Dr. David Lawrence is the superintendent of Dayton Public Schools in Ohio. Born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, he has three decades of experience in public education, having served in many roles in both suburban and urban Districts throughout his career.

Dr. Lawrence started his career as a teacher at Edwin Joel Brown Middle School and later Meadowdale High School. He has served as Assistant Principal at Stivers School for the Arts, Principal at Thurgood Marshall STEM High School, and Principal of Northmoor Elementary School. He has also served as a Mathematics Associate Director and Chief of School Innovation for Dayton Public Schools and Chief Academic Officer for the Dayton Regional STEM School. In September 2022, he returned to Dayton Public Schools to serve as Business Manager, and in July 2023 was selected to serve as Interim Superintendent. He was later appointed to Superintendent in February 2024.

Dr. Lawrence has a history of transformational leadership. Throughout his career, he has increased academic achievement in every role he has held and has a proven track record as a committed Urban Educator.

He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Cincinnati in Finance, along with two Master’s Degrees and a Ph.D. from Antioch University Graduate School of Leadership & Change. His teaching certificate/license from Central State University. His Master’s Degrees are in Educational Leadership and Educational Philosophy, and his Ph.D. is in Leadership and Change.