CMSD CEO Dr. Warren Morgan thanks community for engaging in the Building Brighter Futures recommendation process.

Greetings CMSD Families, Staff, and Community Partners,

With heartfelt appreciation, I want to thank our community and everyone who engaged during the Building Brighter Futures engagement sessions. Your support and participation were invaluable.

Please take a moment to watch my message to all of you:

By unanimous vote, the Cleveland Metropolitan School Board of Education approved the Building Brighter Futures (BBF) recommendation at its meeting tonight. Starting the 2026-27 academic year, the BBF plan will result in 45 PreK-8 schools and 14 high schools, 29 fewer schools than currently in operation today. Families can still choose non-traditional school options, such as Natividad Pagan or School of One, for their child.

With mergers and moves, we have prioritized keeping more current staff and students together. Every school community will absorb some changes, particularly those that will physically relocate or welcome a school community. Every school community will experience the system-wide benefits:

• 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
• 95% will attend a welcoming school with an equal or better condition building
• These changes will save at least $30 million every year

Many of you have asked what happens next for BBF now that it has been approved. Each school will have transition support in place to answer questions and to help students, staff, and families navigate these changes.

The School Choice Portal is scheduled to open January 5, 2026, and will remain available through February 27, 2026. Families affected by school closures, mergers, or consolidations should act promptly: confirm your child’s seat at their welcoming school by logging into the CMSD School Choice Portal. Early action ensures CMSD can accurately plan enrollment and guarantees your scholar’s spot.

Thank you for your patience and support as we enter this historic period for our school district. Together, we can build a brighter future for all of our scholars.