This was the first of the second round of community conversations with the Superintendent, and while somethings remain constant (staff outnumbering citizens) this was eye-opening.
Maybe because he starts with talking about how one of the new school board members taking a seat in January was a former DPS student of his, Eric Walker, or maybe because Dr. Gabriella Pickett will disappear back into the hole she slid out of to spew her venom, but the tone was decidedly different.
Finally off defense after gracefully accepting a repugnant promotion to “interim superintendent” after Dr. Lolli punked the board, Lawrence wasn’t putting out fires- but talking about how his team has started new ones- fires under the butts of the district staff to actually deliver a functioning school system.
Transportation is no longer an issue (as if it ever should have been) and new parental communication tools are very appreciated according to a few parents/guardians/grandparents/caregivers in attendance, even if the bus app still has a few bugs.
Schools like Meadowdale and EJ Brown were garnering praise, where as under Lolli they were gathering police calls, fights, and havoc.
And, initial reading scores for 3rd graders at the first milestone are ahead of Lolli’s best final scores- all in the first 4 months.
The Public Information Office actually did something he praised and he shared it in the meeting, and he’s realized that the website the district illegally contracted no-bid isn’t cutting it (partially because of who did it, partially because of no understanding how to run it, partially because the district has NEVER been good at communications). Considering the slides he put up were criminally bad, including one Freudian visual mistake that I made him break out laughing about, the PIO office still isn’t delivering (the fact that they AREN’T filming these should be the first clue).
Lawrence acknowledges he can’t run a high performing district with long term subs- a predicament that was forced on him thanks to the mass exodus of talent under Attila The Superintendent- Lolli. He’s working on a plan to bring college profs in to teach high school math and science in a partnership with local higher ed. For once, a superintendent is actively talking about nurturing high performing students within the district (I don’t know if gifted still means advanced-or challenged in today’s double speak Politically Correct dialect). It’s refreshing to think that the district may start producing National Merit Scholars annually instead of intermittently in the near future.
Some of you are saying, why should I watch this video, instead of just reading the summary? I’m going to tell you exactly why- because, other districts looking for a superintendent will be watching this, and realizing that Dayton has found an exceptional leader, and purposefully cut his legs off, publicly embarrassed their own home town champ MULTIPLE TIMES, and then insultingly hired the Alma Group to come and find his replacement.
There is no replacing Dr. Lawrence, and if the Alma Advisory Group [1] has any integrity at all, their report to the community this Tuesday should be really short- and go something like this: The Alma Group has come to Dayton with the task of helping the incompetent school board see what’s right out in plain sight- an amazingly talented leader who actually knows what he’s doing. This search does not need to continue, nor will we be able to supply candidates of the quality or abilities of Dr. Lawrence, because to apply should be hopeless. Any applicant, won’t have the institutional knowledge, the community respect, the dedication and drive and love that Lawrence has for his community. We respectfully thank the Board for asking us here, but to continue with this process would be an insult to the taxpayers and to Dr. Lawrence, whom, by the way, we can find a higher paying position in any other district in the country in a heartbeat. Dayton should be lucky to have one of it’s own ready and willing to serve.”
But, watch for yourself. Ask, is this the kind of guy I want setting examples for my kids, my community and leading our city forward? I know your answer already.
UPDATE
Dec 10, 6am. Mario posted the following on her FB page [2], I thought it dovetailed in.
“Edited to add David Esrati’s recording. If nothing else go about halfway through to hear the audience questions/comments. And really think about coming out on Wednesday.
The Community Conversation Thursday night at Belle Haven was energizing. Too bad no one showed up.
Actually, there were a few people there. Aside from the stalwarts, there were 3 parents whose students were in different schools, who spoke eloquently about their satisfaction with the new principals and general change in direction. Highlighted were EJ Brown and Meadowdale High School. Those of you with a history in the district will remember these were not stellar examples of education in recent years. It was nice to hear.
David Lawrence is a force of nature. He is absolutely an engaging speaker. He went over the Action Plan that was presented to the Board at the last Business Meeting. A few take-aways:
His core administrative team are former principals which give them a unique perspective.
He is committed to transparency on all academic matters. This has already been demonstrated when they announced that last year some key data had not been transmitted to the Ohio Department of Education resulting in skewed state report card data. He owns when things go awry and commits to doing better. It is still early days, but so far it seems positive. There have been a few glitches and it remains to be seen how those will be resolved.
He has committed to providing information on the Action Plan and District doings to parents and community in a way that is understandable. In a free-flowing conversation, he also talked about creating a document that could be understood by students as well.
Really a refreshing change of pace.
The next Community Session is Wednesday, Dec. 13, 6 pm at Stivers. I can’t stress enough how interesting it is and how bodies in the seats – adults and students – will make the difference in making things happen.
This was not the only DPS opportunity this week. To dredge up a phrase from a few years ago, Monday’s meeting turned out to be more of a nothing burger.
10 minutes after the listed start of the meeting at 5:30, the meeting actually convenes. Apparently it was decided to go Zoom. The Alma Group spent just over 3 minutes talking about what they had been doing with a promise of an actual report next week. It was clear that they had not been fully apprised of what they were expected to do. No real indication of why a “special meeting” had to be called to announce the real report would be presented next week, unless it was cover for going into Executive Session. Honest to goodness, things must be worse than even I assume if at every meeting, scheduled or special, they have to convene to talk about personnel matters.
The most fascinating quote was from the Board President during an interview with channel 2, explaining why they have to continue the search for a new Superintendent, essentially stating that the world has changed. “The incoming board will be the first board that is millennial dominated.”
Judging by current public behavior I’m reading that to mean “I’m gonna do what I want when I want to ‘cause I can and the rest of you can go suck eggs.”
From a geezer perspective, if that’s what plays out, we’re doomed.
Just sayin’.”
I hope this guy stays at DPS. He focuses on a limited number of metrics, and seems to insist that everyone working for him do the same.
I’d say that there’s a good chance he’ll move on, though. It is so very difficult to fix a failed school system, and the problems at DPS are quite deeply entrenched.
Still, I hope he stays and wish him every success.
Until the district gets a grasp on student discipline – reducing fighting at the bldg, at sporting events – teachers are going to continue to leave – they aren’t going to put their lives and their health at risk when kids reactions to disagreements is to fight.
Thanks for the report, David.
The teachers aren’t a fan of him. All of the unions spoke out against him a couple weeks ago. He’s got unqualified people working in student facing positions (and some are harming students). He’s not paying bonuses to folks who are entitled to them. The district is worse under him. We must replace the interim superintendent with someone who is qualified and able to handle this job.
@HoodiePatrol- every single statement you made was false. Congrats!
And- btw- those “unqualified people” were hired by the “Superintendent of the year.”
Please crawl back into your hole, troll.
At what point is Lawrence going to take accountability and responsibility for his district? Are you going to make excuses for him? Newsflash: he’s in charge now, not Lolli. It’s his problem to deal with, and he’s screwing it up.
@hoodie patrol- (spineless one) Lawrence does take responsibility and own the screw ups. Remember- he’s only interim, and thrust into a dysfunctional district at the last minute. He has a board that’s playing games- and yet- kids are getting to school on time, actual learning is taking place, and scores are up.
Having some union folks come and bitch because the treasurer f’d up their bonuses is on the treasurer, not Lawrence.
And in case you didn’t notice- no one agrees with you on these comments. You didn’t watch the video. You didn’t read the take from Mario that I added- you just crawled out of your hole and spewed drivel.
I don’t comment for the anonymous likes or whatever they’re called here, but I don’t want to rob you of your internet points since they matter to you. I will give you some imaginary points too. You’re welcome, friend!
I’m sorry you’re anti union. All of the DPS unions were pretty rough on your pal (but rightfully so). The staff is getting whiplash from all of his “change for the sake of change.” You were briefly in the military and should know how it goes when a new commander comes in and arbitrarily changes things simply to stroke their ego and make their mark and don’t actually make things better. The rank and file count down the days until that commander is gone, and that’s what’s going on right now with the acting “commander” Lawrence. But here you are making excuse after excuse, which is understandable because you don’t understand anything about being a teacher.
Maybe more special ed kids need to get dragged around the halls, or be found mysteriously bleeding on the bus to make you realize this dude ain’t all that. But then again, none of it is his fault so long as someone else hired the people. He is the leader only of the people he hires :)
@Hoodie Patrol- I’m not anti-union (except the ones that backed Phil “the torturer” Plummer for State Rep). There were 2 unions that came and complained- drivers – about the bonuses that the treasurer dropped the ball on, and one other (there are 9 different bargaining units). The teachers union hasn’t said boo.
Change for the sake of change? Where were you when Lolli changed 24 of the 28 building leaders? Give me a break you whining POS.
The scores went up. Learning is taking place. There are still discipline issues- and those will continue until he can actually hire staff.
As to the issues with no background checks- that was Lolli.
You can’t seem to get your facts straight- or are you just a racist?