CLEVELAND — The process of selecting a new CEO of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District is set to move to a new phase.
On Tuesday, representatives of the Chicago-based search firm Alma Advisory Group gave an update on the search to both the Cleveland Metropolitan School District Board of Education, as well as the Cleveland City Council Workforce, Education, Training, and Youth Development Committee.
Specifically, Alma Advisory Group CEO Monica Santana Rosen revealed data gained from weeks of community engagement in a variety of forums about the hopes and expectations for the next CMSD leader. Approximately 3,700 CMSD staff and community members provided input through a survey, while three community gatherings were attended by 226 participants. Plus, over 1,200 participants took part in interviews and focus groups.
The community identified three top concerns for CMSD's next CEO: addressing school safety, supporting the health and well being of students and staff, and improving student academic performance. Respondents added that the most important critical skills for the leader of the district are being a strong communicator, putting the best interests of students first, and seeking/responding to feedback from students, staff, and parents.
Safety and security will be the most pressing challenge for the person who will be tapped to replace current CMSD CEO Eric Gordon. Community members are concerned about safety, both on school grounds and in the trip to and from school, especially using public transportation.
CMSD has sought to address the safety problem through a new collaboration with the Cleveland Division of Police, allowing officers access to exterior surveillance cameras in ten district buildings, with more planned for the future.
While officials seek to bolster security in the district, Alma Advisory Group and the board will use the information gathered during the community engagement to finalize the job profile for CEO. The board expects to screen potential candidates in March, bring finalists to Cleveland in April, and officially appoint the next CEO in late April or early May. Gordon will step down in June.