CMSD CEO Dr. Warren Morgan Presents Bold Recommendations to Reshape District Under Building Brighter Futures Initiative

CLEVELAND, OH — Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) CEO Dr. Warren G. Morgan unveiled bold recommendations through the Building Brighter Futures (BBF) initiative to the Board of Education on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. The goal of this strategic plan is to right-size the district, advance equity, and ensure financial sustainability.

The BBF initiative takes bold action to right-size, stabilize, and secure a brighter future for CMSD scholars. For more than 20 years, CMSD has faced declining enrollment, dropping from 70,000 students in 2004 to just 34,000 today, while continuing to operate 90 school buildings, many in need of repair. Combined with a looming $150 million deficit, these challenges demand decisive action to ensure a sustainable future for students.

“We no longer have the luxury or option of no change,” said Dr. Morgan. “This is about equity, opportunity, and sustainability. We must ensure that every scholar, regardless of where they live, has access to high-quality programs and learning environments. Building Brighter Futures is our chance to do this right — together.”

Key Recommendations

PREK–8 SCHOOL MERGERS

15 neighborhood schools and 1 specialty school will merge into paired, welcoming schools:

• Hannah Gibbons → Memorial
• Euclid Park → East Clark
• Stephanie Tubbs Jones* → Franklin D. Roosevelt (renamed Stephanie Tubbs Jones)
• Mary M. Bethune* → Daniel E. Morgan
• Mary B. Martin → Wade Park
• Alfred A. Benesch → George Washington Carver
• Bolton → Harvey Rice
• Charles Dickens → Andrew J. Rickoff
• Adlai E. Stevenson → Whitney M. Young Leadership
• Miles → Robert H. Jamison
• Mound* → Albert Bushnell Hart
• Mary Church Terrell → Wilbur Wright (renamed Wilbur Wright School of the Arts)
• Waverly* and Louisa May Alcott → Joseph M. Gallagher
• Charles A. Mooney → Denison
• Valley View Boys' Leadership Academy → Kenneth Clement Boys' Leadership Academy

*Indicates buildings that will remain open as new locations for citywide specialty schools.

SPECIALTY SCHOOL RELOCATIONS

Four specialty schools will move to improved buildings:

• Stonebrook-White Montessori → Stephanie Tubbs Jones building (renamed Michael R. White Montessori)
• Kenneth Clement Boys’ Leadership Academy → Mary M. Bethune building (renamed Kenneth W. Clement Boys’ Leadership Academy)
• Dike School of the Arts → Mound building (renamed Dike School of the Arts)
• Tremont Montessori → Waverly building (renamed Waverly Montessori)

HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS CONSOLIDATIONS

14 high schools currently co-located on six campuses will merge:

• Cleveland School of Science and Medicine, Cleveland School of Architecture and Design, Cleveland Early College High School → John Hay High School
• Davis Aerospace and Maritime High School, Cleveland High School for Digital Arts → Benjamin O. Davis High School
• John Marshall School of Civic and Business Leadership, Engineering, and IT → John Marshall High School
• Lincoln-West School of Global Studies and Science and Health → Lincoln-West High School
• James Ford Rhodes College and Career Academy and Environmental Studies → James Ford Rhodes High School
• Garrett Morgan School of Engineering & Innovation and Leadership & Innovation → Garrett Morgan High School

STANDALONE HIGH SCHOOL MERGERS

Five standalone high schools will merge with welcoming schools:

• Collinwood High School → Glenville High School
• Campus International High School → John Hay High School
• MC2STEM High School → East Technical High School
• New Tech West High School and Facing History New Tech High School → James Ford Rhodes High School

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

The BBF plan is projected to save CMSD approximately $30 million annually. However, additional reductions in Central Office and administrative costs will be necessary to secure the district’s financial future and help reach the needed target of $150 million in savings over this year and the following three years.

STUDENT IMPACT:

For the students in schools that are directly impacted by Building Brighter Futures:

• 100% will have equal or expanded academic and extracurricular opportunities and student supports;
• 96% will attend a welcoming school with an equal or higher star rating; and
• 95% will attend a welcoming school with an equal or better condition building.

SCHOOL-LEVEL SUPPORTS and Next Steps:

Following this release of recommendations, all families and staff members will

• Receive an email from Dr. Morgan on Friday with further information, which will include the days and times of Parent and Staff meetings at each impacted school.
• Each impacted school will have a dedicated Transition Team to answer questions and serve as a liaison and provide resources.
• Board Chair Sara Elaqad will extend public comment at upcoming Board of Education meetings, offering 20 speaking slots at each session on November 19, December 2, and December 9, leading up to the board voting on these recommendations. The Board of Education will continue reviewing the recommendations before making a final decision.

COMMUNITY AND LEADERSHIP SUPPORT:

This is a pivotal moment for our district. Building Brighter Futures is about more than buildings — it’s about equity, opportunity, and preparing our students for success. We are committed to making decisions that reflect the needs of our scholars and uphold our responsibility to provide every student in our district with the high-quality education they deserve.CMSD Board Chair Sara Elaqad

Now is the time to make the hard choices to ensure Cleveland has a brighter future. For far too long, we’ve delayed hard choices about our footprint of Cleveland Public Schools. This is about ensuring equity in access to high-quality education in every neighborhood.Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb

As a reminder, the Building Brighter Futures website will continue to be updated with key information in the days to come. Tonight’s presentation can be found on the website and linked below.