Board directs staff to develop plan for Montessori lab school at Bramble Nature Campus

The Cincinnati Public Schools Board of Education on Feb. 10 directed the administration to proceed with a proposal to open a Montessori Lab School at the Bramble Nature Campus, following a floor motion by Vice President Bolton and an affirmative board vote.

Vice President Bolton said the closure of Xavier University’s Montessori Lab School presented an opportunity for the district to launch its own lab school. She moved to “direct the administration to move forward with the proposal to open a Montessori Lab School at Bramble Nature Campus.” A second was called and the board voted unanimously to support the motion.

Board discussion emphasized two aims: expanding district capacity to train its own Montessori‑credentialed teachers and keeping Montessori professional development in‑district to lower costs for staff. Board member Craig said a primary benefit would be reducing the need to pay outside providers to credential teachers and suggested the lab could eventually offer paid training to other districts.

Members asked the administration to provide regular updates to the board on costs, staffing plans and the anticipated timeline for the lab school. Superintendent Murphy described a forthcoming meeting to refine staffing estimates and to scope the training program.

The board’s vote was recorded by roll call with all members voting in favor; no vote tally names were recorded as opposing or abstaining in the transcript.

Administration will return with a more detailed budget estimate and implementation plan for the lab school, including projected training enrollments and how Montessori training might be integrated into the district’s professional development offerings.