The Cleveland School Board met for its January regular meeting and covered a wide range of topics centered on operations, academic progress, long-term planning, and community feedback. Below are the key highlights we want to share with our Tiger community.

Consent Agenda & Routine Operations

The Board approved the January consent agenda, which included routine but important housekeeping items such as:
Minutes from the December 1, 2025 board meeting
Treasurer’s and monthly financial reports
Activity fund requests supporting student programs, including cheer, Student Council, and band fundraisers
Facility use requests
Contracts and Memorandums of Understanding that support student services and opportunities
These agreements included partnerships for teacher education internships, special education services, student behavior support, and expanded learning opportunities for middle school students through Central Tech.

The Board also reviewed and approved monthly encumbrances, including transportation costs for student services and routine expenditures across district funds.

School Board Election Update

The filing period for the upcoming school board election concluded with one candidate filed for each open seat, meaning no election will be required this cycle. Cleveland’s Board members will continue serving in their current roles and terms.

Our Board members serve the district with dedication and little public recognition. When you see them around the community, please take a moment to thank them for their service and leadership.

Academic Achievement & Student Growth

A significant portion of the meeting focused on academic performance data and how Cleveland compares to the state average over time.

Because state standards, assessments, and cut scores have changed frequently over the years, the district uses Cleveland vs. State Average as a meaningful comparison point. While Cleveland’s proficiency rates have historically trailed the state average since 2010, recent data shows slow but steady progress toward closing that gap, particularly over the past five years.

Notably:

Cleveland exceeded the state average in 13 of 17 tested areas when looking at “Basic and Above,” the benchmark used for accreditation

In the remaining areas, results were close to the state average

This data suggests many students are on the cusp of proficiency, often referred to as “the bubble”

The district is performing well in helping students gain foundational knowledge, but pushing more students into higher achievement levels remains an ongoing challenge — one the district is actively working to address.

What the Research Tells Us

District leadership also shared national research that reinforces an encouraging message: schools and educators have a powerful influence on student learning.

Educational research shows that the majority of high-impact factors affecting student achievement are within the control of schools — classroom practices, instructional strategies, school culture, and shared academic goals. This reinforces the belief that continued focus, collaboration, and intentional practices can significantly improve outcomes for Cleveland students.

As the new semester begins, the district is committed to identifying practical, research-based steps that help move more students toward academic excellence.

Tiger Vision Bond Update

Construction for Tiger Vision projects is scheduled to begin January 12. Design work continues on several major improvements, including:

High school classroom renovations
Event Center wrestling expansion
Middle school locker room upgrades
Intermediate school cafeteria improvements

Updated project spending and timelines remain available to the public to ensure transparency and accountability.

4-Day School Week Feedback
Results from the recent school calendar survey were shared with the Board. A majority of respondents favored keeping the current calendar structure, while others expressed interest in increasing four-day weeks or returning to a traditional schedule.

Key takeaways included:
Student attendance continues to be stronger on four-day weeks
Staff attendance showed some decline this semester, though outliers may have influenced results
Any future calendar adjustments will involve measured changes and thoughtful data review.

The calendar committee will continue evaluating options while considering state guidance and the goal of maximizing instructional time.

Student Assessment Update
The Board also reviewed winter NWEA MAP assessment data, which provides national comparisons for student achievement and growth. Overall results showed modest gains in some areas and declines in others — a reminder that improvement is not always linear. As only the district’s second year using MAP, this data will continue to guide instructional decisions moving forward.

New Business

The Board approved routine purchase orders and formally approved a list of courses that may satisfy the fourth math credit requirement for high school students, providing greater flexibility while maintaining academic rigor.

As Cleveland Public Schools enters the second half of the school year, the district remains focused on student learning, responsible planning, and continuous improvement. Thank you to our Board members, staff, families, and community for your continued trust and partnership as we work together to support every Tiger.