Dayton Daily News education reporter Scott Elliott writes about schools, kids, teaching and learning.
Home > Blogs > Get on the Bus > Archives > 2008 > October > 15 > Entry
Cleveland Height super is the new Zelman
Deborah Delisle, superintendent of Cleveland Heights schools since 2004, is the new state superintendent of instruction for Ohio, replacing Susan Tave Zelman.
I don’t know much about Delisle, but she seems like an unusual choice. It does not appear she has been a superintendent very long, although I do not have her resume. And she is from a low performing urban district, which is quite unusual for a state superintendent.
Perhaps that will be good for urban districts? Will she better understand the issues facing urban schools? That remains to be seen.
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment | Categories: Schools and Politics
Comments
By Quick Correction
October 16, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
From a former Clevelander: I think you are mischaracterizing Heights (with an s, by the way). Yes, it is “urban” in that it is close to the city center, but it is not urban in the way you mean: impoverished and mainly minority. It is not. Do not confuse it with Cleveland city schools, which are a mess. Cleveland Hts. is where you move when you want to escape Cleveland schools, but can’t afford to move to the suburbs. Also, if you look at the state rankings, they are in “Continuous Improvement” and were very close to making “Effective” for the entire district. Bottom line: this may be an inspired choice. Cleveland Hts. schools are what most of our school districts will look like in 10-20 years: schools that have a much higher level of racial and ethnic diversity than we have in most places today. Having someone in Columbus who has a feel for the city, but also knows where this is leading could be a bonus.By Oldprof
October 15, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this
Considering the track record of the state board of education, anyone they select ought to be suspect. But I think PIB is going a bit overboard; Strickland is in the process of fixing higher education through his restructuring of the chancellor into a cabinet-level officer; when he gets his coordinator of public education into the same status, Delisle and the incompetent board will be mere figureheads/advisors—and real progress will start happening.By PIB
October 15, 2008 7:14 PM | Link to this
Poltical hack, from the political hack hillbilly governor, holyroller Strickland. Ohio has the worst schools in the midwest because intestad of being run by educators, they are run by two-bit politicians like Strickland. It will be even worse when obOOma gets elected. I am moving to Mexico.By Mary
October 15, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
If you go to the blog at www.stateofohioeducation.com, you can see the news release, her picture and click on her official biography.By Mary
October 15, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this
According to another education news source (ohiogiftlist), she and her husband have a background in gifted ed and/or advocacy and have raised a gifted child. That does not mean they are not just as focused on an appropriate education for all children.