LORAIN, Ohio — The Lorain Academic Distress Commission has named Greg Ring as interim CEO of Lorain City Schools effective on January 3, 2020.
Ring, who will replace David Hardy, is no stranger to working in education in Lorain County. He served as Superintendent of the Educational Service Center of Lorain County from 2012 to August 2018, before retiring. Ring also was the Superintendent of Firelands Local Schools from 2008-2012.
“I believe there have been some positive accomplishments in the Lorain City Schools and I want to do everything I can to assure the district continues to improve," Ring said in a statement. "This has been a challenging road for everyone involved, and my hope is to work in a spirit of cooperation to move the district toward its full potential in the interest of our students.”
The district is utilizing a search firm to assist in the finding of a permanent CEO. Lorain Academic Distress Commission member Steve Cawthon told 3News last month that the decision on a permanent CEO would be made by the early spring of 2020.
The Lorain City School District is one of three in Northeast Ohio under state control by the Academic Distress Commission, established after the passing of H.B. 70 in the Ohio legislature. The Youngstown City School District is currently challenging H.B. 70 in the Ohio Supreme Court. East Cleveland Schools are also under state control.
Hardy was relieved of his duties as the CEO of Lorain City Schools last month by a unanimous 5-0 vote by the Academic Distress Commission. The decision to replace Hardy ended months of acrimony between him and the Lorain City School Board. Their friction reached its peak this summer when the board filed a restraining order against Hardy which stemmed from an ongoing contract dispute between Lorain and South Euclid-Lyndhurst schools.
Lorain Treasurer Josh Hill submittted his resignation so he could accept the same position with South Euclid-Lyndhurst. And while Hardy accepted Hill's resignation, the school board did not. The restraining order barred Hardy from letting Hill officially resign, but also stopped Hardy from other lawful CEO duties.
In a letter sent out to district staff shortly after the restraining order was filed, Hardy stated that because of the suit, he would not be able to pay the district's 900 employees. One day later, the board's attorney clarified that according to state law, employees must be paid.
Hardy was appointed district CEO by the Commission in 2017. Prior to that, he was deputy superintendent to St. Louis Public Schools.