LORAIN — The Lorain City Schools Board of Education met on September 8, 2025, at Lorain High School, where board members approved new contracts, personnel changes, policy updates, and significant donations aimed at supporting students, programs, and district operations.
Donations Top $13,000
Treasurer’s reports highlighted more than $13,000 in new contributions from local organizations and community partners. Key donations included $3,000 from the Italian American Veterans (IAV) for the district’s Attendance Initiative, $3,000 from the IAV for Wraparound Services, $2,000 from the IAV for Lorain High’s Wellness Room, and $2,500 from Mexican Mutual for school supplies. Additional classroom supplies, books, educational toys, and sensory equipment were donated by multiple organizations, teachers, and community members. Board members expressed gratitude for the ongoing community support and emphasized the impact of these resources on student success.
Superintendent Praises Strong Start to School Year
Superintendent Jeff Graham reported what he called “the smoothest start to a school year” in his tenure, crediting staff, transportation teams, and families for their efforts. Compared to the same time last year, the district reported higher enrollment and attendance, lower rates of disruptive behavior, increased participation in advanced courses, arts, and career-tech programs, and improved transportation efficiency. “This is the strongest start I’ve seen,” Graham said, noting the momentum will help drive academic growth throughout the year.
Personnel and Program Approvals
The board approved several personnel appointments, resignations, and supplemental contracts, including new teachers, paraprofessionals, bus monitors, and safety officers. Amended coaching contracts for Lorain High football staff were also approved, along with an agreement with TV20 for athletic broadcast coverage at $75 per event. Additionally, the board approved paying Lorain Police Department personnel as independent contractors to provide security at school events.
Policy Updates and Student Data Protections
Two NEOLA policy updates received first readings to strengthen protections on student directory information. Under the revisions, the district will restrict the sharing of student data for both profit-making and marketing purposes, aligning with state guidelines.
Contracts Expand Academic, Safety, and Arts Programs
The board approved multiple operational contracts to support curriculum and safety enhancements, including $130,000 for Project Lead the Way (PLTW) STEM programming, $16,013 for Omnigo Security Software to improve incident reporting and safety management, $25,000 for DANCECleveland to bring modern dance programming into classrooms, $936 for BurlingtonEnglish language learning software, $3,200 for Amplify professional development services, and $65,000 for the ACES Lorain County Mentoring Program, which will expand student support and add night school opportunities.
LEA President Highlights Community Engagement
Lorain Education Association (LEA) President Julie Garcia shared updates on upcoming events and recent accomplishments, including the district’s Trunk-or-Treat scheduled for October 29 and securing a wellness grant to fund professional development activities. Garcia also reported that the Walls of Love sock drive collected more than 10,000 pairs of socks districtwide, and teachers collectively donated $4,000 to the Officer Memorial Fund following a summer incident. Board members commended Garcia and LEA staff for their leadership and community outreach.
Next Meeting
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 22, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. at Lorain High School.