CMSD Seeks Input Before Deciding Fate Of Some Schools

The long-term fate of Cleveland’s public high schools will be considered at a series of open meetings around the city this week.

Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) CEO Eric Gordon says the district has too many buildings for the number of enrolled students and some may have to close or be combined. 

When making these decisions, school officials will look at enrollment, the condition of buildings and the most popular academic programs.

But the district has already seen a trend when Cleveland students pick their high school.

“What we have noticed is that career-oriented theme seems to attract students much more than the general liberal arts kind of programs that we may have experienced,” Gordon says.

Certain schools are far too big, Gordon says, specifically pointing out Collinwood High School, which was built to hold 3,000 students. Fewer than 400 students attend now.

But shuttering schools isn’t the only option, Gordon says.

“It may be that we have to build a new school where we have population but an old facility,” he says. “And we may need to phase out and close a school in another neighborhood where we don’t have school-aged children living anymore. “

CMSD will present enrollments and academic offering data at the meetings and officials will ask the public for their thoughts on specific schools and solicit feedback for programs that should be offered. 

“There’s a strong desire for a career center on the East Side, so that is an example of something that they may keep top-of-mind,” Gordon says.

Officials also will ask for suggestions on the best ways to inform the public as CMSD makes final recommendations to the school board.

This week’s meetings will focus on high schools; next week will focus on K-8 schools. The district expects to bring a long-term plan to the school board at the end of October.

“We hope the board will be making some decisions for the long-term footprint on the November docket,” Gordon says.