Cleveland's mayor confident voters will pass levy for transformation plan

CLEVELAND - Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson is overjoyed. State lawmakers on Tuesday passed his plan to reform Cleveland's schools. The governor is expected to sign it, within days, possibly in Cleveland. Those details still are being worked out.

Mayor Jackson will have the authority to appoint members to a new board called, "The Transformation Alliance." One thing the Alliance will do is report on the performance of every school, "whether they're a public school or charter school," Mayor Jackson said. "That gives parents the ability then to choose which school they want to send their children to - public or charter, because we are looking at quality education, not whether or not you're a charter or public school."

But the success of the plan depends on a big levy this November. A levy the mayor believes voters will pass.

"People aren't gonna vote for a levy if all you can tell 'em is is, to expect just the same old thing," he said. "But now we're able to say to people - you can and should expect a different and a better outcome."

If the levy passes, charter schools that partnership with the district and are high-performing, will get a portion of the money.

Watch the full interview with Jackson on the video tab of this story.

Read more about the CMSD transformation plan here , here and here .