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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-25-20 Council and SBCSC Minutes REPORT OF SUB-COMMITTEE ON MINUTES TO THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND: THE SUB-COMMITTEE HAS INSPECTED THE MINUTES OF THE February 25, 2020 MEETING OF THE COUNCIL AND FOUND THEM TO BE CORRECT. THEREFORE,WE RECOMMEND THE SAME BE APPROVED: TIM SCOTT KE TESHKA APPROVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL ON: March 9, 2020 ATTEST: Za�' � 72/6. , aWN M.JONES, CIT ICLERK REGULAR MEETING February 25, 2020 Be it remembered that the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana met at Nuner Fine Arts Academy, South Bend, IN on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Council President Tim Scott and the Invocation (Councilmember Jake Teshka) and Pledge to the Flag were given. ROLL CALL COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Tim Scott 1St District Henry Davis Jr. 2nd District Sharon L. McBride 3rd District Troy Warner 4th District Jake Teshka 5th District Sheila Niezgodski 6th District Rachel Tomas Morgan At-Large Lori K. Hamann At-Large Karen L. White At-Large OTHERS PRESENT: Dawn M. Jones City Clerk Bianca Tirado Chief Deputy Clerk Graham Sparks Deputy Clerk Lisa Horton Clerk Executive Assistant Gabriel Murei Ordinance Violations Bureau Clerk Bob Palmer Council Attorney OPENING STATEMENTS BY BOTH ENTITY PRESIDENTS South Bend Community School Corporation Board President John Anella thanked all for being at the meeting. He stressed the importance of strong schools and how a City's overall strength is dependent on the strength of the community's schools. He believes every child in the community, and country, deserves a quality education. He also believes there is a lot of energy to move the conversation and collaboration forward. South Bend Common Council President Tim Scott agreed with President Anella and his remarks. He believes all quality of life issues stem from the educational system within a community. He believes now is the time to put campaign talking points into action. He agrees with now being the time to have this joint meeting because of all the new energy on the respective bodies and with the respective bodies' Administrations. He thanked Vice President Karen White and Councilmember Troy Warner for pushing for the conversation. STATEMENTS MADE BY MAYOR JAMES MUELLER AND SUPERINTENDENT DR. TODD CUMMINGS Mayor James Mueller thanked the Council and the South Bend Community School Board for bringing together the conversation as well as all present at the meeting to take part of the conversation. He believes this conversation marks a beginning for a new way forward for both the City and the South Bend Community School Corporation. He mentioned South Bend's economic turn-around and noted the commonalities between that situation and the situation the South Bend Community School Corporation is in with respect to their unique challenges. He enumerated declining enrollment, teacher shortages, low graduation rates, disparate discipline and failing schools as some of those challenges. He believes the South Bend Community School Corporation is up to tackling those challenges and looks forward to the City helping where and how they can. He wants to establish a cradle-to-career ecosystem. He also called on community anchors to join in and help realize this vision, speaking specifically to the business communities,higher education communities and the trades. He believes it starts with honest dialogue and full transparency. He REGULAR MEETING February 25, 2020 posed a few directing questions for the impending dialogue: How can our schools right-size their operations for the number of anticipated students in the coming years? How can we increase teacher pay to attract and retain talent?How can our schools direct more dollars into the classroom? How can our schools coexist with charters that the State Legislature will continue promoting?How can we turn around failing schools with empowerment zones and innovation schools?How can we achieve racial equity and discipline?He wants to restart the City-Schools Compact discussion with a blank slate and wants the bodies to commit to bold action, together. He wants every child in South Bend to be set up for success. Superintendent Dr. Todd Cummings thanked all for being there. He believes this meeting is both historic and long overdue. He recognized the role both bodies play in ensuring the health and vitality of the community. He believes it is time to leverage South Bend's momentum and upward trajectory to benefit every resident pre-kindergarten through twelfth(12th)grade. He looks forward to continued collaboration among the community's leaders. He believes South Bend Schools are turning a page by building trust,creating transparency and advancing opportunities for every single student. He believes this meeting marks the start of a mutually beneficial partnership that will have a positive impact on every citizen's wellbeing. DISCUSSION ON IDEAS OF COOPERATION AND COLLABORATION The Council and the School Board had an informal discussion that ranged approximately forty- five (45) minutes where they discussed ideas of increasing cooperation and collaboration. Ideas ranged from sharing spaces and joining programming to looking at the larger picture to get to the root of these problems the schools and the community faces. STATEMENT OF DEFINITIVE ACTIONS ITEMS It was generally agreed upon that the two (2) entities must look toward fixing the root issues and not just treating the symptoms of the problems. It was concluded that the conversation must continue and must be elevated to address the root causes of the problems our community faces. CLOSING STATEMENTS BY COUNCIL AND SCHOOL BOARD Closing statements were given by one(1) School Board Member (Leslie Ann Wesley) and one (1) Council Member(Karen L. White.) PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Sixteen(16)citizens spoke to the Joint Council/Board on a range of issues related to teacher,parent and student experiences. Issues of racial equity, fair teacher pay and discipline were among the heart of the sentiments given from the citizens. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council President Tim Scott adjourned the meeting at 8:09 p.m. 2