DAYTON — After Superintendent Elizabeth Lolli unexpectedly left her job in July, Dayton Public School Board members appointed Dr. David Lawrence to replace her. For staff and students, it was a relief, and just in the nick of time.
For Dr. Lawrence, it’s the culmination of a long journey. News Center 7′s Letitia Perry sat down and talked one-on-one with the DPS alum.
“I have history here. I know generations. Don’t need a GPS to get around, to go to schools,” Lawrence said.
>> RELATED: Dayton Public Schools announces interim superintendent
He’s leading the district now, but he’s been a part of the district since childhood. Lawrence is a product of Dayton Public Schools. He ran track in 1984 when he was a senior.
In reviewing his senior yearbook, one picture shows him, “Setting the all-city record in the long jump. A record that still stands today, 40 years later,” Lawrence said.
It’s been a long journey to the lead position. He came back to the Dayton district professionally in 1995 as a math teacher at several Dayton schools.
Then, as a basketball coach at Meadowdale High School and an administrator at the central office. Now, he’s the interim superintendent with definite ideas about moving forward.
News Center 7 talked with a woman, Angela Brockman, who leads the Office for Exceptional Children for Dayton Public Schools. She’s excited about what Lawrence brings to the district.
“He understands the culture of the district because he’s a past administrator, a past teacher and I think he understands what it’s going to take,” Brockman said.
Lawrence said, “Dealing with culture, communication, competence, commitment, and collaboration.” And Lawrence also wants to put focus on customer service.
“That means we answer the phone. That means we respond to emails and leave them positive,” Lawrence said.
There are a lot of issues, but he knows what he’s walking into, and says he’s up for the challenge. For example, transportation – it’s been an issue for several consecutive years. However, Dr. Lawrence said, it’s not the case this year.
“We have about 120 drivers and 108 routes. So, if we’re not showing up, that’s an attendance issue, not a driver issue.”
Appointed in July has allowed him only a few weeks to prepare the district for the first day of school. But he is on a mission to return Dayton Public Schools to its original ‘glory days.’
“I was there when Dayton Public Schools was 66,000 strong. Ten high schools, and this was a place that most people wanted to be and stay. I remember those days, and I want to return to that space,” Lawrence said.
© 2023 Cox Media Group
