Foundations establish new fund for district

The Community Foundation of Lorain County announced a new passthrough fund to help academics at Lorain City Schools.

The fund is called, “Lorain City Schools — Road to Excellence.”

According to a news release from Lisa Rupple, communications officer at Community Foundation of Lorain County, at 9080 Leavitt Road in Elyria:

The new fund is to drive educational change and serve as a springboard to improve student achievement.

The Community Foundation contributed $25,000 to the fund, and the Nord Family Foundation, The Stocker Foundation, and The Nordson Corporation Foundation matched or pledged to match the startup contribution.

The foundations believe every child in Lorain deserves a great education.

A process presented by Lorain Schools Chief Executive Officer David Hardy Jr. and support from the Lorain Academic Distress Commission potentially could transform the district.

Hardy is grateful to the foundations for ongoing support of the district and students because of the “heavy lifting” needed to create a better path forward for children, the release indicated.

The district is not currently preparing youth for successful lives, the release attributed to Brian Frederick, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Lorain County.

“Fixing an educational system is like doing maintenance on a 747 while in flight,” the release attributed to Frederick.

“This is a community problem and one that cannot be solved unless we work together. The focus must be on the needs of all students, not the wants of adults.”