CMSD unveils calendar proposals amid budget cuts and student performance concerns

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) Board of Education convened on March 11, 2025, to discuss significant updates regarding the district's calendar for the 2025-2026 school year. The meeting highlighted two proposed calendar options aimed at addressing the complexities and costs associated with the current system, which operates five different calendar types across its schools.

The primary focus of the meeting was the recommendation to streamline the school calendar. Currently, CMSD schools follow various calendars, leading to disparities in instructional days, teacher professional development time, and overall student experiences. The district's leadership emphasized that these differences have not correlated with improved student performance, raising concerns about equity and efficiency. The proposed changes aim to unify the calendar system, potentially saving the district between $4.1 million and $9.3 million over the next three years.

The first option presented would transition all schools to a traditional calendar while allowing two schools—The School of One and the Downtown Education Center—to maintain their unique models. This option is projected to save approximately $9.3 million and would still permit additional professional development for teachers. The second option also proposes a traditional calendar but retains extra instructional minutes for certain schools, resulting in a lower estimated savings of $4.1 million.

Board members engaged in discussions about the implications of these options, particularly regarding the impact on student enrollment and the need for clear communication with families about the changes. Questions were raised about the current enrollment rates of schools with non-traditional calendars and the financial nuances of the proposed changes.

In addition to the calendar discussions, the board addressed other resolutions, including a new policy mandating release time for religious instruction, which will take effect on April 9, 2025. This policy requires parental consent and stipulates that no school district funds will be used for religious instruction.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to finalize the calendar recommendation in the following week, with a vote scheduled for April 29, 2025. The board's ongoing efforts reflect a broader commitment to enhancing educational quality and equity within the district, as they navigate the complexities of budget constraints and diverse student needs.