Administration

SUPERINTENDENT

DR. JEFF GRAHAM | Superintendent

Superintendent Dr. Jeff Graham began his career in education as a Physics teacher at Highland and Wadsworth high schools from 1993 to 1999 before moving on to administrative roles serving as assistant principal of Medina High School from 1999 to 2001, and then principal of Medina High School from 2001 to 2003. He has served as superintendent of Woodridge Local Schools from 2003 to 2010, superintendent of Parma City Schools from 2010 to 2015, superintendent of Lorain City Schools from 2015 to 2018, regional superintendent of 15 schools in the "Best Practices" portfolio for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, and superintendent of the Canton City Schools in June 2019, before returning to Lorain.

Dr. Graham's collaborative leadership style has helped recreate school districts by bringing people together to pass levies, build critical community partnerships, expand wraparound services, improve communication and engagement, and increase opportunities for students to achieve. His commitment to transparency and open communication can be seen through his regularly scheduled listening sessions with various student groups, staff luncheons, parent forums, and open dialogue sessions throughout the community.

TREASURER

TIA KEARNEY | Treasurer

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Tia Kearney joined the Lorain City Schools District in 2016, serving in various capacities in the areas of Human Resources and Finance. She earned a BA and MA in Business Administration from Cleveland State University. As district Treasurer, Ms. Kearney is committed to providing the highest level of fiscal integrity in management and reporting to our students, parents, partners, and the community.

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT

MICHAEL SCOTT | Assistant Superintendent

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Michael Scott has been in education for nearly 20 years, with the majority of his career served in Lorain. He was originally hired as an English teacher at Southview High and Admiral King High School in 2003. He then became Assistant Principal at Southview High School (2008), Principal of General Johnnie Wilson Middle School (2012), and Director of Professional Development (2016). He has also worked with the Oberlin City and Canton City school systems. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Bowling Green University and a Master of Arts from Ashland University. Mr. Scott is responsible for helping to improve the culture for students and staff to thrive, with a focus on the conditions necessary for great teaching and learning to occur.

STRATEGIC PLANNING

ROSS MAY | Assistant Superintendent

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Ross May's focus is on Strategic Planning, Data & Process as it pertains to district-wide improvement. He has worked in education for 17 years, serving Canton City Schools, State Support Team 3, and North Royalton City Schools before joining Lorain City Schools in 2020 as the Executive Director of Strategic Planning, Data, and Process. Mr. May earned a BA in Psychology from the College of Wooster and a MA in School Psychology from John Carroll University. Notably, all of Mr. May’s family members have worked within the field of education — his grandmother taught kindergarten, and his parents, wife, and siblings were or are all teachers. He and his wife reside in Sagamore Hills with their two children.

OPERATIONS

MARY MAYSE | Executive Director of Operations

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Mary Mayse comes to Lorain City Schools with not only her love of kids and belief in supporting the educational process but with 40 years of experience in the Parma City Schools. While an employee at Parma Schools, she worked her way through the business department ranks; beginning as a cleaner, bus driver, custodian, maintenance, moving to custodial supervisor, transportation supervisor, then eventually leading the department as Director of Operations.

Mayse possesses a BA in Environmental Science and is working toward a Master's degree in Global Inter-religious Leadership through the Andover Theological School and a Certificate of Ministry Program through MVNU. During her career, she implemented Parma City Schools’ 2012 consolidation plan; planned, implemented, and supervised capital improvement construction projects annually; was awarded the Superintendent’s Extra Mile Award in 2010 and 2012; and served on the negotiation team that successfully negotiated contracts at significant cost savings to the district.

OPERATIONS

TONY DIMACCHIA | Director of Operations

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Tony Dimacchia is a lifelong resident of Lorain and the father of four beautiful children, Helayna, Gabriella, Anthony, and Stella Rose. He is married to Morgan Dimacchia (Mathewson) of Lorain. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Tiffin University in 1997. He continued his education at Bowling Green State University, receiving a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Mr. Dimacchia worked for Lorain City Schools for several years, teaching middle school computer science. He retired to the district in 2022 as director of communications and marketing before moving over to operations.

He currently teaches at Lorain County Community College for the past nine years. He previously worked as the Director of Operations of Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio for the past 15 years.

He started serving the community in 2008 and fulfilled three consecutive four-year terms on the Lorain Board of Education until he was elected in May 2019 as Lorain City Council At Large. He's currently serving his second term. He's the chairman of the Police, Fire, and Legislative Committee. Mr. Dimacchia has also been a high school basketball, soccer, and tennis coach in Lorain County for 25 years.

SAFETY & SECURITY

REUBEN FIGUEROA | Director of Safety and Security

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Today, he serves as Director of Safety & Security. He is responsible for the management of the district's safety compliance officers and safety officers, as well as coordinates with district officials on all building safety and security plans, bringing his expertise as a sworn officer who has patrolled the same streets as our families to a job that requires just as much in the way of compassion. In 2019, the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office deputized Figueroa for law enforcement authority in school-related incidents throughout Lorain City Schools. This connection with the Lorain Police Department and Lorain County Sheriff’s Office allows Lorain City Schools to tap into comprehensive law enforcement strategies needed to build safety and security plans that utilize the most up-to-date best practices. Figueroa is very passionate about youth and school safety. He enjoys working for the improvement of the community, and he loves to learn. He serves on the Lorain County Health and Dentistry Board of Directors, the "Basta Ya" Board of Mental Health Among Latinos Initiative at the Nord Center, and the TDR Learning Academy Board of Directors. Figueroa married Amarily Figueroa in 2012, and the couple has three children.

EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN

LINDA COAD | Executive Director of Exceptional Children

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Linda Coad is a lifelong resident of Lorain. Mrs. Coad received her BA degree in Education from the University of Toledo and her MA in Education Administration from Ashland University. She began her career in 2003 with the Midview Local School district as an Intervention Specialist. In 2011, Mrs. Coad started her administrative career in Lorain City Schools as a Special Education Supervisor later as the Assistant Director of Student Services and currently is the Executive Director of Exceptional Children. In 2018, Mrs. Coad became the Director of Student Services for the Black River Local Schools for two years.

TEACHING & LEARNING | ELEMENTARY

BILL OHLE | Executive Director of Elementary Teaching & Learning

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Bill Ohle taught at St. Peters School (1993 -1997) before joining the Lorain City Schools in 1997, where he taught at the Middle School and Elementary level for 11 years. He has served as the Success for All (SFA) administrator (2009), Principal of Helen Steiner Rice (2010), School Improvement Specialist (2011-2015) and Director of School Improvement (2015-2020). Mr. Ohle earned his BA at Ashland University and his MA at Bowling Green State University. A proud resident of Lorain, Mr. Ohle still cherishes his experiences, peers and mentors in Lorain City Schools all the way back to kindergarten at Homewood Elementary. Mr. Ohle’s leadership style is focused on coaching team members to promote growth.

TEACHING & LEARNING | SECONDARY

ARETHA TAYLOR-PAYDOCK | Director of Secondary Teaching & Learning

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Aretha Taylor-Paydock has more than 20 years of experience in education, serving in various leadership capacities in the Canton City Schools (2013-2019), as an Elementary Building Administrator in Elyria City Schools (2002-2013), and Teacher in the Cleveland Municipal School District (1994-2002). Ms. Taylor-Paydock earned a BA in Elementary Education (K-8) from Ashland University, a MS in Education Administration/Supervision from Cambridge College, and Superintendent’s License from Bowling Green State University. She has dedicated her career to building the capacity of teachers and leaders to become reflective practitioners, committed to collective change efforts and leading in a complex education environment.

SECONDARY INITIATIVES

MIC BECERRA | Executive Director of Secondary Initiatives

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Mr. Becerra served four years in the United States Air Force. After an Honorable Discharge from the military, he attended the University of Akron where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English Education, and a second Bachelor’s Degree in History Education in 1997. In 2001, he earned his Master of Educational Administration from Ashland University. Mr. Becerra began his educational career teaching high school English at Wadsworth High School, and ultimately became an assistant principal at Medina High School. While at Medina High School he created an Autism teaching model that became well-known throughout the area. Mr. Becerra’s first principalship was at Woodridge High School in Peninsula, Ohio, and served his last principal’s position as principal of North Royalton High School.

EARLY COLLEGE

AMANDA HANEY | Director of Early College

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Amanda Haney began her tenure with Lorain Schools in 2015, where she served as the Titan College/My University Liaison to Lorain County Community College (LCCC). In 2019, Ms. Haney was promoted to the role of Director of Early College Academy (ECA) and continues to work with LCCC, who is a partner with Lorain City Schools. Ms. Haney has a MA in education from Cleveland State University, and also serves as an Adjunct Professor for LCCC. Her love and commitment to her profession allows her to help students find their respective paths, while providing the possibility of a college education through the ECA program. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, coaching or helping with her children’s sports, and running.

FINANCE

JULIE WEST |Assistant Treasurer

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Julie West joined Lorain City Schools with more than 35 years of experience in school district finance. Julie previously served as Assistant Treasurer at Perkins Local Schools in Sandusky and more recently at Avon Local Schools. As Assistant Treasurer Julie plays a critical role in assuring the proper fiscal management of the district. Among many of her duties, Julie will assist with the district’s budgeting as well as oversee the Payroll and the Benefits teams.

TECHNOLOGY

DREW STEVENS | Director of Information Technology

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Drew Stevens is the Director of Information Technologies for Lorain City Schools. He is responsible for overseeing the support of all district-provided technology and software systems.

His experience includes more than 9 years as a Network Administrator for one of the state’s largest public school systems, and several years specializing in die protection and sensor applications in the manufacturing industry. Among his many technical licenses and certifications include an ACMT from Apple, CCA/CMA from Jamf, CCNA from Cisco, MCDST and MCP from Microsoft, and a CCNT and CCT from CompTIA.

In his free time, Drew is an accomplished writer, musician, and gamer. He and his wife and stepson live in Parma.

WRAPAROUND SERVICES

DR. STEPHEN STURGILL | Executive Director of Wraparound Services

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Dr. Stephen Sturgill is a 1990 graduate of Lorain Admiral King High School. He later went on to attend Ashland University, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Education and Master’s degree in Administration.

Eventually, he earned an educational doctorate in Educational Leadership from Argosy University in Sarasota, Florida.

He started his teaching career in 1996 as a special education teacher with Cleveland Heights/University Heights Schools. During his career, Dr. Sturgill has served as a building administrator, assistant principal, small school principal, high school principal, director of curriculum and instruction, and assistant superintendent.

Before returning to Lorain Schools, he served as Sandusky City Schools's chief staff. He is now the executive director of Wraparound Services and Operations for Lorain Schools.

In 2016, Dr. Sturgill retired as a captain in the Ohio Army National Guard after serving more than 22 years as an enlisted soldier and officer. He deployed to support Operation Noble Eagle in 2002, to Iraq in 2009 as a platoon leader, and to Afghanistan in 2012 as a company commander. Also, he supported various humanitarian missions in Louisiana, including hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Dr. Sturgill is a resident of Lorain.

HUMAN RESOURCES

CAROL GOTTSCHLING | Executive Director of Human Resources

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Carol Gottschling has served in the Lorain City School District for over 12 years. She served as the Associate Director of Human Resources for four years and in her current position of Executive Director of Human Resources for eight years. Ms. Gottschling earned her BA from Cleveland State University and her Juris Doctor from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. Ms. Gottschling brings to the district legal knowledge and experience in labor relations and employment law, in addition to child support enforcement, as she served as the Attorney Supervisor for the Huron County Child Support Enforcement Agency for five years. She has additional Human Resource Administration experience from the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center and Mercy Health Medical Center, both of which she served as Director of Human Resources.