East Cleveland residents, parents and city leaders had the chance to meet the six finalist school district CEO during a question and answer session at the Shaw High School.
The six CEO candidates were selected by a headhunting firm hired by the State of Ohio after the state took over the district due to poor academic performance.
The East Cleveland CEO will be selected by the five members of the state appointed "Academic Distress Commission, under a new model set-up by HB 70 in 2015.
Still many residents and parents at the public meeting were upset and concerned about the state takeover, and told News 5 they believe the Ohio Department made significant inaccuracies in giving the district and "F" grade, trigger the takeover.
Under HB 70 the East Cleveland School Board has been left virtually powerless, and some residents and parents, like Juanita Gowdy, believe they now have no voice in the process.
Residents and city leaders, like East Cleveland Councilman Nathaniel Martin told News 5 the new model of state takeover under HB 70 is failing in East Cleveland and other northeast Ohio districts.
