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In a crowded room at the school district’s downtown headquarters Wednesday, Superintendent Kelvin Adams presented plans to trim the city school’s current budget. Much of the savings would be by cutting 134 positions, including 82 teachers and 20 nurses, counselors and social workers.
The proposed plan also includes the potential closing of three schools: Sherman Elementary, L’Ouverture Middle and Cleveland NJROTC High — schools that have faced closure before, but were spared. Sherman and L’Ouverture would close after this school year, leaving their buildings empty. Cleveland, the district’s military magnet school, would not accept freshmen this fall, and graduate its last class in 2016.
It was Adams’ recommendation to close Cleveland that drew the most attention from the crowd. Dozens of faculty and cadets in uniform were in attendance to oppose the plan. They told the board that Cleveland performs better academically than most district high schools, and that it boasts a 100 percent graduation rate. They shared experiences of inspirational teachers, their school family and the leadership skills they’ve learned there.
“It doesn’t deserve to be closed down,” said Will Mason, a freshman.
Adams told attendees that the cuts and closings are necessary in order to properly manage the district, since local and state education funds aren’t keeping pace with increasing labor and other costs. “The closures and staff reductions are essential to balancing next year’s budget,” Adams said. “And Cleveland has had trouble in recent years attracting students.”
Two forums will be held Saturday to gather feedback on the proposals, at 10 a.m. to noon at Vashon High, 3035 Cass Avenue; and from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Central Visual Performing Arts High, 3125 South Kingshighway.
The Special Administrative Board plans to vote next month on Adams’ recommendations.
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