[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6388346,"mediaKeyId","2114650-3b85a4f5c36a1c8bc5c09657d8e21d82","parentId",2114650,"title","Board approves curriculum changes and a slate of policy updates; several policies passed by split votes","audioSeconds",336,"startMs",3366000,"endMs",3702000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2114650-3b85a4f5c36a1c8bc5c09657d8e21d82&start=3366&end=3702","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2114650-3b85a4f5c36a1c8bc5c09657d8e21d82/thumbnail_3366000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6388346/Ohio/Board-approves-curriculum-changes-and-a-slate-of-policy-updates-several-policies-passed-by-split-votes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6388346-a64d89a0f7ad79b70aec4ac617b9c713/orig.mp4?Expires=1770986748&Signature=ggzA0rQMyMgbd25T6F~cNLN-2nVVKZYzAvvwKy6u4~M9HzTnkUe~p70jhuP2JMJ~CwFDfbnqybMjif-E0vjAVIMvz7-wx~Ingse7fgKvlaKKWC7Mso5ah7witOh9cJKWkDQpKjyOBd9zzqw~3Q1pBkdwf~eisLtv9z9BsEUh0EOt~DSg7z2yktwR7dLK8zuwguBKW6wosrH79iGn6uDI5gSuk94RQ5OD7AXM9k6gr2RqXsjxH3TihXFIyPU5Gg4PwPrHCVyNGi1uFbVKUmQTZnkLz9Eb5WR9x7fbtAFgQiAoRXjurLjFQ84ayTt1R7-EbKbthRYw8nqTEUEd6KD59g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mentor Public Schools","date","2025-01-15T03:13:41Z","article","The Mentor Exempted Village Board of Education approved a package of curriculum revisions, human‑resources items and multiple policy updates at its regular meeting on Jan. 14.

Key outcomes

- Curriculum revisions approved (items 6 A1–6 A4): Middle‑school elective revisions, Career‑Technical Education (CTE) program expansions and elementary English‑language arts materials (Wit & Wisdom paired with 95% phonics). Roll‑call vote: 5–0.

- Personnel/human resources consent items (C1, C2–C4 and related consent agenda items): Approved on a single motion. Roll‑call: 5–0.

- Out‑of‑state trip (Science Olympiad tournament): One field trip item was pulled from the consent agenda for additional information (number of chaperones and students); the district will bring it back to the Jan. 29 special meeting. The board noted the item was removed from the consent agenda and would be reconsidered at the special meeting.

Policy updates (second reading/approval)

The board voted on an extensive set of Neola‑aligned policy updates. Where the transcript recorded a tally, it is listed below; where a roll‑call was recorded without a consolidated tally, the board recorded the individual yea/nay votes in the minutes.

Passed 5–0 (unanimous) – sample items recorded as unanimous in the transcript
- Curriculum revisions (6 A1–6 A4) — motion carried 5–0.
- Multiple fiscal and federal grants policies: 6111 (Internal controls), 6112 (Cash management of grants), 6114 (Cost principles — federal funds) — all recorded as 5–0.
- Policy 8310 (Public records) — recorded as 3–2 on roll call but recorded later as motion carried 3–2 in minutes; (see detailed list below).

Passed by 3–2 margin (recorded in roll call)
- Policy 0142.1 (Oath of office) — roll call recorded as 3 yes, 2 no.
- Policy 0164 (Notice of meetings) — roll call recorded as 3 yes, 2 no.
- Policy 0165 (Board meetings) and 0166 (Agenda items) — multiple related meeting policies were approved with recorded no votes by two trustees; votes recorded in roll call.
- Policy 3113 (Conflict of interest for employees) — motion carried 3–2 (roll call recorded in minutes).
- Policy 6320 (Purchasing and bidding) — motion carried 3–2 (transcript recorded result as 3–2).

Other policy votes and actions recorded (vote recorded as passed unless noted): 0165.1 (oath/regular meetings text changes), 0165.2 (special meetings), 0167.2 (executive session changes), 1130 (conflict of interest), 4113 (conflict of interest for staff), 6110 (GRAMA funds), 6220 (budget preparation — no change recommended), 6325 (procurement of federal grants), 6460 (vendor relations — some trustees acknowledged SB29 alignment), 6550 (travel reimbursement), 7310 (surplus property), 7530.01 (cell phone allowance — administration did not recommend change), 8310 (public records). Several policies were the subject of discussion about replacing gendered pronouns or about aligning with newly enacted state statutes; two trustees voiced principled opposition to changing pronouns even where the policy language otherwise reflected statutory updates.

Procedure and votes of note

- The board approved the consent agenda, including multiple purchases and resource allocations, in a single motion (roll call recorded as 5–0).
- The first out‑of‑state trip (Ohio University, Feb. 28–Mar. 1) was pulled so the district can provide missing details; the board expects it to be on the Jan. 29 special meeting agenda.

What comes next

The superintendent and treasurer will circulate the specific Neola policy text referenced at the meeting and the administration will schedule the out‑of‑state trip reconsideration for the Jan. 29 special meeting. Trustees who voted no on some policy edits indicated they preferred more discussion of pronoun language and other editorial changes; those concerns were recorded in the roll call discussion and will remain part of the public record.

Ending

The meeting concluded after the board approved the bulk consent agenda and the package of curriculum updates; the board set follow‑ups for Jan. 29 and requested further administrative reports where items were pulled.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Mentor Board of Education Meeting January 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","On Jan. 14 the Mentor Exempted Village Board approved curriculum revisions, personnel items and multiple Neola policy updates. Several policies passed unanimously; a subset passed by 3–2 votes. One out‑of‑state trip was pulled for later action.","taxTitle","Mentor Exempted Village, School Districts, Ohio","taxId",38575,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6388353,"Mentor district prepares policies, signage and procedures after new state laws on restrooms and parental notification",1460,6899000,8359000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2114650-3b85a4f5c36a1c8bc5c09657d8e21d82&start=6899&end=8359","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2114650-3b85a4f5c36a1c8bc5c09657d8e21d82/thumbnail_6899000.jpg","/articles/6388353/Ohio/Mentor-district-prepares-policies-signage-and-procedures-after-new-state-laws-on-restrooms-and-parental-notification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6388353-83645d89aa21891f292ad248c523f300/orig.mp4?Expires=1770986747&Signature=Q5lOrEgkGaNncLDoSFI0L6ub4xRhwFNrC-09AX8cYe1pCVotBo~Fj1ijkDk7VWiF981ffAYWExqacJO5HK-0V1nHNawtcYVlXzx33sK6uzbG-isW2Kce8IxSHAvhJssB~RZP7i5o7eCg-5P1lySsJ7ikQ2~WTqe6DXhP5i45XiAkRnmKLFtP9qwTsl6ZB71M9--8bUvdhCvaTc6HzSKLc7HZG3hmQ~yatcgJpqO7Hvx-FwwWUMkAqErjOnRI6HEJU99LwoyVBa9MHDCP74QWX2vYuYHHq-~8nC67sGEwUizrtWpGw9Tw4XD9KDe-swQBv5Idg9v9w7bHu5jEF2jNCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Craig Heath told the Jan. 14 board meeting that Mentor schools are preparing both operational steps and policy language to comply with recent state laws that change restroom designations and parental notification requirements.

Why it matters: The district must align local procedures and board policy with two state actions: the restroom/single‑stall provisions associated with Senate Bill 104 and new parental‑notification, instructional‑materials and religious‑release requirements contained in House Bill 8. Both carry near‑term compliance dates and will affect building signage, athletic‑event operations and curriculum notifications to parents.

Implementation steps: Heath said principals have been asked to identify and designate single‑stall restrooms in each building to be available for any student who requests them when the law takes effect. He said the district intends to post standard signage (male/female icons and accessibility symbols) and to identify clinics or other accessible single‑stall facilities at elementary, middle and high school buildings. He noted that some single‑stall rooms are not currently accessible and that signage and physical access may differ by building.

Heath described locker‑room planning for athletic contests, saying the district cannot rely on a mid‑event redesignation of multi‑occupancy locker rooms for opposing teams. He suggested measures such as having home students change before opponents arrive and using classrooms during halftime when necessary. He said the district will use outdoor stadium locker rooms for spring sports where available.

Policy and legal review: The district’s Neola policy provider has signaled it will issue a legal alert and model policy language in the next update. Heath said he also expects district counsel to review any Neola text before the board adopts a local policy. Trustees discussed whether a Neola policy, if written to mirror the exact statutory language, would provide legal cover; Heath said Neola policies are typically drafted by legal counsel and that the district will still request local attorney review as needed.

House Bill 8 timeline: The superintendent said the religious‑release portion of House Bill 8 is scheduled for implementation on April 8 under the statutory timeline; other provisions in the bill (parental notification for instructional materials, definitions of sexually explicit content and related duties) must be addressed by July 1. Heath said principals are already compiling lunch and recess schedules to evaluate how a parental request for religious release would affect student supervision and meal service.

Quote attribution: “We are identifying those single‑stall facilities for our students to use in our buildings,” Heath said, and recommended a board policy that uses the “specific language from the law passed in the state legislature.”

Outlook: Trustees asked the superintendent to circulate Neola’s forthcoming policy text and to place the restroom policy on the Jan. 29 special meeting agenda or at the February meeting so the board could complete its review before statutory effective dates. The board also directed administration to return with procedures for religious release time — check‑in/out protocols, meal handling and supervision — once Neola’s drafts and legal review are complete.

Ending: The board emphasized rapid review and legal vetting; trustees said they want an adopted policy, signage installed and a parent communication plan in place ahead of statutory deadlines.","Superintendent Craig Heath told the board the district is identifying single‑stall restrooms for use under the new state restroom law and preparing procedures for the religious release time required by House Bill 8; Neola policy language and legal review will guide final board policy.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6388358,"Mentor board launches short-term steps and advisory committee after weeks of public complaints about bullying and student safety",392,1283000,1675000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2114650-3b85a4f5c36a1c8bc5c09657d8e21d82&start=1283&end=1675","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2114650-3b85a4f5c36a1c8bc5c09657d8e21d82/thumbnail_1283000.jpg","/articles/6388358/Ohio/Mentor-board-launches-short-term-steps-and-advisory-committee-after-weeks-of-public-complaints-about-bullying-and-student-safety","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6388358-e7ca9fe0c8a274ed0c23e875e647f6fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770986747&Signature=TASqPKTQFjWxMK4xnracmoc8OCJMaeFubSAWnHoEJnWpr7xbyGLHldDm8bmRDn0w~GvMOdBP0lLlSB-tBywx~aCbtanXS1ZkURqEqtHrMKQQ~ldaN2joB2aOrhahjkB5PljmVVy3BjtwIRegz~ejl4MbGCZefpnbLtdoxhH0b6m-mPc3zE5~Tn3CdZtp9qBCBHuc145BkEQ5incMx2qhcKZ0e1u4j1NRb9yUmfXR4JLOEmSurlqySSltB~PHwoTGtSBpgCV95sSu~p4O4JEHOl3xpfZ0i4mWJEKANbml65MuVsvLcMBpPYqF9mQAGLUGnYwSSPJatDzM~mvdn~qbVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Craig Heath told the board on Jan. 14 that district staff would identify students with repeat disciplinary incidents, meet with building principals and families, and recommend next steps aimed at reducing recurring behaviors.

The action followed more than an hour of public comment in which parents and residents described repeated bullying, assaults and slow or insufficient administrative responses at Shore Middle School, Mentor elementary schools and Mentor High School. Several speakers urged stricter consequences, faster parent notification and changes in leadership.

Why it matters: Board members said the frequency and severity of recent reports — including allegations of a hate‑based assault and reported school threats — require both immediate interventions for repeat offenders and a community process to shape policy. The board and administration framed the work as data driven: officials will use discipline records as a baseline and report back with measurable recommendations.

Heath said district staff used EduCLIMBER and Infinite Campus reports to compile a list of students with multiple incidents and would examine the narratives recorded by principals to sort minor infractions from serious safety incidents. He described an immediate plan to meet with principals the week of Jan. 30–31 and to involve central office staff in follow‑up family conferences and interventions.

Parents and other community speakers urged stronger, consistent consequences. Mary Henderson (reading a statement by her daughter Bridget) recounted a student who required ER care after a hallway assault and asked why the district had not assured that the alleged attacker was supervised. Jennifer Allott said a three‑day bus suspension for a student involved in what she described as a hate‑based assault “feels inadequate.” Susan Sednick and others asked the board to prioritize victims’ safety and criticized what they called inconsistent enforcement.

Board members and the superintendent responded with several commitments: 1) immediately identify repeat offenders and interventions used to date; 2) meet with principals to develop next steps, including counseling and targeted supports; 3) explore expanded in‑school suspension or in‑school restriction options and report back on staffing and facility feasibility; and 4) create an ad hoc superintendent‑led committee to gather parent, student and staff input and to produce interim recommendations for the board.

The board named two trustees to work with Superintendent Heath on standing up the ad hoc group. Members said they expect the group to solicit parent and student representation and to provide an initial set of recommendations in March, with longer work continuing into the spring and early summer to align with strategic goals and district leadership data reviews.

Quote attribution: “We’re going to identify those students that have the most issues with mean behaviors this year. We will then meet with the principal of each building ... and identify the next steps needed for each student, including scheduling meetings with the students and the families,” Superintendent Craig Heath said.

The board discussed consistency of consequences and the role of restorative approaches. Trustees said restorative conversations can remain a component of responses when appropriately trained staff lead them, but several trustees and many members of the public pressed for stronger, consistently applied sanctions — particularly for repeat, aggressive or violent behavior. Trustees also asked that any proposed discipline matrix account for special‑education requirements and federal privacy rules.

Board direction and next steps: Superintendent Heath will report back with (a) a list of identified students and the interventions used to date, (b) a feasibility report on in‑school restriction/suspension staffing and scheduling, and (c) a proposed membership list and timeline for the ad hoc committee. The board requested an initial report to coincide with March outreach events and the district’s next data review in June.

Ending: Trustees said they view the effort as a multi‑month, community‑informed process, combining immediate intervention for high‑need students with policy and resourcing changes driven by the ad hoc group and principal feedback.","Following extensive public comment, the Mentor Exempted Village Board of Education directed administrators to identify repeat student offenders, explore in‑school suspension staffing, and form an ad hoc committee (including parents and students) to develop near‑term and longer‑term discipline recommendations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves curriculum changes and a slate of policy updates; several policies passed by split votes

Mentor district prepares policies, signage and procedures after new state laws on restrooms and parental notification

Mentor board launches short-term steps and advisory committee after weeks of public complaints about bullying and student safety