Longtime Shaker Heights Superintendent Says This Academic Year Will Be His Last
Mark Freeman announced today, Sept. 4, that he would step down when his contract ends July 31, 2013.
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Longtime Shaker Heights Schools Superintendent Mark Freeman announced today, Sept. 4, that this academic year would be his last as the leader of the school district.
Freeman will step down once his contract ends July 31, 2013, according to a press release from the school district. He has been the superintendent for 24 years.
In a message to the Shaker schools staff and board of education, Freeman, 67, wrote, “I have been fortunate to work with supportive school boards and an active, positive, and engaged community. I have had the privilege of serving with a highly talented and committed staff. Above all, I have had the incredible pleasure of watching our students grow and thrive.”
School board President Annette Tucker Sutherland said in a media release that the board would begin this month to discuss the search strategy, which will include community input and consideration of internal and external candidates, for a new superintendent.
“From his start as a classroom teacher and through his leadership years, Dr. Freeman has touched the lives of thousands of students and educators,” Sutherland said. “During this final year of his impressive career, the Board asks that individuals in our staff and community join us in expressing appreciation to Dr. Freeman for his service and contributions to our District.”
Freeman started with the district in 1967 as a teacher. To read more about his background, visit the school district's website.
Shaker Heights Patch will continue to update this article with more information. Stay tuned for updates.
RJ
6:31 am on Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Perhaps now this district can move beyond the medocre (especially consider cost/test results) with a new superintendent
Mark Zetzer
8:50 am on Wednesday, September 5, 2012
The Freeman era has been marked by the Shaker Heights school district paying the highest property tax rate in Ohio, yet its high school does not even rank in the top 100 in Ohio (according to US News & World Report). I'd give the school system under Freeman's long watch an "A" in self-promotion and an "F" in fiscal responsibility.
AM
5:46 pm on Wednesday, September 5, 2012
He is leaving, but Shaker residents will be paying for his lack of leadership and inability to embrace 21st century skills and Nextgen learning for a long time. We will also be paying his $118,000 a year pension (minimum) plus benefits for the rest of his life. In recent years, he has cost the taxpayers $179,000 plus benefits for a district with an "effective", mediocre rating. This effective rating is an average of all of the schools, with the elementary schools rated excellent and Woodbury, MS and High School rated continuous improvement.
RJ
7:00 am on Thursday, September 6, 2012
I would hope that more voting Citizens of Shaker would remember this come 2014 when the District comes back to the "public trough" for an increase in our already too high tax rate. But alas it appears that most would simply vote simply because of the Shaker tradition of giving our "leaders" whatever they want. Just imagine some of the highest taxes in the State of Ohio, and this superintendent could not even raise our HS to the top schools in Ohio. Perhaps too many power lunches at Pearl of the Orient?
RJ
7:03 am on Thursday, September 6, 2012
Keep in mind Freeman is already reaping benefits from his 2000 retirement. It was stated in 2010 article that Freeman knew he would be rehired immediately after his retirement.
http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2010/06/savings_arent_automatic_when_s.html