Superintendent Rosa E. Blackwell was honored with a surprise tribute at the July 14, 2008, Cincinnati Board of Education meeting — her final Board meeting prior to her retirement on July 31.
The ceremony began when the Board of Education voted to suspend the rules to start the Board meeting with special presentation to recognize Superintendent Blackwell's 36 years of service to the Cincinnati Public Schools.
Three students shared highlights of Superintendent Blackwell's career — Madeline of North Avondale, where Mrs. Blackwell started as a teacher; Teaneisha of Shroder High School, where Mrs. Blackwell was principal when it was a junior high school; and Gerian of Hughes Center, where Mrs. Blackwell was high school principal. They were assisted by North Avondale Principal Carmen Hull, Hughes Center Principal Mary Hahn, Shroder Assistant Principal Scott Sublett and Testing Manager Jerry Moore.
At the conclusion of the remembrance, the students presented Superintendent Blackwell with a vase of 36 roses — one for every year of her career — a gift from CPS employees.
Next, representatives of teachers, administrators, parents and the community shared remarks reflecting what Superintendent Blackwell's leadership has meant to the groups they serve:
The Board of Education then offered two resolutions:
At the conclusion of the reading of the resolutions by Board members, the entire Board and audience — who included many family members, friends and current and former professional associates of Superintendent Blackwell — rose to give her an extended standing ovation.
Facilities Director Michael Burson continued the tribute by presenting a special gift — a framed picture of the former Samuel Ach junior high school, where both Superintendent Blackwell and her husband attended. As Mr. Burson explained with a twist of humor, Mrs. Blackwell was among the young people who demonstrated in protest when Mr. Burson was involved in a decision to close Ach School.
The Board members then presented their gift to Superintendent Blackwell: A framed picture of the first school she attended in CPS, the former Columbian School, next to a picture of the new South Avondale School, which will open when school resumes on August 19, 2008.
In a touching conclusion, the tribute ended with a powerful rendition of Superintendent Blackwell's favorite song, "The Greatest Love of All," sung a cappella by Kimberly Hughes, an executive secretary in Mrs. Blackwell's office.
Earlier in the week, current and former board members hosted a farewell luncheon for Mrs. Blackwell.