After closing its doors to students at the end of the spring semester, Notre Dame College has been winding down operations. But even that is producing more heartache for the faculty and staff who are losing their jobs. An internal email obtained by Signal Cleveland says the college has delayed issuing its final paychecks. It’s not clear if the college – which was forced to shut down after more than 100 years because of mounting financial debt – has the money.
“Please be assured that we are doing everything possible to expedite this process,” the email reads. “We expect to resolve these issues shortly and will keep you updated on the progress. We will do everything reasonably possible to ensure that the payments will be processed as soon as possible.”
A spokesperson for the college confirmed that the email was sent to faculty and staff and said in a statement that the college “is actively working to rectify the situation.”
Cleveland Schools CEO Warren Morgan defends use of acronym for special education
Cleveland Metropolitan School District CEO Warren Morgan raised the ire of a parent this week after he referred to students receiving special education services as “SPEDs” during Tuesday’s board meeting.
“Every demographic group except our SPEDs showed growth,” Morgan said as he discussed students’ proficiency in English and language arts. He clarified seconds later, saying, “our special education students.” He used the term “SPED students” a few other times throughout his executive report. The term “SPED” was also used as a label on several slides displayed during the meeting.
Whether or not to use “SPED” is an ongoing conversation in educational spaces. The term is sometimes used as shorthand for “Special Education” in professional contexts. It’s also sometimes used as an insult in informal contexts.
Polly Karr, a Cleveland resident and mother of two CMSD students with individualized education plans, wrote on her blog that she considers the term derogatory. She was watching the board meeting at home with her sons when they heard Morgan use the term.
“They were like, ‘Wow, why is he saying that?’” Karr said in an interview. “There are kids in school that insult each other calling each other that, but it’s not something that they identify as or that we would use.”
Karr took issue not just with Morgan’s use of the term, but also with how the district used “SPED” as a label on its data visualizations. The Ohio Department of Education uses “students with disabilities” in its reports.
“I think if [Morgan] looks back on it and sees that, he’s going to feel pretty chagrined, and probably things will change on his part,” she said. “But, you know, this is a district thing. This is a problem with the way that data is presented.”
In a statement to Signal Cleveland, Morgan wrote he used “SPED” as an acronym for special education. The term is commonly used in educational settings, he wrote.
“It is my hope that in my intent to highlight and celebrate the success of our students, this term has not been taken out of context nor has negative connotations,” Morgan wrote. “I value and respect all our students and families, regardless of race, ability, or background.”
Dropping out of school
One of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s top communications officials is parting ways with the district – and the city.
Director of Communications Phillip Morris is heading to the Twin Cities where he will become the opinion editor of the Star Tribune. Morris, a two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist who was an editorial writer and columnist at The Plain Dealer for 30 years, leaves next Friday. He starts his new job at Minnesota’s largest news organization on July 22.