Youngstown’s new chief of schools: Raise expectations to raise achievement

By DENISE DICK

denise_dick@vindy.com

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Children do what’s expected of them, so raising expectations would be a step in raising student achievement in the city schools, says the new superintendent of Youngstown schools.

“We can’t continue to do what we’ve done before,” said Connie Hathorn, 59, who will take over as superintendent upon the January retirement of Wendy Webb.

Hathorn started as deputy superintendent in the district last week. He’s been tasked with curriculum and instruction during his deputy term.

“Certainly given the fact that we’re in academic emergency, we’re all on the same page that there needs to be an instantaneous focus on raising achievement in the district,” said Anthony Catale, school board president.

“He knows going into the job it was going to be a tough job and that he would have to hit the ground running. There’s not going to be a training period.”

Hathorn’s contract is still being negotiated.

Hathorn, a native of Mississippi, earned his doctorate from Iowa State University, his master’s from the University of Arkansas and his bachelor’s at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.