There is a support network to help Youngstown City School District

There is a support network to help Youngstown City School District

The Raymond John Wean Foundation expresses its recognition of the leadership demonstrated by Superintendent Connie Hathorn. In his recent remarks (“KnowledgeWorks won’t work in Youngstown,” May 7), the superintendent calls for the district and the community to focus attention on the current Academic Recovery Plan.

This blueprint for improvement was designed and approved by the Academic Distress Commission and endorsed by the state superintendent. It is the path which the Youngstown schools have been directed to follow, and it is to Superintendent Hathorn’s credit that the district is stepping up to meet the challenges of the recovery plan.

A citywide community engagement process, co-funded by the Youngstown Foundation and our foundation and being led by the Harwood Institute, is part of this important work. Hundreds of residents, parents, students, teachers, business people and faith community leaders are expressing their aspirations for the future of the Youngstown schools. Concurrently, our foundation is supporting an endeavor to identify community partnerships to assist individual schools and the district in their efforts to improve student achievement.

Clearly, there is much work yet to be accomplished. The Youngstown City School District under the leadership of Superintendent Hathorn is moving to meet these challenges. With continued community support, the schools can make further progress to benefit the city’s students and families and the entire Mahoning Valley.

Jeffrey M. Glebocki, Warren

The writer is president of the Raymond John Wean Foundation.