Dr. Andrés Alonso is stepping down as Baltimore city schools CEO on June 30. At a press conference today, Alonso said he is moving to New Jersey to assist with the care of his elderly parents. He has also accepted a part-time position at Harvard University. At the district’s headquarters, Alonso was greeted with a standing ovation as he came to the podium during the press conference to give a sometimes emotional farewell to the district. "I have enjoyed being the superintendent of this school system, in, in ways that are so astonishing," he said. "People kept telling me that it is a hard job and I kept thinking you have no clue."
For six years, Alonso ran the city’s school system, the longest tenure for a Baltimore superintendent in decades. Two weeks ago when asked if rumors were true that he was leaving, he said, “there have been rumors since the first year that I have been here. I have always said that I’m committed to Baltimore. I don’t need to say it every time someone comes up with any rumor.”
But the rumors were true. Today Alonso said he considered resigning at the end of his first contract and also last year, but held off. “I felt it wasn't the right time,” he said. “So, I have no regrets and I feel that if I remain, I would have personal regrets that I will never be able to live with, so it’s the right time.”
Alonso says his parents are in their 80's and he’s needed to help with their care. School board president Neil Duke praised Alonso for the numerous reforms, although sometimes controversial, that he implemented as CEO. “Our district is now in a far better place thanks to his efforts and we’ve been able to reverse so many negative trends that had been holding our district back ,” Duke said. “More students are staying in school to graduate, less students are dropping out and we’ve not only given students and their parents a real choice in selecting their preferred academic setting, but we’ve also reformed how dollars are spent.”
Alonso is given high marks by many for reducing student suspensions, bringing up standardized test scores, reducing the central office’s staff, closing non-performing schools and being instrumental in getting $1 billion to build and renovate the district’s deteriorating schools.
But an investigation of cheating on state exams happened on his watch and the district’s financial practices have come up short in several areas. In addition, principal union officials have bashed Alonso for the retirements or firings of the majority of the system’s principals. “I’m very happy Dr. Alonso is going,” said James Gittings, who heads the principal’s union. “I don’t believe that he focused on the children in the Baltimore City school system. I believe moreso it was a job for a stepping stone in his career.”
Gittings is pleased that Alonso’s chief of staff, Tisha Edwards being named interim CEO, until a permanent replacement is hired. “I think she has the vision and the ability to make this system what it should be,” said Gittings. “I feel very strongly that she will support the employees in this system and most importantly, she will do what's right for the children in the Baltimore public school system.”
Edwards has worked closely with Alonso for five years. She started out in the district as principal of Baltimore Freedom Academy, which is set to close. Alonso described her by telling the audience that “Now you’re going to have a real kick ass superintendent.”
Edwards said she plans to continue with Alonso’s reform agenda for the district. “Dr. Alonso has laid a wonderful blueprint for reform,” she said. “I’ve been involved in that. We’re not trying to reinvent anything. We’re trying to maintain, refine and be better. So the priority is to keep moving forward.”
Edwards did not say if she is interested in the position permanently. As for Alonso, his new title will be Professor of Practice at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education. The position is reserved for those who have made significant contributions to the education field.