The Cleveland school board is in the final stretch of the search for a new CEO to lead the district. Students, parents and community members have a chance to participate in the finalist interviews. 

This opportunity comes after Alma Advisory Group (the firm the school board hired to lead the search) met with groups of students, teachers and community members to identify community priorities and develop a job description for the position. The job listing went live Feb. 11.

According to Alma, 3,700 survey submissions from Clevelanders highlighted three things they would like to see improved in the district: Safety and security for students and teachers, support for the health and well-being of students and staff, and increased academic rigor.

Respondents said they would like to see a new CEO who is empathetic, experienced and collaborative. They hope that whoever is selected for the job will focus on safety and create an environment that supports students’ mental and physical health.

Read more about the preliminary steps of the CEO search process here.

Here’s how it works:

Clevelanders can nominate themselves or others to sit on an interview panel that will aid the board in selecting a new CEO from a group of board selected finalists. The application is open through April 5.

Panelists will be selected randomly through a lottery system and will go through a brief training process before interviewing candidates. There will be student, parent, teacher, and principal panels.

The selection process will involve several interview panels and will culminate in a finalist round, which the district will live-stream on its website and social platforms.

Anyone can also suggest an interview question they would like to ask the candidates via an online form.

Interviews will take place through the month of April. According to the timeline set out by the school district, the new CEO will be selected by the end of April or early May.