The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Meeting fuels controversy
Superintendent shows favoritism to students based on race, some board members dissent
The Clearview High School auditorium filled Sept. 14 for a board of education meeting.
The meeting was the first after a rift between the board and Superintendent Jerome Davis over a back-to-school newsletter Davis sent out the community.
During the meeting, Davis spoke to the board about instances of racism in the district and Sheffield Township.
According to Davis, in 2019 an employee referred to someone as a “lazy (n-word),” and the board was made aware although it was not public information.
Also, Davis said it was important and still is, for Black and brown kids in the district to know he supports them amidst the racial tensions in America.
“We see racial injustices taking place daily on television, however, it is also important to let everyone know that racial injustices also happen right here in this district,” Davis said.
Clearview Board of Education President Heidi Adkins expressed concerns over Davis’s letter during the meeting.
“Whatever decisions we make, we do so always with all kids in mind and we do what’s best for them.”
— Clearview Board of Education President Heidi Adkins
“We also didn’t approve of some of the language in his message. Many complaints we received from taxpayers were in regard to his statements,” Adkins said.
The board wanted to send out the postcard to accommodate students the board felt were left out, Adkins said.
“Whatever decisions we make, we do so always with all kids in mind, and we do what’s best for them,” Adkins said.
There were issues with a particular quote from Davis’s essay, she said.
In the essay Davis wrote, “I will stay strong for all of our students but especially for our Black and brown students.”
“If this were a white superintendent stating this about being especially strong for white students would it be okay?” Adkins said.
Michael Kokinda, a board member, said he agreed with Davis in the newsletter he sent out.
“I feel bad that we didn’t do this along with him,” Kokinda said.
Additionally, Kokinda said he believed Davis had the right to make the statements in his newsletter due to his position in the community. He also noted the only complaints he received were regarding the postcard sent out by the board.
“I’m hoping in the future we as the board, when we have thoughts, that we share them with the superintendent. And if the superintendent has thoughts, he would share them with us,” Kokinda said.
Adkins said she tried to meet with Davis for a week. However, due to Davis’s schedule, he was unable to do so. In the meeting, the idea of a public forum was proposed.
Davis said he’s looking forward to doing so.
“I still haven’t had a conversation with anyone to this day. But I definitely think there needs to be a conversation and professional development. Not just with kids, but with adults and the board,” Davis said.
As the public took turns to voice their opinions an overwhelming majority of the audience expressed their support for Davis. One community member spoke in favor of the board.