Earlier this month, Signal Cleveland reporters and Cleveland Documenters closely covered the Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s plan to merge and close dozens of schools. This episode of the Public Meetings Report brings you inside the meeting where the board approved that plan — including public comments from parents, teachers, and residents who spoke directly to district leaders before the unanimous vote. If you want to hear the key voices and understand the big takeaways in about five minutes, this episode is for you.

The Documenter whose work contributed to this episode is:

• Kellie Morris.

Her work has been compiled this week by Doug Breehl Pitorak. The Public Meetings Report is produced by Gennifer Harding-Gosnell.

The Public Meetings Report is produced by Signal Cleveland and Cleveland Documenters, in partnership with WOVU 95.9FM.

SHOW NOTES:

Signal Cleveland Documenters coverage:

• Board of Education, Cleveland Metropolitan School District Notes Dec. 9, 2025
• Parents, students voice concerns about plan to merge, close schools By Cleveland Documenters

Signal Cleveland reporting:

• CMSD’s merger plans are underway. Tell us how it’s going By Franziska Wild
• CMSD approved its school merger plan. Here’s what comes next By Franziska Wild
• CMSD board approves historic plan to consolidate schools By Franziska Wild
• Parents, students voice concerns about plan to merge, close schools By Franziska Wild
• ‘Be the change you want to see’: Meet Cleveland Documenter, Tucker Handley By Najee Hall
• ‘I am really proud of the work’: Meet Cleveland Documenter Alicia Moreland By Najee Hall
• We have to be able to come together’: Meet Cleveland Documenter Kathryn Johnson By Najee Hall

Recordings:

• Board of Education, Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Dec. 9, 2025