State panel: Youngstown BOE members don't understand their role

YOUNGSTOWN

A common theme heard by a team of reviewers contracted by the Ohio Department of Education to gauge the city school district was a “lack of or a mixed bag in terms of board members’ roles and responsibilities,” the state associate superintendent said.

The reviewers visited the Youngstown district for a week in May, gathering information about district leadership and governance, curriculum and instruction, assessment, human resources and professional development, student support and fiscal management. The report, listing strengths, challenges and recommendations was released Thursday at a Youngstown City School District Academic Distress Commission meeting.

John Richard, state associate superintendent, said the reviewers, all of whom are current or former educators, also heard from many they interviewed about a lack of communication.

The reviewers interviewed school board members, administrators, teachers, students, parents and community members.

“During interviews with Youngstown board members, district leadership and other stakeholders, some expressed concern that the board members do not have an understanding of their roles and responsibilities,” the report said. “In interviews with central office personnel in various roles, there was a common theme that the board wants to be involved in the day-to-day operations of the district.

Board members in their interviews said: “It’s the board’s job to make decisions rather than the superintendent.” “You [[we...the board] need to be micromanagers,” according to the report.

Read more about the state report's response and recommendations for the school district in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.