Dayton school board surprises 2 of its own members with late vote to change DPS business manager
Current interim business manager Tiffany Powell will not continue in that role, which she has held since last summer, when former business manager David Lawrence was hired as interim superintendent. The business manager oversees the bus, maintenance, and other similar tasks.
Eric Walker, the board member who made the motion to hire Jones, said the change was necessary to “transition leadership in order to ensure the continued progress and success of our district.” He clarified that the board plans for Jones to start June 1, after Powell’s contract ends.
Walker later posted on social media that Powell “will return to her role as Chief Operating Officer.”
He said Jones was a better fit for the district. Jones was previously principal at Thurgood Marshall High School, worked in Springfield schools and was superintendent at Euclid City Schools from 2018 to 2019.
“With experience that includes serving as a former superintendent, graduate of Dayton Public Schools, currently executive director of Human Resources and former district director, Dr. Jones brings a wealth of knowledge to the district,” Walker said.
Chrisondra Goodwine, who seconded the motion, said Jones has extensive experience and has done a good job leading a Human Resources department with almost entirely new employees.
“I firmly believe that his temperament resonates with our current journey, making his support invaluable in achieving our district’s goals in collaboration with the superintendent and treasurer,” Goodwine said.
The two board members who abstained from voting for Jones, Karen Wick-Gagnet, the board’s vice president, and Jocelyn Rhynard, said they had not heard any talk about the change before Walker made the appointment around 11 p.m. of Tuesday. This was shortly after the board emerged from an executive session, which was typically where board members legally discussed matters such as personnel changes in private.
Wick-Gagnet also said the board did not discuss the change with Powell ahead of time.
“I apologize for this advice, for not having the consideration to communicate with you about this before it was delivered to you in front of this audience,” Wick-Gagnet said.
The board briefly went into a second executive session to discuss the change, but Wick-Gagnet and Rhynard were still unhappy with the lack of prior discussion with them.
“I would like the public to know that my vote tonight does not reflect the abilities of the individual,” Rhynard said. “My vote tonight reflects the way this board has handled this business.”
