CLEVELAND  -- Mayor Frank Jackson would not take no for an answer.

Thanks to his tenacity, state lawmakers are poised to give final approval to his plan to transform Cleveland schools.  A vote is scheduled to take place on June 12.

The mayor received tributes and applause from a who's who of political, business and civic leaders at a City Hall news conference on Friday to outline the deal.

Governor John Kasich said he deserved a Profile in Courage award.

"It's a Gold Medal Day for cooperation. The Lord is happy about this," Kasich said.

The governor later fought back tears as he embraced plan co-sponsor State Senator Nina Turner.

"This gives us the opportunity to do what is necessary to move forward in Cleveland," Mayor Jackson said.

Senator Turner acknowledged her "foxhole buddies" who sponsored the legislation despite receiving lots of criticism.

Teachers Union President David Quolke said the union is one hundred percent behind the plan.

The Mayor and charter schools worked out their disagreements. Charter schools would partner with public schools to be able to receive tax money. They will still be overseen by a mayor-appointed governance board.

The next challenge will be convincing voters that the plan is worth their investment in a levy in November.

The size of the levy and what it would be are still being decided.

But many Clevelanders remain skeptical about it's chances of passing because of the economy.

Julius Bremer said, "You got lots of people who hardly can put food on the table, never mind pay more for a levy."

Mayor Jackson predicted a pledge of transparency would convince voters to pass this.

He said he's encountering many residents who are concerned about schools, tracking his plan and now considering voting for a levy.

WKYC-TV