Lorain Academic Distress Commission Selects New CEO

T he Lorain Academic Distress Commission (LADC) has announced the selection of Dr. Jeff Graham as the next CEO of Lorain City Schools. The announcement was made after a special session with the Lorain Board of Education May 27th, following a search process conducted by the Educational Service Center of Lorain County.

"Jeff Graham is the right candidate, at the right time for Lorain," said Randall Sampson, LADC chairman. "We need an experienced, curriculum-focused leader with a solid track record managing crises, levies and people, all while respecting our taxpayers through fiscally-sound practices. We're happy to have him on board."

Graham most recently led 16 schools in the "Best Practices" portfolio of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, and served as superintendent of the Canton City Schools, where he instituted an engagement process which led to the passage of the first new money levy in the district in 9 years.

"We're excited to have Jeff Graham at the helm," said Mark Ballard, board president. "We are thankful for the leadership of interim CEO Greg Ring during this time, and knowing these men as I do, I'm confident a strong transition is in the works. We are entering a critical time in our school district, as the needs of our students, staff and families are both intensified and unknown as we wade through a pandemic and perhaps the worst recession of our time. But I'm confident we have the right people in place to move our district forward."

Jeff Graham was selected out of an initial pool of 12 applicants for the position, out of which a handful were selected for an interview. Graham was one of three candidates who then interviewed with a community group, which included teachers, parents and community leaders.

Additional information about Dr. Jeff Graham, and opportunities to meet him, will be shared in the upcoming week.

Posted Thursday, May 28, 2020