Teachers and parents urge the board to spare classrooms, Title One and preschool amid planned cuts

Dozens of teachers, parents and students used public comment and the second public hearing to urge the Lorain City Schools Board of Education to protect classroom teachers, Title One reading teachers, preschool staff and other student-facing positions while the district seeks to close a multi‑million‑dollar gap.

Teachers’ appeals. Ann Keller, a kindergarten teacher at Palm Elementary, described the district’s schools as "one school, one family, all together" and said staff members maintain long-term ties with students and families. Cheryl Draga, a 27‑year district math teacher, asked the board to examine administrative layers and "look up the ladder" before cutting classroom positions, providing a salary comparison to show how some administrative savings could preserve multiple teaching jobs.

Title One teachers’ letter. A group of Title One reading teachers — read into the record by a Title One teacher at the microphone — warned that Title One positions provide essential small‑group and individualized reading interventions for struggling students and pleaded with the board to avoid eliminating those roles.

Preschool staff alarm. Several preschool teachers described shock and distress at a draft plan to consolidate preschool at Garfield Elementary and reduce preschool teachers from 20 to nine, with pair‑professional staffing also trimmed. Preschool staff and parents said those younger children are "sponges" who build foundational skills in preschool that are difficult to recover later; they asked the board to meet with impacted classrooms before any final decisions.

Student protest and property concerns. A student who spoke about a recent campus protest, Anastasia Kelly, said security staff removed and—she alleged—destroyed students’ protest posters when students returned to the building, and she asked for an explanation and accountability. Community members pressed the district to explain the incident and to reassure students that their voices will be respected.

Board and administration response. Board members and administrators acknowledged the pleas and reiterated that the presentation of options did not equate to final decisions. Superintendent Dr. Graham and presenters said contracts will be honored through the school year, that any reductions would follow contract and RIF processes, and that the district plans multiple town halls to gather feedback before finalizing any plan.

Representative quotes. Julie Garcia, introduced as president of the local education association, told the board, "Cutting teachers should be the last resort, not the first." A Title One teacher reading the group letter said, "Title One reading teachers are not an extra service. We are an essential part of the educational team."

What’s next. Teachers and preschool staff asked for in‑person meetings and clearer data on timelines, RIF procedures and licensing requirements for preschool roles; administrators said they would continue individual meetings with potentially affected employees and provide further detail at town halls.