Talisa Dixon Leaving Cleveland Heights-University Heights Schools

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — Talisa Dixon will leave the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City Schools, the district announced on Friday. Dixon has been selected as the next superintendent of the Columbus City Schools, the largest public school district in Ohio.

"While we are disappointed to be losing a dynamic leader such as Dr. Dixon, we are honored that Ohio’s largest public school district has selected our leader as its next superintendent. We believe this validates that we as a district are working on the right things: equity, community partnerships, improving communications with our families and community, and building strong relationships with our teachers and staff. It takes more than one person to accomplish this work, and we know our team of talented teachers, administrators, and staff will remain dedicated to our students and their success," the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education said in a statement released Friday.

The board promised to find Dixon's successor as quickly as possible. They also thanked Dixon for finishing out the school year with her current district.

"I am honored and humbled to be chosen as the next leader of Columbus City Schools. I consider this is a once-in-a-career opportunity. However, this opportunity came about because of the great work we have done in Cleveland Heights-University Heights. I am thankful for all that we’ve accomplished here through the collective efforts of our teachers, administrators, staff, and community," Dixon said in her own statement.

Dixon has been superintendent of the CH-UH Schools since 2014.

"We still have important work to finish this year, and that is why I am committed to staying in CH-UH through the end of the school year. I intend to see through our initiatives here before transitioning to Columbus. I must thank the CH-UH community for welcoming me four years ago and for being valuable partners in helping our students achieve success. Whomever the leader is, the work will continue because of the support of the Board of Education and because of our dedicated staff who give their best efforts every day on behalf of our students," she added.

The Columbus City Schools Board of Education voted Thursday night to make Dixon the next superintendent of the district. The decision was unanimous.

The Columbus Board of Education President, Gary L. Baker II, said that Dixon impressed with her interviews and her immediate connection with students. Dixon will become the 21st superintendent of the Columbus Schools since 1847. Columbus School officials believed Dixon would start her new job around January 1, 2019, according to their website. It appears they altered that expectation to accommodate the CH-UH Schools.

Neighboring Shaker Heights has been searching for its own superintendent since Gregory Hutchings announced his departure from the district in December 2017. Two prominent east side school districts are now without permanent superintendents heading into next school year.

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Photo from CHUH Schools