CINCINNATI (WKRC) – The Cincinnati School Board has approved a significant restructuring plan that will affect nearly half of the district’s students.
The decision came after a lengthy six-hour meeting on Monday night, where the board voted to approve parts of the controversial plan while amending others.
Superintendent Shauna Murphy proposed the plan, which aims to address overcrowding and underutilization in some buildings. It includes the creation of several middle school buildings, which Murphy said is necessary to meet the needs of that age group. Public comments during the meeting lasted an hour and a half, with opinions divided on the plan’s second phase.
“As a peer teacher, I feel we need to support phase two of the proposal,” said a peer teacher.
Not everyone agreed.
“A nightmare not just for Woodford but for so many of the schools that I’ve taught at,” another teacher said.
The majority of the proposal passed without the support of board members Ben Lindy and Kendra Mapp.
“It would impact up to 15,000 children; that’s 43% of the school district’s enrollment,” Lindy said.
The plan involves dividing many district schools into bundles and creating middle schools. For instance, Withrow High School will be converted to a ninth through 12th-grade building, with seventh and eighth grades moving to Evanston.
“We have middle school students who have needs that are different than the needs that are developed and created in K-8 buildings and in seven through 12 buildings,” Murphy said.
Despite the plan’s approval, it has faced criticism, with some community members arguing there wasn’t enough feedback.
“What we have asked them to do is form a task force of community stakeholders, parents, and people who have a stake in this to help them,” said Marcia Futel of the Cincinnati Community Coalition.
District administrators reported holding 77 engagement meetings specifically about phase two. School Board President Eve Bolton said they couldn’t delay any longer.
“Action needs to be taken in the next three days regarding staffing, regarding budget, and regarding negotiations with all six of our unions,” Bolton said.
Murphy also highlighted the urgency of the plan, saying it will help address student homelessness and support multilingual learners.
“I know you’re frustrated,” Murphy said. “I know you want your school and this school board; I know you want to do what is absolutely best for the citizens you serve; I do too.”
The financial implications of the plan remain unclear. The district’s treasurer said costs would need to be reevaluated following the board’s decisions. Some board members expressed concern that the plan might save the district very little or no money at all.
A business meeting is scheduled for December 18, where more information about the budget impact could be discussed.
The plan has faced particular criticism from the West End community, as original plans would have closed Hays-Porter, the area’s only public elementary school. However, that closure was removed from consideration before Monday’s meeting, and the school will remain open.
“With the board’s direction, CPS is ready to implement the vision voted on at last evening’s meeting,” Murphy said. “We are well-positioned to continue to optimize our operations, support the kids and families we serve and our educators. My team is ready to make these much-needed changes.”
Here are the changes that were decided on at Monday’s meeting:
EAST CORRIDOR:
- Withrow [9-12], 7th and 8th to Evanston
- Evanston (Withrow Junior High) [7 and 8]. Pre-K to 5th go to Frederick Douglas. 6th grade to South Avondale.
- South Avondale (South Avondale Middle School) [6, 7, 8]. 6th graders from Evanston. K to 5 to Rockdale. Current 6th graders.
CENTRAL CORRIDOR:
- Hughes STEM [9 to 12]. 7th and 8th to South Avondale.
- Woodward Career Technical [9 to 12]. 7th and 8th to South Avondale.
- Frederick Douglas [Pre-K – 5]. 6th graders to South Avondale.
- Rockdale [Pre-K – 5]. 6th graders to South Avondale. Aiken [9 -12]. 7th and 8th to Pleasant Hill.
- Pleasant Hill (Pleasant Hill Middle School) [6, 7, 8]. Pre-K to 5th to College Hill. Keep current 6th graders.
- College Hill [Pre-K – 5]. 6th graders to Pleasant Hill. Pre-K to 5th from Pleasant Hill. Remove Magnet Status.
- Hartwell [5 To 8]. Second to 4th to Carthage.
- Carthage [Pre-K to 4]. Students from Hartwell.
- William H. Taft Elementary [K – 6]. Remove Magnet Status (students remain). Becomes Neighborhood Montessori (Central Corridor). Pre-K goes to Rising Stars at Vine. Start WRAP.
Additionally, the boundaries of Winton Hills Academy and Mt. Airy School will be adjusted to include students from Pleasant Hill and College Hill.
WEST CORRIDOR:
- Western Hills [Grades 9 – 12]. 7th and 8th to Ethel Taylor.
- Ethel M. Taylor (Western Hills Junior High) [Grades 7 and 8]. 7th and 8th graders from Western Hills. 6th graders from Roll Hill. Current students to Roll Hill.
- Roll Hill [Pre-K to 6]. 6th graders go to Ethel Taylor. Ethel Taylor students.
- Leap. Expand to 7th this year and 8th grade the following year.
- Sayler Park. Expand grades over time. Add 9th grade next year.
- Rothenberg [Pre-K to 6]. No Change.
- Hays-Porter [Pre-K – 6]. No Change.