40,000 students start school in Cleveland, CEO says schools 'off to good start'

CLEVELAND - When asked how the first day of school is going for the Cleveland Metropolitan School district, CEO Eric Gordon didn't give himself an "E" for excellent but a "G" for good.

"We had a good start," he said from the hallways of Success Tech. "I would probably get a good grade just like any class."

As class starts, tension is high over the proposed 15 mill levy.

Though teachers and staff can't advocate for the levy during school hours, Gordon said, "After school on [their] own time? You can bet they will be out there to make sure this is successful for our kids."

Gordon said a levy is needed to help pay for the Cleveland Transformational plan. A 15 mill levy would cost the owner of a $50,000 home $4.42 a week or 63 cents a day. It would bring in an estimated $50 million to $60 million a year for four years.

If the levy fails, the district will experience a $50 million deficit next year, forcing them to cut another 700 to 800 teachers and staff, Gordon said.

More than 40,000 kids were registered to begin school this year in Cleveland and the district employs nearly 4,000 staff members and teachers.

Some Cleveland schools had time changes this year as to when they would open their doors.

Other changes included cutting down on buses to and from the school and the school day being 50 minutes shorter, which disappointed parent Kristina Zoldak.

She said, "I'm a little upset about that. They're taking away from the kids. The kids are our future."

Gordon said, "Difficult decisions needed to be made including shortening the K-8 student day…This is exactly the point. We can not keep divesting in the system and cutting our way to prosperity. We are not going to get the results we know the community deserves."