Transforming Transportation and Transparency in Dayton’s Schools
Dr. Adil Baguirov’s Early Reforms
When Dr. Adil Baguirov joined the Dayton Board of Education in 2014, Dayton Public Schools stood near the bottom of Ohio’s rankings and faced the real threat of state takeover. The district was struggling with outdated systems, broken transportation, and low public trust. Within his first term, Dr. Baguirov introduced reforms that brought efficiency, accountability, and transparency, setting the stage for a historic turnaround.
Table of Contents
- Modernizing Transportation
- Defending Local Schools from Charter Losses
- Building True Transparency
- Efficiency and Cost Savings
- Restoring Public Trust
- Frequently Asked Questions
<a id=”transportation”></a>Modernizing Transportation After Years of Neglect
By 2016, the average Dayton school bus was 15 years old, double the safe operating life, while the oldest bus was 24 years old and had holes in the floor. The annual replacement rate of these buses was at a rate of 5-6. Dozens were parked for spare parts, leaving routes delayed and students stranded. Transportation had long been the district’s biggest complaint from parents and students alike.
Dr. Baguirov led the move to replace 115 aging buses at once through a purchasing consortium, securing financing at an exceptionally low 1.99% percent interest rate. It was one of the largest single transportation investments in district history.
The results were immediate: on-time arrivals increased, safety issues dropped, and satisfaction among bus drivers and parents rose sharply. For the first time in decades, transportation was no longer the district’s biggest headache.
Skip to Transparency Reforms ↓
<a id=”charterschools”></a>Defending Local Schools from Charter School Drain
In 2016, Dayton’s public schools were losing more than $45 million dollars annually to low-performing charter schools, money drawn directly from local classrooms, due to state laws. Worse still, Dayton taxpayers had to cover about $1.2 million dollars per year to transport non-DPS students.
Dr. Baguirov sponsored a Board resolution directing the district treasurer to bill the State of Ohio for those expenses. The resolution calculated how the charter funding formula unfairly burdened local taxpayers and demanded structural reform.
This action set a precedent across Ohio. It made Dayton the first district to formally quantify the impact of charter subsidies and stand up for equitable education funding. While state laws supersede local Board actions, it was an important symbolic message to Columbus.
Learn about Fiscal Reforms in Article 2 →
<a id=”transparency”></a>Building True Transparency and Accountability
Transparency was one of Dr. Baguirov’s signature priorities. In 2015, Dayton became the first urban school district in Ohio to join OhioCheckbook.com, allowing every expenditure to be viewed by the public.
He also created an independent Internal Auditor’s Office reporting directly to the Board and established a confidential fraud hotline for staff and citizens. Alongside this, the adoption of BoardDocs gave the public 24/7 access to meeting agendas, votes, and presentations, transforming how citizens interacted with the district.
These initiatives earned Dayton recognition statewide for government-level accountability at the school-district level.
Jump to Efficiency & Cost Savings ↓
<a id=”efficiency”></a>Efficiency and Cost Savings Through Technology
Reform alone was not enough; it had to be financially sustainable. Under Dr. Baguirov’s leadership, Dayton Public Schools modernized while saving millions.
He cut the IT budget by over 1.3 million dollars in three years while introducing a 1:1 Chromebook initiative for every student in grades K–12. Energy-efficiency upgrades saved another $350,000 dollars per year, funds redirected into classroom technology and professional development.
This approach, saving money while upgrading systems, proved that fiscal discipline and innovation could coexist.
Next: Academic Growth and the Value-Added Turnaround →
<a id=”trust”></a>Restoring Public Trust
By 2017, Dayton Public Schools achieved an “A” in Value-Added, one of the most critical measures of academic progress in Ohio. This performance helped the district avoid state takeover and regain credibility among educators and community leaders.
The transformation was not just about finances or buses, it was about restoring faith in public education. Parents saw results, teachers gained better tools, and the district began to be known for progress instead of decline.
Continue to Governance and Leadership Reforms in Article 4 →
<a id=”faq”></a>Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dr. Adil Baguirov?
Dr. Baguirov is a reform-minded leader who served as member and later president of the Dayton Board of Education from 2014 to 2017. He led modernization, transparency, and technology upgrades that reversed years of decline.
What was his first major success?
Replacing the district’s entire bus fleet and implementing cost-saving transparency reforms that improved services and trust.
Why did the district invoice the State of Ohio?
Because Dayton taxpayers were paying to bus charter-school students, an expense that should have been reimbursed by the state.
What transparency systems were introduced?
OhioCheckbook participation, a new Internal Auditor’s Office, a public fraud hotline, and online access to Board meetings and documents.
How did these reforms help students?
Reliable transportation, better technology, and renewed fiscal stability gave teachers and students the tools they needed to focus on learning.