Cincinnati Public Schools unions take votes of no confidence, superintendent responds

All six unions that contract with Cincinnati Public Schools have made votes of no confidence in Superintendent Iranetta Wright. The superintendent has created a culture of fear and intimidation, union leaders said Monday, while adding to administrative bloat, mismanaging the district's budget, micromanaging workers and violating union contracts. The unions are calling for her resignation.

Representatives from the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers, the Cincinnati Federation of Office Professionals, the Greater Cincinnati Building Trades Union, the Cincinnati Association of Administrators and Supervisors and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees gathered outside the district's education center Monday afternoon to announce the vote results. The sixth union, Local 20 International Union Of Operating Engineers, could not attend because their contract is still open.

None of the unions' leaders would say how many members voted, just that the votes were unanimous. The unions represent more than 6,000 employees with the district, including teachers, principals, secretaries, nurses, electricians, food service workers, custodians, security personnel and other workers.

Julie Sellers, president of the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers, said the district has become "significantly worse" under Wright's leadership and that the district "can't afford another year" with Wright in power.

"This isn't just one union that has taken a vote of no confidence. It is all of our unions in the district," said Michael Turner, president of the Cincinnati Association of Administrators and Supervisors. "That is definitely unheard of. There has to be change. All of us cannot be wrong."

More: Complaints mount against Cincinnati Superintendent Iranetta Wright: 'It's all about her'

In a statement to The Enquirer Monday afternoon, Wright wrote that she was disappointed in the votes of no confidence but that she is committed to continue "working with all our stakeholders on the continuous improvement of our students and our District."

Wright said she's met consistently with union leaders since March 2023 and requested their input regarding district decisions.

"While the outcome may not have always been their choice, I have been responsive and transparent," Wright said. "I’m committed to redoubling efforts to bring us together. No one knows better than I do that every step ahead of us relies on our hardworking teachers, principals and staff.

"It will take all of us, working together, to get where we need to go for our students. We’ve begun that journey, but we have much further to go. Now cannot be a time of division," Wright wrote.

Jeff Chrystal, a former union president for district administrators who spent 30 years with the district, said the unions have never had "such a broken relationship" with a superintendent.

"It has crushed the spirits of the loyal Cincinnati Public Schools teachers and administrators," he said.

Next steps are up to the school board, union leaders said. Eve Bolton, school board president, declined to comment Monday afternoon regarding the votes.

What led up to union votes of no confidence?

Last spring, union leaders representing over 200 district administrators, principals and assistant principals sent a letter to the school board listing several concerns with Wright's leadership. They said her micromanagement leads to inefficiencies and confusion among staff, that she “embarrasses employees in meetings” and has sparked a fear of retaliation for anyone who speaks up against her.

Current and former employees recently spoke to The Enquirer detailing their experiences with the superintendent and her inner circle. They said Wright "wants the spotlight" and has created a culture of bullying. One employee said the district is trying to fire her for speaking out. Her work email was deactivated last week, less than three weeks after she spoke with The Enquirer.

Wright declined an interview to respond to those complaints, but sent an email to all staff following the announcement of impending union votes. In it, she encouraged her staff to "consider the progress we have made in a short time" and wrote, "I have 100% confidence in each of you."

Ozie Davis III, a former school board member for the district, is one of Wright's supporters. He published an opinion piece in The Enquirer on Monday stating the unions' votes are a negotiating tactic and said firing Wright is not the answer to the district's budget issues.

"I believe Wright is a natural-born educator with a deep sense of love for our children, unique experience in teaching and principal leadership, and administrating school systems, who holds the highest expectations for our students and those that are responsible for their performance," Davis wrote.

The board met in executive session Monday morning to discuss the "employment of a public employee or official," according to a meeting notice. The board will hold another executive session on Wednesday, followed by a special public meeting at 4 p.m. at the Mary A. Ronan Education Center, located at 2651 Burnet Ave. The agenda for the public meeting has yet to be published as of Monday afternoon.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Public Schools unions call for superintendent to resign