Mayor Michael R. White formally assumed control of Cleveland’s troubled school system last week in a ceremony held at his high school alma mater. This marked the end of over three years of state oversight of the district, which has long been considered one of the most problematic in the country. Under a state law passed last year, the district was returned to local control, similar to the system adopted by Chicago in 1995. Mayor White was granted the power to appoint a new school board and a chief executive officer to lead the system. The appointment of the CEO is expected in the coming months.
During the emotional ceremony at Glenville High School, Mayor White expressed his gratitude to everyone, including God, for restoring control of the schools to the people of Cleveland. He emphasized that this was a special moment created by the collective efforts of all involved.
Mayor White had originally intended to introduce the new school board at the event on September 9th. However, to avoid being overshadowed by an anticipated announcement about the Cleveland Browns’ ownership, he unveiled the names of the appointees at a press conference on September 5th. The new board consists of five men and four women, with a diverse range of backgrounds in fields such as law, finance, trade, construction, and hospitality.
At the ceremony, Mayor White named Rev. Hilton O. Smith, the corporate vice president for community affairs at Turner Construction Co., as the chairman of the new board. Rev. Smith declared that their task was a divine calling and vowed to work diligently with his fellow board members.
This event marked a turning point for the city and its schools. In 1995, a federal judge declared the district to be in a state of crisis due to its financial struggles and poor academic performance. As a result, the district was placed under state control. However, in an effort to restore local control, Ohio lawmakers passed a law last year transferring power to the mayor.
While many in Cleveland welcomed the return of local control, there are dissenting voices who believe that placing the district under mayoral control is not the optimal solution. Despite this opposition, several state lawmakers, the Cleveland Teachers Union, and community groups, including the local chapter of the NAACP, have dropped their resistance to the transfer.
Overall, this transition represents a new chapter for Cleveland and its educational system, with hopes for improvement and better outcomes for its students.
Most districts involved in such transfers of powers, he added, were plagued by financial difficulties, teacher unrest, and a negative reputation. "For the public, what has been very confusing becomes clear: There is a clear point of responsibility – a visible figure," Mr. Kirst said. "Another outcome is that mayors now know how to manage the media," and schools, under their guidance, are seen in a more favorable light. In Cleveland, even if student achievement barely improved under the state’s control, many people attribute the takeover to streamlining the bureaucracy and, after extensive audits, improving school finances. The two state-appointed superintendents, Richard A. Boyd and James W. Penning, did a commendable job in elevating the system and preparing it for progress," said Michael D. Casserly, the executive director of the Washington-based Council of the Great City Schools, an organization representing urban districts. "If Mayor White is committed to taking the next steps and has the authority and resolve to do so, then I am hopeful." However, others, including some teachers in Cleveland, are skeptical, stating that they have heard optimistic promises of a bright future many times before. "It’s All Politics" "Schools cannot solve societal problems. We cannot fulfill all the roles," said Melvin Jacobs, a math teacher at Anton Grdina Elementary School for three decades. The school, which has 660 students from pre-K to 6th grade, is located on Cleveland’s notorious East Side, far from the sleek skyscrapers, modern sports arenas, and upscale restaurants of a downtown experiencing a "Cleveland comeback" under Mayor White’s leadership. "And until [city officials] acknowledge the challenges that these children face each day, I do not see how things can change," Mr. Jacobs said during a brief break from lunchroom duty. "It’s all politics," he added. "Great ideas have come and gone. To convince me, you must prove it to me." Pamela Hummer, a preschool teacher at the school for 22 years, expressed concern about the mayor’s emphasis on "accountability." "Provide us with the resources, supplies, and professional development opportunities that we need, and then talk about accountability," she said in a brief interview while administering a test to her young students. "Hold me accountable for the things I have control over."
