CMSD schedules more planning meetings

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District will resume meetings to plan the future of the District’s academic programs and facilities, with the first session scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 at Max S. Hayes High School, 2211 W. 65th St.

The first five meetings will focus on all high schools, allowing the District to share data and collect feedback on academic quality, enrollment trends and forecasts, and building use and conditions. One of those meetings will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 at New Tech Collinwood High School, 15210 St. Clair Ave.

The next five meetings will include presentation of proposed recommendations for both K-8 and high schools. For a schedule of meetings, go to qualityschoolsforCLEkids.org

Meetings on K-8 schools were held in the spring.

The District is trying to efficiently use limited resources, which could mean consolidating some schools and closing some buildings. The goal is to keep the pledge, included in The Cleveland Plan, to make quality education available to every neighborhood.

CMSD has more than 100 schools, and enrollment in a majority of the schools is below capacity. As a result, programs and resources are stretched. The challenges are not limited to the District; charter and private schools are affected, too.

The school board and the Bond Accountability Commission recommended that CMSD revisit a five-year-old building plan based on current neighborhood population and enrollment patterns, changes in academic programming and rising construction costs. The commission is an independent watchdog created to monitor an ongoing modernization program that the District is paying for with state funds and a local bond issue.

For more information on school planning, go to qualityschoolsforCLEkids.org.