THE DEEPER DIVE
Building upon the incredible excitement and energy of Davis Aerospace & Maritime High School’s 5th Graduation Ceremony, Argonaut has already begun 2025-2026 programming and planning with renewed excitement. We look forward to sharing the latest improvements in our next newsletter!!!
On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, the Cleveland School Board voted unanimously to move twenty-one schools to the district’s traditional calendar and eliminate the 30 extra minutes of daily classroom time that twenty-four schools receive (Ideastream article April 29, 2025). The social activism response launched by students and their families was awesome. Their appeal to the Board, demonstration in front of the BoE building, and dialogues with the media, including National Public Radio, were informed, well-orchestrated, respectful, and modeled their First Amendment Rights. Our seniors were committed to guaranteeing undergraduates and future students have the same experiences and opportunities they have been blessed with.
Despite strong opposition, Davis will see both changes beginning the next school year. While this outcome has been met with frustration and disappointment, I am overwhelmed by an incredible sense of pride as I’ve witnessed the passionate commitment of our Davis students, teachers, staff, and families. The experience has been educational and empowering for everyone.
The cuts to year-round and extended-day schools were not in response to Davis A&M’s performance but focused on the collective metrics of all CMSD schools. Davis A&M has outperformed nearly all CMSD high schools, and our Career Technical Education and Work-Based learning model is a state exemplar. We have upheld our mission and continue year after year to raise our standards and set higher goals. Our students are inspired and aspirational, and their accomplishments defy their realities.
Programming and engagement are not defined by what resources are readily available. We identify the need by engaging students, families, staff, community partners, and industries. We design solutions utilizing the collective knowledge and expertise of this Argonaut and Davis network. We secure key resources from our community, state, federal, and industry partners for the specific support and funding required for the defined success.
When Argonaut was founded in 2010 (PHASTAR), it was with full knowledge that the long-term success of our Davis Aerospace & Maritime High School required committed lifelong partners, staunch allies, and champions. We were purposefully conceived and launched to counter political changes, economic shifts, and strategic adjustments by the Cleveland Metropolitan School District that will continuously test the resilience and challenge the very existence of the Davis A&M community. This is now Argonaut’s time to shine. We ask all of you who have engaged in this journey over the past 15 years, from our original task force to our newest volunteers and community partners, to recommit to Davis Aerospace & Maritime High School. We need your support!
Davis WILL continue to be a year-round school providing support beyond the traditional school calendar and four years of high school. Like the Tuskegee Airmen Legacy on which we are founded, we will continue to fight for change through action and perseverance in the face of adversity. We know our mission, and we will prevail. We are Davis A&M.
Thank you for your support and encouragement. I look forward to hearing from you.
-Drew