Baltimore City Public Schools mourns the loss of former chief executive officer Dr. Gregory Thornton, who passed away on November 29, 2024. He was 69 years old.
Dr. Thornton was CEO of City Schools from 2014 to 2016. The Philadelphia native arrived in Baltimore after a successful tenure as the superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools. Before his role in Wisconsin, he served in district-level leadership in the Montgomery (Md.) Public Schools and near Philadelphia.
During his tenure, Dr. Thornton launched the 21st Century Schools office, a dedicated group of City Schools professionals charged with ensuring the success of the largest multi-organization school-building effort in recent state history. He also shepherded the school district’s initial work in providing free meals to its students, a program that continues today. His work supporting the arts in schools was also meaningful.
Upon being hired, Dr. Thornton said City Schools was a special place for him. In a media interview, he said he would have left the Midwest only for Baltimore.
“Baltimore is a place that makes so much sense to me,” Dr. Thornton said then. “I’m energized by the busyness of the city, the busyness of the school district. I’m energized by the challenges the district faces.”
Please join us in a moment of silence for Dr. Thornton.
Photo: Mike De Sisti, March 7, 2013, Former Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Gregory Thorton smiles from the crowd during a pep rally at Rufus King International School. (https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/education/2024/12/01/former-milwaukee-schools-superintendent-gregory-thornton-dies-at-69/76661307007/)