Parents press board on staffing and air quality; preservation advocates object to proposed Cleveland High School demolition

Several members of the public spoke during the general public comment period.

Tracy Gluckman and Margaret Henry (Dunaway Elementary PTA Advocacy Committee) asked the board for a comprehensive staffing review, arguing the district’s FTE formula enables class sizes that reach the upper limits across multiple grades at Dunaway and that Dunaway received materially less per‑pupil funding (a claimed differential of approximately $1,600,000 in 2023–24) compared with other non‑Title I K–5 schools. They said the staffing and funding patterns disproportionately affect students from low socioeconomic backgrounds.

Amy Hicks and (virtually) Dr. Kim Matulef urged the board to add measurable ventilation goals to the district’s climate and sustainability policy (Dr. Matulef recommended a target of six air changes per hour). Dr. Matulef said she reanalyzed district airflow reports and found that some modernized schools meet those goals with modest filtration while other schools need two purifiers per classroom; speakers linked uneven ventilation to higher illness‑related absences.

Alexander Krach, a preservation advocate, expressed concern about the comprehensive planning process for Cleveland High School. He said a district historic building assessment rated Cleveland as having the highest level of architectural significance and that the report explicitly recommended preservation and appropriate renovation rather than demolition; he alleged that members of the comprehensive planning committee were not shown that report and urged the board to recommit to transparency and reconsider demolition options citing environmental and cultural losses.

Board members thanked the speakers and noted these public comments will be considered alongside the packet materials and future agenda items.