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Board hears middle‑school rollout update amid questions on enrollment, discipline and engagement

Cincinnati Board of Education · December 9, 2025
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Summary

Assistant Superintendent Sierra Badgett presented CPS’s new middle‑school model for six sites; board members pressed on enrollment shortfalls relative to projections, high discipline referrals at some schools, transportation and family-engagement plans and requested disaggregated grade-to-grade enrollment data.

Cincinnati Public Schools presented an update Dec. 8 on its new middle‑school model for six campuses, outlining program focus, curricular structure and early outcome metrics while board members raised questions about enrollment, discipline and family outreach.

Assistant Superintendent Sierra Badgett described the district’s vision—emphasizing whole‑child supports, tiered curriculum and embedded career‑technical education (CTE) at middle grades—with school snapshots for Ethel M. Taylor, Evanston Junior High, Schroeder, Hartwell (which includes preschool), Pleasant Hill and South Avondale. Badgett said principals received training and the district is tracking attendance, discipline referrals and fall benchmark data; winter assessment results are forthcoming.

Board discussion focused heavily on enrollment: members noted discrepancies between projected and actual enrollment at middle grades (the presentation and board discussion referenced roughly 400 fewer students districtwide compared with some earlier projections, with a more pronounced gap at particular campuses). Directors asked for disaggregated counts tracking fifth-to-sixth and sixth-to‑seventh transitions to determine where students are choosing alternative options. Transportation and competition from charter schools were cited as possible drivers of the shifts.

Members also expressed concern about discipline referral volumes at specific campuses (Pleasant Hill and South Avondale were cited) and asked for clarity on consequences and supports; Badgett said many referrals result in parent contact and counseling interventions and that the district is deploying PBIS reset supports and contracting with state-support teams. Board members emphasized the need for stronger, more inclusive family engagement; Badgett said engagement events are ongoing and staff will standardize communications with the communications office.

The board asked administration to return with disaggregated enrollment and discipline data and with progress on family-engagement outreach and marketing tied to the strategic plan.