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Teachers urge earlier calendar decision for year-round schools and expanded vocational programs
Summary
Two teachers addressing the board during public participation asked for the board to finalize the 2025–26 school calendar earlier for year-round schools and to expand vocational education (including cosmetology) and transition-to-work programs for students with significant intellectual disabilities.
During the public participation period at the business meeting, two Cleveland Metropolitan School District employees asked the board to move more quickly on two distinct issues: an earlier release of the 2025–26 school calendar for year-round schools, and expanded career and technical education offerings including cosmetology and more robust transition-to-work options for students with significant intellectual disabilities.
Andrea Dockery Murray, a visual arts teacher at John Adams College and Career Academy who identified her school as year-round, asked the board to “please consider introducing the school calendar for 25, 26 before May,” saying year-round educators need more lead time to plan summer schedules, staffing and substitute coverage. Dockery Murray told the board that the timing affects teachers’ ability to plan family events and to be present for “welcome back” activities at the start of the year.
Melissa Martell, a 9th- and 10th-grade English language arts teacher at John Adams College and Career Academy, urged the district to expand vocational education offerings. She said students leave the district to access programs such as cosmetology at neighboring districts and private schools and noted the high cost of private cosmetology schools (which she cited as $16,000–$20,000 plus supply fees). Martell also asked for expanded transition-to-work programming and more life-skills coursework for students with severe intellectual disabilities, saying some students “do not have the capability to absorb” standard elective content and would benefit from classes geared to daily living and vocational preparedness.
Board chair Ellicott and CEO Dr. Morgan did not take formal action during public comment; Dr. Morgan previously confirmed the district is preparing long-term planning and analysis work that will include community engagement. The speakers’ requests were recorded by the board but no binding timeline or commitment to the specific calendar release date or to immediate program additions was made in open session.
The board’s public participation period had a three-minute limit per speaker and the chair noted that written materials could be provided to staff for distribution to the board.
