Let's support CPS superintendent and hold school board accountable | Opinion
It is time for a moment of truth and accountability. For far too long the academic achievement and performance of our Cincinnati Public School students have been languishing at unacceptable levels. We cannot continue to overlook the stark reality that our schools have been failing our children for decades. For years, the board of education’s answer to their failing schools has been to blame the superintendent. The district has had approximately 10 superintendents in the past 50 years, yet our school district has never become a five-star school district.
The school board must be held accountable for this low academic and poor school performance. A school system rated 2.5 − grade D − is unacceptable.
Decades have passed, and yet the cycle of low academic achievement persists, casting a dark shadow over the future of our students. It is time to stop the blame game, to cease hiding behind the failures of past superintendents, and to confront hard truth that the responsibility lies with each and every member of the Cincinnati Public School Board of Education.
The current superintendent cannot bear the burden alone for the systemic issues that have plagued our schools for 50 years. It is time for each board member to acknowledge their role in this crisis and to take ownership of the necessary changes that must be made to ensure a brighter future for our students.
We cannot afford to continue down this path of mediocrity and complacency. Our students deserve better. They deserve a school system that fosters growth, achievement and excellence. It is time for this board to step up, to lead with integrity and accountability, and to prioritize the education and well-being of every single student in our district.
The school board needs to transform our schools into beacons of success and opportunity. A significant number of teachers and school personnel live in Kentucky, Indiana and other places, according to district officials. They should be required to live in the district. A residency requirement would be a very good first step.
Requiring Cincinnati Public School teachers live in the district will do the following: increase accountability, enhance student-teacher relationships, reduce staff turnover, increase parental involvement, increase school achievement and performance, and promote our local economy. To accelerate and improve school performance, the school board members must pass a mandatory residency requirement including the following:
All Cincinnati Public School teachers and staff, both part-time and full-time, must be required to live within the boundaries of the district by fall 2025.
All Cincinnati Public School teachers who have school-aged children and youth must enroll them in CPS schools by fall 2025.
Finally, the school board members must pass a resolution to hold themselves accountable by voting to become a five-star (grade A) school district by Jan. 1, 2026. Becoming a five-star school district will do the following: enhance academic achievement, increase graduation rates, improve college readiness, boost student engagement, elevate teacher morale, retain quality educators, increase parental involvement, and attract better business to Cincinnati.
Together, let us hold ourselves accountable. If the Cincinnati Public Schools board members and the six school unions really want to be helpful to students, they must bring teachers closer to students and pass residency requirements, especially for all teachers and school personnel. Let’s make our school district a five-star school district by January 2026 and let’s support Superintendent Iranetta Wright in making that happen.
Charlie Winburn, a resident of Mt. Airy, is executive pastor of Renew Community Church and a former Cincinnati City Council member and Hamilton County treasurer.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: CPS superintendent not to blame for 50 years of underachievement
