LORAIN — Lorain Schools Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson is among nine finalists to become CEO of the Cleveland Schools.

Atkinson made the cut on Tuesday from the original 126 candidates, according to Roseann Canfora, a district spokeswoman. The nine candidates, who were chosen by PROACT Search, a Chicago-based school headhunting company, will now be reviewed by a local search committee.

Atkinson, who didn’t return a phone call late Tuesday night, came to Lorain in 2007 and formerly served as an associate or deputy superintendent in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg, N.C., and Kansas City, Mo., school districts. After her first two years at the helm in Lorain, Atkinson was granted a five-year contract in 2009, giving her an approximately $200,000 salary plus a monthly annuity and retirement contributions.

At the time, board lawyer Anthony Giardini said the board eliminated a clause in the old contract that forbade Atkinson from seeking work elsewhere and said that the board decided that “instead of using a sword, we’re using honey.”

Atkinson’s job search comes as voters in Lorain face a 23.83-mill renewal levy next month which would not collect any additional taxes. Even if the levy passes, Lorain City Schools still face an $8 million deficit in the next school year.

Atkinson has received mixed reviews from Lorain Board of Education members. Board member Paul Biber praised her for helping to boost graduation rates and instill discipline while board member Jim Smith labeled her a micromanager and blamed her for lagging student achievement test scores.

Atkinson and the other candidates will be interviewed by the 28-member local search committee which includes clergy, parents, school administrators and teachers.

“It’s a pretty good cross section of the school community,” Canfaro said.

The committee will narrow the candidate list to five and eventually to two or three finalists, Canfaro said. Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and the school board will choose the new CEO, who will replace Eugene Sanders who retired Feb. 1.

The new CEO is expected to be announced by June 1, Canfaro said. The search process will include background checks and committee visits to the finalists’ workplaces.

“There’s going to be a lot of scrutiny and diligence in picking the person for this important position,” Canfaro said.

Reporter Cindy Leise contributed to this story. Contact Evan Goodenow at 329-7129 or egoodenow@chroniclet.com.