Great Oaks Institute of Technology and Career Development

Summary of the September 14, 2005 Board of Directors Meeting

Technology Conference Center

Laptops

Board members received laptops and basic instruction on their usage as part of an OSBA pilot project.  The desire is to conduct Board business with a paperless system.   

Community Policing Program

Roger McHugh, Director of the Tri-State Regional Community Policing Institute (RCPI), shared information about the Institute that was created to engage police officers and community members in partnerships to promote safe neighborhoods.  The Tri-State RCPI was established in 1997 as a partnership among Great Oaks, the Cincinnati Police Department, the National Conference for Community Justice and the Ohio Crime Prevention Association.  It was funded by the US Department of Justice.  Since then, the staff has trained more than 34,000 police, government, and community representatives in this concept.         

Policy Revisions

The Board of Directors revised the following policies:

Policy 4121                Avoidance of Conflicts of Interest

Policy 4121.1             Location for Married Couples

Projected Enrollment

Our enrollment in workforce development programs at the campuses and satellite units is 2762.  We anticipate serving 5,889 additional students at our affiliated schools in programs and services, such as Information Technology and the Teaching Professions.

2005 – 2006 Professional Development Plan

Our District’s professional development plan develops our vision by supporting associates in creating a high performing learning culture in which all our learners are successful.  Activities include:  ensuring the alignment of all instruction to meet state academic standards as well as the OGT, mentoring and supporting new associates, and assisting staff in working with diverse learners. 

2005 – 2006 Leadership Academy Plan

Six years ago, the Great Oaks Leadership Academy was established to develop quality educational leaders with a focus on workforce development.  Eighty-three participants have graduated from the classes, including staff from Cincinnati State and Butler Tech.  Twenty-two Great Oaks participants have moved into new leadership positions in education.  This year the Academy will add participants from Warren County Career Center.

Ventures for Excellence

To ensure that we place highly qualified and effective teachers and administrators in every position, Great Oaks has been using the “Ventures for Excellence” process for applicant screening and selection for the last two years. This is a researched-based, nationally recognized screening and interview process. 

Occupancy Agreements

The Board of Directors approved renewal of Occupancy/Use Agreements with the American Red Cross to utilize space at Diamond Oaks as an emergency shelter, and the Hamilton County Environmental Services to house air monitoring equipment on the roof of Scarlet Oaks.

Laurel Oaks Functionality Study

We continue to study what changes need to be made to our facilities to better serve the needs of our students and communities.  As renovations progress at Scarlet, we are undertaking demographic and facility studies of the Laurel Oaks campus.  At this time, there are no plans to sell any land or buildings.   

Construction Update

The HVAC lab at Diamond Oaks and the Health Tech lab at Laurel Oaks are completed.  Entrances and signage at Scarlet Oaks, as well as space for adult services, are well under way.

Name Changes/Program Offerings

The Board of Directors approved the recommended name changes for programs, additional program offerings and program disinvestments for 2005-2006.   Some of the new programs include:

• College Algebra-Postsecondary Option – all campuses
• Marketing Technology – second unit – Indian Hill High School
• Veterinary Assisting – Diamond Oaks
• Project SEARCH programs – Xavier University, Hamilton County Parks, Fifth Third Bank
• Health Information Manager – Adult – Scarlet Oaks
• Math Strategies for Success – OGT – all campuses
• Heavy Equipment Operations and Engineering – Adult – Live Oaks   

Advisory Committee Recommendations

The Board of Directors approved over 1000 members who serve on advisory committees for the career instructional programs and operational centers.

Ohio Career Information System (OCIS) Leadership Grant

The Board of Directors approved participation in the OCIS Leadership Grant in the amount of $10,000.  The funds are used to provide professional development to ultimately increase understanding and usage of OCIS.

Articulation Agreements

The Board of Directors approved accepting an articulation agreement with Cincinnati State Technical and Community College.  These permit students to access credits towards a postsecondary degree for work mastered in secondary programs.

Report of the Board Chairman

Dr. Kathryn Lorenz invited Board members to participate in the following events:

• Great Oaks Family Day – October 23, 2005 at the Museum Center
• Southwest Ohio School Boards Meeting – October 13, 2005 in Miamisburg

Report of the President/CEO

Dr. Robin White reported on the following:

• Opening Day for full-time associates included the following associate recognitions: thirty-five new hires, ninety-three with perfect attendance, and ninety-two with over five years of service.
• On August 24, Fifth Third Bank held a reception at the Madisonville campus to honor the new Project SEARCH program.  This partnership trains students with special needs.
• Associate Joe Driehaus and student Teresa Carnes received awards for Outstanding Achievement in Special Education from an Ohio coalition of educational and special needs organizations.
• Great Oaks is encouraging associates who want to contribute to hurricane victims to support their local United Way.
• The Ohio School Board Association (OSBA) is fifty years old.  Board of Director members Ken Memke, Marilee Broscheid and Bill Brandenburgh have all received state recognition during that time.
• OSBA is honoring the Great Oaks and Hocking College Postsecondary Options Program at the Capital Conference Student Achievement Fair and Southwest Regional Meeting.
• The recent issue of Techniques, the professional journal for career and technical education, includes a story about the Great Oaks Sports Marketing class at Winton Woods High School.