Overview:
• Cincinnati Public Schools Superintendent Iranetta Wright has resigned from her position, effective May 20, after receiving a vote of "no confidence" from six unions representing over 6,000 employees.
• The unions expressed concerns about Wright's lack of communication and collaboration, and expressed a loss of support for her leadership.
• Wright had been known for dramatically improving failing schools in Detroit and Duval County, and had recently shared her commitment to improving student outcomes through a comprehensive Strategic Plan.
• Wright will receive her current salary and health insurance through July 2025.
Cincinnati Public Schools Superintendent Iranetta Wright has stepped down, per a statement read by Cincinnati Board of Education President Eve Bolton at a special meeting on May 15. Wright agreed to resign her position with Cincinnati Public Schools, effective May 20.
The news came days after six unions, representing a total of more than 6,000 employees within CPS, gave Wright a vote of “no confidence.”
Members of the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers, Cincinnati Federation of Office Professionals, Cincinnati Association of Administrators and Supervisors, American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Greater Cincinnati Building Trades and International Union of Operating Engineers Local 20 all expressed that they had lost support for Wright. Union leaders expressed frustrations with what they say was Wright’s lack of communication and collaboration.
In a statement late Wednesday after the press conference with all six unions with the district, Wright released a statement saying:
“I was disappointed to learn of the outcome of the votes of no confidence in my leadership. It is an unfortunate step at a time when our collaboration on behalf of students is vitally necessary.
“Since March 2023, I have met consistently with union leadership, requested their voice and input in our district decisions and asked for ongoing feedback. I have accepted and addressed their concerns. While the outcome may not have always been their choice, I have been responsive and transparent.
“Until two weeks ago, when the unions reached out directly to the board, I believed we were having open and honest dialogue and building the trust necessary to move our District forward. I’m committed to redoubling efforts to bring us together. No one knows better than I do that every step ahead of us relies on our hardworking teachers, principals and staff.
“It will take all of us, working together, to get where we need to go for our students. We’ve begun that journey, but we have much further to go. Now cannot be a time of division.
“My focus remains steadfast, working with all our stakeholders on the continuous improvement of our students and our District.
“It is my hope that we can come together to continue the momentum and build on the progress made by keeping students at the center of our future decisions and actions.”
Then on May 17, Wright submitted her resignation to the Board about an hour before their meeting with the board voting 5-2 in executive session to accept it.
Board President Eve Bolton said Wright may have been tougher than the District is used to.
On Wright’s mid-year and full-year evaluations from the Board, she received overall “satisfactory” ratings, but received her lowest marks for culture and collaboration. “
Board member Ben Lindy called Wright’s resignation a “terrible, terrible mistake.” He noted the District is moving forward under Wright’s tenure. Lindy moved to not accept the resignation until the board can talk about it because there is no plan for an interim at this time, but the board still voted 5-2 to accept the resignation.
Wright first arrived in Cincinnati in 2022. She previously served as the Deputy Superintendent for Detroit Public Schools Community District and worked in several roles within Duval County Public Schools in Fla. She was known for dramatically improving schools that were failing. Rev. Charlie Winburn noted that under Wright’s leadership CPS test scores were rising.
In was just last November that Wright shared how the District is igniting the ABCs of Academics, Behavior and Culture to shape CPS’ future through a comprehensive Strategic Plan during her second annual State of the Schools address. Each of the District’s five strategic priorities– Support Our Students, Equip Our Educators, Connect Our Community, Ignite Innovation and Optimize Operations– outline and clarify intentional areas of work to improve student outcomes aligned to the Board’s approved Goals and Guardrails.
“Our new Strategic Plan reflects our unwavering commitment to empower and equip every student through high-quality instruction and equitable opportunities,” Wright said. “I am fully committed to making CPS a model district, not only in Cincinnati, but throughout our state and across the country.” She added that implementing the Strategic Plan, the District would value and support the work of all employees, uplift students’ voices in decision making, ensure equitable outcomes for all students, continually improve in cultural competency and responsiveness and be rigorous and transparent in pursuit of equity. Wright will receive her current salary of $260,000 plus health insurance through July 2025.