1/13/2011 8:30:00 PMMayor Jackson, CMSD Board Chair Denise Link and Board Members Announce Interim CEO

CLEVELAND – Mayor Frank G. Jackson, Board Chair Denise Link and the members of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) Board are pleased to announce that on Thursday January 13, 2011 the CMSD Board voted to appoint Peter E. Raskind as interim CEO of CMSD. 

“The education of our children is the most important issue we face as a community,” said Mayor Jackson.  “CMSD is at a very critical point in its history and needs solid leadership to help move the District forward.  Mr. Raskind has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to our community and I believe that he will provide the type of leadership necessary at this juncture.”

Prior to this appointment, Raskind served as Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority while the Authority undertook a search for new, permanent leadership.  Until its 2008 merger with PNC Financial Services Group, Raskind was Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of National City Corporation.  Among other community organizations, Raskind has served as a Trustee of the Cleveland Orchestra and Northeast Ohio Council on Higher Education.  (Click here for a full biography.)

“I am pleased that Mr. Raskind has agreed to work with us to move the District forward.  He will help us maintain the momentum we’ve gained, work to move CMSD out of continuous improvement and help address the financial solvency of the District,” said Board Chair Denise Link. 

Raskind will start work with the District on Tuesday, February 1, 2011; he will receive an annual salary of $1.00 for his service as Interim CEO.

"Nothing is more crucial to the future of our community than the education of our children.  I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the talented and committed CMSD faculty and staff while the search is conducted for a permanent CEO," said Interim CEO Peter E. Raskind, CMSD.

At Mayor Jackson’s direction, the board sent out a Request for Proposal (RFP) on December 29, 2010 to identify a qualified executive search firm to assist in the national CEO search. 

Andrea V. Taylor, Press Secretary                                            
Office of the Mayor
(216) 664-4171 or (216) 857-7998

Belinda I. Saldaña, Deputy Press Secretary
Office of the Mayor
(216) 664-2223 or (216) 857-3808