At his annual State of the Schools address, Cleveland Metropolitan School District CEO Warren Morgan defended the Building Brighter Futures plan and rejected arguments that the previous system was better, according to Signal Cleveland. The district closed 18 schools under the plan to address a $150 million budget gap and declining enrollment.
Morgan said high schools now provide college credit, career training and sports, while all K-8 schools offer enrichment beyond gym, music and art. He added that the district is working to make algebra available to every eighth grader and that twice as many elementary schools offer it this year.
Responding to closure criticism, Morgan said CMSD kept about 86% of students from last school year to this one, which he described as typical. He also disputed claims that students with disabilities were left behind, saying the district deliberately safeguarded services for vulnerable students.
Morgan cited an 83.1% graduation rate for the class of 2026 and called it the highest recorded in CMSD history; the figure will appear on next year's state report card. The source notes graduation rates rose under former CEO Eric Gordon to 81% in 2020, up from roughly 56% in 2011, before dropping below 80% after the pandemic.
He announced a student impact council with two students from each high school. John F. Kennedy High School 10th grader Bahati Plamedie, who was selected, told Signal Cleveland he wants to raise teacher transfers connected to fall adjustment. Students at East Technical High School held a walkout over the issue, he said. The district also plans parent organizations at every school.