Community Celebrates Tentative Deal With CMSD

CLEVELAND— It was a celebration Thursday night at the Olivet Institutional Baptist Church. Over 800 people from 40 different churches and community organizations celebrated the tentative contract agreement between the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and the Cleveland Teachers Union. “The fact that both sides recognized there had to be sacrifices speaks to their recognition of the challenges and rewards of education,” said Reverend Jawanza Colvin, Pastor of Olivet Institutional Baptist Church. If approved, the agreement will restore cuts to programs that impact students. Back in October, the school board voted to eliminate most spring sports and do away with other programs, including preschool and summer school, saving the district $13 million. “If they cut bus tickets, how are we supposed to get to school? I know there’s people at my school who live over there miles away, and I know there’s no way they’d be able to get to school,” said Quenice Sils, a junior at MLK High School. “I’m a wrestler, and when I first heard of these cuts, I was disappointed because it was going to affect me getting a scholarship,” said DeAngelo Walker, a senior at East Technical High School. The deal still must be ratified by the CTU, then approved by the Cleveland Metropolitan School Board. “A lot of times, kids come from homes that aren’t the best place for them to be. These programs allow them to have a positive outlook without being on the street,” said Samira Malone, a senior at East Technical High School.