Board debates guardrails, timeline as CPS begins new strategic‑plan process

Cincinnati Public Schools board members on Oct. 20 spent an extended session clarifying how the district will balance existing strategic-plan guardrails with a new strategic planning process the administration plans to start this winter.

The board’s discussion focused on whether to continue reporting the previously adopted guardrails, how the superintendents recently approved five evaluation goals relate to the expiring strategic plan, and the timeline for procuring a facilitator and completing a new plan.

Superintendent Murphy told the board she will proceed “at the pleasure of the board” but said the administration and treasurer had already sketched a timeline to begin vendor procurement in October–November, select a vendor in December, and run community engagement and listening sessions in January–February. Chief Burkhart outlined a reverse‑engineered…