UPDATE @ 1:10 p.m. (April 14)
Dayton school Superintendent Lori Ward said Thursday that she will be “forever indebted to the people who support our mission” at Dayton Public Schools.
Ward said she and the school board made a good-faith effort at negotiating a new contract but couldn’t reach a new deal. She said her departure is a mutual agreement, and there is no bad blood between her and the board.
Ward said she’s not sure what’s next for her, but mentioned she has “a passion for public education.”
The school district announced Wednesday that negotiations to reach a new contract with Ward had failed, and DPS would immediately begin a search for a new superintendent. Ward’s contract expires this summer. She has been superintendent for almost six years.
FIRST REPORT (April 13)
Lori Ward is out as superintendent of Dayton Public Schools.
DPS and Ward failed to reach agreement on a contract extension, the district announced Wednesday, meaning DPS now must scramble to find a new leader by this summer.
Ward has been superintendent since summer 2010 — a period in which district graduation rates rose, but overall state test scores flattened, then bottomed out with the worst performance index of any school district in Ohio on the 2014-15 tests.
“It has been an honor and privilege to serve the students, staff, and families of Dayton Public Schools for 21 years, the last six years as Superintendent,” Ward said in the district’s statement.
School board President Adil Baguirov said the board is “deeply grateful to Ms. Ward for her service to the children of Dayton Public Schools.” He said the board wishes her the best in her future professional endeavors.
