Two members of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) board have stepped down, creating openings that the mayor must fill. Vice‑president Nigamanth Sridhar resigned in mid‑October to focus on his duties as provost at Cleveland State University, and former board member Diana Welch Howell left in August after the district selected her employer, KeyBank, to issue bonds for CMSD.
How to Apply
Mayor Justin Bibb, who selects all nine board members from a pool of applicants, announced that interested residents may submit a written application either in person at City Hall or online. The deadline for submissions is Nov. 13.
The application asks for details about the applicant’s educational background, employment history, community involvement, and vision for CMSD students. While having children enrolled in the district is not a requirement, applicants must be residents of the district, which includes Cleveland, Bratenahl, Linndale, Newburgh Heights, and portions of Brook Park and Garfield Heights. Elected officials and district employees are ineligible to serve.
Board Structure and Requirements
CMSD board members serve four‑year terms with no limit on the number of terms a person may hold. One of the vacant seats will be up for reappointment in June 2027 and the other in June 2029.
State law mandates that at least four board members possess expertise in education, finance, or business management. The board’s composition is intended to bring a range of professional perspectives to decisions affecting curriculum, budgeting, and district policy.
Selection Process
After the application window closes, an eleven‑member volunteer panel will review all submissions and recommend a slate of nominees to the mayor. Mayor Bibb will then make the final appointments, completing the board’s nine‑member roster.
This process underscores the mayor’s role in shaping the governance of Cleveland’s public schools, ensuring that the board reflects both professional expertise and community representation.
Why the Seats Matter
The CMSD board oversees critical decisions on school funding, curriculum standards, and district-wide initiatives that affect thousands of students and families. Filling the vacancies promptly helps maintain continuity in policy implementation and supports the district’s ongoing efforts to improve educational outcomes.
Residents who are passionate about education, finance, or business management are encouraged to apply. The board’s work directly impacts the quality of schooling for Cleveland’s children, making community involvement a vital component of the district’s success.
Contact Information
Applications can be mailed to City Hall, 601 Lakeside Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44114, or submitted online via the city’s official website. For questions, residents may call the mayor’s office at (216) 664‑XXXX.
Original reporting: Signal Cleveland — read the source article.
