Dayton Public Schools announces interim superintendent

DAYTON — Dayton Public Schools has a new leader, for now.

Less than a week after the district announced Superintendent Elizabeth Lolli’s departure the school board has chosen its business manager as interim superintendent.

After four yes votes, one no and one abstain David Lawrence became Dayton Public School’s interim president.

“It’s just an opportunity to lead. And I want to thank just the courageous board for stepping out there and saying, hey, we’re going to move with a guy who’s been here, lived here, cares about the community,” Lawrence said.

The board made the decision after coming out of executive session at its Tuesday meeting.

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“We start school next month and this district needs leadership right now,” William Smith, DPS Board Vice President said.

In January, then-superintendent, Elizabeth Lolli, said she would be leaving the district when her contract ended on July 31.

But in April, the board voted four to three to approve a one-year contract extension for Lolli to stay on as superintendent.

Last week, the district said Lolli accepted an interim superintendent position at Lakota Schools.

Smith said Lolli leaving does not cost taxpayers money she voided her contract.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: DPS begins search for interim superintendent; Dr. Lolli starts new role at Lakota Schools

He also said the district did not pay her out.

Lawrence is a 1984 graduate of Paul Laurence Dunbar High School.

He began working with the district in 1995.

In his 27 years in public education, he’s been everything from a principal to a basketball coach.

Lawrence is already looking at the work he has ahead of him in his new role.

“We have some internal culture pieces we need to work through,” he said. “We have external imaging, we need to work through, recruiting of teachers we need to work through. And clearly, we’ve got the next report card will be out soon. And we got some academic issues that we need to work on. Those are some of the challenges. I consider them opportunities.”

Dayton School Board members said they will be searching for a long-term superintendent.

Lawrence said he would be interested in a long-term position.

The district said they are also searching for someone to serve as interim business manager in Lawrence’s place.

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