Quality candidates emerge to lead Lorain Schools

The three finalists to become the next CEO of Lorain City Schools are quality candidates who could move the academically struggling district to the next level.

The district wants someone in place in a few weeks.

One candidate is a familiar face. It’s Jeff Graham, former Lorain Schools superintendent, who most recently was superintendent for Canton City School District.

Another finalist is James M. Grubbs Jr., of Ashland, superintendent of Galion City Schools.

The third is Tracy R. Reed, of Fort Wayne, Ind., who is chief academic officer of Fort Wayne Community Schools.

On May 19 and 20, the Lorain Academic Distress Commission and Lorain City Schools Board of Education held joint meetings via video to interview six candidates for the post.

Lorain Academic Distress Commission Chairman Randall Sampson announced the three finalists on May 21.

It was not a surprise Graham made the cut.

He has made it public he wants the job, and he wants to finish what he started years ago when he lead the district.

Former Lorain CEO David Hardy Jr. and Graham weren’t on the same page, and Graham left the district in February 2018; Hardy left in January 2020.

Graham began his career in education as a physics teacher at Highland and Wadsworth high schools from 1993 to 1999 before moving to administrative roles.

He served as assistant principal at Medina High School from 1999 to 2001 and then as principal of Medina High from 2001 to 2003.

Graham was superintendent of Woodridge Local Schools from 2003 to 2010, superintendent of Parma City Schools from 2010 to 2015, superintendent of Lorain Schools from 2015 to 2018, regional superintendent of 15 schools in the “Best Practices” portfolio for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and superintendent of Canton City Schools since June 2018.

Grubbs joined Galion Schools in 2015 as superintendent.

He served multiple roles at the Pioneer Career and Technology Center from 2002 to 2015, including supervisor, assistant director, director of operations and director of business affairs.

From 1986 to 2002, Grubbs worked for Mansfield City Schools as a varsity football and wrestling coach, adult education instructor for machine technology, career tech precision machine instructor and high school assistant principal.

Reed, who has more than 20 years of experience in education, joined Fort Wayne Community Schools in 2014 as chief academic officer.

She began her career in 1993 as a sixth-grade teacher in Cleveland. In 2000, Reed became a middle school assistant principal, and in 2005, she became principal of a middle school in Maple Heights, Ohio.

She joined Benton Harbor Area Schools in Benton Harbor, Mich. in 2012 working as assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction.

These candidates certainly have the experience to lead Lorain Schools.

Even Sampson says the three really stood out as to what Lorain possibly needs for the next CEO.

The candidates are eager to come to Lorain.

Sampson added the finalists knew exactly what they were signing up for and that’s exactly what Lorain Schools want — elite leaders.

The next step happens May 26, when the candidates will participate in question-andanswer sessions.

Those interviews will not be broadcast live, but recorded and published later that day for public review.

Lorain Schools interim CEO Greg Ring said the questions will come from a committee of community members.

Ring and Lorain County Educational Service Center Superintendent Franco Gallo are compiling the questions, which will be edited for common themes and time limits.

But Ring declined to list the committee members, adding their identities likely will become known later.

There will be a second round of interviews May 27.

Then, June 2, is the target date to make the hire with a joint meeting of the Lorain Academic Distress Commission and the School Board.

Sampson praised Gallo and the Lorain County Educational Service Center for attracting such an elite cast who could lead Lorain Schools.

More importantly, Sampson emphasized the good working relationship between the Lorain Academic Distress Commission and Board of Education.

Unfortunately, that was lacking under Hardy’s leadership when he refused to meet with the school board.

Ring has been effective during his short tenure as interim CEO, and the next executive can learn from him.

The backgrounds of the candidates suggest they can, and likely will, have a chance to succeed.

Students are counting on it.