A fourth CPS superintendent in five years is not good for student achievement | Opinion

In 16 years of public service as an elected school board official, I have worked with five superintendents, four within Cincinnati Public Schools. Each person possessed a unique skill set and style of leadership, and I have appreciated working with all of them, experiencing various degrees of successes and challenges. I am honored to have been part of a great recruitment process to hire an innovative "change agent" to lead Cincinnati Public Schools’ efforts to move the district into an era of high achievement and overall success.

Like all school districts across the nation, Cincinnati Public Schools clawed its way out of a nationwide pandemic, with residual concerns still to be addressed. With overwhelming support across the Cincinnati community, including district unions, Superintendent Iranetta Wright was identified as the right person, at the right time, for the right reasons. After only two years moving the needle forward, the district has been presented with an unprecedented challenge related to the superintendent’s performance − that being a perceived lack of collaboration and disregard for employees.

Here we are now, amid a controversy wherein finding a reasonable compromise to address these concerns seems implausible. However, I believe in the district's the ability to move forward, with reasonable and positive results, and strongly urge Cincinnati Public Schools Board of Education to not accept the unions’ vote of no confidence.

A vote of no confidence is concerning for distinct reasons. The narrative around these concerns basically speaks of a lack of inclusion, problems with the organizational structure, fear of retaliation, etc.  So, why a vote of no confidence now? What options were considered for resolution? What would it cost the district to change leadership at this time, especially with the current struggles to approve an already stretched budget and plans to incorporate "AD HOC recommendations" at a yet undetermined cost? How will this action impact public perception, especially in a levy renewal year, with "transitional" leadership?

This action would create potential stagnation implementing the district’s new strategic plan, inclusive of the goals and guardrails, developed by the school board in partnership with community stakeholders; increased and almost certain attrition of staff, and most importantly, a lack of public trust in the board’s ability to move the district forward. A fourth superintendent within five years is not good for student achievement.

There is absolutely no trade-off for the positive improvements and growth in areas of student outcomes. Superintendent Wright’s focus on curriculum and instruction has resulted in preliminary data showing downward trends in chronic absenteeism, disciplinary rates and bullying. Early indicators also show an overall improvement in test scores. Transportation services have improved significantly.

In late summer 2023, the school board shared publicly the superintendent’s performance evaluation, rating her as "satisfactory" overall, with a need for improvement in areas of "communication and collaboration." The school board is responsible for providing a foundation of performance accountability for the superintendent, including alignment of performance measures that look to improve in those performance areas identified as "unsatisfactory."

There is no denying that much more can and should be done to ensure full collaboration and inclusive decision-making throughout the district, and with all stakeholders. A collaborative decision-making process is critical to ensuring that all voices are heard, and that meaningful engagement occurs at all levels. Superintendent Wright absolutely deserves time to make necessary changes that align with strategic plans, goals and guardrails. She also has a right to a well-prepared performance evaluation that builds in accountability measures and expectations in those areas where performance is below standard.

The school board is compelled to provide and monitor a fair assessment of clearly defined goals, performance measures and benchmarks, with established timelines for achievement. In collaborating with the Council of Great City Schools, the school board committed to self-assessment and developing mechanisms that reinforce its bottom line, that of impacting student outcomes. I strongly urge the CPS board to honor its commitment to prioritize student outcomes.

To accept this vote of no confidence would be detrimental to the district. Let’s be the "adults" in the room, respecting all opinions, working toward a viable solution, and delivering what’s in the best interest of CPS students.

Carolyn Jones lives is College Hill and is a former Cincinnati Public Schools Board of Education member, serving from 2016-2023.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Accepting no-confidence vote in Wright would be detrimental to CPS