Youngstown Distress Commission files objection to ruling favoring YEA

YOUNGSTOWN

The Academic Distress Commission for Youngstown City Schools wants to be allowed to meet, and it has filed an objection to the magistrate’s decision that gives the teachers union standing to challenge an appointment to the commission.

The objection was filed on the panel’s behalf Wednesday by Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Michael T. Fisher and James D. Miller, assistant state attorneys general.

They are objecting to a Dec. 16 decision by Magistrate Daniel Dascenzo of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Dascenzo’s decision bars Brenda Kimble, school board president, from appointing Carol Staten, who was Kimble’s choice, or anyone else who isn’t a district teacher, to the commission.

Dascenzo’s decision arose from a lawsuit by the Youngstown Education Association against Kimble and Staten.

That lawsuit sought to bar Staten’s appointment and require Kimble to appoint an active teacher.

Staten is a retired city school principal who works in the district as a substitute administrator.

“The appointment of a YEA union member is not the only possible appointment, and therefore the YEA cannot compel a union appointee,” the commission’s objection said.

The ADC also objects to the magistrate’s decision that the commission should be prevented from meeting until the lawsuit is resolved.

Read more about the case in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.