District updates collection of books

The books in the Lorain City School District are “extremely dated,” according to assistant superintendent Ross May, who provided an update on the state of the media collection at Lorain Schools during the April 22 Board of Education meeting.

The board began taking proactive steps last year when it created a media specialist position and partnered with a school media analysis consultancy called Mackie to shed light on the issue and move to address it.

According to Mackie’s analysis, the average age of books throughout Lorain City Schools was nearly 30 years old.

In knowing this, the school district purchased thousands of new books to restock the media centers, while weeding through the collection and retiring dated titles.

Admiral King Elementary School celebrated the grand reopening of its media center April 22, while the remaining media centers throughout the district will follow suit upon completion of the updates.

May said the new books were chosen based on Mackie analysis and suggestions, student interests and student demographics.

The overall collection, moving forward, will be continually updated, he said.

The media centers also are looking to update spaces and furniture and find more ways to partner with the Lorain Public Library System for such things as field trips and summer employment.

“The average age of books should not be 30 years old,” Lorain Schools superintendent Jeff Graham remarked.

Graham then thanked May and the media center team for their efforts in the updating and upgrading of these facilities.

The board meeting opened with the Girls On The Run, which is a school-based team that helps girls not only get fit through running and physical activity but also to work on their social skills and practice positive thinking.

The group led the Pledge of Allegiance, and a number of team members shared what they enjoyed best about the group, including helping them with their

confidence, managing emotions and making new friends.

Members of Girls On The Run will compete in a 5K race and will complete a community impact project in May.

“The favorite part of my job is cheering for our kids,” Graham said.

The Lorain Schools Board of Education then was joined by Ohio School Boards Association president Sally Green, who thanked the local board for their service and commitment, before highlighting three upcoming events she hopes Lorain will be involved in.

Those included the State Legislative Conference, the Board Leadership Retreat and a Day at the Ohio School Boards Association Office.

Green then honored two Lorain Schools board members.

Barbie Washington was honored for passing a board aptitude test, while Bill Sturgill was honored for his 15 years of service on the school board.

“We have a very engaged board,” Graham said. “And, it’s not always an easy job.

“Sometimes the only time you get attention is when things aren’t going well. I want to thank our board for their hard work and commitment.”

The board then entered a nearly hour-long executive session before returning to pass a number of routine items, one of which included the approval of a trip to Dallas for the robotics team to compete for a national championship.

Lastly, board member Jay Ferguson congratulated the Lorain High School eSports team for making it to the state finals in only their second year.