The Cleveland School Board met for its December regular meeting and covered a full agenda focused on financial stewardship, student opportunities, long-term planning, and community partnerships. Below are some of the key highlights we want to share with our community.

Financial Oversight & Accountability

The Board approved routine financial items including activity fund requests, fundraiser approvals, overnight trip requests for athletics and extracurricular activities, facility use requests, and the surplus of equipment no longer needed by our Vo-Ag program.

A major point of discussion was the 2024–25 Audit Report. During the last school year, Cleveland Public Schools managed nearly $20 million across all funds—general, building, bond, child nutrition, and activity accounts. Because of this, state law requires a comprehensive audit where hundreds of purchases and procedures are reviewed for compliance and integrity.

We are proud to report that our audit once again returned with no significant findings and no recommendations for improvement. This continued success reflects the diligence and professionalism of our financial and administrative team. Their attention to detail ensures that taxpayer dollars are protected and used responsibly. The full audit report is available for public review.

Board Operations & Governance

The Board approved the 2026 schedule of regular board meetings, which will continue to be held on the first Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m., with the exception of September, which will take place on the second Monday.

The Board also reviewed and approved items related to transfer capacity, encumbrances over $10,000, and routine operational purchases that keep our schools running efficiently.

Tiger Vision Bond Update

We shared a progress update on Tiger Vision, our district-wide improvement initiative funded through the 2025 bond. Indoor construction contracts are being finalized, furniture selections are underway, and design phases are wrapping up for several projects, including:

High School SPED and Science classrooms
Middle School locker additions
Early Childhood wrestling expansion
Intermediate School cafeteria and counseling offices

To promote transparency, a public Tiger Vision spending spreadsheet is available online. This real-time document shows project budgets, expenditures, vendors, and bond totals so community members can easily track where funds are being used and why.

Instruction & Student Services Updates

State Testing: We will return to standard state testing procedures this spring. No exemptions were granted at the state level.

Head Start Partnership: A 3-year-old Head Start classroom has been temporarily housed at the Primary School after facility issues impacted their original site. When families need support, we are grateful to be able to help.

Textbook & Curriculum Planning: Due to changes in the state adoption cycle, the district is strategically planning textbook and Chromebook purchases through 2031 to ensure responsible use of instructional funds while meeting student needs.

Community Engagement & A Historic Moment

One of the most exciting moments of the evening came during New Business. The Board officially approved Cleveland’s first active Primary School Booster Club in decades.

The Tiger Team, a group of dedicated parents, has already made a positive impact by supporting events like Fall Carnival, Donuts with Dads, and upcoming family literacy activities. Their desire to partner with teachers and staff marks an important step forward in strengthening school-family relationships.

We are grateful for their leadership, service, and commitment to our youngest Tigers.