News Releases

5/8/2012 11:18:00 AMCMSD’s All-City Arts presents “2012 Rock Your World with Steam Family Event”

Thousands of Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) students will display their talents at the 13th annual Rock Your World with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, ARTS and Math) Festival, on Saturday, May 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and Great Lakes Science Center.

4/4/2012 9:40:00 AMCMSD CEO recommends staff layoffs, employee separation plan and facility relocation to address $66 million deficit

The Board of Education of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District is considering a number of options for addressing the district’s $66 million deficit, including recommendations in three key areas presented to them at the Board’s regular meeting by Chief Executive Officer Eric Gordon.

Read the news release.

1/5/2012 6:30:00 PMCleveland Schools' administrators relocate students and staff to ensure safety

To ensure the safety of students and staff at Almira School, Cleveland Metropolitan School District officials will close the building located at 3575 W. 130th and will begin the process of moving students and staff to the Brooklawn school facility, located at 11801 Worthington Ave.

Read the news release. 

11/22/2011 1:00:00 PMCMSD Thanks Key Bank, our featured partner for your support of our STEM school

KeyBank Foundation and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District today announced that the Foundation has awarded the District a grant of $700,000 to support the expansion of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) curriculum into.

Read the news release. 

11/15/2011 5:00:00 PMCMSD appoints Chief Financial & Administrative Officer

CLEVELAND – The Cleveland Metropolitan School District is pleased to announce the appointment of John W. Scanlan as Chief Financial & Administrative Officer effective Jan. 1, 2012. Scanlan joins CMSD after an extensive, national executive search sponsored by The Cleveland Foundation.

Read the news release. 

10/31/2011 7:30:00 PMCMSD places two staff members on leave, pending investigation

Cleveland, OH- Acting on an anonymous tip last week, Cleveland Metropolitan School District officials placed two staff members in the Transformation Management office on paid leave, pending an investigation of allegations of improper conduct.

10/27/2011 7:30:00 PMBookshelf Project Brings Color Nook® Readers to CMSD students

CLEVELAND – Public/private partnership will provide 400 E-readers to students and educators in the Slavic Village Neighborhood

8/18/2011 7:30:00 PMBoard approval to lay off nearly 350 teachers positions CMSD to align staffing with enrollment and maintain a balanced budget

CLEVELAND – The Board of Education of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District took action tonight to approve CEO Eric Gordon’s recommendation to lay off nearly 350 teachers. The action enables the District to align its teaching staff with 2011 student enrollment and maintain its commitment to a balanced budget through June 30, 2013.

Read the news release.

8/18/2011 7:30:00 PMDespite gains in attendance, test scores, school ratings and graduation rate, CMSD loses Continuous Improvement rating

CLEVELAND – Preliminary report card data released by the Ohio Department of Education shows that, despite gains in attendance, test scores, school ratings and graduation rate, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District will not keep its Continuous Improvement rating this year.

Read the news release.

8/10/2011 9:00:00 PMCleveland Board of Education takes action to ensure smooth school opening

CLEVELAND –  The Board of Education of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District took action tonight to authorize CEO Eric Gordon to recall teachers to ensure a smooth school opening. At the same time the Board authorized the CEO to take all practical action necessary to keep its commitment to the community to maintain a balanced budget for the next two school years.

Read the news release.

8/9/2011 7:30:00 PMCollinwood's Freshman Orientation

Collinwood's Freshman Orientation information

7/13/2011 6:00:00 PMCMSD Coaches seek Players for Fall Sports

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s Interscholastic Athletics Office is seeking prospective student athletes in grades 9-12 to tryout for the following sports: football, volleyball, soccer, golf, tennis and cross-country.

7/13/2011 3:00:00 PMCMSD School Board votes on contract for new CEO

Cleveland, Ohio - Tonight, the Board of Education of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District voted to approve the at-will employment contract of Chief Executive Officer Eric S. Gordon.  The one year contract commences July 1, 2011 and ends on June 30, 2012 for the District's former Chief Academic Officer, who says he is looking forward to the opportunity to lead the district.

CMSD School Board votes on contract for new CEO

7/11/2011 12:00:00 PMCMSD and Tri-C announce free summer camps for students

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) and Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) are pleased to announce opportunities for more than 1,000 CMSD students through the Summer Pathways Program. One component of the program offers students a wide array of summer camps, free-of-charge.

Read the news release.

6/30/2011 6:00:00 PMMayor Jackson names two new Cleveland Metropolitan School District Board Members

CLEVELAND – Mayor Frank G. Jackson is pleased to announce that the Cleveland Metropolitan School District Board of Education selection process has concluded. The newly appointed members are: Ms. Shaletha T. Mitchell and Mr. Eric L. Wobser. The Mayor reappointed Board Members Denise W. Link, Louise P. Dempsey, and Iris M. Rodriguez whose terms expired on June 30, 2011. Former CMSD Board Members Rashidah Abdulhaqq and Colonel Harvey Hopson, Jr. were not reappointed.

Read the news release.

6/28/2011 9:00:00 PMTeamsters Local #244 reach agreement

The Board of Education of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a two-year agreement reached between CMSD and Teamsters Local #244 through a collective bargaining process that began this spring.

6/22/2011 9:00:00 AMRegis Balaban wins Original Health Nut Competition, CMSD’s head of food and child nutrition earns national honor

Regis Balaban, executive director of food and child nutrition services for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, has won the national Original Health Nut competition sponsored by the California Walnut Commission. Balaban was chosen the Original Health Nut by Internet voting at the originalhealthnut.com Web site. The commission will present the award June 23 in New York City in conjunction with a research conference.

Go here to read the release.

6/10/2011 12:00:00 PMWarner Girls Leadership Academy announces its fourth annual Arch Day & Crossing Over Ceremony

Warner Girls Leadership Academy will hold its annual Arch Day and Crossing Over Ceremony at 3 p.m. Monday, June 13. But this year, there will be a twist. The ceremony will be at John Adams High School, not at Warner, and Principal Lesley Jones Sessler, who has headed the school since it was founded in 2007, will be giving a farewell address.

6/9/2011 12:00:00 PMLincoln-West’s Brian Ruiz Drafted by the Cleveland Indians

Lincoln-West Senior, Brian Ruiz, was chosen by the Cleveland Indians as the seventh player in the 41st round of the Major League Baseball draft on Wednesday, June 8, 2011.  Ruiz, plays center field for the Wolverines, bats and throws right hand.  This past season Ruiz was hitting at .596 and had batted in 22 runs.  He was key in advancing Lincoln-West to the OHSAA Regional Tournament, the first time in 24 years for a CMSD team. 

Go here to read the news release.

Read More: Plain Dealer, May 20:

Wood's working for Dominican native Brian Ruiz at Lincoln-West.

5/27/2011 2:00:00 PMAll-City Musical to perfom "Bubbling Brown Sugar" June 3-5 at Ohio Theatre

For the twelfth consecutive year, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, in partnership with Great Lakes Theater Festival, The Human Fund, the Musical Theater Project and PlayhouseSquare will collaborate with Cleveland students, their teachers and professional theater artists to create the All-City Musical. Jam, jump and jive to the legendary music that made Harlem swing during its renaissance in the exuberant musical revue, "Bubbling Brown Sugar."

Go here to purchase tickets.

5/10/2011 11:00:00 AMCleveland student among winners in Coast Guard national student art contest

 Edwardo Ortiz, a 12th-grader at Garrett Morgan High School , was named the first place winner, in the 10th through 12th grade category of the Coast Guard’s NationalStudent Art Contest, held to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its Partnership in Education program.

Go here to read the Coast Guard news release.

5/9/2011 4:00:00 PMRock Your World with STEAM

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) announces the ROCK YOUR WORLD with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) Family Festival. Held on Saturday, May 21st, this free one-day event willcelebrate the talents of over 3,000 students enrolled in over 70 CMSD schools and will feature a dazzling array of activities to inspire and empower students and their families.

Read the news release.

Rock Your World Flyer 

5/6/2011 4:00:00 PMSign up for free vision screenings at CMSD schools

Students at 60 schools can get FREE vision screenings, eye exams, and glasses on May 11. Contact Emily @ 216.409.8641 or elee@hki.org

Read the flyer.

4/27/2011 1:00:00 PMInnovative educator at Stokes Central Academy awarded mini-grant from for podcasting project

Columbus –  Teddy Mwonyonyi, Carl & Louis Stokes Central Academy‘ teacher, was recently announced as a recipient of the Podcasting for Assessment mini-grant awarded by eTech Ohio. Funding was awarded to 51 educators through a competitive application process open to all Ohio public school teachers

Read the news release.

4/26/2011 9:30:00 PMCleveland school Board approves additional layoffs

The board of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District voted tonight to lay off 105 staff members. This includes 61 central office positions for a savings of $3.68 million a year. The central office cuts include the layoff of 39 staff members and 22 vacant positions that will not be filled or replaced. These 61 layoffs are seven more for the central office than predicted at the April 5 board meeting.

Read the news release.

4/25/2011 6:00:00 PMCMSD Board Seeks Applicants to Fill Five Vacancies

Mayor Frank G. Jackson announced that applications will be accepted until Friday, May 13, 2011 for appointments to five seats on the CMSD Board of Education.  Each appointment is to a four year term from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2015. To be considered, applicants must be residents of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.  At least one of the seats must be filled by a resident of the area of the School District located outside of the City of Cleveland.  Such areas includes Bratenahl, Linndale, Newburgh Heights, part of Brook Park and part of Garfield Heights. 

Hard copies of the application form can be downloaded below or obtained at all Cleveland Public Libraries and City of Cleveland Recreation Centers or by contacting City of Cleveland, Chief of Education Monyka Price at 216-420-8087 for more information. Interested parties can mail applications to the Nominating Panel at 601 Lakeside Avenue, Room 227, Cleveland, Ohio 44114, attention Monyka Price or drop off applications at City Hall, Room 227.  Applications must be turned in by close of business Friday, May 13, 2011.

CMSD Board Application Form
CMSD Board Application Form (Spanish Version)

4/15/2011 11:00:00 AMOvernight lock-in retreat teaches students life lessons, core values

The Closing the Achievement program will sponsor an overnight “Lock-In” retreat for John Adams students. Sixty-five ninth-grade males will pack their overnight bags and blankets for a night of intense workshops focused on developing the core values of accountability, respect, honor, trust, perseverance and responsibility.

4/14/2011 5:00:00 PM39 Barbara Booker Students to Get the 'Red Carpet' Treatment

Students who raised their scores on last year’s OAA test are encouaged to do their best  when the proficiency  test are given this month and next.

Read the news release.

4/11/2011 4:00:00 PM2 New Tech High Schools are Role Models

Cleveland’s two New Tech High Schools – New Tech @ Garrett Morgan and New Tech @ East Tech – will serve as national models on Thursday, April 14, at a regional New Tech Network Showcase event. More than 90 superintendents, principals, teachers and students from Ohio, Pennsylvania and Kentucky will be in Cleveland to discuss how to create a successful New Tech High School

Read the news release.

4/11/2011 4:00:00 PM2 New Tech High Schools are Role Models

Cleveland’s two New Tech High Schools – New Tech @ Garrett Morgan and New Tech @ East Tech – will serve as national models on Thursday, April 14, at a regional New Tech Network Showcase event. More than 90 superintendents, principals, teachers and students from Ohio, Pennsylvania and Kentucky will be in Cleveland to discuss how to create a successful New Tech High School

Read the news release.

4/6/2011 11:00:00 AMMax Hayes robotics team is going to national competition thanks to donation from Third Federal Foundation

Max Hayes robotics team is going to national competition thanks to donation from Third Federal Foundation.

Read the news release.

4/5/2011 10:50:00 PMCleveland School Board Votes on Staff Layoffs and School Closures to Offset Budget Deficit

The board of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District voted tonight to close seven schools and layoff 702 Cleveland Teachers Union employees, including 643 classroom teachers. (See lists below)

The board will consider additional layoffs at its April 26 meeting, when Interim CEO Peter Raskind will recommend laying off central office union and at-will employees in addition to cuts in salaries and benefits, for a savings of nearly $3.9 million. The staff reductions and the decision to close seven schools were required to offset a projected $74 million deficit over the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 school years.

Read the news release.

Click here for teachers layoffs.  Click here for the paraprofessional layoff list. 

Click here for the substitute teacher layoff list

4/4/2011 8:00:00 AMSecond Annual Maralyn H. West Invitational Track Meet April 9 at Collinwood

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s Interscholastic Athletics Office will host the second annual Maralyn H. West Invitational Track Meet on Saturday, April 9, 2011, at the Collinwood Athletic Complex.This Invitational will feature 16 of some of the top high school boys and girls track teams from Northeast Ohio.

Read the news release.

3/27/2011 4:00:00 PMCMSD students learn about Gullah culture, ancient West African art form

This week, students at seven Cleveland Metropolitan School District schools will learn about the Gullah culture and the making of sweetgrass baskets.

Read the news release.

3/22/2011 10:00:00 PMCMSD Interim CEO proposes nearly $74 million in budget cuts

Recommendations to eliminate deficits for the next two school years were presented Tuesday night to the Board of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District by Interim CEO Peter Raskind.

Read the news release.

3/18/2011 3:00:00 PMMarch 22 Board meeting to be at CMSD Administrative Building

Location change: The March 22 Board of Education meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Administratin Building: 1360 East Sixth Street.

Read the new release.

3/16/2011 6:30:00 PMState Budget includes anticipated cuts in funding to CMSD

Gov. John Kasich’s announcement today of $1.3 billion in cuts to local governments and school districts will impact operations in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, but just how much is yet to be absorbed by district officials.

Go here to read the news release

2/9/2011 9:00:00 AMGrant of more than $195,000 announced to improve school readiness in Cleveland region

The PNC Foundation visited students and staff at Hannah Gibbons to announce a grant to Cleveland Metroparks to establish Eco Explorers powered by PNC Grow Up Great, a new program designed to help enhance environmental education for Cleveland preschoolers.

2/1/2011 4:30:00 PMCampus International students bring a piece of China to school

True to the school’s international focus, the Campus International Explorers will celebrate Chinese New Year.  Despite its winter occurrence, in China it is known as Spring Festival, the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays.

1/13/2011 8:30:00 PMMayor Jackson, CMSD Board Chair Denise Link and Board Members Announce Interim CEO

Peter E. Raskind, a business consultant and former bank CEO, is named interim CEO of CMSD. Mayor Frank G. Jackson, Board Chair Denise Link and the members of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District Board anounced Raskins's appointment following the CMSD Board vote. Raskind will lead the district after CEO Eugene Sanders retires on Feb.1. 

Go here to read the news release. 

1/11/2011 5:00:00 PMFiscal Strategy Compendium is Released

1/10/2011 10:00:00 AMCleveland students, staff honor victims of tragic shooting

Cleveland Metropolitan School District students and staff will join the nation in observing a moment of silence today at 11 a.m. President Barack Obama has asked that all Americans observe a moment of silence to honor the victims of this weekend’s mass shooting in Arizona where six people were killed and 14 others were injured.