The public will receive more feedback from Cincinnati Board of Education members — and more information about how the board does its job — in the coming year.

        Board members met Friday to talk about the best and most efficient ways to conduct business while giving the public more information than it has in the past.

        The theme of more public accountability is a common thread in the board's discussions, said Gloria Frazier, a consultant hired to help the board and Superintendent Steven Adamowski work together.
       

"This is a working body'
        Members said they need more updates from Mr. Adamowski and his staff about what's happening in the district — whether it's transferring teachers or spending grant money — so they are informed when the public asks questions.

        “What we need to do is project to the public that this is a working body and we actually do something,” member John Gilligan said.

        When residents address the board at meetings, they have three minutes to talk on any issue. In general, there is not much response from the board.

        That will change.

        In the future, Rick Williams, board president, may offer an update on situations, or tell people they can discuss them with a board committee.

        District employees will not be allowed to address the board on personnel, program or other job-related issues that are to be handled through in-house procedures.

        Two new committees — personnel and legislative/governmental issues - were added to external relationships, facilities, finance and programming. The external relationships committee will also work to develop schools as community centers.
       

Committees change
        The group will also change the way committees handle business. Instead of board committees researching issues and making recommendations to the board, committees will now present data for discussion among all board members.

        Decisions will then be made by the full board.

        “This is so that committee recommendations don't just sail through,” Mr. Williams said. “This way there is a better chance that no one feels at a loss because they aren't on a specific committee.”

        These subtle changes reflect the board's increased skill in focusing on systemwide issues that affect everyone the district serves, said Mrs. Frazier, who also assists leaders of big-city schools in Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and San Diego.

        “This is not a board of seven individuals, with seven different ideas and seven perspectives,” Mrs. Frazier said. “This is seven perspectives all working together to come to a common understanding as a shared board.”

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