The District has been working with the City of University Heights since February on logistics surrounding the Wiley Campus/Temporary Heights High. Safety and security is expected to be the main topic at the University Heights Planning Commission meeting on Tuesday, October 14 at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Dolan Science Center Auditorium, on the campus of John Carroll University, 1 John Carroll Boulevard, University Heights. See campus map of Dolan Science Center at bottom.
The public is encouraged to attend the meeting to learn more about the plans. Public comments and questions are permitted.
The District has provided solutions to all of the issues raised by the Planning Commission and department heads. The primary issue that has yet to be resolved is the safety and security plan.
The District cannot accept the City’s request to have the District purchase 5 new police cars and to pay for the hiring of 5 full-time police officers and the promotion of one officer to sergeant. The District is not permitted to buy police cars for the City, nor pay the City for 5 full-time year round police officers. The District can only spend funds for school-related purposes.
The District has proposed several alternatives to the City’s safety and security request. The most recent proposal includes partnering with the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department for the services of three deputies who will work on the school grounds and in the surrounding neighborhoods.
In addition, the District will have up to twelve (12) security monitors stationed on and around the Wiley Campus. The District is requesting that University Heights hire two (2) crossing guards and that the District and University Heights share the cost, similar to the District’s partnership with the City of Cleveland Heights. The District’s initial proposal included the hiring of University Heights Police officers rather than Sheriff Deputies. Both proposals will be discussed on Tuesday night.
Although the District has not yet secured approval for either of its proposals, both are sufficiently detailed to allow for consideration by the City. On Tuesday night, the District will be seeking approval from the Planning Commission for the overall Wiley Campus Plan, contingent upon obtaining final approval for one of its safety and security plans. It is common practice for a Planning Commission to grant such a conditional approval.
The District is expecting the Planning Commission to vote on the Plans that night. Any further delay of the project could create a financial hardship for the District and threaten our ability to meet the objective of providing continuous, quality education to our students.