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Hathorn rated ‘commendable’ in 1st evaluation
By Denise Dick
Youngstown
City schools Superintendent Connie Hathorn scored a 7 out of a possible 9 across six categories on his first job evaluation by the school board.
The evaluation looked at his relationships with the board, community relationships, staff and personnel relationships, educational leadership and business and finance, and Hathorn rated a 7 in all the categories. For personal qualities, the board rated him an 8.
“The superintendent always conducts himself in a professional manner and [is] appropriately groomed,” the evaluation, completed this week, says.
The scores rate his performance as “commendable.”
“The board is pleased with Dr. Hathorn’s performance during his first year as superintendent,” board President Lock P. Beachum Sr. said. “He is a person of vision, dedication and commitment to our children as demonstrated by his innovative reorganization plan.”
The reorganization plan converted Chaney into a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math and visual and performing arts school for sixth through 12th grades, and divided the district’s three middle schools into two sixth-through-seventh-grade academies and one eighth- and ninth-grade academy.
“I’ll just try to monitor what we’re doing and evaluate our programs to make sure we’re moving forward,” Hathorn said. “I’m looking for student achievement and what they’re doing in the buildings. That’s my goal.”
Beachum said Hathorn’s first priority needs to be moving the district out of academic watch on the state report card into continuous improvement and then to effective.
“We also asked him to work on the transportation because it was in disarray at the beginning of this year,” he said. “We hope we can accommodate all students — public, parochial, charter ... next year and we do not have to pay people to transport.”
This year, the school board approved payment in lieu transportation for many students who live in the city but attend Catholic Diocese of Youngstown schools.
The board has an excellent working relationship with Hathorn, the evaluation says.
“Dr. Hathorn entered the district, accepted a large forum of issues in a very difficult period and immediately assumed responsibilities to carry out his duties,” board members said. “He is always open to recommendations from board members for consideration of diversity in employment.”