At the September meeting, the Cleveland Public Schools Board of Education addressed several important topics that reflect both our current priorities and our long-term vision for the district. Discussions included enrollment trends, facility improvements, student support systems, financial planning, and new partnerships designed to help students succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

Routine Board Business

The board approved a number of routine consent agenda items, including financial reports, contracts, facility use requests, transportation requests, fundraising activities, and annual agreements necessary for the operation of the district.

Looking Ahead: Enrollment and Financial Planning

One of the most important discussions centered on district enrollment trends and what they mean for future planning.

Cleveland Public Schools served 1,505 students at the end of the 2024-25 school year. That number declined slightly to 1,476 students at the end of 2025-26, and our current enrollment stands at 1,426 students.

A primary factor is the difference between the number of graduating seniors and the size of our incoming early childhood classes. Combined, the Classes of 2025 and 2026 graduated 220 students, while current Pre-K and Kindergarten enrollment totals 149 students. This difference of 71 students is projected to impact next year's budget by approximately $300,000.

While these trends require careful planning, the district remains in a strong financial position. The board approved the annual Estimate of Needs, which establishes the legal spending authority for district funds, and will begin reviewing the full district budget in October.

Tiger Vision 2025 Update

Tiger Vision 2025 continues to make a visible impact across our campus.

Projects already completed or nearing completion include:

• High school roof replacement
• Indoor facility improvements
• Science classroom renovations
• Special education renovations
• Lecture hall classroom improvements
• Student Chromebook purchases

As several remaining projects entered the design and bidding process, updated construction estimates came in higher than originally anticipated, particularly for the Intermediate School cafeteria renovation and Middle School locker room project.

To ensure responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, the board approved a revised path forward that includes:

• Rebidding certain projects
• Completing storm drainage work through the district's building fund
• Continuing design work for high school gym, cafeteria, bathroom, and fine arts improvements
• Reevaluating project scopes where necessary
• Eventually bidding remaining work as a comprehensive package

Our commitment remains the same: delivering meaningful improvements for students while honoring the vision the community supported through the bond issue.

Investing in Safe Play Spaces

The board also approved plans to replace aging playground turf surfaces at the Primary and Intermediate Schools.

While repairs and patchwork efforts have extended the life of the existing turf, the condition of the surfaces has reached a point where replacement is necessary to maintain safe, high-quality play areas for students.

Strengthening Support for Students Through MTSS

The board received an update on the district's growing implementation of the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS).

MTSS is a framework that helps schools identify student needs early and provide targeted support in academics, behavior, attendance, and overall well-being. The system relies on collaboration between teachers, administrators, interventionists, counselors, support staff, and families to ensure students receive the right supports at the right time.

Through regular Tier 1, Tier 2 Academic, and Tier 2 Whole Student meetings, staff work together to review data, monitor progress, and develop intervention plans that help students succeed.

New Partnership: CarePortal

One of the most exciting developments shared with the board was Cleveland Public Schools' partnership with the 111Project's CarePortal program.

CarePortal connects schools with churches, businesses, civic organizations, and community members who are willing to help meet significant student and family needs. These needs may include clothing, coats, eyeglasses, alarm clocks, appliances, or other essentials that can impact a student's ability to thrive in school.

As part of our MTSS framework, CarePortal serves as an additional support option when existing school resources cannot fully address a need.

This partnership gives our community another opportunity to rally around local children and families while helping remove barriers to attendance, engagement, and academic success.

Continuing Our Climb

As we move deeper into the school year, we have already begun identifying successes, refining systems, and analyzing student achievement data. Like every school year, we find ourselves in the middle of the climb, working through challenges while keeping our focus on student success.

The destination remains the same: ensuring every student excels with Tiger Vision of HOPE for their future!