CMSD board adopts resolutions urging federal education funding be preserved, accepts small gift and approves service agreement and personnel actions

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District Board of Education voted to adopt a package of resolutions affecting federal advocacy, a donor gift, an inter-agency service agreement and routine personnel actions.

On resolution 6.01 the board "call[ed] on members of the U.S. House of Representatives to preserve education funding," citing concerns that a concurrent House budget resolution under discussion could cut Title I, Title II and Title III, and reduce Medicaid and child nutrition funding. Chair Ellicott moved the resolution; the roll call recorded "Yes" votes from Chair Ellicott, Mr. Billups, Mr. Briggs, Reverend Jones, Mrs. Peake, Dr. Sridhar and Mrs. Weltchow and the clerk announced "Motion passes with 7 votes." Dr. Morgan offered brief remarks in support of preserving resources for district services.

The board adopted resolution 7.01 to accept a $3,000 gift from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation to purchase a book vending machine at Waverly School. The resolution authorizes the chief executive officer to spend the funds in accordance with the gift terms; the roll call recorded unanimous support among voting members present and the motion passed.

Resolution 8.01 authorized the district to enter a primary service agreement with the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years, as provided by Ohio Revised Code 3313.843. The resolution notes the services to be provided and that the cost is $6.50 per student and will be deducted from the district's state foundation payments. The board approved the agreement by roll call.

The board also adopted a set of routine personnel resolutions (9.019.04) authorizing 109 new hires, the reclassification of 14 employees, acceptance of 75 separations (retirements/resignations/other) and limited contracts/additional compensation for 59 employees. The superintendent said details were attached as exhibits to each resolution.

All of these votes were recorded by roll call during the business meeting and the clerk announced the motions passed. No substantive amendments were recorded on the floor during the meeting.

Votes at a glance:

- Resolution 6.01: Call on U.S. House members to preserve federal education funding. Outcome: approved. Roll-call yeses recorded for: Chair Ellicott; Mr. Billups; Mr. Briggs; Reverend Jones; Mrs. Peake; Dr. Sridhar; Mrs. Weltchow. Motion passes with 7 votes.

- Resolution 7.01: Accept gift of $3,000 from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation for a book vending machine at Waverly School; authorize CEO to expend per gift terms. Outcome: approved. Roll-call yeses recorded for: Miss Ellicott; Mr. Phillips; Mr. Briggs; Miss Jones; Reverend Jones; Mrs. Peake; Dr. Sridhar; Mrs. Weltchow. Motion passes (roll call recorded unanimous yes among voting members present).

- Resolution 8.01: Authorize primary service agreement with Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio per Ohio Revised Code 3313.843 for 2025-26 and 2026-27; cost $6.50 per student (deducted from state foundation payments). Outcome: approved by roll call.

- Resolutions 9.01-9.04: Personnel and talent items. Outcomes: all approved by roll call. Details: 109 hires; 14 reclassifications; 75 separations; 59 limited contracts/additional compensation (exhibits attached).

The board moved into executive session after new business and then returned to adjourn the meeting.