State officials say 'pick up the pace' to improve Youngstown schools

YOUNGSTOWN — While the city schools climbed out of academic emergency, the gains were minimal, Ohio Department of Education officials said.

“There’s this perception that there’s this big celebration to be had,” said Michael Sawyers, state deputy superintendent. “That’s not true.”

Stan W. Heffner, state superintendent of public instruction, Sawyers and other ODE staff members attended a Youngstown Academic Distress Commission meeting today.

“Academic watch is nothing to celebrate,” Heffner said.

The district moved from academic emergency to academic watch on the last report card, but Sawyers pointed out that gain was because of improved attendance. The district remains in academic distress, he said.

“It hurts me to look at the data,” Heffner said. “It hurts me to think about those kids.”

While there have been improvements, Heffner wants things to progress faster.

“Every day you delay is a day you put children at risk for not getting an education,” he said.

Heffner said he wants the five-member academic commission to be more aggressive.

“They have a great deal of authority, and we expect them to exercise it judiciously,” he said.

For the complete story, read Thursday's Vindicator and Vindy.com