Cleveland Metropolitan School District

The board conducted a business meeting that included a consent agenda covering various legal, finance, operations, IT, academic, and culture resolutions. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a presentation from the Chief Financial Officer regarding the fiscal year budget, which included discussion on the district's deficit reduction strategies, staffing adjustments, and the four-year forecast. The board also reviewed the impact of cost savings measures and discussed external rating agencies' assessments of the district's financial health.

The board meeting included a formal recognition for retiring staff members and a presentation from the Deputy Director of Honesty for Ohio Education regarding the state's public school funding landscape. Key topics addressed during the presentation included the complex tax structure, the impact of tax cuts on revenue, the decline in the state's share of public school funding, the status of the Fair School Funding Plan, and the fiscal implications of voucher programs and charter schools on the district.

This strategic plan, titled "CMSD is Growing Momentum (Our Strategic Path Forward)," outlines five core strategic priorities: establishing a safe and supportive culture, strengthening an engaging instructional core, fostering educator learning, maintaining a coherent central system, and building an engaged community. It is underpinned by core values including Equity & Inclusion, Student & Community Focused, Growth & Learning, Care & Well-being, and Excellence & Achievement. The plan establishes five-year goals across key areas such as college and career readiness, academic achievement, culture and climate, and equity, aiming to improve scholar outcomes and organizational effectiveness.

The board meeting included special recognitions for two principals: Amanda Rodriguez of Clark School was named Ohio Elementary School Principal of the Year, and Principal Davis of Garrett Morgan High School received the William M. Jones Harvard Business School Club of Northeast Ohio Excellence in School Management Award. The public participation segment featured comments from students and community members expressing concerns regarding school mergers, layoffs, and the importance of specific school programs such as the International Newcomers Academy.

This document outlines recommended scenarios for the Cleveland Municipal School District's School Facilities Master Plan, updated since 2012 and covering the period until 2019. The plan is guided by three core principles: aligning with Ohio Facilities Construction Commission allowances, supporting quality school choice through The Cleveland Plan's portfolio strategy, and addressing both short-term and long-term facility needs. Key focus areas include leveraging existing Issue 14 buildings, making decisions on other active school buildings, and considering new construction, refresh/modification of existing sites, and minimizing school closings to accommodate growth and shifting enrollment patterns across neighborhood clusters.