The Observation Deck

Can anyone explain what the difference is between the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and the Cleveland Municipal School District?

I saw the article about Eugene Sanders and his vision in the PD today and on page B 8 there was a photo of him with Cleveland Metropolitan School District in the background.

The article also noted his hope to attract students from the suburbs to magnet schools.

At a regional conversation on eduction last week, Mayor Welo of South Euclid called for a consolidation of school districts.

This may all be coincidental and nothing to consider here.

Is there anything happening to suggest the powers that be are leading the way to a Metropolitan School District?

Kenneth Warren

Ken,
I heard an interview with Dr. Sanders today on NPR on my way into work and he mentioned this very thing.

It was all about attracting students from outside the schoold district and being more inclusive.

What that means long-term or any ulterioir motive I can't say other than what I heard this morning.

It does raise a good question though, is there efficiency to be gained by combining administrative functions of so many school districts into more regional administrative bodies? I'm not necessarily talking about moving kids out of the traditional boundaries, but rather having an administrative efficiency.

For example, couldn't all payroll, purchasing, and other universal fucntions be combined rather than having each district run their own program?

Bryan Schwegler wrote: For example, couldn't all payroll, purchasing, and other universal fucntions be combined rather than having each district run their own program?

Much of that is already being done. Payroll, computer purchasing, vehicle purchasing, health insurance, and other various functions are already run through local consortiums and cooperatives.

I recall that Dr. Sanders had the school district's official name changed to the Cleveland Metropolitan School District not long after he came on board.

Yes, it is the same entity. Apparently Dr. Sanders is of the belief that renaming a weed will turn it into a flower.

I suspect that his endeavor to reach out to students from outside the district is one tentacle of the creature called regionalism where Cleveland, drowning in a sea of ineptitude, wants to reach out and take us all down with them.

Of course, its possible that the Cleveland schools are not turning out enough capable students to fill a magnet school, so it they want a magnet school, they have to import some students.

integrating the Cleveland Schools with Cuyahoga County would be a real shot in the arm for real estate in Lorain and Medina Counties. It ain't that hard to legitimize the kickbacks.

It would be great to see the more gifted of Clevelands students have more opportunities to excel. usually the Arts students don't become great performers or craftsmen. They just produce surreal or sexually explicit metaphorical work. And forget about Musical Theatre: it never ends up cool like the old movie Fame.

I listen to the WCLV radio station a lot. They don't play much jazz. but there's this program on saturday where a bunch of teenagers play classical music.

I had an encouraging visit to the corner cleveland library branch. An old man was discussing with some Urban teenagers or early twenties youth why it is important to not say certain words or act certain ways in public. Another older gentleman was explaining to a woman why she shouldn't eat or drink in the library and how there was even a sign to remind her of that. These small ethical rehabilitations will add up to recivilize the area.