Mayor Rawlings-Blake Criticizing Search For New City Schools CEO

BALTIMORE (WJZ)— After word the CEO of Baltimore City schools is resigning, the mayor is criticizing the search for his replacement.

Dr. Andres Alonso will step down at the end of next month.

His chief of staff, Tisha Edwards, will serve as interim CEO through at least the next school year.

According to our media partner, The Baltimore Sun, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is questioning that decision, saying there's no good reason to wait a year before naming a replacement.

Alonso's has led Baltimore City Schools for six years, making him one of the longest-serving school superintendents in Baltimore's recent history.

It was a beleaguered school system when he inherited it in 2007. Alonso is credited with reversing huge budget deficits, improving what were some of the lowest test scores in the state and increasing graduation rates.

Alonso says he's leaving Baltimore to take care of his ailing parents in New Jersey and will assume a professorship at Harvard University.