Adil Baguirov: Modernizing Transportation and Restoring Transparency in Dayton
How One Reform-Minded Leader Helped Rebuild Confidence in Public Education
When Adil Baguirov joined the Dayton Board of Education, the district was struggling on every front. Buses broke down daily, parents were frustrated, and teachers faced outdated tools and poor communication systems. Transparency was nearly absent. Instead of accepting these issues as inevitable, Baguirov approached them like a challenge worth solving — with logic, technology, and persistence.
Table of Contents
- Understanding the Problem
- Replacing an Aging Fleet
- Protecting Local Taxpayers
- Making the System Transparent
- Saving Money While Innovating
- Restoring Trust in Local Schools
- Frequently Asked Questions
<a id=”problem”></a>Understanding the Problem
Before reforms began, the average Dayton school bus was more than 15 years old. Some had broken heaters, others leaked oil, and many simply stopped mid-route. It was not just an inconvenience — it was a symbol of how far the system had fallen.
Baguirov often said that transportation was more than logistics; it was access. If a child could not get to school safely and on time, learning was already out of reach. That perspective guided every decision that followed.
<a id=”fleet”></a>Replacing an Aging Fleet
Under Baguirov’s leadership, the Board approved financing for 115 new buses through a cooperative purchasing program. The deal secured a remarkably low 2.06 percent interest rate, saving thousands of dollars compared to private lenders.
The impact was visible almost immediately. Breakdowns plummeted, drivers reported better working conditions, and families stopped making daily complaint calls. For the first time in years, the community felt that Dayton’s schools were functioning again.
Next: Protecting Local Taxpayers ↓
<a id=”taxpayers”></a>Protecting Local Taxpayers
Baguirov and the Board also addressed a long-ignored financial imbalance. Dayton was paying more than 1.2 million dollars each year to transport charter and private-school students, even though the state reimbursement covered only a fraction of the cost.
He led the passage of a Board resolution that demanded reimbursement and presented detailed calculations to the State of Ohio. The message was simple: local taxpayers should not subsidize costs that belong to the state. The move was bold, data-driven, and set a precedent for other districts.
<a id=”transparent”></a>Making the System Transparent
Transparency became a defining part of Baguirov’s approach. He guided Dayton Public Schools to become the first urban district in Ohio to publish all spending data through OhioCheckbook.com, allowing anyone to see how every dollar was used.
He also pushed for the creation of an independent Internal Auditor’s Office and a Fraud Reporting Hotline that encouraged employees and citizens to report issues without fear. To keep the public informed, the district adopted BoardDocs, which posted all meeting agendas and votes online for 24-hour access.
Dayton went from secrecy to openness almost overnight, setting a new benchmark for public accountability.
Go to Savings and Innovation ↓
<a id=”savings”></a>Saving Money While Innovating
Modernization does not always mean more spending. Baguirov helped cut the district’s IT costs by over 1.3 million dollars in three years while introducing the 1:1 Technology Initiative, which provided every student with a personal learning device.
Energy-efficiency upgrades lowered annual utility costs by 350,000 dollars, funds that went directly back into classrooms and teacher support. The reforms combined practicality with innovation — proving that smarter planning can pay for itself.
<a id=”trust”></a>Restoring Trust in Local Schools
Within just a few years, Dayton Public Schools saw measurable academic improvement. The district earned an “A” rating in Value-Added, a major turnaround from its previous failing score. Transportation complaints dropped, financial audits improved, and transparency became standard practice.
What changed most was confidence. Parents, teachers, and even outside observers began to view Dayton not as a failing district but as a recovering one led by people who cared about results.
Continue to Article 2: Financial Integrity and Accountability →
<a id=”faq”></a>Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Adil Baguirov?
He is a civic and business leader who served on the Dayton Board of Education. He led initiatives to modernize transportation, increase transparency, and introduce digital learning tools.
How did he fix the bus system?
By organizing a full fleet replacement with 115 new buses, financed through a cost-saving consortium purchase.
What transparency changes did he introduce?
He brought Dayton into OhioCheckbook, launched an independent auditing office, and moved all Board materials online for public access.
Did these reforms save money?
Yes. The district reduced operating costs by millions while improving technology and service quality.
Why are his reforms still talked about today?
Because they combined efficiency, accountability, and vision in a way that improved both education quality and public confidence.