Schools Chief, a Voucher Pioneer, Stepping Down
The head of Cleveland’s Roman Catholic schools, who was a leading proponent of the city’s landmark school voucher program, has announced she will step down in June.
Sister Carol Anne Smith, 54, played a key role in the fight for vouchers that culminated in June with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that state money can go to Cleveland children who want to use vouchers to attend religious schools.
“Her leadership was absolutely essential to the Catholic educational story in Cleveland,” said Michael Guerra, president of the National Catholic Education Assn. in Washington, D.C.
The majority of the 51 schools participating in the city’s voucher program are Catholic schools.
Smith, who belongs to the Sisters of Humility of Mary, said she is leaving to seek new challenges. A search committee has been formed to find a new superintendent.
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