“The East Cleveland Education Association wants very much to improve student academic growth and success – the stated aims of the 2015 state takeover law that led to Henry Pettiegrew’s autocratic reign in East Cleveland schools – and we welcomed the opportunity to work with the CEO to best serve our kids’ needs. Unfortunately, the CEO has shown time and again he has no interest in working cooperatively with East Cleveland’s educators and has no respect for the dedicated staff members who know this community best,” ECEA President Lillian Tolbert said. “The results of the ECEA survey make that very clear.”