CINCINNATI– During the Wednesday, June 16 meeting of City Council, members unanimously passed Councilmember Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney’s resolution to publicly recognize former Superintendent Laura Mitchell for her positive impact on Cincinnati Public Schools and her dedication to service. 

Pictured: Ms. Vicki Graves-Hill,  Ms. Laura Mitchell, and Councilmember Kearney.

Information about Ms. Mitchell:

• Attended both Bond Hill Academy and the School for Creative and Performing Arts
• Began her teaching career as an elementary teacher at Central Fairmount Elementary School
• Served Westwood School as both an assistant principal and principal
• Awarded the 2002 Milken Educator Award which honors early-to-mid career educators for their impressive achievements and the promise of future accomplishments
• Served as CPS’ Deputy Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer from 2005 to 2017. Accomplishments include:
  • Elementary Initiative, which raised achievement in sixteen of CPS’ lowest-performing elementary schools 
  • “My Tomorrow” initiative, which provides college and career readiness instruction
• Appointed in 2017 to be Superintendent of CPS. Accomplishments include:
  • Increase in enrollment from 64.3% to 68.5% of the school-age population
  • Opening of seven new schools
  • Distinction of being the only urban district in Ohio to be rated “Effective” 
  • Strengthening of neighborhood schools with the Vision 2020 initiative, and a community-designed three-year strategic plan