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Parents and staff at Cincinnati's Fairview urge independent investigation into school climate
Summary
Multiple parents and staff at the July 13 Cincinnati Public Schools board meeting renewed calls for an independent investigation into culture and discipline at Fairview, arguing the district's action plan is insufficient and urging transparency before any levy asks.
Tiffany LaCour, a parent and LSDMC representative at Fairview, opened public comments at the July 13 Cincinnati Public Schools board meeting by urging the board to commission an independent investigation into the school's culture and climate. "An action plan identifies what the district believes should change. An independent investigation determines whether the district has identified everything that needs to change," LaCour said, adding that more families have come forward with similar concerns and that some parents feared retaliation for speaking up.
Several speakers echoed that call. Lauren Campbell Kong told trustees the district's June 29 action plan is "performative" and lacks detail about the restorative practices it references. "When discriminatory and illegal incidents are met with complicity, it communicates that such behavior is acceptable," she said, urging the board to choose "action over inaction." Parent Courtney Reeder Miller described repeated disciplinary concerns at Fairview affecting her son and cited data she said shows disproportionate referrals for Black students.
Other speakers framed the appeals as part of a broader failure of accountability. Community leader Colleen O'Connor said the district faces a "youth crisis" and argued adults must stop blaming one another and take coordinated stewardship for children's outcomes. School staff who spoke described the practical consequences of staff reductions: Jillian Whitaker, a CPS employee and parent, said cuts to counselors and social workers have forced teachers and administrators to cover urgent student needs, sometimes using personal funds to help families.
Superintendent Murphy and other officials heard the comments during the public-comment period; the district has already prepared an action plan and is conducting additional internal work, but speakers said that is insufficient without an independent outside review. Several speakers linked the demand for a full accounting to future levy discussions, arguing taxpayers deserve transparency before being asked for new money.
The board did not take an immediate vote on launching an independent investigation during the meeting. Trustees and the administration agreed to continue discussing Fairview concerns as part of ongoing oversight and implementation planning related to the district's strategic priorities and budget work.
