State of Ohio affirms CMSD has the Right Plan, Right Now: Waiver for appointment of Academic Distress Commission granted

Dr. Richard Ross, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, traveled to Cleveland on April 8 to announce his decision to waive the appointment of an Academic Distress Commission for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. 

At a news conference held at the CMSD Administration Building, CEO Eric Gordon joined Mayor Frank G. Jackson in expressing gratitude to the State Superintendent. In doing so, he acknowledged the many people across the city that created The Cleveland Plan that Ohio's Superintendent affirmed is the "Right Plan, Right Now" for Cleveland, and a model for school districts throughout the state.

The visit to Cleveland by representatives of the Ohio Department of Education gave CEO Eric Gordon an opportunity to share CMSD's progress in the last year, and the CEO described the 2012-2013 school year as anything but usual.

“This time last year, we knew that if we did not take serious action to improve our schools, we would face an Academic Distress Commission, a financial takeover, or both,” said Gordon. “Through the unprecedented efforts of people across the city, The Cleveland Plan legislation passed in Columbus with strict accountability measures that mirror any plan that would have been imposed by a Distress Commission. The difference is, the Plan for Transforming Cleveland’s Schools is our work, not the work of an outside commission.” 

The first quarter of the school year began with The Cleveland Plan in place. By Quarter 2, voter support of The Cleveland Plan led to passage of Issue #107, and citizens across the city provided input into how best to direct their levy dollars for the greatest impact on student achievement.

At the start of Quarter 3, CMSD was able to restore the full school day in all of K-8 schools. District officials also began work on a differentiated compensation plan for teachers and administrators so that, in addition to time and service, skills and performance will now also be considered in staffing and compensation decisions.

CMSD can now make hiring and teacher-placement decisions based on such factors as whether a teacher or principal are bilingual or whether they are STEM or Montessori-trained.

This is a welcome departure, the CEO said, from the focus of the District just one year ago. The District is now currently preparing for its Year 1 investment in low-performing schools, making good on its pledge to improve or replace failing schools throughout the city. The District is planning a Pep Rally for its “Investment Schools” on April 19 prior to the official announcement of the schools selected for Year 1 on April 25.