April 20, 2004 – The Shaker Heights Board of Education tonight reappointed Superintendent of Schools Mark Freeman for a five-year contract, effective from August 1, 2005, through July 31, 2010.

Steven S. Kaufman, President of the Board of Education, said the Board acted to extend Freeman's tenure "because he is performing at the top level."

"He has served as superintendent for 16 years with tremendous distinction and has been recognized both locally and nationally for his excellence as an educator," Kaufman said. "No one knows Shaker better, or cares about Shaker more passionately, than Mark.

Noting that the national market for school superintendents is highly competitive, Kaufman said the Board wanted to act at the first opportunity to keep Freeman in Shaker.

"There are challenging issues facing the Shaker schools in the coming years. It will benefit us to have continuity, stability, and quality in the District's top leadership position.

"Stability has been an important element in the success of our schools and community," Kaufman said. "Dr. Freeman is only the twelfth superintendent in Shaker Heights since the District was founded in 1912.

"The Shaker schools also benefit from stability in the faculty and management team. So many school districts in our region and in the country are suffering from constant shifts in leadership and high teacher turnover. That makes it difficult to generate and sustain any momentum to improve schools. In a time of uncertainty in many school districts, we're fortunate to have strong and stable leadership here."

Freeman joined the Shaker teaching faculty in 1967. He has been a member of the Shaker central office staff for 29 years, holding senior administrative positions of increasing responsibility during that time. During his 38-year career in education, Freeman has taught young children, adolescents and adults in a variety of settings. In Shaker, he has been responsible for the administration and planning of all educational programs since 1983.

Freeman, 59, holds a Ph.D. in Education with emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction from Kent State University. He is a member of the American Association of School Administrators, The American Education Research Association, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and Phi Delta Kappa.

Freeman resides in Shaker Heights. He is the father of two Shaker graduates and the stepfather of a current senior at Shaker Heights High School.