Phase 2 of Cincinnati Public Schools’ growth plan still raises questions

CINCINNATI – School administrators and community members continue to question the second phase of Cincinnati Public Schools’ growth plan. Phase 2 would establish new middle and high schools in the district and locate schools in the Central, Western and Eastern corridors.

Monday’s Board of Education meeting was a follow-up that of last weekthus answering more questions as the plan is a major financial commitment for the district.

“We have to be very aware that making so many changes at once is not stable,” said CPS board member Brandon Craig.

And the price tag for those changes is set at $203 million.

However, no decisions have been made yet.

“These are all recommendations,” said Mary Wineberg, vice president of the board.

According to the district, the reason for the plan is to promote growth and address overcrowding in schools while still having a diverse student population. But some on the board say that with other costs it will be too much and not worth it.

“If we’re trying to add more than $350 million to a budget that already has a hole in it, I think there has to be a very compelling reason why this is a must-do,” said board member Ben Lindy. “And I haven’t heard that yet.”

During Monday night’s meeting, many spoke out in favor of Montessori education and asked the board not to adopt the current proposal, which would remove seventh and eighth graders from Clark Montessori.

“I hope you side with the families who don’t want this to happen. I also think if you side with the families, that choice will benefit more people,” said Ephram Coats, a CPS student.

Even former Clark Montessori alumni spoke.

“We are facing a very real capacity problem, but I hope we can come together to find a solution that is the least disruptive to our students and staff,” said alum Elena Jordan-Keller.

Phase 1 of the plan has now been implemented, with several students and teachers having moved.

In Monday evening presentationFeedback from Phase 1 showed that staff felt rushed and families were not always kept informed. CPS board member Kendra Mapp asked how this would be avoided in Phase 2.

“I think the significant change is the planning, forethought and time we have going into this phase versus Phase 1, which will make a night and day difference,” said a member of the interim superintendent team Shauna Murphy who drew up the plan.

Because some students have already moved, student relocation is a major concern for many.

“We really have to be very careful when we say we’re simply moving people from one place to another because for some students it’s not just one move, this is now the second move,” Craig said.

If Phase 2 is successful, it will be implemented for the next school year. There is no set date yet for a vote in the board.