The Olmsted Falls City School District held a Board of Education meeting on November 16, 2023, focusing on stakeholder engagement and the improvement of school benefits. The meeting began with a presentation on a new initiative called "Benefits Bracket Madness," designed to gather input from various stakeholders, including parents, faculty, and students, regarding which school benefits require enhancement.

The initiative utilized a tournament-style bracket system, where stakeholders voted on benefits in a head-to-head format. This innovative approach allowed the district to identify four key benefits that needed improvement based on the collective feedback received. Pam Mattek, a member of the team leading this initiative, shared insights on how the process was implemented, including the use of online tools to compile data efficiently.

The discussion highlighted the importance of student input, with a random sample of students from each grade participating in the voting process. The results indicated a strong consensus among parents, students, and staff on the areas needing attention, showcasing the effectiveness of the engagement strategy.

The meeting also addressed the next steps in the improvement process. The team outlined plans to measure progress on the identified benefits over the next 6 to 18 months, with regular evaluations every three months to assess the effectiveness of the changes made. The focus areas included social-emotional health, which was identified as a critical aspect of student well-being.

Additionally, the district is exploring qualitative data collection methods to gain deeper insights into stakeholder needs. This includes gathering feedback from alumni to understand the long-term impact of their education on lifelong learning habits.

Overall, the meeting underscored the district's commitment to enhancing educational benefits through collaborative efforts and ongoing stakeholder engagement, setting a clear path for future improvements based on community input.