The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Commission marks beginning
State, local officials seat new Lorain Academic Distress Commission
Ohio Superintendent of Public Instruction Paolo DeMaria chose Lorain attorney Anthony Richardson as chair of the new Lorain Academic Distress Commission.
The commission met for the first time May 26 at the media center at Lorain High School at 2600 Ashland Ave.
Richardson is a Lorain native and graduate of Admiral King High School which once stood at the site of the current Lorain High.
In addition to Richardson, the new commission includes Patricia O’Brien, a Lorain native and executive director of The Stocker Foundation in Elyria; Dr. Michele Soliz, assistant vice president of student success and inclusion at University of Toledo; intervention specialist Dorinda Hall from Lorain High; and Oberlin assistant superintendent John Monteleone, a former principal of Washington
“Obviously, there has been a lot of work done. We want to build on that.”
— Anthony Richardson, Lorain attorney and chair of new Academic Distress Commission
Elementary School in Lorain.
DeMaria said he’s learned a lot about Lorain and Lorain City Schools in the last several months.
“I’m left with a very positive and strong impression about this community, about this school; impressed in every way,” DeMaria said, adding he’s impressed with what students can accomplish and strong, committed teachers and administrators.
“Most impressive of all, is the variety of strong partnerships that have been diligently built that really reflect the strength and the passion of the community for our future generations, for our students and for the school system,” he said.
The new academic distress commission is involved in important work, DeMaria said.
“When I think about the work that we’re going to do today, and it starts today in many respects, it’s not to disregard or discard all the great things that are happening in this community,” he said. “It’s to amplify them. It’s to build on them. And that’s the commitment that I make, although the role that we (Ohio Department of Education) play now is very much a secondary one.
“What I’m most proud of
“I’m left with a very positive and strong impression about this community, about this school; impressed in every way.” — Ohio Superintendent of Public Instruction Paolo DeMaria
is the fact that we have five really dedicated and committed individuals and I thank you all for stepping up to serve in the roles you have been designated to serve in. And that we begin work that continues to reflect the love this community has for its students, the passion people bring to the work of giving students the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills that will position them to be our future, because that fundamentally is what this work is about.”
Richardson, who serves as program officer at Nord Family Foundation, said he looks forward to working with the district.
“Obviously, there has been a lot of work done,” he said. “We want to build on that.”
Lorain Mayor Chase Ritenauer said he appreciates the collaboration and communication built recently between the school district and the city.
“When you look around this room, you see there are a lot of strengths in this room,” Ritenauer said. “We have to do more. But, I think a lot of the answers are right in this room.
“I’ve been very impressed with the collaborative relationship and very open communication with the district administration. This administration partnership is what we wanted from the beginning. I want to do whatever I can as mayor to get what we all want here: Better outcomes and better opportunities for the students in the city of Lorain.”
Tim Williams, president of the Lorain School Board, said he wants to improve teaching and learning for children.
“We walked into this from day one with a collaborative partnership toward improving education for our kids, with as much collaboration and communication as possible,” Williams said.
The district wants to work with the state, he said.
After visiting state officials in Columbus to talk about the state takeover, William said people asked what it felt like.
“It felt like they were listening,” he said. “You never know if someone is listening unless they answer.”
The selection of the commission did not seem to push forward a political agenda, Williams said.
“Those selections gave a great deal of comfort,” he said. “Congratulations to Tony, Mr. Richardson, who is a product of this district and an example of the best things that it does.
“Part of our response needs to be not just to these folks here, but to our community, that we haven’t been hijacked.”
DeMaria said he pledges Ohio Department of Education support to continue in a spirit of partnership.
“To be motivated by that love and passion we have for our children and our kids and to continue that march toward excellence,” DeMaria said, thanking those who attended for supporting education of children.
“At the end of the day, it’s the most important work that there is.”