CPS

A 1999 tax abatement agreement between the City of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Public Schools is set to expire. Now the city and CPS are at odds over renegotiating the deal.

The Cincinnati School Board heard a report Monday night from the Community Building Institute at Xavier University with ideas for the former Mercy High School. Board President Carolyn Jones talked with WVXU's Maryanne Zeleznik about the report. 

Cincinnati Public Schools Superintendent Laura Mitchell says she is focused on the three Es -- enrolled, enlisted, employed -- as the district tries to prepare students for graduation and keep them in Cincinnati after commencement. It's hoped a variety of partnerships, including one with the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, will further the goal.

It's still uncertain where students, staff and teachers will park when classes resume next week at Cincinnati's School for the Creative and Performing Arts. A City Council Committee met for more than an hour Tuesday but nothing was decided.

There are no more tents on Clifton Avenue and the week-long campouts to enroll in Cincinnati Public Schools' magnet program are over. In 2015, CPS switched from a first-come, first-served approach, to the new lottery system for filling its magnet school programs. Parents may begin online applications November 13, 2017 for the 2018-19 school year.

On the district's first day back, Ohio's State Superintendent of Public Instruction Paolo DeMaria got a first hand look Wednesday at a new CPS school and specialized programs, saying he was confident "the kids.... are bound for a great education."

This week the parents of an 8-year-old boy who committed suicide filed a wrongful death suit against Cincinnati Public Schools. Cincinnati City Council approved the controversial expansion of Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Avondale. FC Cincinnati continues to attract sell-out crowds and still hopes to build a new stadium. And Bruce Willis is back in town filming his next movie.

The next great business leaders may be working on their sales pitches at an elementary school near you. Cincinnati Public Schools launched its Vision 2020 initiative in 2016. The idea is to strengthen neighborhood schools through specialized new programming in partnership with the community. At Rothenberg Preparatory Academy and Westwood School business acumen is the focus. Students in the 5th and 6th grades design, start and maintain their own businesses as part of the schools' Student Enterprise Program. Local business owners visit the classrooms to give real-world advice to the young entrepreneurs.

Cincinnati Public Schools is offering its top job to Laura Mitchell. The school board announced the decision Tuesday.