Ohio Closer To Ending State Takeover Of Lorain Schools

LORAIN, OH — The Ohio House passed Senate Bill 89 this week. The legislation would dissolve the Academic Distress Commissions which have taken control of the East Cleveland City Schools. State Rep. Joe Miller, whose district includes Lorain, has long been an opponent of the distress commissions.

“I am glad to see policymakers in Columbus recognize what those of us in Lorain have known for years: State takeovers don’t work. This amendment moves our state beyond the failed model of punishment based on a deeply flawed report card, and towards true collaboration between local stakeholder and state officials. It provides a blueprint for districts such as Lorain to get the resources that fit their unique set of needs," Miller said in a statement.

The state began takeover of distressed public schools in 2015. The first district taken under commission control was the Youngstown City Schools. Lorain became the second district to fall under state purview.

In early 2019, Forbes wrote a scathing piece detailing what they called the failure of the state takeover model. The focus of the article was the Lorain Schools.

“This is now the second time the Ohio House has voted overwhelmingly to dissolve Academic Distress Commissions. I’m proud of my colleagues’ willingness to work across party lines on this issue for the benefit of all Ohio’s students. Now is the time for our counterparts in the Senate to acknowledge the will of the people and quickly pass SB 89," Miller added.

For Senate Bill 89 to become law, the legislation will need to be passed by the Ohio Senate.