The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Leader talks state of schools
Superintendent gives last State of Schools address
North Ridgeville City Schools Superintendent Jim Powell gave his last State of the Schools address March 9 and discussed where the district is and where he wants to see it in future years.
Powell, superintendent for four years, will retire later this year.
“We have a great deal to celebrate here in North Ridgeville,” said Powell, who spoke at the North Ridgeville Academic Center. “We have a school district that is improving year after year and we have the community to thank for that.
“They have been supportive of us. They have trusted and supported us financially, and we can’t thank them enough for everything they have done. We also are looking at great facilities and
hope to see even more improve in that department as well.”
Powell said the district has become world class.
“We have seen growth in student population and have been provided with the necessary facilities to improve their learning experience,” he said.
“We have an administrative team that is the best I have ever worked with. They are very hardworking and they have supported and enabled the district to get to where it is today.”
Powell said despite the growth that the district has been blessed with, it is still about the students.
“That’s why we are here; we need to think about our students and how to best educate them,” he said. “We need to continue to create an environment that is safe and nurturing for our students.
“I feel we have that, and our district will only get stronger in that department.”
Powell said the district also is looking at improving curriculum.
“We want to continue to adapt to student needs,” he said. “We need want to make the curriculum more comprehensive for all students.
“It takes the time and care to adapt the curriculum, but it is important that our students get all the information they need to succeed in life.”
Powell said it’s about shifting to a student-first priority.
“I feel the education system was more teacher-focused in the past,” he said. “We are shifting more to how to best service the kids, and I feel that is where you will continue to see growth. That is what I want us to be known for.
The district has announced that Roxann Ramsey-Caserio, assistant superintendent of the Lakewood City School District, will succeed Powell.
Ramsey-Caserio is expected to start the job in August.