schools administrators to identify how the district can help teachers better implement curricula. Board members also expressed hesitation in cutting social workers and paraprofessionals. Some members said doing so would go against the district's goals to improve academic outcomes and wellness for students. The board asked the administration to look into how cuts could be made that are in alignment with these goals. The next time the board will meet to discuss the district's budget is June 23. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Public Schools to cut vacant positions for budget gap
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cincinnati Public Schools' board to discuss budget cuts amid $50 million budget gap
Cincinnati Public Schools will discuss budget cuts for the upcoming fiscal year at a board of education meeting on the evening of June 2. The Board Business Meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Mary A. Ronan Education Center at 2651 Burnet Ave. According to the meeting agenda, the board will discuss the fiscal year 2026 budget and vote. However, which cuts the board will vote on is unclear. The school district said it anticipates a budget gap of more than $50 million between the current fiscal year and the upcoming one. This gap is due to the amount of money the district will likely receive from government funding in the upcoming year, it said. COVID-19 pandemic funds for the district have dried up and the Ohio legislature's draft budget for the upcoming fiscal year shows a drop in funding to public schools, the district said. A district spokesperson said the budget gap is not due to the district overspending. More: Olympian Mary Wineberg will not seek reelection to Cincinnati Public Schools' board At recent Cincinnati Public School board meetings, district parents and community members expressed concern about some of the suggested budget cuts. This includes a decrease in paraprofessionals at the district's Montessori schools and cuts to social workers. As part of the budget cuts, the board voted at the May 19 meeting to terminate the district's contract with the Cincinnati Health Department to supply school nurses. The district will instead hire health professionals as Cincinnati Public Schools employees. Cincinnati Public Schools' fiscal year begins July 1. However, the district's budget may be finalized after this date if the state budget, which gives funding to Ohio's public schools, is finalized close to its deadline. The state budget must be signed by Gov. Mike Dewine by June 30 so it can take effect on July 1. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Public Schools board to discuss budget cuts Monday
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Cutting paraprofessionals will break CPS Montessori classrooms
Cincinnati Public Schools is unique for its awesome nine Montessori communities. The district is a leader nationwide and had the first free public Montessori elementary and high school in the country. CPS is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Montessori education. From the West Side to the East Side, Cincinnati's Montessori schools are thriving and full, with a ninth Montessori school to open in the fall of 2025 to fill the gap from the sudden closure of Xavier University's Montessori Lab School. Montessori schools are caring communities, promoting compassion, creativity, curiosity and hands-on learning. As a parent of two who are enrolled in a Montessori elementary school, I am so thankful we have such amazing, free Montessori programs in our city. More: Timeline of Montessori education in Cincinnati Recently, the district's superintendent and the treasurer presented proposed budget cuts to the school board, which included reducing classroom paraprofessionals in Montessori schools by half. Montessori classrooms are designed to encourage hands-on and independent learning. They run similar to an orchestra. The teacher is the conductor, the paraprofessional in the classroom is the concertmaster, supporting both students and the teacher, while the students are the musicians. Each role is important to creating the symphony of learning within a Montessori environment. One of the hallmarks of Montessori education is a multi-grade classroom. One adult cannot be expected to manage a community of learners in different grades who are sorting through different works (assignments) alone. Paraprofessionals are vital to kids in the classroom, especially supporting kids who may struggle or need to refocus. I love that my kids have a chance to have another caring adult in their lives. Not only is reducing paraprofessionals harmful to kids in the classroom, but it also goes against the board-approved Montessori curriculum, which has taken years to approve and officially adopt. More: Lemonade out of lemons: How Montessori parents opened a new school in 100 days Reducing paraprofessionals will also compromise the integrity and efficacy of Montessori learning in the district. This change would put the high schools at risk of losing their prestigious American Montessori accreditation, and the elementary schools would never be able to earn accreditation. Montessori without paraprofessionals does not work. We will cripple our healthy, thriving, full Montessori schools to get a dysfunctional Montessorta mess. Maria would not approve. Our superintendent and school board are facing an impossible task due to the cuts to education at the federal and state levels. These cuts are taking place as a result of our state leaders ignoring the bipartisan fair school funding formula and will cause CPS to lose $39 million (all to give the stinking Cleveland Browns $600 million for a stadium). More: Cincinnati Public Schools to lose city health department nurses. What to know I am calling all of our state senators on the finance committee to ask them to hold up their end of the bargain and uphold our state constitution. But now I'm imploring Superintendent Shauna Murphy and the CPS board, please do not take away caring adults from the classroom. This does not jibe with the #HereForKids promise. Let's play to our strengths and uphold the Cincinnati tradition of the nation's best public Montessori schools. Our kids are worth it. Sarah Beach is a proud parent of two Gamble Montessori Elementary students in Westwood. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati's Montessori schools are strength worth defending | Opinion
