It's Official: Frank Jackson Couldn't Give a Shit about Cleveland Schools

When Frank Jackson was elected mayor, he responded to the incompetence of the Cleveland school board by asking all of its nine members to resign. No one did, of course, but now he’s apparently decided they’re all doing a fantastic job. Last week, he reappointed three of the longest-serving board members, all of whom sat silently while district officials produced fake attendance numbers, ignored alarming audits, and bungled the massive $1.5 billion schools construction project. In fact, the only member Jackson chose to boot was John Moss — the one person who actually tried to do his job. Moss, who Jane Campbell appointed just after she lost the 2005 election, had the strange notion that the school board should keep better tabs on how your money was being spent. He pushed to resurrect the Bond Accountability Commission, the citizens’ panel charged with monitoring the levy funds used for the construction project. He also lobbied to create an audit committee, so board members could get an independent look at the numbers district officials threw at them every month. Alas, he quickly discovered that his colleagues preferred to remain ignorant. Now they won’t have to worry about Moss’ annoying questions. The man Jackson chose as the board's new chairman is Robert Heard, otherwise known as the Lemming to Lead All Lemmings. He actually voted against funding the new Bond Accountability Commission, believing that ignorance is bliss -- especially when you're paying for it. Be assured he’s polishing his rubber stamp as we speak. Congratulations, Mayor Jackson. You have succeeded in ensuring the school district will continue to be the same disaster as the day you found it. -- Lisa Rab