October 9, 2025, Academic and Community Excellence Planning (ACE) Process 2nd Meeting - John E. Ford (2025-10-09)

Meeting Notes: ACE – Modify Magnet Status/Boundary Change | John E. Ford K-8 Montessori/Spanish Montessori – Thursday, October 9, 2025 John E. Ford K-8 Montessori/Spanish Montessori Working Group Meeting called to order at 6:02 p.m. Present: District Staff: Dr. Jennifer Boatright, Jackie Simmons, Gary Bryan and Edith Kath School Based Administrators: Tina Bennett, Principal – John E. Ford; Shana Ingram, Assistant Principal – John E. Ford; and Barbara Sims, Principal – S. P. Livingston Working Group Members: Name Role Michelle Buckley Parent/Guardian John E. Ford Ameenah Haden Student John E. Ford Erika Cunamay School Staff John E. Ford Elizabeth Cosme School Staff John E. Ford Tiffany Watson Supporting Org. John E. Ford Ann Haden Local Comm. Mbr. John E. Ford Nan Brooks- Hoyle Local Comm. Mbr. John E. Ford Dan Herbin Civic Org. John E. Ford Working Group members were present thereby establishing a quorum (11 members x .50) + 1. Seven members are required, eight present. This ACE Process is a method to engage the community in district recommendations as it relates to the modification of the existing magnet program. Working Group Discussion: Chair called the meeting to order, and Policy 8.51 was reviewed. The working group was asked if they had any clarifying questions or further discussion of the information presented at the last meeting. There being none, Chair then asked for a motion from the committee to either dedicate or remain a neighborhood school. A motion was made and seconded to recommend to the Superintendent that the magnet status of John E. Ford K-8 be changed to a dedicated magnet keeping the theme of Montessori/Spanish Montessori. The Chair called for a vote. The motion passed with 6 in favor and 2 opposing. At this time, Mr. Bryan welcomed the working group members from S. P. Livingston ES and Andrew Robinson ES to enter discussion regarding the re-zoning of the current John E. Ford attendance boundary.

Working Group Members: Name Role Barbara Sims Principal S. P. Livingston Fabian Taylor School Staff S. P. Livingston Larose Lovett Supporting Org. S. P. Livingston It was noted that no one from Andrew Robinson ES was present. Mr. Bryan explained that adding the new working group members presented a need to review Open Governance training. The training video was shown to the entire group. Request for Public Comments presented to everyone in attendance. No audience members presented public comments. Mr. Bryan reviewed both Option 1 and Option 2 with data provided reflecting the student make-up within each option. Options discussed by the entire working group: • Option 1 – Move entire existing John E. Ford K-8 attendance boundary to Andrew Robinson ES. • Option 2 – Move existing John E. Ford K-8 attendance boundary falling west of I-95 to S. P. Livingston and the existing John E. Ford K-8 attendance boundary falling east of I-95 to Andrew Robinson. The working group discussed the two options recognizing that Option 2 provided a safer distribution due to the fact that no students would have to cross the busy highway of I-95. After discussion ended, the Chair then asked for a motion from the entire committee to either recommend Option 1 or Option 2 related to re-zoning the current John E. Ford attendance boundary. A motion was made and seconded to recommend Option 2 to the Superintendent. The Chair called for a vote. The motion passed unanimously with all 11 members voting for Option 2. Mr. Bryan then explained that there would be no need for a third meeting. He explained to the group that a meeting notice had been posted for a third meeting, but that notice would be cancelled on the district website. He then explained how an executive summary would be created listing the working group’s recommendation and that the summary would be forwarded to the Superintendent. An agenda item would then be created presenting the Superintendent’s final recommendation to the School Board for a vote. Mr. Bryan explained that there would be a final community meeting to be held on a future date. He also informed the working group that a Public Hearing would be held at the November 4, 2025, School Board meeting regarding this recommendation. Mr. Bryan thanked the working group for their participation in this ACE process. The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.