Lorain Administrators union satisfied with how position cuts were handled

LORAIN — A number of administrator jobs will be eliminated next school year, but the Lorain Administration Association is appreciative of how the CEO handled the upcoming transition. Interim CEO Greg Ring announced Tuesday plans to cut 45 administrative positions, effective July 31. LAA president Tim Jama said he didn't want anyone to lose their job, but was satisfied with how he and members of his union were notified of the shift. "Greg Ring has done a really good job, excellent, he's working with all of us. This was his plan, not mine, but it's going back to being principals and assistant principals in the buildings. I hope all the people, that they can get their jobs back." Jama represents about 55 administrators, including the deans, middle and elementary principals and school counselors. Of the 45 positions on Ring's list, 32 are deans of academic outcomes or deans of scholar and family engagement — which make up about half of Jama's union, he said. Jama does not represent the chiefs or directors. Prior to the state takeover, Jama represented about 40 administrators under a more traditional model of principals and assistant principals. "It's going to affect the union number-wise," Jama said of the cuts. "Probably, because we'll lose some jobs overall but Greg has done a really, really good job with it. He's been open-minded, let everybody know about it and people that want a job can reapply and hopefully everybody gets a job back." He said even the timing is "great," as it gives administrators who may want to move districts ample time to find new positions, and now is the time when retirements and openings start occurring, he said. The notification process under Ring was a welcome change from the last time cuts to his union loomed, Jama explained. In December 2018 during a Christmas party for administrators in his union, then-CEO David Hardy Jr. announced all of those at the party would have to reapply for their jobs. "He called us in, two years ago and I was talking to him constantly and he never even gave me any inclination that he was going to do anything in December of firing every single person in the room. It was so unprofessional, not even upfront, no collaboration," Jama said. That administrator call out would have come just months before a similar announcement was made for high school staff at a February 2019 town hall meeting. There, Hardy defined the high school as the district's lowest performing building, and said every staff member there would need to reapply for their jobs. The measure was reversed within a week. The Chronicle-Telegram contacted several of the administrators eliminated who were not part of the union for comment. Of those, Chief Equity and Achievement Officer Kenan Bishop replied via email. He wrote, "Everyone desires to maximize the best opportunities for children though they may pursue those opportunities in different ways." Bishop and the other three chief positions to be eliminated are eligible for severance packages through November, but it is unclear if they will be honored by the interim CEO. The change to their contracts was made under former CEO David Hardy Jr. in May, but backdated to Jan. 1, 2019. Ring did not honor the severance pay clauses when Chief Family Officer Arliss Prass or Chief People Officer Jacqueline Younker's contracts expired due to the administration change. Both have since filed lawsuits. Via text message, Ring confirmed Wednesday afternoon all administrators would be notified by the end of the day. "Remember these are position cuts not about the 'who,'" he wrote. "Many will apply for new spots and return." When announcing the cuts Tuesday, Ring stated there would be about 25 new, more traditional positions created including assistant principals at each building instead of the two dean positions. Job descriptions are in progress. The reductions are expected to save the district about $2.5 million. Contact Carissa Woytach at 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.