The Lorain City School District named Andrew Hoffman as the new New Longfellow Middle School Turnaround Principal and announced the departures of two additional district administrators, according to a June 19 news release.
Hoffman replaces Turnaround Principal Rae Bastock, who will be taking on other responsibilities within the district.
“I’m excited and proud for Andy,” Bastock said of her former dean. “He does a fantastic job of connecting with scholars and teachers, and I think he will be absolutely phenomenal in the role.”
During his tenure as dean, Bastock said Hoffman was able to establish a positive working relationship and provide an instructional focus that benefited both scholars and teachers, the release said.
Bastock says she believes Longfellow will continue on their upward track of success-evident by the gains shown recently-and that the school’s academic achievements will be “twice as better next year.”
Hoffman, who began as an elementary school teacher in the district some 10 years ago, said he has always considered Lorain to be his “professional home” as it is the place he is connected to most, and where he cemented many of his foundational beliefs about student achievement and the importance of his life’s work.
“As I get ready to assume a new position within a very familiar setting, my core educational belief continues to be rooted in providing a high-quality education so that our scholars can have choices and opportunities to become whatever they dream of becoming,” Hoffman said.
Entering the 2019-20 school year, Hoffman said Longfellow Middle School finds itself in a place of momentum that should be greatly attributed to the leadership of Bastock.
In his new role, Hoffman added he will carry with him the paramount importance of putting what is in the best interest of scholars and families at the heart of every decision that is made.
“I’ve seen that mantra lived out for an entire year, wielding significant gains in student achievement and that philosophy will carry on as a pillar of what Longfellow continues to be.”
The district also announced that Frank Jacinto Elementary School Dean of Academics Meisha Baker has accepted a position in her hometown of Oberlin, where she will serve as principal for Eastwood Elementary School.
“I appreciate the opportunities that Lorain City Schools has provided me over the last 20-plus years, as well as the professional guidance and support that has allowed me to grow in my role of dean of academics,” Baker wrote in an email. “Although I will miss my colleagues and the Lorain City Schools family, I have found a new position that allows me to work in my home community. As this has always been a goal of mine, I feel that this is the right time to move on to new challenges and opportunities.”
In other district news, Lorain High School 9th Grade Academy Director Bryan Hilko has accepted a position with the Breakthrough charter school network’s Citizens Academy East location, where he will serve as principal.
Hilko thanked Lorain City School students, staff and families for the opportunity to serve the community for the last 15 years of his career, and said he believes in the work that is currently being done across the district.
“Serving the students and families of Lorain has been one of the most enjoyable professional experiences of my life,” he added.
The district extended sincerest gratitude to both Baker and Hilko for the work they have done, and the time they have committed to its scholars and community, over the years.
“It is because of their leadership, empathy and belief in them, that scholars who they have influenced during their tenure now find themselves in a better place academically,” the release said.
Any vacancies left in the district will be addressed in the coming weeks.
