Cincinnati / January 23, 2014
Councilmember P.G. Sittenfeld, Chair of the City of Cincinnati Council Council Education and Entrepreneurship Committee, is leading our City in the recognition of the vital importance of community learning centers as an integral part of the city’s success. Working closely with Eve Bolton, the newly elected President of the Board of Education, they have formed a historic partnership and Joint Working Group to further their shared promise to transform schools and revitalize communities. This Resolution introduced by Councilmember Sittenfeld was passed by unanimous vote of Cincinnati City Council on January 23, 2014 and a similar Resolution will be introduced by President Bolton to the Board of Education next week.
RDH
RESOLUTION NO. ______________ -2014
EXPRESSING the support of Council for renewing the City of Cincinnati’s commitment to a
strong, collaborative relationship between City Council and the Cincinnati Board of Education,
and a deepening City/District partnership so as to enhance educational outcomes, improve
quality of life, and produce economic vitality in Cincinnati through the ongoing expansion and
elevation of Community Learning Centers.
WHEREAS, in 2004, the Cincinnati City Council and the Cincinnati of Board of
Education passed a Resolution to establish a framework for a working dialogue to collaborate on
the historic $1 billion Facilities Master Plan to rebuild and renovate facilities across the entire
School District; and
WHEREAS, in 2004, the Cincinnati City Council and the Cincinnati of Board of
Education expressed a joint commitment to a strategy of using new and renovated school
facilities as Community Learning Centers, turning schools into hubs for health care, after-school
programming, adult education, and recreational and cultural opportunities to support students,
families, and the surrounding community; and
WHEREAS, the implementation of the $1 billion Facilities Master Plan has now been
successfully completed; and
WHEREAS, the District is recognized as the State of Ohio’s highest achieving urban
district, with a national reputation for the most successful Community Learning Center initiative
in the country; and
WHEREAS, following the inception of the Facilities Master Plan and Community
Learning Centers, the District has increased by more than 30 points in the Academic
Performance Index; and has realized double-digit percentage increases in immunization rates and
health screenings; and
WHEREAS, the City has partnered with the District in key aspects of the Facilities
Master Plan and the Community Learning Center initiative, including collaboration on safe
walking routes to school; the deployment of City Health Department resources inside of schools;
the pairing of City police officers with schools; and strategic land swaps; and
WHEREAS, the momentum of the District has been matched by the momentum of
Cincinnati, with the past decade bringing about the revitalization of the urban core; population
stabilization for the first time in 50 years; strategic investment in neighborhoods; and job
creation driven by an expanding entrepreneurial ecosystem; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Cincinnati, State of Ohio:
Section 1. That Council hereby formally expresses its support for ongoing partnership
with the Cincinnati School Board, including the establishment of a Joint Working Group
consisting of Council Members and Board Members to meet on a monthly basis.
Section 2. That the Joint Working Group will arrive at shared policy goals to be
implemented in a coordinated manner by the City and District Administrations.
Section 3. That both City and District Administrations will report back quarterly on
progress toward established goals.
Section 4. That areas of focus for the Joint Working Group shall include, but not be
limited to, population growth, workforce development, safe and livable neighborhoods, wellness,
and access to technology, with the intent of making Cincinnati a globally competitive city.
Section 5. That the City and District shall aspire to efficiencies produced by sharing of
facilities and services.
Section 6. That this resolution be spread upon the minutes of Council and that a copy be
sent to Eve Bolton, President of the Board of Education of the Cincinnati Public Schools, 2651
Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45219.
Passed: January 23, 2014
____________________________________
Mayor
Attest: _______________________________
Clerk
Submitted by Councilmember P.G. Sittenfeld