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Schools cite K–3 literacy gains, detail renovations and preview May 6 levy at joint event
Summary
At a joint State of the City and State of the Schools, Dr. Claris highlighted K–3 literacy gains (about 23% to ~77%), described a March 2024 $20 million bond for school renovations, and said Issue 19 on May 6 would raise roughly $1.7 million annually for operations if approved.
Dr. Claris, speaking for the Brooklyn school district, told attendees at the joint State of the City and State of the Schools that early‑grade literacy has strengthened markedly and that the district is using bond funds and outside grants to finance facility and program improvements.
"You can see in 18/19 school year we started off about 23% literacy rate in our K through three. Over the past five six years we've grown to almost 77%," Dr. Claris said, presenting the district's reading and writing progress as central to long‑term student success.
The superintendent‑level speaker attributed the gains to an emphasis on early literacy, targeted staffing and classroom supports. He said students also took advantage of College Credit Plus and Advanced Placement options: "Our students last year earned 523 college credits that they will get when they walk out of Brooklyn High School." The district also highlighted Polaris Career Center pathways for juniors and seniors and cited more than 20 career‑technical programs used to prepare students for the workforce.
On facilities, Dr. Claris reviewed a multi‑year master facility plan and thanked voters for approving a March 2024 bond issue he described as a $20 million package to renovate Brooklyn High School and the stadium complex. He stressed bond restrictions: "that bond money can only be used towards ... infrastructure, capital projects," and cannot be used for staffing or day‑to‑day operations.
Looking ahead to the May 6 ballot, he said Issue 19 is a no‑new‑tax levy proposal that, if passed, would generate approximately $1.7 million annually for the district and be used for staffing, programming, operations and technology. He presented the revenue figure as an approximate projection.
Dr. Claris also outlined recent and pending external grants the district has secured or sought: a $250,000 NFL grant toward replacement of the stadium field; a $266,000 Ohio Career Technical Education Equipment Grant (about $180,000 directed to a Brooklyn High computer lab); and a $15,000 Martha Holden Jennings Foundation award used to create a student‑run community food pantry serving roughly 35–40 families per month. The district said it has applied for an Advanced Energy Fund award near $800,000 for HVAC and boiler upgrades and a literacy‑focused CLSD grant in the roughly $700,000 range.
Renovations are scheduled to begin in about six weeks, with work on the main gym scheduled to start on May 19. Planned improvements include biology labs, the performing‑arts auditorium and a new Brooklyn Early Childhood Center in the old library building, which the district said will also house family resource activities and be used for future board meetings.
Dr. Claris closed by thanking administrators, board members and city partners for collaboration and invited Mayor Van Kirk to continue the joint presentation.
The district provided the financial and program figures in the presentation; most were presented as approximate estimates or applied‑for grant amounts, not final, executed contracts.
