Lorain Schools contracts with radio station tied to board president

LORAIN — Lorain Schools will contract with the PACE Foundation, a local nonprofit, to provide radio programming targeting Black and Hispanic audiences on school board President Mark Ballard's radio station. The contract with WNZN Power 89.1 FM for $33,100 will pay for educational programming, district and public service announcements and student and staff interviews broadcast in English and Spanish, CEO Jeff Graham explained at Tuesday's board meeting. The local programming of the station is run by nonprofit PACE Foundation, which was founded by Ballard. In a news release, Graham said PACE Foundation is the only organization in the area specializing in radio programming for the African American and Hispanic communities in Lorain. After talking with the district's attorneys, Graham said there is no conflict of interest for the district to enter into the agreement, as Ballard would not be compensated. He serves as the voluntary general manager for the PACE Foundation, Graham said, and receives no financial compensation or benefit from the organization. The board has also purchased air time from the group prior to Ballard's time serving on the board. Ballard recused himself from any deliberations and voting on the issue, which passed unanimously among the other four members with no discussion. Board members also heard an update on the district's equity audit. It is in the process of reviewing its curriculum across the district, with plans to standardize curriculum across the different elementary and middle schools to better serve Lorain's transient students. Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction Michael Scott said professional development in September began around equity and the history of marginalization in education. The district is looking to shift from pulling students out for supports to keeping them in the classroom. Board member Tim Williams asked if that would mean increasing personnel in the classroom. Executive Director of Strategic Planning, Data and Process Ross May said a lot of what they are looking at does not require extra staff, but utilizing current staff in different roles. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.