DaytonDailyNews.com

DAYTON — A lot of things looked really bad for Dayton

schools when Percy Mack took over as superintendent in July 2002.

The district report card rating was the worst in the state. It was closing schools and shifting students around to save money. And a large bond issue for school construction loomed a few months away.

But Mack did not hesitate to take the job. It was his first shot at being a superintendent, and people who wanted the district to change quickly rallied around him.

Thinking back on the last six years, Mack on Friday, May 16, cited that instant support and continuing community commitment that he recalls most fondly.

"The way the people in this community

embraced me as a person, not just as a superintendent — the kindness and great treatment — it was key to our achievements with school district," he said.

Mack came to Dayton in fall 2001 as deputy superintendent, filling a long-vacant post as then-Superintendent Jerrie

Bascome McGill's top lieutenant. Before that, he was a teacher, coach, principal and administrator at school districts in Savannah and DeKalb County, Ga. His three adult children and grandchildren live in Georgia.

When McGill retired in July 2002, the school board led by Gail Littlejohn quickly announced Mack's promotion. At the time, Dayton's state report card rating had fallen to the worst in Ohio as the district struggled with financial and facilities problems.

Mack took charge of the board's wide-ranging reform plan that moved more money to the classroom while cutting overall spending. At the same time, the district began a

$627 million school construction program. By 2006, the district's scores had improved enough for it to escape "academic emergency," Ohio's lowest rating level.

But his luck began to change in 2007 when a financial squeeze led the board to place a 15.17-mill levy on the ballot. It lost badly, and Mack had to implement $30 million in budget cuts, including more than 200 teacher layoffs. The cuts angered teachers and parents. And last fall the district's report card rating fell back to "academic watch," the second-lowest rating level.

The move to South Carolina is not an escape, Mack insisted. He said it is primarily about family. Columbia is a short drive to his childhood home of Savannah, Ga., and Atlanta, where other family members live, and it is a very good fit, he said. The school district is a bit larger than Dayton, and Mack said he felt the community there was similarly committed to improving schools.

"I've been blessed throughout my career to be placed in locations that fit my skill sets," he said. "The Columbia area and the district there fit those skill sets."

As he leaves Dayton, Mack said he recalls fondly the reform work initiated by the Kids First team of school board members led by Littlejohn and the way the school boards that followed have carried on that work.

"We were all competitive in that we wanted the best for kids and for the district," Mack said. "We were committed to make it happen."

What followed, he said, was buy-in across the district from teachers, parents and students. "They embraced me and my vision of the school district," he said. "It became our vision for the school district."

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2485 or selliott@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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