RELATED: Architecht to pay $1.6M for Dayton schools settlement
In 2015, DPS sued multiple contractors over design errors, roofing, and “building envelope” problems with the Wogaman and Louise Troy buildings a mile apart in West Dayton. Last year, two other contractors agreed to pay $900,000 to settle roof-specific claims. And last month, DNK Architects agreed to a $1.6 million settlement. All of those payments are split between DPS and the state, as they split construction costs last decade.
Tuesday’s agenda also includes a recommendation from Superintendent Elizabeth Lolli to non-renew the administrative contract of Ruskin PreK-6 Principal Jennifer Dearwester. The school board would vote on that move at its May 15 meeting. Lolli last week announced new principals for nine of DPS’ 27 schools. If Dearwester’s contract is not renewed, that would leave three additional schools in need of principals.
Several Ruskin teachers and parents came to the school board meeting last month and spoke publicly in support of Dearwester, just before the closed, executive session where Dearwester met with the school board. Dearwester declined comment.
RELATED: Dayton lists numerous schools getting new principals
Four other administrators’ contracts are also listed for non-renewal votes May 15, on Lolli’s recommendation. Those are current Wogaman Middle School Principal Karl Perkins, Ponitz Career Center assistant principal Debra Corbin, director of strategic communication and community relations Venita Kelley, and Dion Sampson, intervention support coordinator at the district’s Innovative Learning Center.
Kelley’s contract was originally up for non-renewal at last month’s board meeting, but the vote was removed from the agenda at the last minute.
Meanwhile, Lolli is recommending a 3 percent raise for administrators and support staff — retroactive for the entire school year, back to July 1. Her note on the agenda suggests the raises will “better align with the increases received by members of our (union) bargaining units.” A school board vote would happen May 15.
RELATED: Dayton school board to vote on several personnel moves
Lolli is also asking the board to consider a new, more detailed administrator salary schedule to replace one from 2016. That schedule would raise the salary floor for elementary school principals from $81,774 to $87,388, and for high school principals from $87,907 to $91,574. But by removing the “senior principal” designation, it would actually lower the salary ceilings for those positions by about $5,000 to $98,871 (elementary) and $108,851 (high school).
In multiple cases, the proposed salary schedule would raise salary floors by several thousand dollars, but keep salary ceilings fairly stable.
The district also is prepared to make changes in its busing operation. Listed on the agenda for a May 15 vote is the hiring of Jeff Vrabel as executive director of transportation and fleet. Vrabel has been fleet services supervisor for Columbus City Schools the past three years.
RELATED: Baker out, Welch in as Dayton schools athletic director
Michael Rosenberger, DPS’ previous director of transportation, died in December after a brief illness. DPS associate director of transportation Kelvin Anders is listed on the school board agenda as resigning from his post.
About the Author
