Mayor Justin Bibb’s administration is running a full court press in favor of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s plan to merge 39 schools. He published an op-ed in Cleveland.com, which was co-signed by nonprofit executives, business leaders and former public officials.

The mayor’s team and those partners are also making the case for the mergers from the public comment microphone at CMSD board meetings.

Over the last few weeks, the board has heard comments from members of the mayor’s administration and leaders from the Cleveland Public Library, the Construction Employers Association, Next Generation Construction, the Urban League of Greater Cleveland and Say Yes Cleveland, which provides support services and scholarships to students.

They’ve spoken in favor of consolidation, noting their interest as parents, graduates or leaders who work with the district.

“I’m not speaking to you as a former City Council person. I’m not speaking to you as a member of the mayor’s cabinet,” said Zack Reed, a former City Council member and two-time mayoral candidate who took a job with the Bibb administration in 2022. “I’m speaking to you as a former student in the greatest high school in the history of high schools, John F. Kennedy High School.”

The school board expanded the number of public comment slots to 20 since the district announced the merger plan. Parents, students and teachers have landed some of those spots to voice their concerns about CMSD’s plans. The slots don’t stay open long. The sign-up to speak at the next meeting, on Dec. 2, was filled within 24 hours of going live.

When Signal Cleveland asked CMSD if the speakers were part of a coordinated communications strategy around the merger plan, the district’s reply — unlike public comment lately — was short and sweet.

“There is a formal procedure for how speakers sign up to speak,” a district spokesperson wrote. “They have to fill out the form on the School Board’s Website and it is first come first served.”

The press continued on Saturday, with Bibb joining Waverly Willis for a barbershop chat on the merger plan.

The board of education will officially vote on the merger plan on Dec. 9—which is also the final opportunity to give public comment. The list for speakers will go live on Dec. 3 at 9 a.m. To sign-up visit the board’s website or call 216-838-0032.

K-12 Education Reporter (she/her)
I seek to cover the ways local schools are or aren’t serving Cleveland students and their families. I’m originally from Chicago and am eager to learn — and break down — the complexities of the K-12 education system in Cleveland, using the questions and information needs of community members as my guides along the way.