Cleveland Elementary School in upstate Cleveland, New York, was once designated a “failing school.” But with a united community and hard work, the school improved and was named a Blue Ribbon school of excellence in 2010. It was recognized again in 2013. It continues to enjoy strong community support, but the Central Square Board of Education decided to close the school because of declining enrollment, state budget cuts, and rising costs.
The parents are trying to save the school but the local school board is adamant.
Why close an excellent school?
Below is a letter from a parent at Cleveland Elementary School. My advice: Organize the community, run candidates for the school board, write letters to the editor, meet with elected officials, appeal to Governor Cuomo.
Here is a letter from a parent:
Dear Ms. Ravitch,
I am reaching out to you because of your strong views and commitment to the education of our children. It is my hope that raising your awareness to the situation our community is facing will gain your support in our fight to save the community schools in our district.
Cleveland Elementary School is a school in Upstate New York that has experienced a transformation in the past seven years – due entirely to character education and an intentional focus on building relationships with students and the larger community. The school now stands as the pride – and hub – of the community.
The Central Square School District, one which was recently honored in Albany with a NY State District of Character Award, voted to close Cleveland Elementary – a National School of Character, only days apart in the same week. This noble district-wide achievement would not be conceivable without the model and leadership of Cleveland Elementary. Cleveland Elementary, Home of the Shamrocks, was honored by the US Department of Education as a 2010 Blue Ribbon School for Academic Excellence. In 2012 Cleveland Elementary sought and received a New York State School of Character Honorable Mention Award and continued on to earn a 2013 National School of Character Award. This school of academic and character excellence, who also proudly serves as the local food pantry, is among less than 1% of the schools across the country with such distinction.
To many, a school is nothing more than brick and mortar. While that may be the case in other schools, I have to say Cleveland Elementary has been so much more to us. Behind its doors is a sense of community—a family. A culture of developing ethical, responsible, and caring children- in addition to academic principles. The teachers and staff are passionate about their roles as mentors to the children; their dedication and love for what they do is evident in every interaction. If given the opportunity I am certain every parent would want this for their children. This type of education is LOST in over-crowded class rooms and schools….positive relationships cannot be fully developed due to time constraints and demands on the teacher; a student becomes just a student. Our Cleveland Family wants to maintain the ability to engage ALL children—get to KNOW them as people, TEACH them how to be a part of something bigger than themselves. I will never understand how anyone could put a price tag on our children’s development when it matters most.
As a parent of a first grader, the decision to close Cleveland Elementary is truly disheartening and unacceptable. What does it say about the value of education? Cleveland Elementary is so much more than brick and mortar…..It is the HEART of our Community….and the children are our future. Our community takes great pride in the collective efforts and accomplishments our school has achieved. The reputation of our school has been a draw for many families to move to this rural area. Closing this vital part of our community will have devastating effects to us, our community, as well as to those that rely on the services the school provides outside of the academic day.
Although I am certain this decision was not taken lightly, I am concerned it was made in haste under the pressure of a budget crunch. There are detailed options that are more viable and fiscally responsible than closing a Nationally Recognized School that only represents 1% of the tax levy. Perhaps it is easier to target schools that are in less economically prosperous areas. The district has not shared information with its members or been open to conversations regarding these options. We are unaware of a projected long term plan, and truthfully it does not appear there is one. Our concerns lie in knowing the impact closing ANY school with have on ALL of the children in our district? Over-crowding the class room is not the answer to our current situation of low enrollment. This consolidation will put students at 107% capacity. While I know there are no easy answers….I would ask that someone revisit the numbers, the current aid our district just received ($960,055 above what was expected), as well as the goal for our district as we move forward.
What is the incentive for dedicated teachers to strive for excellence in the education of children, if the reward is having your successful award winning school closed? How will our Country ever be Leaders in Education if we cannot see the value in community schools?
Please take the time to visit our Facebook Page, and see for yourself the struggle we are facing.
https://www.facebook.com/saveclevelandelementary
Our concerns have not been addressed by the board. They will not answer any questions, and have been dismissive and rude. There has yet to be even a letter to parents from the Administration regarding the closure, which is not only a little over a month away.
Thank you in advance for your consideration and time. I appreciate your anticipated support for our Community Schools.
Sincerely,
Jennifer S. Leahy
Proud Parent, Community Member &
President of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 858
Cleveland, NY
Because some other business wants the “customers” …
I almost hate to say this, but your school is in a desperate situation: Can you become a charter school?
“Although I am certain this decision was not taken lightly….”
No, it was taken gleefully. The rephormers delight in making teachers and principals jump through hoops to reclaim their schools from “failing” status, then trotting them out to show off their successes and then, oh gee, too bad, so sad, we’re afraid we’re going to have to close your school. It’s happening everywhere. Please don’t think that the board is meeting with heavy hearts valiantly making the “tough” decisions. It’s all just a chess game to them.
Good advice. When we had a “bad” majority running an un-supportive school board in the district where I taught for thirty years, the only way to fix the problem was to run someone the teachers and active parents trusted against the members who were walking wrecking balls and get rid of them. We did this several times and managed to turn things around but it was a never ending battle because fake reform minded fools were always popping up to run for the school board, lie their way in and then once they get in, the damage they did was often terrible.
The war on public education in upstate New York is a war of attrition.
Upstate NY schools outside of urban areas are not as a rule *failing*, but their budgets are ailing because of policies such as the tax levy cap courtesy of our Republicrat governor and assorted accomplices, I mean lawmakers.
Districts are owed millions in state aid thanks to: the 2009 freezing of foundation aid, the infamous Gap Elimination Adjustment of 2010 that has not been fully rescinded AS PROMISED, no relief from unfunded mandates AS PROMISED, and unfair state funding formulas that disproportionally send money to downstate districts.
Cuomo’s answer to budget issues facing the upstate districts is basically that we should drain reserves and share services, or better yet, merge. Farewell local schools, farewell community identity. We just a bunch of hicks in the sticks anyway, so what’s the big deal?
@ Johanna Yatvin: NO! NO CHARTERS! Don’t even get me started!
“disproportionately”
So what is proposed to do with the school when closed? Is it turned around into a Charter school where the same children can attend? Did they discover that its a profitable location where the children are learning, which dovetails nicely into their for-profit ideas?
Or, does the school close down, and the students are then bussed to other far away schools? I’m curious how this all works in the mindset of the profiteers.
The Central Square district has three other elementary schools, plus a primary and an intermediate school, but Cleveland Elementary is maybe 5 to 8 miles from the nearest elementary. By upstate NY standards this is not a huge distance for bussing, but the loss of such an outlying school means a great deal more than just extra transportation time for students. Closing these schools takes away a community resource and is a blow to a community’s identity, however small that community might be.
As I indicated above, the issue in the more rural and suburban areas of upstate NY isn’t so much about overt corporate greed pushing for hostile takeovers of our schools as is the budget cuts forced upon us by cuts in state aid. If our NYS lawmakers would restore state aid to the pre-recession levels, it might not be necessary for Central Square to close that school at all.
they have their sights set on not just one… but 2 community schools. Just us for now
Apparently so called democratic accountability has downsides sometimes. Charterize and voucherize.
Yes, the profiteers have set their sights on this tiny elementary school in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere. Great place for a charter school! https://www.google.com/maps/place/Cleveland+Elementary+School/@43.237131,-75.892756,17868m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x89d9a2b669af7477:0x75be48c3bc1cd3e4
This district has seen its enrollment plummet from 4894 in 2005 to 4261 in 2012 (the latest year for which state report cards are available). Cleveland Elementary has gone from 250 kids to 168 in the same timeframe. The district’s budget has increased in each of the past three years; for 2014-2015, they are proposing to spend $16,467 per student, a handsome sum in an area where the median family salary is well below the NYS average. The district receives a whopping 60% of its budget from the state, a figure that we here in New York City (only 36%) can scarcely comprehend.
The district’s democratically elected school board has chosen to consolidate two half-empty schools, a process that has happened thousands of times across the parts of the country that are experiencing a loss in population. Hell, it happened to my school when I was in fourth grade!
Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.
With all do respect Tim- this “tiny town in the middle of nowhere” as you put it, happens to be the home of many hard working citizens that take pride in their school and community. As you know from the letter, there was NO impact study done to identify the devastation closing this community school would pose. Nor has the plan for the next “phases” been shared with the public. This lack of transparency is a reflection of “this tiny town in the middle of nowhere” being of no real significance to the district as a whole. Why fix it if it’s not broken? Just my opinion.
Christine, I didn’t mean any offense. School consolidations and closings can be painful, although I think far more so for the adults than for the kids. But I think the insinuation that this was motivated by profit, by “reformers”, or by people eyeing the space for a charter school is mostly ridiculous. As you well know, charter schools in New York State are all sited in areas where there’s population density and a critical mass of people of color. Oswego County is lacking in both of those areas, particularly the latter. That’s what I was getting at with my “middle of nowhere” remark and I apologize for its clumsiness.
A small district that looks to have a sustained and significant downward trend in enrollment shouldn’t be in the business of operating two half-empty schools. If the closing doesn’t happen this year, it’ll have to happen in the near future; if it’s not Cleveland that closes, it’ll have to be one of the other schools.
I wish you luck and I am pretty sure that if worse comes to worse, the kids will do just fine when spread among the other schools in the district. Take care.
I think the option of becoming a charter school is a good possibility for Cleveland Elementary. It would allow it to specialize and become more attractive to students that are outside the confines of the traditional catchment area. That is what motivated the Walton Rural Life Center Charter school. Perhaps Jennifer Leahy could look at this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQT2uwDXcF0
@ Teachingeconomist Thank You for Sharing! What an Awesome School! I love everything about it and would be a fine fit to our community. It makes me envision great programs that could be implemented if we are able to save our school, as well as if we end up having to take the charter route.
I want to weep.
Cross-posted http://www.opednews.com/Quicklink/Cleveland-Elementary-Schoo-in-Best_Web_OpEds-Closed_Community_Education_Excellence-140528-950.html#comment491673
Thank you for your support Susan. I appreciate you sharing with your followers.
Thank you for your support! It has been a struggle.. but we will not stop fighting.
You are welcome. You should read some of my other posts recently where I offer links to exactly what the war on teachers has been for the last 16 years since I saw it first hand. That you are experiencing it now, still is astonishing.
Thank you Ms. Ravitch for your support!
It means a great deal to our children, teachers and the community as a whole.
And thank you everyone, for all the advice and comments, it is a lot to take in!
We have won 2 out of 3 seats on the board.
We have made signs, that are everywhere.
We have been writing to all of our government leaders.
We have been in the local media.
There in an appeal at the State Board of Education
Our Town and Village have sent (or are on way) resolutions to the board asking for a rescind.
They are standing firm, they will not answer any questions.
There is a total lack of transparency.
We are basically being singled out to shoulder the burden of the entire district.
There was a decision made in 2012 to repurpose another building and redistrict. This decision has not been rescinded and has not been followed through on. It would have resolved any need to close any outlying community schools. This has been brought to the State Board Commissioner’s attention, and we are waiting the outcome of this as well.
Lots going on here!
Please keep the advice coming, and share our story!
We desperately need a spotlight on this atrocity that is taking place.
Also, Charter school was a last case scenario, that we have started touching base on.
Any insight on this subject would be great!
Jennifer, keep up your advocacy work! Consider starting an online petition if you haven’t done so already.
I also suggest contacting residents of the Dryden Central School District in Tompkins County. It has two outlying elementary schools that are perennially threatened with closure, but the residents of the small communities where the schools are located continue to win support for keeping them open. They might have some insights and practical advice for you.
Do not be tempted by the siren’s call of charter schools as a solution to this problem! For one thing, your neighboring districts will surely oppose it because a charter school will threaten their budgets as well Central Square’s since it would potentially draw students from them, meaning a loss of per-pupil aid and require them to transport. You don’t need more obstacles in the fight to keep your school open.
Best wishes!
Good morning Sharon,
We have 2 online petitions. One well over 1000 signatures.
We will definitely look into reaching out to Dryden Central School District.
A Charter School was just thrown around as a back up plan, if all else fails. Our goal is to stay open!
Thank you for your advice on this!
It is much appreciated!
Thank you Sharon. Your guidance and support is truly appreciated.
@ Jennifer, you’re welcome! You have my (virtual) support. I will keep tabs on your fight, for sure. Another thought, you might also make contact with NYS Allies for Public Education to help publicize your efforts. Its website is here: http://www.nysape.org/
@ Tim: Thank you for your reply and clarification to Jennifer and Christine. For a moment I feared you might be a close relative of Andrew Cuomo.
Central Square is in fact a medium-sized school district, and based on the declining enrollment numbers you quoted, I am not seeing them as “plummeting”. Losing small, outlying schools within these larger districts does not have to be inevitable if our lawmakers would restore the aid that it is owed (by law) to our districts. Unlike NYC, there are no local income taxes to make up the difference in state aid cuts. Furthermore, those small communities also lose population because their schools are closed, and that just adds to the problems in our entire region by eroding the property values and thus our tax base.
I do agree however that charter schools are highly unlikely to be approved in rural areas, for now, but that doesn’t mean some groups haven’t already tried. We have pushed back a proposal just recently in my area. The rhetoric of “school choice” and “competititon” is very appealing to the more conservative elements, but charters would be devastating to our school budgets.
I will get right on that! Thank you again!
There may be some difference in the funding formulas in Kansas and New York. The first person interviewed in the video I linked to about the Walton Charter School is the superintendent of the local school district. He seemed supportive of the efforts in Walton, Kansas.
Here are our 2 Petitions:
https://www.causes.com/campaigns/77076-keep-cleveland-elementary-open?conversion_request_id=32656378&recruiter_id=25662219&utm_campaign=share&utm_content=campaign&utm_medium=wall&utm_source=fb
https://www.causes.com/campaigns/75186-keep-the-school-of-character-cleveland-elementary-alive?recruiter_id=188430045&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=wall&utm_source=fb
Jennifer, I sent you a message through your petition site.
I got it Sharon, Thank you and I will be in touch!
Question. Was the vote to close the Cleveland Elementary School unaminous
Laura- no the vote was not unanimous. Two board members were against the vote.
I wanted to share a letter that was sent to our Board back in March, which was never acknowledged with a response.
Our Next BOE meeting is on Monday. This is what it is all about.
Good Morning Ms. Ravitch and all,
According to NY School Law 402-a, guidance is provided that says (and this is paraphrasing):
“In advance of a proposed closing a board is recommended to establish an advisory committee to prepare an impact statement in writing which should include the ramifications of closing on the community.”
This was never done. So, since no one knows how the closing will harm our community better than we do, we wrote the Impact Statement ourselves, as a community.
Please take the time to look it over. We have an amazing team! And a phenomenal Legislator!
Thank you again for your support!
Click to access impact-statement.pdf
It looks like this issue may be headed to court, since a statute (law) was ignored. The fake education reformers are moving ahead at full speed to close public schools wherever they can regardless of any harm they do.
If need be! Our BOE meeting is tonight! We shall see how it goes!
The Central Square School District BOE meeting was tonight. The board stood firm. There was a total disregard for our concerns. Mr. Duggleby (our newly seated board member, whom we voted in) could not even get a 2nd to discuss it further. Also our Appeal has been accepted by the State and given a number. Time will tell.
Ms Ravitch and all,
In addition to a Huge Fundraiser in the works what will incorporate the entire village, we have set up a GOFUNDME page as well. We plan to use the money for legal representation. If the funds are not fully used, or needed, we will be donating back to our Community to decide where to use it appropriately.
For Example: playground upgrades, PTO, food pantry, community center etc.. We are not giving up. Not by a long shot.
http://www.gofundme.com/6v7rn0
Thank You Again for Your Support,
It means the world to us!
A visit from Commander Flaherty, He visits our 4th graders each year for his “First A Dream”Program
http://centralny.twcnews.com/content/news/743177/-first-a-dream–program-to-continue-even-if-cleveland-elementary-does-not/
Here is an update, We are Still Fighting Strong!
Last night was the CSSD Board of Education Meeting…
Since the announcement to close Cleveland, community members have come out in masses to BOE meeting in hopes that we could influence board members to have a change of heart and rescind the decision…. last night was no exception.
There was at least discussion tonight by a few members of the board though no decisions were made.
As far as the teachers are concerned, it was clear that the district needs to value its teachers more and get them (at the very least) to average wages in comparison to other districts in the county. Currently our teachers are the lowest paid and are working without a contract, while (and as outrageous as this sounds) intransigent administrators received bonuses!
A board member volunteered that his son’s class had 27 students in it and one teacher. When asked how closing Cleveland would change that, the board member said, “It wouldn’t.” A discussion ensued pointing out that if redistricting was done, that might be a way to make classroom sizes more equitable.
A board member explained that by closing Cleveland they were able to put an entire building into another building, rather than disrupt the entire district with redistricting…. Essentially saying, “Let the North Shore bear the burden of transition.”
That board member also said, in essence, that closing Cleveland was easier, because they’d be able to sell the school. CSI, for example, would be much harder to sell, because it is landlocked. It was also argued that there may be other ways to fill underutilized space with businesses, or compatible not-for profits and that if redistricting was done students that are now bussed 4.5 miles to go to school might be able to attend the school across the street from their houses. Many children in a Central Square based redistricting plan would only have a transition consisting of walking across a parking lot to one of the other buildings next to theirs for class.
While we appreciated the conversation between board members and even some of their considerations for voting on the closure, we were taken aback by comments regarding the food pantry and “being tired of hearing about it”. “The school isn’t responsible for the food pantry,” despite it feeding many families in the district. Then to hear a board member share that she was “that hungry child growing up” and how “having struggles makes you work harder to obtain things in life,” made the conversation even harder to take.
Was the decision to close Cleveland made on solid factual grounds, because it was the easiest school to sell, or to teach children a lesson about overcoming adversity? ? We may never know.
DON’T LET THEM CLOSE YOUR SCHOOLS.
There are 15,880 districts, and what is happening here is happening everywhere, and it is purposeful. Your problem is the same people face everywhere… there is no need for the puppet masters to divide and conquer, we are all ready sliced and diced so no one realizes that they impoverished the governments with all their propaganda about debt ceilings and sequestration.
The war on the schools is a war of propaganda.
Don’t miss this movie which shows how they did it innYC the largest school system in America. Now, slice by slice they are closing down public education everywhere, and pointing at teachers.
Here is the site: http://gemnyc.org/2012/05/20/the-inconvenient-truth-behind-waiting-for-superman-now-online/ and here is the film itself… it is fascinating and all true!
This talk about cutting essential programs in order to pay for teacher’ is ‘their’ rant. IN some places they cut pensions and benefits so the ‘budget is not stressed! he real theft of national income continues. : “$7.6 trillion — 8 percent of the world’s personal financial wealth — is stashed in tax havens. If all of this illegally hidden money were properly recorded and taxed, global tax revenues would grow by more than $200 billion a year”
The 24 billion that should be tax revenue of the oil companies, is stashed overseas because our Congress won’t fix the loopholes, and are content with robbing our nation of its public schools.
My sons went to the schools in East Ramapo (NY) . Their HS was third in the state at that time. 70,000 students attended schools here. Now, 17,000 students attend and that HS failed the ‘test’ for schools for the third year in a row.
Slowly, over time, the budgets were turned down. Teachers were fired, and the same ‘story’ was pitched as I am hearing about the Cleveland school. As more and more schools failed, people moved out of the district, and schools were sold to the religious community that began to move in in great numbers.
From Syracuse.com
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2014/06/5_ways_cleveland_elementary_parents_are_continuing_to_fight_to_save_school.html