[1]To recap: Under the previous school board, In November of 2016, there was a major violation of sportsmanship when Dunbar played an ineligible football player, and tried to throw a game to Belmont. It was bizarre and obvious that something smelled at DPS.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association investigated, and pushed for the district to fire District Athletic Director LaMark Baker. The board instead gave him a 2 year contract. OHSAA imposed three years of sanctions and oversight of the district and a $10K fine.
Old board also gives former Superintendent Rhonda Corr a 3 year contract. She hires Dr. Venita Kelly and Marsha Bonhart at $90K ea a year to run PR. Corr puts Bonhart over Baker.
Board kicks Corr to the Curb in November of 2017. Board has new composition after Dr. Adil Baguirov resigns because David Esrati threatens mandamus action for his removal, since on Election Day, his voting registration has moved to Vandalia district. Esrati had made a case in April of 2017 that Baguirov didn’t live in the district- no officials investigated or acted. Now Rev William Harris is on Board. They put Corr on paid admin leave- promote Dr. Elizabeth Lolli to acting superintendent, this was caused because the investigation into the EEOC claims by Dr. Markay Winston uncovered credible evidence that Corr was less proficient than the stellar performance review that the board had just given her.
New board takes over in January- already has a PR debacle thanks to Lolli and Dr. Burton announcing the potential closing of schools without doing proper PR management. All schools discussed are on the West side. A task force is set-up prior to the board being seated- and Mohamed Al-Hamdani is appointed co-chair- before he has taken office. Task force tries to meet in secret, fails, then has secret meeting bus tour- Esrati files a lawsuit.
End of January 2018, Dunbar and Thurgood JV basketball game erupts in a bench clearing brawl at end of game. Rookie Dunbar Coach Chuck Taylor gets punished for calling a parent names. Thurgood sits all players for mandatory 2 game suspension. Apparently, Dunbar doesn’t.
In playoffs, Dunbar’s failure to enforce suspensions causes them to forfeit at playoff game for an ineligible player. This puts Thurgood into the playoffs. Lolli, who is now superintendent, with a huge pay package, and three year contract- without having to apply, without the job being opened up, or the district doing proper due diligence, now has brilliantly bad idea to sue OHSAA to get Dunbar back in the playoffs and kick Thurgood out.
They spend at least $50K with Subashi and Wildermuth to file suit and have a court decision. Court rules for DPS, Dunbar wins 1 game, loses the next. None of the players ever serve their 2 game suspensions. No one on the board seems to think this is a bad idea.
Sources tell esrati.com that OHSAA has been provided video that proves Coach Taylor committed perjury in his testimony, alerts DPS. Demands an apology, repayment, and some kind of remediation to the ongoing problems. DPS votes to increase budget by $50K to Subashi and Wildermuth, which is either to cover payment to OHSAA or to continue to fund costs of ongoing lawsuit with Esrati, after they lose the first round argument that the task force is a public body subject to the Sunshine Laws. BTW- Esrati is representing himself. The Board and City had had up to 5 different lawyers working to beat him.
An emergency meeting called this morning to discuss:
The purpose of the meeting shall be to discuss new information about the OHSAA court case involving Dunbar High School. The meeting will include an executive session to:
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consider the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee, or the investigation of charges or complaints against a public employee; and
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Confer with an attorney for the school board concerning disputes involving the school board that are the subject of pending court action.
Attorney Brian Wildermuth was there. They met for almost an hour, came out and Harris made an announcement that they had made some decisions, that things hadn’t gone the way they wanted, and hinted that changes would be forthcoming.
“The BOE has been updated on the “Dunbar basketball situation” while the new information is not what we would like to hear, we acknowledge the need to accept it and move forward. The superintendent is making some changes within the structure of the athletic department and we support those changes. It is time to move forward in the Dayton Public Schools in all areas and departments.”
DPS staff attorney, Jyllian Bradshaw has been absent through most of this on maternity leave. The board has been dependent on a bunch of different law firms in her absence including Brickler and Eckler, which did the investigation on Winston’s complaint.
In this time frame, Wildermuth was also handed a defeat in the appeals court on the termination of former Treasurer Craig Jones. So this means that they are on the losing side of 3 cases so far.
After the meeting adjourned this morning, I went up to Dr. Lolli and confronted her on why I had to listen to PR Chief Marsha Bonhart on a personal phone call for almost the entire length of time that they were in executive session. She didn’t respond, looking absolutely aghast that I would speak to her. BTW- the board voted last meeting to not renew Dr. Kelly- but kept Bonhart. I don’t allow my employees one hour personal calls while on the clock- apparently Lolli does. It’s not as if there isn’t a lot to do to fix the PR problems of the district.
While Bonhart gabbed, internal auditor, Randall Harper tried to get work done on his laptop during the exec session. Bonhart didn’t even have a laptop with her.
I have video of Bonhart’s call, it’s just not worth sharing.
Sources have said their will be a joint press release in the coming days, where DPS acknowledges their mistakes, apologizes to OHSAA, announces that DPS will reimburse OHSAA for their legal fees, and that structural changes have been made in DPS.
Here are our informed guesses of what may happen:
- Mark Baker resigns as District Athletic Director. May continue employment in the district at another position so as to not pay yet another contract off.
- Chuck Taylor is not renewed as a basketball coach. He also retires as a bailiff in Dayton Municipal Courts. No further charges are brought.
- Dunbar gets yet a third athletic director, as current AD is non-renewed.
- New District Athletic Director no longer reports to Bonhart, but directly to Lolli.
- Dunbar basketball program is put on watch by the OHSAA for three more years.
Predictions, DPS enrollment drops by another several hundred after his latest show of incompetence. Board is too stupid to sue Subashi and Wildermuth for bad legal advice, and continues to pay them ridonkulous sums to try to make up for the Board and Lolli’s incompetence.
I win suit on task force violations of sunshine laws in case scheduled for court on Aug. 1. I collect $500, board has spent tens of thousands to defend their illegal actions, I appeal to Ohio Auditors open records unit to have Mims, Al-Hamdani, Walker and Harris removed from office. They don’t do anything. I file a lawsuit to force Ohio to enforce their own damn laws, and 2 years later- all are removed from office.
UPDATE
12:17 pm complete text of joint release
News Release – Ohio High School Athletic Association
Executive Director Daniel B. Ross, Ph.D.
www.OHSAA.org | twitter.com/OHSAASports | facebook.com/OHSAA
For Immediate Release- April 26, 2018
Contact – Tim Stried, OHSAA Director of Communications, [email protected]
Dayton Public Schools and OHSAA Announce Closure to Dunbar Basketball Incident
New evidence leads DPS and OHSAA to same conclusion in aftermath of court case
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Dayton Public Schools superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Lolli and Ohio High School Athletic Association Executive Director Dr. Dan Ross have announced closure to the case Involving Dunbar High School boys’ basketball during the 2017-18 season.
In March, Dayton Public Schools filed a lawsuit to block the OHSAA’s decision to remove Dunbar from the boys’ basketball tournament for using an ineligible player, which stemmed from Dunbar not suspending junior varsity players who left the bench during a fight in January. The issue was whether one player, who later participated in a varsity tournament game, left the bench during the fight. The court sided with Dayton Public Schools, stating: “In reviewing the record upon which OHSAA based its decision, the Court finds that OHSAA’s decision is not supported by reliable, probative and substantial evidence.” The court further found “thus, as Coach Taylor testified, John Doe was already in the locker room hallway before the fight broke out.” However, after the Court’s ruling, new evidence came to light, showing that the student-athlete left the bench and went into the fight.
DAYTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS STATEMENT
“I would like to thank Dr. Ross and the OHSAA for working with us to find the truth in this situation ,” Lolli said. “It is concerning that individuals with information about the incident did not feel comfortable coming forward before the court hearing. We owe an apology to Bishop Fenwick High School, Thurgood Marshall High School and the OHSAA, We have taken corrective measures to address the situation. We appreciate the OHSAA’s cooperation and compassion during this situation. We know that removal of Dayton Public Schools’ membership In the OHSAA was an option.”‘
OHSAA STATEMENT
“I was a superintendent for a long time, so I understand what Dr. Lolli has been going through with this,” Ross said. “Our staff was convinced by the evidence we had in making our original decision that the youngster came off the bench when the fight broke out. Once new evidence was obtained and shared with Dr. Lolli, she immediately knew that It was a very serious matter and wanted to work with the OHSAA to make the needed corrections. It has been a pleasure working with her and we trust that nothing like this will happen again at Dayton Public Schools.”
DAYTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACTION
Dayton Public Schools began reviewing athletic department structure and procedures immediately after this Incident occurred. The District is in the process of making decisions about the athletic department and will be implementing changes over the next several weeks. Dr. Ross has been kept apprised of these discussions. DPS is committed to making certain that its coaches and administrators know and follow OHSAA rules, properly investigate incidents, and impose appropriate consequences for rule violations.
OHSAA SANCTIONS
In addition, the OHSAA has handed down the following sanctions. Dunbar will not be permitted to participate in the 2019 boys’ basketball tournament and Dayton Public Schools will reimburse the OHSAA’s court costs, fees and expenses related to the March hearing. In addition, the OHSAA has extended the current probation period that all Dayton Public Schools are currently serving from a football incident in 2016. That probation Is now extended through June 2020 for all DPS schools and through 2022 for Dunbar.
“For the last month, this has been an effort from both sides working together – the OHSAA and Dayton Public Schools,” Ross said. “I commend Dr. Lolli for working hard to do the right thing here and get to the truth. She cares deeply for Dayton Public Schools and understands how important this is for DPS moving forward .”
###OHSAA###
Tim Stried
Director of Communications
Ohio High School Athletic Association
614-267-2502
[email protected]
www .OHSAA.org
www.Twitter.com/OHSAASports
www.Facebook.com/OHSAA
614·267-1677 fax
4080 Roselea Place
Columbus, OH 43214
Jeremy Kelly has the joint statement- https://www.mydaytondailynews.com/news/dunbar-banned-from-tourney-keys-end-dayton-fight-with-ohsaa/1eRxOIks5HadvQXG2qO1jP/ A lot of my predictions- came true- earlier than I expected. Guess I should have stayed for comments after- but- realistically- I have a job to do. Will request the joint statement. Of course- Bonhart didn’t post it on the DPS site. Key parts of DDn article: Dunbar’s boys team is banned the 2019 postseason basketball tournament. The overall OHSAA probation for Dayton Public Schools – stemming from a 2016 football scandal – is extended through June 2020. Probation specifically for Dunbar will run through 2022. DPS also will reimburse the OHSAA’s court costs, fees and expenses related to the March court hearing… Is anybody being fired? That’s complicated. Lolli said “some personnel changes” will be implemented for the next school year, but she would not go into detail. She said embattled Athletic Director Mark Baker has been working on a redesign of the athletic department. Asked whether that meant DPS was committed to Baker as athletic director going forward, Lolli gave a response that did not answer the question. Asked later whether she expected to fire anyone, Lolli said no. That would appear to mean Baker will remain employed, as his athletic director contract runs through June 2019. But coaches and the athletic directors for individual schools work on one-year “supplemental contracts” that are up for review each year. The district could replace some of those staffers without technically firing anyone. What did people have to say? Lolli acknowledged the gravity of the situation. “We owe an apology to Bishop Fenwick High School, Thurgood Marshall High School and the OHSAA,” Lolli said in a joint press release issued by the OHSAA. “We have taken corrective measures to address the situation. We appreciate the OHSAA’s cooperation and compassion during this situation. We know that removal of Dayton Public Schools’ membership in the OHSAA was an option.” OHSAA Executive Director Dan Ross complimented Lolli’s recent work. “Our staff was convinced by the evidence they had in making their original decision that the youngster came off the bench when the fight broke out,” Ross said… Read more »
A. I don’t think the board is “too stupid”, or imcompetant!
B. They are good people steeped in the “education” mindset, and thoroughly imbedd with principles of education and, unfortunately, very up to date on the various education theories and trends.
C. IMHO, what Dayton Public Schools DESPERATELY needs is from the board and administration to be run like a BUSINESS, to serve the education needs of our community.
D. Performance of the board and administration need to be evaluated on their performance as a business. Right now, it SUCKS.
E, The Board of Education mess is NOTHING NEW. I have been in Dayton since the mid-70’s. My one word summary of them is SOSDD !!
F. At least, the current people have not stooped to “let’s take this out in the hall” for a physical confrontation!
G. Many years back, the Cleveland School system made major improvements with IBM consulting and one or more shared executives.
H. One will notice I did not throw arrows at the “front line”, the teachers and support staff!! This is a managment issue. 90% of the staff is GREAT. But, we need processes and mindset changes to root out the incompetancy, and the “will” of the majority of staff to support the purging.
I. Many people will berate and condemn the concept of running the district like a business. BUT, we have tried the other way for over 45 years, that I know of, and it has not worked!!
Something has to change, but I am not holding my breath that it will.
And to think, DPS could have saved themselves the ire of David Esrati and his tens of followers, if only they had awarded him the contract he bid on. Instead, we get more pontificating from him.
I must be honest, I only read the last three lines of the article though because I can only assume it went something like this: I know everything. They should fire everyone. I have a sunshine lawsuit (that no one is following).
I read the report on a credible news source earlier today, and want to commend David Esrati’s newest arch nemesis-of-the-week, Dr Lolli for having the integrity and accountability in this situation.
Again, to the tens of readers, I implore you to consider the source and his intentions when reading his “report”.
Mr. John’s DPS kickbacks must be substantial! He’s working really hard defending the utterly indefensible.
Hahaha so funny, and so ignorant. I just choose not to blindly follow a fear monger whose motives are purely selfish, unlike yourself “Dave C.” (Esrati)
I like how David John’s complains about Esrati but provides absolutely no information. No facts. Nothing. He does not refute anything Esrati says with any intelligent information. A true troll. Keep up the good work David, someone has to hold the crooks at DPS accountable. It is obvious to anyone that is paying attention that your perseverance on this is making a difference. Hopefully it makes a big enough difference to force positive change.
Not very many people on this blog seem to like your comments, Mr. Johns. Perhaps if you cut them in on your DPS kickbacks and other forms of graft, you might find them more receptive to your point of view.
Spread the wealth, Mr. Johns! Give us all a piece of the action!
David Johns is a stalker.
Great article.
Huh, ‘David Johns’ has a very similar writing style to a Welcome Dayton profile I reviewed the other day. In particular, the unnecessary comma before the word ‘and’; for example: “Hahaha so funny, and so ignorant.”
Maybe I’m wrong but the writing styles between the two are eerily the same.
(Editors note: this was posted by “Johns David” and it was not by the same troll. You have to at least come up with an original name to post here)
I just wish David Johns would share his ill-gotten gains from whatever DPS scam(s) he’s running.
I enjoy your conspiracy theories almost as much as Esrati’s… Or maybe they are just one in the same?
Is there any way we can find out who Mr. Johns is really, then run a background check?
He’s trolling Esrati’s blog to maintain a smokescreen around the ongoing DPS fiasco that has been so very profitable for him.
Share the wealth, Mr. Johns. Cut us in on your DPS hustle.
If Dayton schools ran like a business they would have a going out of business sale. Everything would be half off. LOL
LoL Dave C. Esrati, whatever you say. Who are you again? My name is out here, what about yours? Kudos to your continued gaslighting of conspiracy theories, you and Trump are like minds.
Somehow I got put on the DPS automated call list even though my child has never attended DPS. This means I get the pleasure of listening to all of Marsha Bonhart’s announcements to parents about school closings and events.
For at least half of Marsha’s recorded messages, I receive a follow-up recorded message minutes later to clarify confusing or incorrect information.
You’d think for 90K a year she could at least proofread or listen to her messages before hitting the send button.
the Dunbar Sports Fiasco was Totally mismanaged by incompetent athletic staff who were probably somehow related to DPS upper management? That’s usually how most people get jobs at DPS especially high-paying ones in a leadership position.
if you’re not smart enough to know what the state rules are for athletic discipline but choose to ignore them and let ineligible athletes participate All the while covering your eyes hoping you won’t get caught is no way to run an organization.
But I guess following the rules at DPS is not as important as making sure you got an over-inflated salary for a shotty work product?