Englehart receives Administrator of the Year Award

Painesville Schools Superintendent Joshua Englehart has received the John J. Weiss Lake County Administrator of the Year Award for 2019.

The award is handed out annually by the Lake County Educational Service Center.

It recognizes an individual who demonstrates the characteristics of Weiss, a former teacher and administrator of the Riverside School District and former director of Lake Academy, according to a news release.

A statement from the district spoke to Englehart’s qualifications.

“He works tirelessly for the students and families in PCLS, not only through a laser-focus on improving curriculum and instruction, but also through his work with a multitude of community agencies and leaders, parent groups, and student groups,” according to the statement.

The award may indicate light at the end of a tunnel for a district that has drawn unfavorable attention following concerning Ohio Board of Education district assessments.

Their 2017-18 state report card garnered them an “F” grading across the district.

“We’re one of a handful of districts in the state that were given an F grade. Aside from what that does to community perception, and perception of surrounding communities, that puts us in danger of a state takeover,” Englehart previously said of the assessment. “The state model has been bad for schools and communities. We need to turn things around very, very rapidly in order to avoid that.

“At the end of the day, we’re in a position where we can’t make excuses,” he said. “Whether we believe if they’re strong measures, whether they’re valid measures is immaterial, we’re still held accountable for them.”

He’s since shored up districtwide standards for English and mathematics and forging more consistent communication with the Ohio Department of Education.

“We are not in a position to think we have all the answers,” he acknowledged.