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CMSD presents "Building Brighter Futures" plan to consolidate schools, expand programs and save $30 million a year
Summary
CEO Dr. Morgan presented a facilities recommendation that would merge schools across the Cleveland Metropolitan School District to expand access to college credit, career pathways and extracurriculars while saving at least $30 million annually. The plan would be voted on Dec. 9 after more community engagement.
CLEVELAND — Dr. Morgan, chief executive officer of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, presented the district's "Building Brighter Futures" facilities recommendation during a Nov. 5 board work session, proposing a systemwide reconfiguration of schools through mergers intended to expand academic and extracurricular offerings while improving the district's financial outlook.
The plan, developed after spring, summer and fall rounds of community engagement, would reduce the number of operating schools next year by 29 and leave 18 buildings unoccupied; Dr. Morgan said the district would need to determine reuses for those buildings. He said the proposal is structured entirely around mergers rather than closures, and that it would save at least $30 million per year while expanding access to college credit, career pathways and extracurricular opportunities for impacted students.
"One hundred percent of the students [impacted by this plan] will have equal or greater academic, extracurricular, or student support and sports opportunities," Dr. Morgan said. He also said the district estimates that 96 percent of impacted students who accept a reserved seat at a welcoming school would attend a school with an equal or higher star rating and that 95 percent would attend a school in equal or better building condition.
Why the district is proposing change
Dr. Morgan framed the plan as a response to long‑term enrollment decline and rising costs. He said the district's enrollment has dropped by more than half over 20 years (from about 70,000 to the tens of thousands now in the system) while the number of school buildings has remained similar, producing underenrolled schools that limit program offerings and increase per‑student costs. He said the district previously cut nearly $200 million from its budget, exited fiscal precaution, and won a combined bond and operating levy, but still faces projected savings needs "in the…
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