New chairman visits schools

The new chairman of the Lorain Academic Distress Commission visited Lorain City Schools on March 1.

Cha i r man Randa l l Sampson visited Frank Jacinto Elementary, 2515 Marshall Ave., and other school buildings.

Sampson said he met with “principals, teachers and scholars.”

“It was great to meet so many excellent educators in Lorain Schools,” he said. “I hope to meet more great educators and community members in the weeks and months ahead.

“I’m in the process of gaining full context about the great teaching and learning occurring in Lorain Schools. I’m processing information on how to maximize my support of Lorain’s K-12 champion scholars.”

Mayor Chase Ritenauer confirmed he met with Sampson that afternoon.

Meanwhile, school officials split over an incident that shocked the audience during the Lorain City Schools Board meeting Feb. 26.

Lorain Academic Distress Commission members Diane Conibear-Xander and Steve Cawthon reported details about a teacher survey they com-

pleted with 332 responses.

In one incident, a “GJW (General Johnnie Wilson Elementary School) administrator sent 1 ounce of marijuana over to a central office secretary in a paper envelope,” the report said.

The crowd at the Lorain High School media center reacted with gasps of disbelief.

Apparently, the marijuana was confiscated from a student.

Conibear-Xander and CEO David Hardy Jr. agreed the incident did not involve a school administrator, faculty member or staff member using the drug.

“It was reported to me that 1 ounce marijuana was found on a student,” Conibear-Xander said. “In- stead of calling the police, a GJW administrator put the illegal substance into a paper envelope and sent in through the school courier to a central office secretary.”

Hardy said the allegation about sending marijuana through school mail is not true.

“As far as the marijuana question, there was no marijuana sent through inter-school mail, period,” he said. “That’s my comment on that one.”

On March 1, Lorain Schools board Vice President Tony Dimacchia made a public records request asking for documents related to the incident.

SUBMITTED PHOTO — LORAIN CITY SCHOOLS Lorain Academic Distress Commission Chairman Randall Sampson, center, speaks to Frank Jacinto Elementary Turnaround Principal Paula Baldwin during a visit to Lorain City Schools on March 1.