|
Heads up! Our parent watchdogs have scanned the upcoming agenda for Cincinnati Public Schools. We found 5 items that need your immediate attention before the vote.
| 🚨 HIGH CONCERN (LEVEL 9) |
|
Tax Increase to Fund ‘Equity’ Agenda
| 📅 Vote Scheduled July 13, 2026 |
The Board is voting on resolutions to place a massive new tax levy on the ballot. The district’s own presentation (Item F.5) justifies the tax hike by promising to fund ‘Student-Centered Equity,’ ‘Coordinated Student Support,’ and a ‘Graduate Profile.’ This is a direct admission that they want more of your money to shift the focus from core academics to social and emotional programming.
Recommended Action Plan
PACK THE ROOM: This is about the money. Call Board President Eve Bolton at (513) 363-0425 and tell her: ‘Do not use an ‘Equity’ agenda to justify a tax increase. Focus on academics, not social engineering. Vote NO on the levy resolutions.’
💰 Taxpayer Impact: Up to an 8.0 Mill Property Tax or 0.75% Income Tax Increase
|
| 🚨 HIGH CONCERN (LEVEL 9) |
|
Approving Secret Contracts with a Blank Report
| 📅 Vote Scheduled July 13, 2026 |
Item K.1, the Treasurer’s Report, is on the consent agenda for a quick, bundled vote. This report is supposed to list all contracts and agreements for approval. However, the attached PDF is just a blank template with no information. The Board is being asked to approve a secret, unknown list of financial commitments without any public disclosure. This is a major transparency violation and an abuse of the consent agenda.
Recommended Action Plan
DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Email Treasurer Michael Gustin at gustinm@cpsboe.k12.oh.us and Superintendent Shauna Murphy at murphys@cps-k12.org: ‘Item K.1 must be pulled from the Consent Agenda. The public deserves to see a full list of contracts before you vote to approve them. Voting on a blank report is unacceptable.’
|
| 🚨 HIGH CONCERN (LEVEL 8) |
|
Hiding Social-Emotional Learning Costs in Grants
| 📅 Discussion Scheduled July 13, 2026 |
The budget presentation (Item F.1) reveals the district is using a ‘$900k Boost Grant for Positive School Culture.’ ‘Positive School Culture’ is a common euphemism for Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and restorative justice programs. While they may claim to be cutting costs, they are using ‘strings-attached’ grant money to fund these ideological programs, making the spending harder for parents to track.
Recommended Action Plan
OPT-OUT ALERT: Email Superintendent Shauna Murphy at murphys@cps-k12.org: ‘Regarding the $900k Boost Grant mentioned in the budget update, what are the specific requirements and mandates attached to this funding? Parents need to know what data will be collected on our children under the banner of ‘Positive School Culture.”
💰 Taxpayer Impact: $900,000 (Grant Funding)
|
| ⚠️ NEEDS REVIEW (LEVEL 7) |
|
Vague ‘Superintendent’s Recommendations’ Hidden on Consent Agenda
| 📅 Vote Scheduled July 13, 2026 |
Item J.1 is a vaguely titled ‘Superintendent’s Recommendations’ placed on the consent agenda for a quick, no-discussion vote. This is a classic tactic to pass controversial items like hiring DEI consultants, approving new curriculum, or changing school policies without drawing attention. The attached file must be examined closely.
Recommended Action Plan
INVESTIGATE: Review the file ‘6_Superintendent Recommendations 07.13.26.pdf’ attached in the Official Agenda linked above. Email the Board at (513) 363-0425: ‘Pull Item J.1 from the consent agenda for a separate discussion and roll-call vote. The public deserves to know what the Superintendent is recommending.’
|
| ⚠️ NEEDS REVIEW (LEVEL 7) |
|
Secret Strategic Plan Update
| 📅 Discussion Scheduled July 13, 2026 |
Under Item F.4, the Superintendent is giving an ‘update’ on the district’s new Strategic Plan, but no documents have been provided to the public ahead of the meeting. The Strategic Plan is the district’s roadmap and is where ideological goals like DEI, SEL, and ‘Global Citizenship’ are formally adopted. Keeping this document from parents until the meeting is a deliberate lack of transparency.
Recommended Action Plan
DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Email Superintendent Shauna Murphy at murphys@cps-k12.org: ‘The public must have access to the full draft of the Strategic Plan before you present an update to the Board. We will not accept a plan that was developed behind closed doors.’
|
|