School Board Agenda & Packet Summary – CMSD – June 23, 2026

Meeting Information

• Public Body: Cleveland Metropolitan School District
• Organization Type: school-district
• Government Body: school-boards
• Meeting Title: Cleveland Municipal School District Board Business Meeting - 6:30 PM
• Meeting Date: 2026-06-23
• City: Cleveland
• County: Cuyahoga
• State: ohio
• Meeting Source URL: https://go.boarddocs.com/oh/cmsd/Board.nsf/Public?open&id=DUWFA93E253B&unid=AEBC1FA6F0ED89C785258E12003E253B
• Meeting Listing URL: https://go.boarddocs.com/oh/cmsd/Board.nsf/Public
• Public Body Website: https://www.clevelandmetroschools.org/board-of-education
• Meeting Video URL: Not available
• Video Channel URL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIk_itomOHTmC-f1xF50-5A

What Community Members Should Know

This meeting focuses heavily on preparing the Cleveland Metropolitan School District for the 2026-2027 school year through major financial approvals, staffing actions, policy updates, and long-term capital financing. The board is also scheduled to consider substantial borrowing authority for school construction and refinancing existing debt while adopting the district's annual appropriation measure.

The largest financial items include a proposed authorization for up to $220 million in voter-approved school improvement bonds, refinancing up to $81.89 million of outstanding bonds to reduce interest costs, transportation contracts totaling up to $19.5 million, utility spending of up to $18 million, insurance coverage of up to $3.456 million, fuel purchases of up to $2.4 million, and renewal of Microsoft's education software agreement for up to $1.536 million.

The board is also considering several governance changes, including new policies covering artificial intelligence, procurement and administration of overdose reversal drugs, and updates to bidding requirements. These policies could influence classroom practices, student safety, purchasing procedures, and district operations for years to come.

Personnel matters occupy a significant portion of the meeting, including new hires, employment actions, contract status for licensed educators, administrator compensation, employee reclassifications, retirements, resignations, and other staffing changes needed before the new school year.

Major Discussion and Action Items

School Construction Bonds and Debt Refinancing

The most consequential action item authorizes issuance of up to $220 million in voter-approved bonds to construct, renovate, remodel, furnish, equip, and improve school buildings and related facilities throughout the district. The proposal also covers acquisition and improvement of school sites.

A separate resolution authorizes issuance of up to $81.89 million in refunding bonds to refinance portions of previous 2015A and 2023 school improvement bonds at lower interest rates. If market conditions are favorable, refinancing could reduce long-term borrowing costs while maintaining existing capital improvement plans.

Adoption of the FY2026-2027 Budget

The board is scheduled to approve final adjustments to the FY2026 appropriation measure before adopting the district's annual appropriation for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. These actions establish spending authority across district operations and provide the financial framework for the upcoming school year.

Major Operating Contracts

Several operational contracts support daily district functions:

• Student transportation contracts totaling up to $19.5 million for special education students, foster youth, McKinney-Vento students, and eligible charter and non-public school transportation.
• Fuel purchases totaling $2.4 million through the Ohio Schools Council Cooperative Purchasing program.
• Utility expenditures not to exceed $18 million.
• Comprehensive insurance coverage through June 30, 2027, not to exceed $3,456,058.
• Microsoft Education Enrollment Solution renewal not to exceed $1,536,000.

Together these contracts fund transportation, technology, utilities, and risk management that directly support district operations.

Board Policies on AI, Student Safety, and Purchasing

The board is considering three significant policy actions:

• Adoption of a district policy governing the use of artificial intelligence.
• Adoption of a policy governing procurement and administration of overdose reversal drugs.
• Updates to district bidding requirements.

These policies establish operational expectations for emerging technology, student and staff health preparedness, and purchasing practices.

Facilities and Property Management

The operations agenda includes authorization for a one-year lease of the former Health Careers School to ACCEL Schools.

Additional operational authority would allow disposal or donation of surplus district property in accordance with Ohio law after determining fair market value.

Personnel Actions for the 2026-2027 School Year

The board is expected to consider a broad package of employment matters, including:

• Hiring teaching, non-teaching, and school-based administrative staff.
• Employee reclassifications.
• Retirements and resignations.
• Supplemental and differential compensation.
• Continuing and extended limited contracts.
• Administrator contract renewals.
• Recall of substitute teachers and support staff.

The packet reflects ongoing workforce preparation ahead of the new academic year.

Goals and Guardrails Progress

The meeting includes a presentation monitoring progress toward the district's Goals and Guardrails framework. Rather than requesting immediate board action, this agenda item is intended to review progress, accountability measures, and performance against board-established priorities.

Financial Matters

Major financial actions include:

• Up to $220,000,000 in new voter-approved capital improvement bonds.
• Up to $81,890,000 in refunding bonds intended to reduce borrowing costs.
• Transportation contracts up to $19,500,000.
• Utility expenditures up to $18,000,000.
• Credit card and procurement card payments through Fifth Third Bank up to $5,000,000 during FY2026-2027.
• Comprehensive insurance services up to $3,456,058.
• Transportation fuel purchases totaling $2,400,000.
• Microsoft education software renewal up to $1,536,000.
• Montessori Development Partnerships purchases for furniture, materials, and equipment up to $275,000.

The board is also asked to accept grants and gifts from the Council of the Great City Schools, Ohio Arts Council, Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, and St. Luke's Foundation, with spending authorized according to grant conditions.

Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance

Governance actions include adoption of:

• An Artificial Intelligence policy.
• A policy governing overdose reversal drugs.
• Updated bidding requirements.
• Annual OHSAA membership for 2026-2027.
• Cleveland Public Library Tax Budget for Fiscal Year 2027.
• Annual appropriation measures.
• Bond issuance resolutions.
• Delegations of purchasing authority allowing the Chief Executive Officer to execute contracts and purchase orders up to $50,000 during FY2026-2027.

These actions establish both operational rules and financial governance for the upcoming fiscal year.

Reports, Presentations, and Informational Updates

The principal informational presentation is the district's Goals and Guardrails progress monitoring report.

The packet also includes routine staffing exhibits documenting hiring, reclassification, continuing contracts, and employment actions supporting board decisions.

Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters

Personnel actions are extensive but largely routine for the start of a school year.

The packet documents approval of new employees, employee reclassifications, retirements, resignations, supplemental assignments, continuing contracts, extended limited contracts, administrator salary schedules, substitute recalls, and notices regarding administrator renewals.

The June employment exhibit includes five new hires such as an electrician, two professional drivers, a substitute cleaner, and a Data Strategist. The district also recommends granting continuing contract status to qualifying licensed educators and approving updated administrator salary schedules for 2026-2027.

Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations

Capital improvements remain a central operational priority through the proposed $220 million bond authorization.

Operational items also include:

• Leasing the former Health Careers School.
• Student transportation services.
• Fleet fuel procurement.
• Utility services.
• Microsoft educational technology licensing.
• Furniture and equipment purchases supporting Montessori programming.
• Disposal of surplus district property under Ohio law.

These items collectively support both instructional delivery and district infrastructure.

Public Hearings and Opportunities for Community Input

Public participation is scheduled early in the meeting.

The agenda provides:

• Responses to public comments submitted during the May 19, 2026 Board Business Meeting.
• A public comment period during the June 23 meeting before most board business is considered.

No separate public hearings or formal application deadlines are identified in the packet.

Community Impact

Students and families may see effects from continued facility investments, transportation contracts, technology licensing, Montessori classroom purchases, and updated district policies.

Employees are directly affected through hiring, promotions, contract status decisions, administrator compensation, supplemental assignments, and employment renewals.

Taxpayers are impacted by proposed bond financing, annual appropriations, and major operational expenditures, although the capital bonds are described as supporting voter-approved school improvements.

Community partners may benefit from grant-funded programs, continued partnerships with educational organizations, and resource distribution to partnering community schools.

Questions Community Members May Want to Ask

• How will the proposed $220 million bond authorization be prioritized across district facilities?
• What savings are expected from refinancing existing bonds?
• How will the district implement its new artificial intelligence policy?
• What protocols will govern the use and storage of overdose reversal drugs?
• What accountability measures accompany the Goals and Guardrails framework?
• How were transportation contract costs evaluated?
• What projects will be supported by the accepted grants?
• How will the lease of the former Health Careers School benefit the district?
• What criteria were used for granting continuing contracts?
• How will administrator salary changes affect recruitment and retention?

Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps

• June 23, 2026: Board Business Meeting and consideration of all listed resolutions.
• Fiscal Year 2026-2027: Annual appropriation measure becomes the operating budget if adopted.
• June 30, 2026 - June 30, 2027: Proposed insurance coverage period.
• 2026-2027 School Year: Transportation contracts, fuel purchases, Microsoft licensing, OHSAA membership, and operational contracts take effect if approved.
• Following board approval, district administration would implement adopted policies, contracts, staffing actions, and bond-related financing.

Key Takeaways

• The board is considering up to $220 million in school improvement bonds.
• A separate refinancing could reduce borrowing costs on existing debt.
• Transportation contracts total up to $19.5 million.
• Utility spending authority reaches $18 million.
• Insurance services are budgeted at up to $3.456 million.
• Microsoft software renewal totals up to $1.536 million.
• New policies address artificial intelligence, overdose reversal drugs, and bidding.
• Extensive staffing actions prepare the district for the 2026-2027 school year.
• Goals and Guardrails performance monitoring will be presented publicly.
• Public comment remains part of the regular meeting agenda.

Official Sources

• Meeting source: https://go.boarddocs.com/oh/cmsd/Board.nsf/Public?open&id=DUWFA93E253B&unid=AEBC1FA6F0ED89C785258E12003E253B
• Meeting listing: https://go.boarddocs.com/oh/cmsd/Board.nsf/Public
• Public body website: https://www.clevelandmetroschools.org/board-of-education
• Meeting video: Not available
• Video channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIk_itomOHTmC-f1xF50-5A

About the Public Body

• Name: Cleveland Metropolitan School District
• Organization type: school-district
• Government body: school-boards
• Location: Cleveland, ohio
• County: Cuyahoga
• Provider: boarddocs

Keywords

Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Cleveland Board of Education, June 23 2026, Board Business Meeting, FY2027 budget, annual appropriation, school improvement bonds, bond refunding, artificial intelligence policy, overdose reversal drugs, bidding policy, transportation contracts, utilities, Microsoft EES, insurance services, ACCEL Schools, Goals and Guardrails, OHSAA, Montessori Development Partnerships, community schools, facilities, capital improvements, personnel actions, continuing contracts, administrator salary schedule, grants, Fifth Third Bank, Cleveland Public Library tax budget