Bond Accountability Commission

Monitoring the construction and renovation program of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District

BOND ACCOUNTABILITY COMMISSION SUPPORTS PASSAGE OF CMSD ISSUE 49

October 14, 2024  /  Michael Houser

Cleveland, OH — The Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) has placed Issue 49 on the ballot to ensure the continuation of critical progress in providing essential resources for CMSD students. This includes modern, safe, and well-maintained school facilities, crucial to avoiding costly renovations and to promoting the district’s ongoing financial stability.

The Bond Accountability Commission 2, Inc. (BAC), which oversees the use of CMSD funds for school construction and renovation to provide transparency and accountability, endorses this initiative. Issue 49 will fund continued investments in school facilities that meet the needs of CMSD students and teachers, ensuring quality education in environments conducive to learning, and helping to retain a dedicated staff who support student success.

The Bond Accountability Commission has consistently worked to ensure the responsible use of funds for school improvements and remains committed to transparency and accountability. We believe a vote for Issue 49 is a vote for the future of Cleveland’s children and the long-term success of the city.

The Bond Accountability Commission fully endorses Issue 49 and urges Cleveland residents to vote in favor of this important measure. The Commission reaffirms its commitment to ensuring the responsible expenditure of bond funds made available by the Issue 49 levy, aiming to strengthen and preserve the community’s trust in public education.

BAC Commissioners:

Donald Brown, Chair

Nancy C. Schuster, Vice Chair

Caroline Peak, Secretary

Tom Cook, Treasurer

Jack Alan Bialosky, Jr., Commissioner

Semia Bray, Commissioner

Akeem Perry, Commissioner

Alfonso Sanchez, Commissioner       

About the Bond Accountability Commission

The Bond Accountability Commission is an independent oversight body that ensures transparency and accountability in the management of funds allocated for school construction and renovation within the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. The BAC plays a critical role in monitoring the use of bond funds to ensure they are used effectively to support quality education in Cleveland.                                 

BAC hires Community Leader Michael J. Houser as new Executive Director

April 29, 2024  /  Michael Houser

Michael J. Houser Sr.'s career has been dedicated to the families and children of Cuyahoga County, advocating for them on issues such as human rights, racial equality and quality education.

Houser currently serves as Executive Director of the Bond Accountability Commission. During his early days in public service, Houser fought for union workers as a Field Organizer for the We Are Ohio campaign, blocking the proposed controversial Senate Bill 5. Later, as a Special Assistant to the County Executive, Houser led Cuyahoga County's faith-based infant mortality reduction initiative and created a countywide civic engagement initiative that included the County's first annual "Your Voice Matters Youth Voting Summit."

As a Senior Leadership Team member for Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Houser fought for quality education for all Cleveland scholars through policy advocacy, government relations and community engagement. He assisted with CMSD's COVID relief efforts, which helped bring high-speed internet access to over 5,000 families in Northeast Ohio. He was also instrumental in CMSD's school renaming process. These names included the Stephanie Tubbs Jones School, Mary Church Terrell Elementary and Natividad Pagan International Newcomers Academy, which brought racially equitable names to the communities they serve.

As one of the youngest members to ever serve on the Cuyahoga County Council, Houser has consistently advocated for residents in under-resourced communities. As a Human Rights advocate, Houser helped pass an ordinance making Cuyahoga County the first county in Ohio to ban discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodation based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.

Houser's educational background is a testament to his commitment to learning and his dedication to public service. As a proud CMSD graduate, he earned a Master of Public Administration from Cleveland State University, Levin College of Urban Affairs and Education. He graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a minor in Political Science from Kent State University, further solidifying his qualifications and expertise in his field.

Board of Education Approves the Renaming of Three Schools

June 30, 2022  /  Laura Chalker

The CMSD Board of Education voted to rename three schools, the first to have their names changed under a review that the board commissioned a year ago.

Patrick Henry School has been renamed for the late U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones.

Thomas Jefferson International Newcomers Academy will now be known as Natividad Pagan International Newcomers Academy.

Louis Agassiz School will be renamed for Mary Church Terrell.

To read the full article click here.

Segment 8 Kickoff Meetings are happening in March!

February 25, 2022  /  Laura Chalker

CMSD has scheduled a kickoff meeting for each of the Segment 8 school buildings! Learn about the site plans, share your feedback and have your questions answered at these upcoming events. The BAC will be there and we hope you will be too!

Segment 8 – Kickoff Meetings

         Thursday, March 10 @ 6:00 pm     Joseph M. Gallagher (6601 Franklin Blvd)

         Saturday, March 12 @ 11:30 am    Clark School (Meeting at Lincoln-West High School)

         Saturday, March 12 @ 1:30 pm     Lincoln-West High School (3202 W 30th St)

         Tuesday, March 15 @ 6:00pm       Marion C. Seltzer (1468 W 98th St)

categories / News

Akron Beacon Journal Editorial Board Urges DeWine to Reject House Bill 126

January 27, 2022  /  Laura Chalker

A business-friendly bill that may be headed to the Ohio governor soon is a bad deal for average homeowners. We urge Gov. Mike DeWine to reject the bill. 

House Bill 126 was passed along party lines in the Ohio Senate and needs to go back to the House for concurrence. According to its title, it aims to “limit the manner by which local governments may contest property values.” 

Well, that sounds perfect to the business groups backing it, but government likely would find it difficult to collect what it’s rightfully owed. Other taxpayers, including homeowners, would be forced by law to make up the difference for schools and other entities dependent on property taxes. 

Why? If the value of a major piece of property is lowered or kept artificially low, the tax burden for a school levy approved for a specific dollar amount is spread across the remaining property owners. 

To read the full article click here.

Bond Accountability Commission 2, Inc.
2913 Clinton Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 282-5977

© 2019 Bond Accountability Commission 2 Inc., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED