CPS strategic plan enters final review as Cincinnati Public Schools seeks community feedback

Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) is asking parents, students, educators, staff, and community members to provide final feedback on its proposed four-year strategic plan before the Board of Education considers adopting it next month. 

District leaders hosted several public town halls on Wednesday and encouraged residents to participate through additional in-person and virtual meetings as well as an online survey.

The draft roadmap outlines how Ohio’s second-largest school district plans to improve academic outcomes, strengthen school culture, support employees, and manage district resources through 2030. Officials said the proposal reflects months of engagement with thousands of stakeholders and will shape future decision-making across the district.

According to Cincinnati Public Schools, the district collected input from more than 1,500 stakeholders during the planning process. Participants included students, families, teachers, administrators, community organizations, and business leaders. District officials said the goal was to create a strategic framework that reflects community priorities while remaining financially sustainable.

Several local news organizations, including WCPO 9 and WVXU, reported that Wednesday’s town halls represented the final opportunity for residents to provide direct feedback before the plan advances to the Board of Education for consideration.

CPS strategic plan focuses on four priorities

District leaders organized the CPS strategic plan around four primary goals designed to improve student success and district operations.

The proposed priorities include:

• Delivering high-quality instruction that prepares students for college, careers, and life.
• Creating safe, supportive, and engaging learning environments.
• Recruiting, developing, and retaining effective teachers and staff.
• Strengthening leadership, accountability, transparency, and long-term financial planning.

Superintendent Shauna Murphy said the district wants every student to have equitable opportunities regardless of neighborhood or school assignment. District officials also said the plan includes measurable performance indicators that will allow the community to track progress over time.

According to the district, implementation will include annual reviews to evaluate whether goals remain on track and whether adjustments become necessary as student needs evolve.

Education leaders have emphasized that strategic planning extends beyond academic performance. The proposal also addresses student well-being, workforce development, operational efficiency, and partnerships with families and community organizations.

Residents can review the complete proposal through the Cincinnati Public Schools strategic planning website, where the district has also posted opportunities to submit additional feedback.

Community members raise staffing and budget concerns during CPS strategic plan meetings

Although many attendees expressed support for the district’s long-term vision, some educators questioned whether available resources match the goals outlined in the CPS strategic plan.

According to WCPO 9, several teachers and union representatives raised concerns about recent staffing reductions and budget pressures. Participants questioned how the district could expand academic opportunities while simultaneously reducing positions in some schools.

Among the concerns discussed during the public meetings were:

• Larger classroom sizes.
• Teacher vacancies.
• Reduced counseling and student support services.
• Maintaining Advanced Placement and College Credit Plus opportunities.
• Improving collaboration between district leadership and educators.

Some attendees also encouraged district leaders to continue involving teachers throughout implementation rather than limiting participation to the planning phase.

District officials acknowledged the concerns and said community feedback would continue shaping the final version before board members vote. Leaders emphasized that strategic planning requires balancing educational priorities with available financial resources.

Earlier this year, Cincinnati Public Schools announced budget reductions to address financial challenges while attempting to minimize classroom impacts. Those decisions have remained a significant topic during discussions about the district’s long-term direction.

The district has stated that strategic priorities will help guide future resource allocation rather than serving as a guarantee that every initiative launches immediately.

Public engagement remains central to the CPS strategic plan

District leaders say community participation remains one of the most important parts of the planning process. Officials have encouraged residents who missed Wednesday’s meetings to attend remaining sessions or complete the online survey before feedback closes.

According to WVXU, the strategic planning effort began months ago with extensive outreach across the district. School leaders conducted listening sessions, surveys, and focus groups involving parents, students, educators, nonprofit organizations, higher education partners, and local employers.

District officials believe continued engagement will strengthen public confidence while ensuring the final document reflects diverse perspectives across Cincinnati neighborhoods.

The Board of Education is expected to review the final proposal after staff members incorporate public comments received during the final engagement period. If approved, the plan will become the district’s primary roadmap through 2030.

The strategic plan could also influence future budget decisions, staffing priorities, academic initiatives, and facility planning. While the document itself does not authorize spending, it establishes the framework that district leaders will use when evaluating programs and investments over the coming years.

Community members interested in reviewing the proposal or submitting comments can access planning materials through the official Cincinnati Public Schools strategic plan page. Information about upcoming Board of Education meetings is also available through the district’s website.

Education planning has become an increasingly important issue for Cincinnati families as districts across Ohio continue addressing enrollment changes, workforce shortages, academic recovery, and financial pressures following the pandemic. The outcome of the current planning process will likely shape how Cincinnati Public Schools responds to those challenges over the next four years.