EDITOR’S NOTE: This is one in a series looking at what Cuyahoga County communities, agencies and school districts experienced in 2024 and what is facing them in 2025. Mayfield School District is facing a problem going into the new year, but it’s a good one to have. With the recent passage of an additional levy in November the district has to determine how to best allocate the additional funds. Signup sheets to talk at a Dec. 18 school board meeting can be seen as participants wait in the background. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald.) According to Superintendent Michael Barnes, after the district balances its budget and addresses its $1.5 million operating deficit, the schools will be focusing on what educational programs have been successful and how to move forward while being financially responsible. “The treasurer and this board have done a fantastic job of being fiscally responsible with the resources that this community affords to use to provide rich academic programming,” Barnes said during a Dec. 18 interview. “We want to make sure that we are addressing the levy deliverables, mental health and support, expanding early literacy for students, expanding career readiness, and certainly safety and security while also maintaining a high focus on academic progress.” Students, family, and staff wait to honor local preschoolers. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald.) Mayfield Heights Excel TECC programs — which offer students college-career pathways in a number of of fields from culinary arts, constriction and welding technologies, TEACH-Teacher Education to pre-nursing classes and a fire and EMS training academy — have been so popular with students that they have had to limit the number of available spots. Now, with the increased funding, Barnes said he hopes to support more students who want to be enrolled in similar pathways. “We are really excited about our continued academic progress,” he said. “We are excited about our ability to continue to expand career exploration opportunities for our students. We are even looking at opportunities to expand that down into our middle level and even our elementary schools. We are certainly excited about the success of the levy.” He said one highlight of the year that he was going to announce at the board meeting was the preschool received a gold rating from the state, after a nearly six-hour inspection, which had state inspectors evaluating lesson plans and interviewing teachers.   Mayfield Preschools’ logo can be seen in a school’s hallway. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald.) Nicki Rucci, the preschool principal, said that one factor that she felt helped the school achieve the gold rating was the quality of teachers and the focus of inclusion in the classroom. “All of our teachers here are Master Level teachers, and they are required to hold certain professional development standards different from say K-5,” Rucci said. “We are an integrated preschool, so each class has special needs kids with their peers which makes us really unique. “It gives the typical peers a chance to learn about kids with differences…,” she added. “I think that’s the best part, the peers are learning empathy and kindness. You learn that anywhere, but I think when you are with kids that have significant special needs it’s a good experience.” A hallway inside Mayfield City Schools preschool shows pictures of students on the wall. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald.)