At the last Cleveland Metropolitan School District meeting of this school year, board member Denise Link said her official goodbye. The school district announced earlier this month that she and the board vice chair, Leah Hudnall, were stepping down because of professional commitments. Their resignations will take effect before the start of the school year.
‘Although a chapter ends for me today, this isn’t goodbye,’” Link said, referencing a statement Melinda Gates made when she left the [Gates Foundation]. “I’m happy to answer questions and share, but it was just the right time for me.”
Link has served on the board for 17 years, and Hudnall has served since August 2022.
Hudnall was absent from the meeting because of prior family commitment.
“Although she cannot be here this evening, I do want to publicly thank her for her contributions and her partnership and her tireless advocacy for our children and our families,” Board Chair Sara Elaqad said.
Michele Pomerantz, chief of education for the City of Cleveland, gave Link a proclamation of recognition from Mayor Justin Bibb.
The district also approved a number of resolutions, including ones accepting grants for music programming and safety improvements.
Harvey Rice Wraparound School in the Buckeye-Woodland neighborhood will get $10,000 from the AXS TV Band Together for Music Education initiative to improve music programming at the school. Ohio is one of several states in which AXS TV, a television and digital entertainment company, has been awarding music grants.
Several high schools, including Collinwood, Garrett Morgan and John F. Kennedy, will share a $157,000 grant from the Ohio Attorney General to provide safety training, camera upgrades and signage.
The board also approved plans for The Executive Grille, a restaurant operated by culinary students and teachers at East Tech High School, which will get an outdoor patio this summer. Baker Concrete Construction will donate its services to build the patio, which is valued at more than $40,000.
The school board, which also has the responsibility for filling seats on the Cleveland Public Library’s Board of Trustees, appointed Melanie Shakarian to the library board. She is director of development and communications at the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland. Her seven-year term begins July 2, 2024.
This story was updated to reflect the reason for Leah Hudnall’s absence from the meeting.