At the recent Cleveland Schools Board of Education meeting, several important decisions and updates were shared that impact our students, staff, and community. Here’s a summary of the key topics discussed and actions taken:

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Consent Agenda Actions

The board approved routine housekeeping items, including:

• Minutes from the December 2, 2024, regular board meeting.
• Treasurer’s and financial reports.
• Fundraiser and facility use requests
• Approval of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the University of Oklahoma’s K20 Center for the GEAR UP grant.
• School district photographer contract.

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Exploration of a Four-Day School Week

The board approved moving forward with exploring a four-day school week for the 2025-26 school year. Over the next three months, we’ll gather feedback through staff and community surveys, research practices in neighboring districts, and consult our district calendar committee.
Key Non-Negotiables:

• Students will still have a minimum of 158 days on campus.
• Distance learning or virtual days will not be used to replace any of the 158 on campus days.

Your voice is critical in this process, so stay tuned for opportunities to share your thoughts! More details and survey opportunity released Friday afternoon!

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School Bond Issue Discussions

The board reviewed options for a potential bond package:

• Option: $19.83 million at 28 mills for 10 years, with a projected renewal timeline of 2032-2033.

Key considerations include balancing community support with district priorities, especially in light of the challenges many school bond proposals have faced recently. The results of upcoming January bond elections in other districts may provide valuable insights.

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Tiger Vision 2025 Priorities

The board approved updates to the Tiger Vision 2025 plan:

• Removed: High School Outdoor Plaza ($500,000).
• Revised: High School Partial Flooring budget redirected to remodeling the multi-use facility.

Balancing community needs with project costs remains our top priority. The full bond issue and priority list can be seen on our Tiger Vision Website and our Final Rough Draft announcement press release.

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Adjunct Teachers for Fine Arts

We’re thrilled to welcome Mrs. Cantrell and Mrs. Whited as adjunct instructors for art and music rotations. Their passion for the arts and dedication to our Tiger Family will enrich our students’ creative experiences.

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Activity Fund Deputies

To streamline processes and meet audit recommendations, Stacy Eddings and Kathy Kindell were named deputy activity fund custodians to assist with cash deposits and banking responsibilities.

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Financial Updates and Encumbrances

Key financial updates include:

• General Fund: Title IX Preventative Audit, CPAC furniture, and Microsoft renewal.
• Building Fund: A carport at the agricultural barn.
• Child Nutrition Fund: Miscellaneous expenditures to support cafeteria operations.

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Celebrating Success and Planning Ahead

• A-F Grade Card: Out of 11 evaluation areas, Cleveland Schools improved in 8. 2 of those 3 declines were tied to student attendance. No matter our results we are focused on identifying what are the areas we need to improve to better equip and serve our students.
• Enrollment and Budget: October enrollment figures will lead to a slight midterm funding increase this year, but initial 2025 projections indicate a $450,000 decrease due to lower enrollment.
• School Choice: We aim to better communicate the unique opportunities Cleveland Schools offers, reinforcing why our district is a fantastic choice for families.

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Facilities and New Business

• Visitor Bleachers: Southern Bleacher Company bid approved ($97,800).
• Natural Grass Turf: A $113,800 proposal from Smizien is under review for additional details.

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Stay connected for updates and opportunities to provide feedback. Thank you for your continued support of Cleveland Schools!