Talisa Dixon Won't Finish Year With Cleveland Heights Schools

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — Talisa Dixon is officially departing the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Schools. She signed a contract with the Columbus Schools on Saturday and will become the superintendent of Ohio's largest school district on March 4, 2019.

The timing of Dixon's departure ruffled feathers in Cleveland Heights. Dixon said she originally planned to complete the current school year in CHUH, but added: "I understand the urgency in wanting me there sooner in Columbus."

The Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education was not pleased by the announcement.

"We are obviously disappointed to be losing our superintendent in March, but we cannot hold Dr. Dixon back from an opportunity she feels she needs to pursue. We must express strong concerns about the integrity of the Columbus Board of Education and how this process has played out. We approached Dr. Dixon’s departure with good faith that Columbus would honor the need for her to complete the school year. With disregard, they chose otherwise," the CHUH Board of Education said in a statement. The Board then wished Dixon the best of luck.

Dixon’s three-year contract with Columbus Schools runs through the 2021-2022 school year and comes with an annual salary of $242,000.

Heights School officials said they have begun the search for the next full-time superintendent of the district. They anticipate naming a permanent replacement for Dixon at the end of the school year.

In the meantime, the district will prepare to appoint an interim superintendent in March.

"In the best interest of our students, we need to move forward. In our next meeting on Nov. 20, we’ll discuss a transition plan which will include identifying an interim leader. Thankfully, we have many talented resources available within our own district for this short period of time," the Board said.

The Columbus Schools announced Dixon as their next superintendent in late September, but producing an agreeable contract took slightly longer than expected. Columbus School officials said they wanted Dixon to take over her new position on January 1, 2019. That may have been a sticking point.

Gary L. Baker II, president of the Board of Education for Columbus Schools, said Dixon has already begun engaging "key stakeholders" in the district and the community.

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Photo from CHUH Schools