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Cleveland Public School District board adopts Option D for elementary staffing to limit class sizes
Summary
After extended debate about class sizes, kindergarten enrollment and budget constraints, the Cleveland Public School District board voted May 18 to adopt staffing Option D (three–four combo and five–six combo) to keep overall elementary teacher headcount steady for 2026–27.
The Cleveland Public School District board voted May 18, 2026 to adopt "Option D" for elementary staffing for the 2026–27 school year, a configuration that keeps the district’s reported teacher headcount at 19 while reconfiguring some combined classes to reduce projected class sizes.
The decision followed a prolonged discussion among board members about trade-offs between class size, special-education impacts and budget pressure. Chair Scott Miller framed the move as balancing educational needs with fiscal reality, and board members repeatedly emphasized the district’s desire to avoid large classes while remaining financially prudent.
Board members cited enrollment trends and kindergarten projections as central to the choice. Molly Stoffel said she supported Option D, stating, "I ... am for the option, D." Directors raised concerns about potential future fluctuations and the need to monitor enrollments, with several members urging that the district remain flexible and post additional positions in August if numbers warrant it.
Administrators highlighted that special-education reimbursements and state funding uncertainty remain material factors; staff noted possible state-level cuts in special-education reimbursement and transportation that could affect budgets in coming years.
The motion to adopt Option D passed after discussion and the board recorded the approval on the May 18 agenda. The board asked administrators to continue close monitoring of kindergarten and preschool census data over the summer and to convene teachers to create equitable classroom assignments in the event of mid-summer enrollment changes.
What happens next: staff will proceed with hiring and placement consistent with Option D, monitor August enrollment and report any necessary adjustments to the board ahead of the 2026–27 start date.
