Cincinnati Board of Education Elects Kareem Moffett as President

Kareem Moffett was elected president of the Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) Board of Education on Wednesday, with Eve Bolton serving as vice president. The vote took place during the board’s organizational meeting, marking a new chapter for the district after a challenging year.

Moffett, who joined the board in 2022, expressed her enthusiasm for the role, stating, “I wholeheartedly love CPS and I’m really, really excited to support our new administration and our students and our staff and our families.” She emphasized her commitment to fostering unity and increasing community engagement within the district.

Last year’s presidency under Bolton was marked by controversy, including the appointment of a permanent superintendent without a formal search process. The decision to appoint Iranetta Wright as superintendent passed with a 4-3 vote, drawing criticism from board members Ben Lindy, Kendra Mapp, and Brandon Craig, who argued the process lacked transparency.

Moffett, who holds a PhD in educating urban African American students, has been a key figure in the district’s efforts to reevaluate school boundary lines. Her leadership on an ad hoc committee in 2022 and 2023 laid the groundwork for a growth plan that includes the introduction of middle schools across the district. This proposal, while supported by Bolton and others, faced opposition from some board members and community stakeholders.

Bolton, the longest-serving board member, has been a vocal advocate for the growth plan. She joined the board in 2008 and previously served as president of the Wyoming Teachers Union. Her current term expires in 2027.

The board’s first meeting of 2025, originally scheduled for Monday, was rescheduled to Wednesday due to logistical issues. The meeting will include a tax budget hearing and the appointment of new leadership for the upcoming year.

Wednesday’s meeting will be held at the Mary A. Ronan Education Center and will be streamed online for public access. The district continues to navigate significant changes, including the relocation of hundreds of students as part of the middle school implementation plan.