CMSD board votes to close Newton D. Baker School at end of 2024–25 school year

The Cleveland Municipal School District Board of Education voted 7–0 to close Newton D. Baker School at the end of the 2024–25 school year, citing ongoing roof failures, interior water damage and safety concerns that district officials said could not be remedied in time for the next school year.

CEO Doctor Morgan presented the recommendation and described on-site visits and emergency mitigation efforts after staff and teachers reported water intrusion and ongoing leaks. “I do not like making decisions fast,” Doctor Morgan said, but she said officials had to act because conditions were creating an unsafe environment for scholars and staff.

District officials showed photographs of interior damage and said mitigation efforts — including placing buckets and relocating classrooms — allowed instruction to continue into the spring, but renewed precipitation and melting produced recurring leaks. The district reported an initial repair estimate of about $30,000,000 to fix the building and said the cost of a full new build would be about $45,000,000; officials added that the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) had not approved a new elementary-school project for the district for this site and that the district’s recently approved bond program will be spread across many projects.

The district reported current enrollment at Newton D. Baker of 286 students. CEO Morgan presented a plan that would assign students to nearby receiving schools — principally Wilbur Wright and Claire/Clara Westrop — and open three special-needs classrooms at the receiving site. District staff said no single school could house all students and that families would be permitted to choose among available seats; transportation policy (residence within 1–3 miles) would continue to govern eligibility for bus service.

Special-education staff were conducting direct outreach to families; the district reported it had contacted 14 of about 23 special-education families so far to discuss placements and supports. Sister district teams and school principals are coordinating open houses and student visits: Wilbur Wright is scheduled to host an open house for Newton D. Baker families on April 22 and Claire/Clara Westrop on April 28; district officials said Wilbur Wright would welcome Newton D. Baker students to see a planned school-day activity as part of the transition.

District human-resources staff described the staffing process that will govern employee assignments. The open-position interview process was scheduled to begin April 16 and run through May 14; a second staffing adjustment process will occur in the fall after enrollment is finalized. Human-resources staff said initial staffing meetings were convened in April and that principals and HR were coordinating to support affected employees, but they cautioned that individual placements depend on the open-position process and collective-bargaining rules.

Board members expressed sympathy for families, teachers and the Newton D. Baker community and recognized the building’s historic and cultural features. Chair Ellicott said a closure is a “significant decision” that the board did not take lightly. The board asked staff to preserve legacy artifacts where possible and to document opportunities to transfer school traditions and materials to receiving schools.

After discussion, the board adopted the resolution to close Newton D. Baker by roll call vote of 7–0. District staff said the recommendation responds to immediate health and safety concerns and will be followed by detailed placement, transportation and staffing communications to families and staff.

The resolution authorizes the school closure, the assignment of students for the 2025–26 school year, and follow-up implementation tasks including family outreach, special-education placements and staffing supports.