CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cleveland Metropolitan School District Board voted Wednesday night to move forward with plans to lay off about 300 employees, a decision that sparked protests from teachers and staff during the meeting.
The board’s decision comes amid budget shortfalls and declining enrollment, which district officials said have forced difficult staffing cuts. Superintendent Warren Morgan said the layoffs, expected to affect both classroom and support positions, are part of a broader restructuring effort to “stabilize finances and sustain academic priorities.”
The meeting was briefly interrupted when a group of teachers and union members stood and chanted “protect our schools” as the board prepared to vote. Security officers escorted several protesters from the room after board president Anne Bingham called for order.
“We are already stretched thin,” said Alicia Torres, a teacher at John Adams College and Career Academy, following the meeting. “Cutting even more positions will directly hurt our students and classrooms.”
District officials said layoff notices will be issued later this month, with most reductions taking effect by June 30. They emphasized that the district will offer placement assistance and retraining opportunities where possible.
Cleveland Teachers Union leaders condemned the move, arguing the board failed to consider alternatives such as administrative cost cuts or the use of federal relief funds.
“This is not just about jobs — it’s about the future of our schools,” CTU President Shari Obrenski said in a statement released Wednesday night. “Our educators deserve to be heard before decisions like this are finalized.”
The district, which serves roughly 36,000 students, has faced ongoing challenges following the expiration of pandemic-related funding and a slower-than-expected recovery in state aid. Board members said they would continue to review staffing levels and budget projections through the summer.