Academic distress board member resigns

Lorain Academic Distress Commission member John Monteleone has resigned in an effort to bring the panel a fresh perspective and stronger voice.

Monteleone sent a letter of resignation to Lorain Mayor Chase Ritenauer announcing that his last day on the Lorain Academic Distress Commission is Dec. 31.

“It has been my pleasure to serve as your designee on the Lorain Academic Distress Commission,” Monteleone wrote to Ritenauer. “This was not an easy decision, as the success of the Lorain City School District comes second only to the success of my two daughters.

“Lorain is home for me, and I am who I am because of Lorain and Lorain City Schools. Therefore, I thank you for being part of the commission and my mentor.”

Monteleone said in a statement sent to The Morning Journal he believes after two years on the Academic Distress Commission, his goals of collaboration and bettering education were not met.

“At its core, (House Bill) 70 is a decisive piece of legislation,” he said. “Despite that, it was my hope that as a member of the Academic Distress Commission, I could assist my fellow (Academic Distress

Commission) members to offer guidance to our CEO (David Hardy Jr.).

“I was hopeful that we could work together with the current Board of Education for the betterment of our community and educational system.

“However, after two years, I am not certain that my aforementioned hopes can become the reality,” Monteleone said. “Therefore, I felt it was time to step aside and allow our mayor to appoint a new member that brings with them a fresh perspective and hopefully a stronger voice.

“It has been, and always will be, a pleasure to serve the students and families of the Lorain City School District.”

A former educator and principal with the Lorain City Schools for 17 years, and assistant superintendent with Oberlin City Schools for two years, Monteleone now is an academic superintendent/citizens model education leader at Citizens Academy A Breakthrough Charter School. He joined the school in June.

Anthony Richardson, chairman of the Lorain Academic Distress Commission, called Monteleone a