Cleveland: School district plan passed

CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland School Board passed the proposed  plan Tuesday night.  There was only one 'no' vote.  This plan involves the closure of 16 schools and the restructuring of at least 20 more.

Some changes are expected since the proposal was first unveiled in January. Ginn Academy and Tremont Montessori are not expected to move because of public outcry.

The district is still trying to address safety concerns parents have with students being moved to new schools, where there may be neighborhood "turf" issues.

"Change is never easy," said Dr. Eugene Sanders, CEO of the Cleveland School District, in January.

Teachers are also concerned about their jobs and whether the plan has been thought through.

"We feel the district is pushing this through," says Cleveland Teachers Union President David Quolke.

Some East High supporters hope to keep the school open. Councilman TJ Dow has suggested turning it into a model, like the Harlem Children's Zone in New York City.

It's a successful charter school and community service provider that works with the whole family.

"Our families are broken," says Dow. He says there needs to be a holistic approach to help the community to turnaround the schools.

There will be two safety and security meetings:

• Thursday March 18, 2010 from 6-7:30p.m @ Glenville High School 650 E.113th Street.
• Tuesday March 30, 2010 from 6-7:30p.m @James F. Rhodes 5100 Biddulph Avenue

The two transportation meetings will be:

• Tuesday March 16, 2010 from 6-7:30p.m. @ Lincoln West High School, 3202 W. 30th Street
• Monday March 29, 2010 from 6-730p.m @ East Tech,  2439 E. 55th Street.