Erie City School Board forms naming committee, backs CRIS resolution and approves routine bills

The School District of the City of Erie Board of Directors on Dec. 11 voted to form a committee to review a community proposal to rename Harding Elementary School, approved a resolution supporting the Erie City Revitalization and Improvement Zone Authority (CRIS), and approved routine consent items including bills and payroll.

Board President Dr. Jay Brenneman convened the meeting in the East Middle School auditorium. Superintendent Mr. Plato reported that most central offices, including child accounting and special education, have moved to 1910 Sassafras Street and reminded the public that district offices will be closed Dec. 24'Jan. 1 and classes resume Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.

The board approved a motion to create a naming committee in accordance with board policy 701.1 to evaluate a community proposal to rename Harding Elementary School. The motion directs the board president to appoint a board member to chair the committee and directs the superintendent or the superintendent's designee to assist the committee with membership, resources and a timeline as outlined in board policy. Board members said the step preserves a transparent, multi-step review process and does not itself rename the school.

Separately, the board approved a resolution supporting the city's application to establish the Erie City Revitalization and Improvement Zone Authority (CRIS), which a board member who serves on the CRIS authority described as "an amazing opportunity" and said the program could bring roughly $15,000,000 a year of investment into the city over the next 30 years. That board member noted the district resolution was requested by state officials to complete Erie's application to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). The resolution passed on roll call with one abstention.

Board members also completed the annual first reading of the board rules as required by Section 407 of the School Code and approved routine business items on the consent agenda, including the schedule of bills and board-authorized payrolls for November. A board member abstained from the bills vote citing a family financial relationship disclosed on the record; otherwise, motions passed by roll call.

Committee and liaison reports included a quarterly wellness council update and a presentation of Erie High Community School directors' recent work: a community closet supporting about 60 families, attendance incentives that drew a participation event of more than 500 students, new after-school clubs (Key Club and E-Sports) and a staff "zen" room funded in part by United Way. Board members also gave brief reports about the superintendent search process: the application opened Nov. 27 and closes Jan. 3; the board will meet with consultant Ray and Associates on Jan. 14 to review applicants.

During general discussion trustees thanked district staff and contractors for snow-removal efforts after a heavy storm and for clearing sidewalks and entryways at school buildings. Operations staff and contractors were credited for quickly opening buildings and clearing priority sidewalks and routes.

No formal policy changes were adopted at this meeting beyond the first reading of board rules; the naming committee creation and the CRIS resolution move those items forward for later consideration or external approvals.

Votes at a glance

- Formation of naming committee (board policy 701.1): Motion approved on roll call; mover and seconder as recorded in the minutes. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution supporting Erie City Revitalization and Improvement Zone Authority (CRIS): Motion approved on roll call. Outcome: approved; roll call yielded seven yes, zero no, one abstention. The abstention was recorded on the public roll call.

- Consent items (items 8 and 9) including routine approvals: Motion approved on roll call. Outcome: approved.

- Schedule of bills: Motion approved on roll call. Outcome: approved; one abstention recorded by a board member who disclosed a family financial relationship.

- Board-authorized payrolls (Nov. 1'30): Motion approved on roll call. Outcome: approved.

What happens next

The naming committee will follow the steps required by board policy to solicit public input and hold hearings before making a recommendation to the board. The CRIS resolution enables the city's application to DCED to proceed; any investment or project activity identified through CRIS would depend on state approval and later project-level decisions. The superintendent search timeline continues: the application window closes Jan. 3 and the board will meet with its consultant on Jan. 14 to review applicants.