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Board spotlights: newly tenured teachers, Model UN delegates, student heroism and Yates Primary highlights
Summary
The board recognized newly tenured teachers, students who attended Model UN in Washington, D.C., two students credited with summoning help when a teacher suffered a stroke, and Yates Primary School as school of the month.
The Cleveland City Schools Board recognized several school community achievements and held a series of spotlights after voting business concluded.
Tenure recognitions: Following a board vote to approve tenure for certificated staff who met statutory requirements, the board publicly honored the newly tenured educators. Dr. Elliott presented certificates and invited tenured staff to come forward for photos. Names read aloud included Susan Purcell (speech‑language pathology), Chris Berger (fourth grade, Blythebauer Elementary), Jonathan Dockery (art teacher), Dorian Franklin (second grade), Christy McClanahan (ESL), Morgan Judd (fifth grade), Michelle Morris (fifth grade at EL Ross), Jay Garcia (music, Stewart Elementary), Lindsay Sawyer (second grade, Stewart Elementary), Casey Heibarger (operations, Cleveland High School), Elizabeth Krueger (math, Cleveland High School), Audra Ohlinger (ESL, Cleveland High School), Anne Person (business, Cleveland High School), John Weiss (math, Cleveland High School), Jamie Withrow (science, Cleveland High School) and Chad Buckner (facilities and operations, Cleveland Middle School). The board and Dr. Elliott invited the newly tenured educators forward for certificate presentations and photos.
Model UN: Cleveland High School staff and students reported on a recent Model United Nations trip to Washington, D.C. Teachers thanked the board for permitting students to miss three days for the conference. Senior Mario (a four‑year Model UN participant and student government president) described debating and sightseeing as highlights and said the smaller delegation helped students bond. Junior Lily Hakes, who served on the World Health Organization committee, said the experience allowed students to apply classroom learning in a simulation of international negotiation. Staff chaperones and students said the trip combined academic engagement with civic exposure.
Student heroism and medical emergency: The board honored two Cleveland High students, identified in the meeting as Stephanie Castellanos and Lolly Barrios, who ran for help when band teacher Mr. Bolanos experienced acute neurological symptoms while proctoring a TCAP test. Mr. Bolanos described sudden loss of vision and numbness on his left side and said his students — some of whom speak Spanish — immediately ran to get assistance. He said school staff and coaches administered first response and that an emergency medical team transported him to the hospital, where he received time‑sensitive treatment for a stroke and was discharged after several days in intensive care. The board showed a video of the event and presented the two students with public recognition and a group photo.
Yates Primary School spotlight: Yates Primary staff highlighted school culture work in a year with substantial staffing turnover (12 new staff members plus five staff changing roles). The school reported serving 69 English‑learner students this year (up from 53 the prior year) and noted recent family engagement events, a $3,500 STEM grant awarded through TVA and Cleveland Utilities for Ozobots at the school, and other curriculum and community activities designed to build culture and readiness for students moving to Ross Elementary.
Student representative: Senior student representative Jackson Azeron gave his final report, noting band and choir awards, senior walk events, signing days for college and athletics, and other student achievements. Board members thanked Jackson for his service and presented him with a certificate and a small gift.
