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Board weighs bringing athletic directors back in-house amid budget review; motion withdrawn pending administration timeline
Summary
Trustees reviewed athletics spending and participation and discussed a proposal to move athletic directors from ABC back into CPS employment. A motion to bring ADs back was introduced then withdrawn for further work by administration; trustees asked the superintendent for a recommended timeline.
The Cincinnati Public Schools board discussed March 17 whether to end the ABC contract that provides athletic administrative services and bring athletic directors back as CPS employees. Administration presented an overview of athletics spending — roughly $6.8 million in general fund expenditures this year including Schedule E stipends for coaches and a contract with ABC — and participation data showing about 8,600 student-athlete entries across school levels (multi-sport students counted more than once).
Why this matters: bringing athletic directors in-house would change administrative control and could shift costs. Administration provided an initial cost comparison showing a small near-term cost difference but also noted differences in fringe rates, centralized administration and implementation logistics.
Board debate: Board Member Weinberg introduced a motion asking CPS to take athletic directors back as district employees "based on the superintendent's recommendation regarding timeline." Vice President Bolton seconded. Superintendent Murphy said she supported the concept in principle but requested time to coordinate internally and present a recommended time frame and implementation plan; trustees asked for a clear date and more detailed financial and operational analysis tied to ABC’s contract schedule.
Outcome: the mover withdrew the motion and asked administration to return with a recommendation at a future board meeting. No formal board action was taken March 17.
Other details: Trustees emphasized the importance of athletic trainers and the large role extracurricular activities play in students’ social, emotional and academic development. Trustees also asked administration to improve data collection on fine arts and club participation to produce a fuller picture of extracurricular engagement and cost per participant.
Next steps: Superintendent Murphy will return with a recommendation on timeline and detailed cost/operational impacts so trustees can consider a scheduled transition if recommended.
