Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley celebrated the announcement Friday that Acting Superintendent Elizabeth Lolli has reached a tentative contract agreement with the legal counsel of Dayton Public Schools.
Lolli assumed the superintendent post after former schools superintendent Rhonda Corr’s departure in November, 2017.
The late Friday announcement follows another momentous DPS announcement earlier this week.
At a board meeting, Lolli outlined a proposal to reorganize the struggling school district over three years, with steps that include consolidating or closing some schools and administration buildings the district says are underutilized.
Read about Lolli’s proposal.
In an emailed statement, Whaley said Lolli’s tentative contract deal with DPS is a sign of progress for the district.
"Although the Board of Education has not yet taken action on this matter, this is a great step forward for the Dayton community," said Whaley. "Dr. Lolli has significant experience as a Superintendent in the state of Ohio. We are fortunate to have her experience in our community, and I look forward to continuing our work together."
Lolli’s proposed contract is expected to be reviewed and potentially voted upon Tuesday, March 20, during a public meeting of the school board.
That’s also when board members could vote on Lolli’s reorganization plan, officials say.
"Educational leadership is difficult, even more so in urban communities," said Commissioner Jeffrey J. Mims, Jr. "I am encouraged by how Dr. Lolli and the Board have worked together to handle some very challenging matters."
Lolli’s proposal includes closing and demolishing Valerie Elementary in Northwest Dayton, consolidating middle school students into just four schools and relocating DPS headquarters to another building downtown.
Former superintendent Rhonda Corr departed DPS after being placed on paid administrative leave at the end of November.
The district accused Corr of creating a hostile work environment, failing to communicate effectively with the school board, and behaving unprofessionally during last summer’s teacher contract negotiations.
Corr denied the allegations through her attorneys.
DPS agreed to pay Corr’s salary and retirement contributions, and provide insurance benefits through the current contract year - which ends in July.
The district will not pay out the remaining two years on her contract.
The package is worth more than $100,000.
Lolli formerly held the DPS post of Associate Superintendent For Teaching and Learning.
