CLEVELAND — Coming to terms with his imminent departure from Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Eric Gordon said he’s at peace with his decision to step down as CEO at the end of the school year.

Gordon made the announcement Monday.

What You Need To Know

  • Eric Gordon said Monday he will be stepping down as CEO of Cleveland Metropolitan Schools at the end of the 2022-23 school year
  • Gordon was appointed chief executive officer of the school district in 2011 after serving as the district’s chief academic officer for four years

  • In 2019, the school board granted a four-year contact extension for Gordon; that extension is set to end at the conclusion of the 2022-23 school year

  • Next Wednesday, Sept. 21, Gordon will give his final "State of the Schools" address

He was appointed chief executive officer of the school district in 2011 after serving as the district’s chief academic officer for four years.

“You have to know when you’re the right person. You also have to know when it’s right to hand it off,” Gordon said. “It’s right for the long-term success of the district, even though personally I would’ve just stayed put and kept working.”

In 2019, the school board granted a four-year contact extension for Gordon. That extension is set to end at the conclusion of the 2022-23 school year.

“If I had renewed for another four years, which I could have I’m sure, in 2027, we will need a levy. In 2027, we will be bargaining nine labor agreements without any money to bargain with. I will have put a team in place that someone will inherit, all of the window closes,” he said.

Unlike other school districts in Ohio where school board members are elected, at CMSD, they’re appointed by the mayor.

In a statement, Mayor Justin Bibb thanked Gordon for his service to the school district and his “dedicated leadership over the past 11+ years, resulting in an increase in high school graduation rates.”

“This was my choice. Nobody asked me to go. Nobody told me to go. This was my choice,” said Gordon. “Doing the right thing sometimes comes with a little bit of heartache.”

Gordon has brought much change to district in his 11 years as CEO, most notably for helping to implement the “Say Yes to Education” plan that provides free college tuition to all CMSD students.

 

“I’m proud that we’ve improved academic performance. I still love this work. It’s the most important work I’ve done,” he said.

When asked what he plans to do next, Gordon said he wasn’t sure. One thing he said he is certain of is he’ll never forget his time at the school district.

“I’m going to remember the kids. It still stuns me every day that I walk into a school and kids say, 'You’re Mr. Eric Gordon!' I didn’t know my superintendent, and the fact that they know me feels really personal,” said Gordon.

Next Wednesday, Sept. 21, Gordon will give his final :State of the Schools" address.