FIRST RING DISTRICTS STAND TOGETHER
REGARDING INJUSTICES THAT HAVE OCCURRED & CONTINUE TO OCCUR ACROSS OUR NATION.
The following is a public statement that I and 15 Superintendents in our First Ring Schools Collaborative of districts around Cleveland feel is necessary to make regarding the injustices that have occurred and continue to occur across our Country and our commitment to ALL do better. I stand firmly behind these commitments and I hope you will do the same.
-Dr. Charles T. Keenan, Superintendent
June 2, 2020
A collective of superintendents that serve communities that border Cleveland, Ohio, the First Ring Schools Collaborative seeks to improve the education of our students so that they can experience life-long success. We draw on our collective strength to collaborate, problem-solve and advocate for our school communities.
Recent events in America have been a devastating reminder of the obstacles that our students, particularly our African American students, face. Acts of violence against George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor underscore the intransigent problem of race and discrimination that continue to cripple the progress and spirit of our country.
We condemn these acts and join the chorus of voices across the public and private sector that are demanding systemic change to address the brutal acts of violence against Black and Brown people in America. Each of these acts is an assault not only on the individuals, their families and communities, they are also an assault on the soul of our country and the ideals that we seek to instill in our students. Our hearts weep for the families of the victims. Our hearts are heavy knowing that our students are profoundly affected by what we are all experiencing.
The First Ring Schools Collaborative remains committed to ensuring that barriers are eliminated in order to assure all of our students receive the resources and support that they need to succeed at the highest levels as they matriculate through our school systems. We will continue to work in concert to identify and dismantle systems in Ohio that are an obstacle to our students' success.
Advancing Education Together,
Tracy Wheeler, Superintendent, Berea City Schools
Andrea Celico, Superintendent, Bedford City Schools
ark Gleichauf, Superintendent, Brooklyn City Schools
Liz Kirby, Superintendent, Cleveland Heights University Heights City Schools
Eric Gordon, Superintendent, Cleveland Metropolitan School District
Tom Evans, Superintendent, Cuyahoga Heights City Schools
Christopher Papouras, Superintendent, Euclid City Schools
Bill Wagner, Superintendent, Fairview Park City Schools
Chris Hanke, Superintendent, Garfield Heights City Schools
Mike Barnes, Superintendent, Lakewood City Schools
Charlie Keenan, Superintendent, Maple Heights City Schools
Charlie Smialek, Superintendent, Parma City Schools
Renee Willis, Superintendent, Richmond Heights City Schools
David Glasner, Superintendent, Shaker Heights City Schools
Linda Reid, Superintendent, South Euclid Lyndhurst City Schools
Donald Jolly, Superintendent, Warrensville Heights City Schools