CSU professor joins Youngstown academic commission


January 31, 2012 at 2:06p.m.

CSU professor joins Youngstown academic commission

Youngstown

The commission overseeing the city school district’s academics has a new member — again.

Stan Heffner, state superintendent of public instruction, announced Tuesday that Paul Williams, retired superintendent from Beachwood City Schools and a professor at Cleveland State University, is the academic distress commission’s newest member.

Williams moves into the seat formerly occupied by Adrienne O’Neill. O’Neill moved from commission member to commission chairwoman last week after Richard Ross resigned to become director of Gov. John Kasich’s Office of 21st Century Education.

Ross replaced Robert Sommers, who resigned from the post, effective Tuesday, to start an education consulting business.

“I wish the best to Mr. Ross in his new role, and I look forward to working with him as we move forward with our educational reforms across the state,” Heffner said in a news release. “I am pleased that Dr. O’Neill has agreed to become the chair of the commission. I also welcome our newest member, Dr. Williams.”

Heffner had appointed Ross, O’Neill and Michael Garvey of M7 Technologies of Youngstown, last November. They replaced three original members, including the commission chairwoman, who had been appointed by the previous state superintendent.

The commission’s other two members, Betty Green, an instructor at Youngstown State University, and Susan Moorer, YSU coordinator of P12 assessment and outreach, were appointed by the school board president.

Greene is the commission’s only original member. Lock P. Beachum Sr., school board president, appointed Moorer last fall to replace a member originally appointed by Anthony Catale, who had served as school board president in 2010.

“As I have said previously, it is essential that the Youngstown school board, the district leadership team and the commission work in partnership to implement meaningful changes that will give the children of Youngstown the education they need for the future,” Heffner said.