The Baltimore Sun from Baltimore, Maryland • A9

TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2013 NEWS THE BALTIMORE SUN 9 "I deeply appreciate the board's confidence in me. We are not looking back. We are moving forward." Tisha Edwards, incoming interim schools CEO Alonso's top aide named interim schools CEO ttStf "iijV flVIHK DWAR DS, From page 1 finalized, but said it was "reasonable" and consistent with previous superintendent contracts. Alonso makes $260,000 a year. Edwards, 42, earns $175,000 annually as Alonso's chief of staff.

"I deeply appreciate the board's confidence in me," she said. "We are not looking back. We are moving forward." Still, some, including Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, expressed concern the board would take more than a year to find a replacement for Alonso. "I have expressed to the chairman of the school board that I believe it is in the best interest of our young people and the school district for them to move sooner rather than later with finding a CEO," Rawlings-Blake said. "The notion that we need to have an interim CEO for a year, I just do not understand the thinking at all.

I don't understand why we can't have a CEO in place by the start of the school year. I haven't heard a reason why that makes sense." Duke said one-year contracts for interim superintendents are common practice. He pledged that the school board will conduct an "exhaustive" national search for a new superintendent The board has not yet hired a search firm, he said. "We'll make sure the decision is best for the schools and best for the community," Duke said. "This is a challenging district to run, and the person has to be up for that challenge." Edwards, who has been Alonso's chief of staff since 2009, is credited with implementing the details of some of the district's high-profile reforms, such as its pay-for-performance union contracts, central office reorganizations and opening new schools.

Alonso also has sent her to deal with heated situations, such as speaking to angry parents in Cherry Hill when the district recommended closing Southside Academy High School. "Tisha has been a great partner, so her doing it takes away any regret," Alonso said. "I am proud of the work we have done, and it's hers as much as mine." "Now you're going to have a real lack-ass superintendent," Alonso told staff and students at the news conference. Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young said he'd like to see the school board name Edwards the permanent superintendent "I have every confidence in Tisha Edwards," Young said.

"I think she could move the system along. She was, in my opinion, the chief architect behind what Dr. ALGERINA PERN ABALTIMORE SUN PHOTO Tisha Edwards shares a moment with her son, Nevan Edwards, after the announcement that she will serve as interim Baltimore Public Schools CEO after Andres Alonso steps down from that position June 30. Tisha Edwards Age: 42 Current salary: $175,000, as Baltimore schools chief of staff, 2009-present Work highlights: Baltimore schools special assistant to the CEO, 2008-2009; founding principal, Baltimore Freedom Academy, 2003-2007; chief operating officer and special assistant to the CEO, Empowerment Baltimore Management 2000-2003; program coordinator, Fulton County (Ga.) Juvenile Court, 1997-1998. Education: J.D., University of Maryland law school, 2001; master's, University of Maryland School of Social Work, 2000; bachelor's, Georgia State University, 1998.

Before entering education, Edwards, who studied social work and law, had a career in social work and serving at-risk youths. Last year, Edwards was in the running for superintendent in Louisiana's East Baton Rouge Parish, before withdrawing her name. "Being a native southerner, it has always been my ardent desire to return to the south to serve," she wrote in response to an application question. On Monday, Edwards emphasized that she is committed to Baltimore. "I'm committed to the school system," Edwards said.

"I'm committed to this community." Baltimore Sun reporter Erica L. Green contributed to this article. luke.broadwaterbaltsun.com twitter.comlukebroadwater ywengerbaltsun.com twitter.comyvonnewenger Alonso was doing. I am hoping that the school board would consider her. "Her leading the school system will send a good message to African-American students, and she's connected in the city.

Her child went to city schools and now he is enrolled at Morgan State University. She is committed to the city. I think she could keep Dr. Alonso's vision intact." Edwards first began serving Alonso as his special assistant in January 2008. She started her tenure in the district as the founding principal of the Baltimore Freedom Academy High School, which the school board voted to close this year during charter contract renewals.

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