Baltimore Schools CEO Alonso Resigns

Baltimore City Public Schools CEO Andres Alonso has resigned, according to a news statement from the school system.

Alonso has been the head of city schools for the past six years and has implemented many, often controversial reforms, including giving individual principals control over their school’s budget, eliminating administrative positions at North Avenue and helping to introduce an ambitious 10-year building plan.

"The work here has been incredibly hard but incredibly good, and I feel lucky to have been part of a very capable leadership team, starting with a Board that has been absolutely committed to transformational change; a talented and dedicated staff; and an exceptional community of students, parents, partners and advocates," Alonso said.

According to the news release, Alonso is leaving in part to take care of his elderly parents in New Jersey and to take a professorship at Harvard University. He will step down from the CEO position June 30.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake released a statement saying she already has asked School Board Chair Neil Duke to begin a national search to name a permanent CEO by next school year.

"Under the leadership of Dr. Alonso, Baltimore has made significant progress improving student achievement, including rising test scores and graduation rates—all while overall school enrollment has increased, reversing decades of steady decline.  We are all very grateful for Dr. Alonso's service to the children of Baltimore’s public schools and wish him well as he pursues future endeavors and spends time with family," Rawlings-Blake said.