Lorain City Schools board approves routine personnel and operations items; students and nurse highlight programs

The Lorain City Schools Board of Education met Monday, March 24, 2025, in its boardroom and approved routine minutes, financial, personnel and operations items while hearing a student council presentation and a public comment on a new vocational program.

The meeting opened with a student council delegation from Washington Elementary. Andrea Porras, a fifth-grade student, told the board, "This year we plan to show new friends our school." Student council sponsors Bailey Wallen, school counselor, and Hailey Plas introduced the students and described activities including tours, safety patrols and volunteer reading.

During public comment, a school nurse identified herself as a Lorain City Schools nurse and thanked the board for introducing a "fast track extended" STNA program at Lorain High School. The nurse said, "We have about 54 kids that are seniors that are signed up for the program," and noted that, based on her review, there are "over a hundred different programs in the state of Ohio" but only 22 high schools that offer the STNA program and that no other high school in Lorain County besides JBS currently offers it.

On business items, the board approved minutes from its March 10 and March 18 meetings and accepted the treasurer's reports covering agenda items 8.01 through 8.04. The board approved personnel matters listed as items 9.01 through 9.06 and separately considered item 9.07, a personnel matter on which board member Mister Ferguson abstained, saying, "I have to abstain. My wife is on there." The board approved operations matters 10.01 through 10.09 and an "other matters" item (11.01) that included recognition of ROTC students qualifying for the World Robotics Championship in Texas; speakers noted the U.S. Army provided substantial support for that trip.

Votes at a glance - Approve minutes of March 10 and March 18 meetings — approved (Yes: Dr. Ballard; Mrs. Nazario; Mr. Ferguson; Mr. Sturgill. No: Mrs. Washington.) - Treasurer items 8.01–8.04 (accept) — approved (Yes: Dr. Ballard; Mrs. Nazario; Mr. Ferguson; Mrs. Washington; Mr. Sergio.) - Personnel items 9.01–9.06 — approved (Yes: Mr. Sturgill; Dr. Ballard; Mr. Ferguson; Mrs. Nazario. No: Mrs. Washington.) - Personnel item 9.07 — approved (Yes: Dr. Ballard; Mrs. Nazario; Mrs. Washington; Mr. Sergio. Abstain: Mr. Ferguson. Note: Ferguson said his wife appears on the item.) - Operations items 10.01–10.09 — approved (Yes: Mrs. Washington; Dr. Ballard; Mr. Ferguson; Mrs. Nazario; Mr. Sturgill.) - Other matters item 11.01 (ROTC/robotics recognition and travel support) — approved (Yes: Dr. Ballard; Mrs. Nazario; Mr. Ferguson; Mrs. Washington; Mr. Sergio.) - Motion to adjourn — approved (roll call affirmatives recorded)

Board members who spoke or were recorded on roll call included Dr. Ballard, Mr. Ferguson, Mrs. Washington, Mrs. Nazario and Mr. Sturgill (also recorded as Sturgis/Sturgill in the transcript), and Mr. Sergio. Financial staff Tia and Jennifer were thanked during discussion of the treasurer's report. The meeting notice said the next regular meeting is Monday, April 14 at 5 p.m. in the boardroom.

The session included brief community recognition of a recent district gala and staff praise for services to students. The public comment urging support for the Lorain High School STNA fast-track program reflected interest from seniors; the district did not provide further program details or approvals during the meeting beyond the recognition and public comment.

Ending: The meeting concluded with the board adjourning after roll-call approval.