Cincinnati Preschool Promise
Board of Managers
Minutes of Thursday, June 22, Special Public Meeting
Interact for Health Conference Room / 7:30a.m.
Board Members Present:
Deborah Mariner Allsop, Micah Kamrass, Dr. Kimya Moyo, John E. Pepper, Cheryl Rose, Steve Shifman, Pastor Ennis Tait, Timothy J. Fogarty, Terri C. England, Laura Sanregret, Sallie Westheimer
Board Members Absent:
Fr. Michael Graham, Gary Lindgren, O’Dell Owens, M.D., Jasmine Jones, Kathy Young
1. Welcome, Call to Order
John E. Pepper called the meeting to order at 7:31am and welcomed guests. He extended a special “thank you” to Cheryl Broadnax, Assistant Superintendent, Cincinnati Public Schools. Guests present were Calista Smith of CH Smith and Associates, Lee Black and Treigg Turner with the NAACP.
ACTION: A motion was made by John Pepper to approve the agenda. There were no objections.
Observers Present:
Greg Landsman, Cincinnati Preschool Alliance
Leshia Lyman, United Way of Greater Cincinnati
Kelley E. Bagayoko, Cincinnati Public Schools
Observers Absent:
Ross Meyer, United Way of Greater Cincinnati
Jennifer Wagner, Cincinnati Public Schools
Cincinnati Preschool Promise Staff Present:
Stephanie Byrd, Interim Executive Director
Vanessa White, Project Implementation Lead
Anne Sesler, Communications Consultant
Creola Dickerson, Senior Administrative Assistant
Parthenon-EY Staff Present:
Malavika / Dhawan / ConsultantDan / Lesser / Consultant
Chantal / McKay / Consultant
2. Opportunity for Comments
· Public – No comments were made.
· Observers – No comments were made.
Mr. Pepper acknowledged the progress and collaboration between Cincinnati Public Schools and Cincinnati Preschool Promise teams. He noted that continued success depends on how well we work together in making the best use of the money we have available.
3. Overview of Budget Discussions
· Micah Kamrass reported the desire of the group to continue collaborative meetings to maximize the success of entire program.
· Cincinnati Public Schools is projecting that a lot more current half day families will now choose to do full days because of this additional funding.
· It was agreed that the main goal of the partnership is to fully fund every 4YO< 200% of FPL the first year and beyond.
· Mr. Kamrass stated that the CPP and CPS teams came to a decision to have a pilot that will put education experts together to see how 3YO<200% FPL can be best impacted. Future funding requests will be based on the success of the first-year pilot from among 3YO’s who have the greatest need.
· Sallie Westheimer recommended that the Cost of Quality number be reviewed to determine whether to keep or adjust it in the future.
· Deborah Allsop suggested to use the term “contingency” instead of “reserve” when referencing funds being held for future years.
4. 2018 Budget
Stephanie Byrd shared that we will work toward full approval of budget voting on 4 key decision points.
Point #1: Tuition Assistance Allocation for 4YO<200% FPL
· Tuition Assistance projections for CPS and community providers are based on the expected number of children in school and the Master Agreement funding formula.
· Ms. Westheimer noted that it would be essential to look at numbers in November understanding the fluidity during the implementation period.
· Timothy Fogarty raised a question about paying substantially over the market rate per student. Vanessa White noted that the $8581 is the full cost of a quality 5-star program and that the majority of the children have other funding sources and will not use the full amount. Mr. Fogarty expressed concerns about how other CPS funding is factored into the $8581 allocation.
· Cheryl Broadnax (CPS) spoke to Cincinnati Public Schools plans to expand preschool and provided some clarity on special education dollars.
· Mr. Kamrass informed the Board that CPS Director of Student Services, Susan Bunte, is scheduled to attend CPP’s next Finance Working Group and/or Board meeting.
· Cheryl Broadnax explained that expansion would require bringing in new seats.
· There was discussion about the necessity for ensuring that community based providers having equity in access to special education funds. Mr. Kamrass recommended that the budget approval include the set aside of 880k for Special Education once mutually agreed upon approved.
· Mr. Pepper stated that continued collaboration will increase trust between CBO’s and CPS.
Steve Shifman left before vote at 8:40am.
Point #2: Retaining Funds from the Startup Period
· Ms. Byrd discussed whether to retain levy funds from the startup period to address the unknowns.
Point #3: How to Leverage Startup Period Funds if Retained
· Ms. Byrd gave points of consideration to fulfill the entire 5th year of the program.
Option 1: Startup period funds applied to second half of YR5. Plan to go for another levy in 2020.
Option 2: Startup period funds retained and distributed over years 1-5.
· Ms. Byrd recommended the board approve no more than 1.45 million for the first year of the 3YO pilot program.
· Mr. Pepper asked that we receive costs of 3YO pilot program from the working group at next Board Meeting.
Point #4: Non-Tuition Assistance Spend
· Ms. Byrd discussed the non-tuition components of the full-year budget, as well as the re-allocation of funds that were budgeted for but unused, are subject to approval. She recommended that the board work on individual line items of the operating budget in the coming weeks.
· Ms. Byrd noted that the special education figures will be rescaled.
· Ms. Byrd discussed the need to form Cost of Quality committee to look at how to apply the wage parity piece.
· Increasing costs of the executive search firm from 20,000 to a 35,000 maximum was discussed.
· Pastor Tait discussed Community Outreach and Parent/Provider Relations staffing. Ms. White noted that we have a contract with Amos through July using a relationship based, “door-to-door” outreach program.
ACTION: A motion to approve the 2018 budget and was made by Sallie Westheimer and seconded by Timothy Fogarty. The motion was unanimously approved.
Sallie Westheimer left after vote at 8:49am.
5. Conflict of Interest Policy
· A Conflict of Interest Policy is required to move forward with the Cincinnati Preschool Promise 501(c)3 filing.
· Signatures will be taken when the Board of Managers Team presents a working document on Governance Principles at next board meeting.
ACTION: A motion to adopt the Conflict of Interest Policy was made by Deborah Allsop and was seconded by John Pepper. The motion was unanimously approved.
6. Recent Media Coverage
· 6/21/2017 United Way Day of Action, Stuff the Streetcar for Cincinnati Preschool Promise.
· 6/21/2017 article in Cincinnati Magazine article “What Can We Expect from Preschool Promise?”
· Soapbox Media article “Preschool Promise: A Q&A with Anne Sesler”.
· Radio One ad campaign continues.
7. Adjourn
ACTION: Deborah Allsop made a motion to adjourn the special meeting at 9:03am. John Pepper seconded the motion.
Future Executive Committee Meetings:
July 11, 2017 – 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm
August 10, 2017 – 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Future Board Meetings:
July 18 – 3:00 to 5:00
August 14 – 3:00 to 5:00
All to be held at UWGC
Submitted by, Creola Dickerson, Senior Administrative Assistant, Cincinnati Preschool Promise
Cincinnati Preschool Promise Board Minutes / June 22, 2017 Page 1 of 5