[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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",[32,75],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6050526,"mediaKeyId","3462319-40b70bcf688088903872497f55c8a084","parentId",3462319,"title","Cuyahoga Falls board approves agenda, hiring, contracts and multiple policy adoptions; security cameras approved 4-1","audioSeconds",741,"startMs",3339000,"endMs",4080000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3462319-40b70bcf688088903872497f55c8a084&start=3339&end=4080","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3462319-40b70bcf688088903872497f55c8a084/thumbnail_3339000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6050526/Cuyahoga-Falls-City/School-Districts/Ohio/Cuyahoga-Falls-board-approves-agenda-hiring-contracts-and-multiple-policy-adoptions-security-cameras-approved-4-1","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6050526-aa5327e181eb2dcc8bb76d6d2b21d40e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775204344&Signature=Os-BcM5u73laA846J8Y~0~DlB3-0BItzr2sNFqtFRLzFS0vq6hn6BnEAZwFh28KW90uTShOViZwyKaQ7eIs86W0D9NwibKkSBz1sygUZUaStfYnSYQLOVnGgxpoVlma~vPpI-4VFkkTx4ZnRHSlZgBJFhj8NiIlE4HnaYW4nfvZkboigxTjpZUyMSVt0tLNmiAOTm9wUq8Pj1kP8ie~ZZrUBbaBX3y5pVA0SLDUAGOxJZ7zCHKS7UmKFe4iZZn2geI7M8BgN1Ovd0lK2KDPbHyEHnLzi~cchRMZcBhQMLl-6bDhUlTS0hunrJV5-YSq9LE9KdLLWS40cfZeRJEzOqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cuyahoga Falls City School District","date","2025-04-09T00:00:00Z","article","The Cuyahoga Falls Board of Education on April 9 approved routine agenda and consent items, confirmed personnel appointments, and adopted several board policies required by state or administrative changes. The meeting also included a contested vote on installation of security cameras at the new operations parking lot, which passed 4-1.

Key actions

- The board approved the meeting agenda (roll call: 5-0).

- The treasurer was authorized to have Mister Gomez serve as treasurer pro tempore for the meeting (vote 5-0).

- A treasurer/CFO consent agenda (minutes, donations, amended appropriations, and a contract to perform an arbitrage rebate calculation related to 2021 tax-exempt bonds) was approved (vote 5-0). The board heard an explanation of the arbitrage rebate calculation requirement under IRS rules and that Quasi Public Finance will perform the calculation.

- The superintendent's consent agenda passed (vote 5-0). Items included routine personnel actions, a recommendation to hire a school psychologist, renewal of translation services, and professional-development contracts for literacy and math.

- The board adopted the Cuyahoga Falls Preschool handbook for the 2025-26 school year (vote 5-0).

- The board approved a contract with S3 Technologies to install two security cameras for the new operations parking lot (vote 4-1). Board discussion centered on cost, vendor quotes, timing and whether a single-camera option would be more budget prudent; Mister Gomez voted no.

- The board approved a service agreement with S3 Technologies (security) and engaged Dandy & Associates for environmental inspection and long-term record management for facilities abatement work.

- The board adopted multiple policies and a resolution to adopt a model policy for IGP as required; those adoptions were approved by roll call votes (see \"Votes at a glance\").

Votes at a glance

- Approve meeting agenda — Approved, roll call 5-0.
- Treasurer pro tempore (Mister Gomez) — Approved, roll call 5-0.
- Treasurer/CFO consent agenda (includes arbitrage rebate services contract) — Approved, roll call 5-0.
- Superintendent/CEO consent agenda (personnel, contracts, school psychologist hire Isabella \"Bella\" Warner) — Approved, roll call 5-0.
- Cuyahoga Falls Preschool handbook (2025-26) — Approved, roll call 5-0.
- Contract with S3 Technologies for two security cameras (operations parking lot) — Approved, roll call 4-1 (Mister Gomez voted no).
- Dandy & Associates inspection and records management agreement — Approved (roll call recorded as part of superintendent consent items).
- Resolution to adopt model policy IGP and multiple policy adoptions across sections B, D, E, G, I, J, K — Approved by roll call (votes recorded in meeting; several required policy updates were described as mandated by law).

Speakers and staff cited several operational details during the meeting: the arbitrage calculation was described as required under IRS rules because bond proceeds were invested after the 2021 issuance; the higher-quality cameras proposed were chosen for their longer focal length to monitor the new lot; Dandy & Associates will perform an initial environmental inspection of the new administrative office and maintain electronic records for audits. The athletic and arts recognitions and community events were presented earlier in the meeting and are not part of the action votes.

Next steps and implementation

- Administration will proceed with the S3 Technologies installation and with Dandy & Associates inspections and records work.

- The policy adoptions will be transmitted to the district's policy vendor for incorporation; administration said several were statutory and required immediate adoption.

Ending

Board members said they would continue regular oversight of contracts and personnel items while the policy committee and legal counsel address the suspended AEA policy at the next meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cuyahoga Falls City Schools BOE Meeting 4/9/2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its April 9 meeting the Cuyahoga Falls Board of Education approved the meeting agenda, a range of consent items including personnel actions and contracts, adopted required policy changes, and approved a security camera contract for the new operations parking lot by a 4-1 vote.","taxTitle","Cuyahoga Falls City, School Districts, Ohio","taxId",58172,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6050532,"Cuyahoga Falls board suspends DEI policy until next meeting after heated debate over federal guidance",2449,5541000,7990000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3462319-40b70bcf688088903872497f55c8a084&start=5541&end=7990","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3462319-40b70bcf688088903872497f55c8a084/thumbnail_5541000.jpg","/articles/6050532/Cuyahoga-Falls-City/School-Districts/Ohio/Cuyahoga-Falls-board-suspends-DEI-policy-until-next-meeting-after-heated-debate-over-federal-guidance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6050532-9c51c834e8077f4cdc5ce3f454bb27e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775204344&Signature=GaX7nh-MokCdNENAuC0GSiWCRwQfYndMFs4b2ZjEG2FM9k1-P3ZefVAJitrsQXcyVzrGW5JG0sqlvsccQzGfnTdEuJgJYTPaE2dju~2ZuNLVK-QazgEjIRlbaOLgbFYm-Ny1R2~twK1I7nkkAVucd5ozpL5y1PUXjL-hU6HRGadu9NHmK9p4PXQXohxrnYyiPRhKVqD7dY52ULpUKCPWXQvJEviA-VndJtR0Fejs57NMLo1bgjb1Helua-rvSYRGBXsvY1~6nTnVu0aZuJtk94px1GJtynZfrjW-oqCQ5yVu8oQCwQBZfUd9Abx408smzh~0ChSfCuR1HqCv8KifpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cuyahoga Falls Board of Education members voted unanimously April 9 to suspend board policy AEA — the district's diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) policy — until the board's next meeting, following a two-hour discussion about federal guidance and a looming state certification deadline.

The suspension vote (motion as amended) passed 5-0 after board members and the superintendent's office described recent federal and state actions that could affect districts receiving federal funds. Superintendent Dr. Celico told the board the U.S. Department of Education had issued guidance and that the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) requested signed certifications from districts by April 18, 2025; she said the district must act now to avoid risking federal funding. \"We need to ensure that our district does not lose our federal funding,\" she said during the discussion.

The vote came after an earlier motion to amend the board's suspension procedure (item 3 on the agenda) failed. That motion, to alter board policy BFF so a suspension would remain in effect \u00153until further notice\u00154rather than terminating at the next meeting, was put to roll call and failed 0-5. The separate motion to suspend AEA until the next board meeting passed after board members amended the suspension language to explicitly end at the next meeting.

Why it mattered

Board members said they were balancing two imperatives: protect federal funding streams that support district programs and preserve policies the board believes support students' needs. Board member Patty White criticized the national debate and the language behind the federal and state directives, calling the situation \u00153dumb.\u00154 Board member Mister Gomez urged precision in implementation, noting the federal materials focus on race-based, not all, DEI programs: \"It never once says that we can't have any DEI programs,\" he said, arguing the district can maintain lawful DEI-related work that does not give preferential treatment by race.

Discussion highlights and legal context

- Superintendent Dr. Celico summarized federal and state steps: a U.S. Department of Education memo (early April 2025) and an ODEW request that districts sign a Title VI-related certification by April 18, 2025. Board members said that timeline created urgency.

- Board members and the superintendent said legal counsel advised caution. Several board members said they had been told by outside counsel and district attorneys to delay signing anything until pending court rulings clarified the federal guidance.

- Board members debated whether to rescind policy language outright or temporarily suspend it to allow the policy committee and legal counsel to draft compliant language. Several trustees argued suspension would buy time to carefully review policy wording and avoid unintended cuts to student programs.

Votes and next steps

- Motion (failed): Amend board policy BFF so suspensions do not terminate at the next meeting — FAILED, roll call 0-5.

- Motion (passed, as amended): Suspend policy AEA (DEIB) until the board's next meeting — PASSED, roll call 5-0.

Board members directed administration and legal counsel to convene the policy committee and produce recommended policy language (or confirm compliance steps) for consideration at the next meeting. Several trustees said they expected a policy-committee meeting on short notice so the board can evaluate proposed changes in public session and avoid risking federal funds while also preserving programs the board considers important.

Ending

The board's suspension leaves the underlying policy in place but inactive until members revisit the matter at the next public meeting. Trustees said they will use the intervening time to consult legal counsel, review federal and state developments (including any court rulings), and develop specific policy language for public review.

","The Cuyahoga Falls Board of Education voted unanimously to suspend policy AEA (diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging) until the next meeting after a lengthy public discussion about an April federal memo and an April 18 certification deadline from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cuyahoga Falls board approves agenda, hiring, contracts and multiple policy adoptions; security cameras approved 4-1

Cuyahoga Falls board suspends DEI policy until next meeting after heated debate over federal guidance