Cleveland Public Schools’ Board of Education gathered for the May meeting with a packed agenda focused on planning ahead, approving essential services, and sharing exciting updates on the work happening across our district.

Here’s a look at what was covered:

✅ Routine Approvals and Planning Ahead
As with most monthly meetings, the board took action on several “consent agenda” items. These are necessary but routine matters that help keep the district running smoothly—things like:

Financial summaries
Facility use and transportation requests
Activity fund updates
Beginning-of-year contracts and partnerships
The board also reviewed and approved minutes from the April 30 special board meeting and current financial reports.

Contracts approved for next school year included:
ADTI for CDL drug testing
OSSBA for employment services and legal support
McREL and OKTLE as our teacher evaluation platforms
Imagine Learning for Cleveland Virtual Academy (CVA) and CPAC
Chas Carroll for financial statement preparation
Audit services for the 2025 fiscal year
CCOSA and OSSBA memberships
A new activity account was also created for CHS Alternative Education.

🚌 School Bus Purchase Approved
Transportation sustainability remains a top priority. In line with a long-term plan developed last fall, the board approved the purchase of a new school bus. Many of our current buses were purchased in the 2016–2018 range, and we’ve learned from experience that buses older than 10 years don’t hold up well on regular routes. Planning ahead ensures we won’t need to replace multiple buses all at once in a few years.

🏗️ GH2 Architects Contract Approved
We’re pleased to continue working with GH2 Architects as we prepare for several exciting campus upgrades. From locker room additions and fine arts renovations to the creation of an auditorium in the high school gym, this partnership helps us keep our facilities aligned with student needs and future growth.

📈 Major Encumbrances Approved
The board approved large purchases including:
Fuel for the transportation department
Literacy Grant-related professional development ($80,000)
Literacy Grant classroom materials and resources ($190,000)
The new school bus ($130,000)

🧠 District Updates Shared with the Board

1. Facilities Projects Timeline
Here’s a snapshot of some of the planned improvements:
Indoor Practice Facility renovations (weight room and turf): Starting Fall 2025
Middle School locker rooms, Intermediate kitchen/cafeteria office, and Events Center upgrades: Starting Spring 2026
High School roofing and science/SPED classroom renovations: Summer 2026
Fine Arts, Cafeteria, Kitchen, and creation of an Auditorium in the High School Gym: Beginning Fall 2026 through Summer 2027

2. Benchmarking Progress
This year, for the first time, all K–11 students have been using the same benchmark assessment platform (NWEA MAP). This shift is already making an impact:
Teachers and administrators are engaging in regular data meetings
Trends are emerging that help us better support students proactively
Plans are underway to add two full-time reading interventionists at our elementary sites next year

3. State Literacy Grant Update
Thanks to a major state grant, we’re investing $500,000 into literacy instruction between now and August. This funding supports:
Professional development for teachers
Summer literacy camps
Take-home kits for families
Classroom resources and curriculum

We’re encouraging all teachers to sign up for summer PD opportunities—because the stronger our overall instruction, the fewer gaps students will have down the road!

4. WHOLE Student Support Framework Expansion
We’re expanding our use of a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) to better meet student needs. This means tracking attendance, behavior, and academic performance in one place—and responding when students show signs they need help.

We’re proud of the direction Cleveland Public Schools is heading, and grateful for our board members, staff, and community who are helping us build a stronger future—one step, one project, and one student at a time.

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