CH-UH school district names Talisa Dixon new superintendent

The Cleveland Heights-University Heights school board has named Talisa Dixon the district's next superintendent.

The Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education (BOE) announced that Talisa Dixon has been named the next district superintendent. Dixon currently serves as the Deputy Superintendent: Teaching & Learning for the Saginaw Public School District in Saginaw, Mich. Dixon will take over the position of superintendent from Nylajean R. McDaniel, who will retire on July 31.

“We were very fortunate to have a selection of extremely qualified candidates, but in the end, Dr. Dixon was the clear choice for us,” said Ron Register, board president. “She has the experience and leadership abilities we were looking for to improve our instructional programming and tie those concepts in with our upcoming facility renovations. We are looking forward to Dr. Dixon’s leadership for years to come.”

The terms of Dixon's contract are currently being negotiated, and the BOE is expected to vote on her contract during its May 6 regular board meeting. The board anticipates that there will be a transition period, during which Dixon will work with McDaniel, but a start date for Dixon has not yet been determined.

Dixon comes to the CH-UH district very familiar with Ohio. She began her professional career as an instructor at The University of Akron, and later taught high school social studies at Akron City Schools prior to becoming an assistant principal there. She also served as an assistant principal in the Columbus school system, and served in two principal positions in the Columbus schools.

A graduate of Mississippi Valley State University with a B.A. degree, Dixon also holds three M.A. degrees and an Ed.D. from The University of Akron.

The CH-UH BOE chose Dixon after selection process that included a national search and substantial community input. The board  hired search consultants Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates to help recruit and develop the leadership profile that best fit the CH-UH district, through a community engagement process that welcomed and encouraged community participation in the selection process. The search firm fee was $45,145.

Dixon was among three finalists who each spent a day in the district last week. They each toured several school buildings, met with staff and students and later participated in a question and answer session with community members. The other two finalists for the position were Zheadric Barbra, Executive Director of School Turnaround of the Syracuse (N.Y.) School District, and Fred Bolden, Director of Business and Personnel of the Solon (Ohio) City Schools.

“It is an honor to be chosen as the CH-UH school district’s next superintendent,” said Dixon. “I am excited about the opportunity to meet and work with the Tiger Nation staff, students and community. Together we can create a school community that provides meaningful partnerships for the academic success for all children. This is an exhilarating time to join the CH-UH school district and I am committed for the long haul.”