According to the Plain Dealer, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and school district CEO Eric Gordon plan to partner more with high-performing public charter schools, putting the city “in the growing minority of districts that treat successful charter schools as allies.” In the proposed “portfolio” model, the district would sponsor more charters, share tax money with them and allow charters to share food or curriculum services with the district. Gordon has studied how portfolio systems are working in Baltimore and Denver. A “Transformation Alliance,” made up of city and charter school board members, parents, teachers and philanthropic, community and business leaders, would hold new charters to high academic standards. Poor-performing schools would be closed more quickly, and successful district schools would gain more charter-like flexibility over schedule, budget and curriculum. "We think this is the most innovative plan for public school reform in the United States," said Ronn Richard, president of the Cleveland Foundation.