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Youngstown school board gives mixed reviews of recommendations
By Denise Dick
YOUNGSTOWN
City school board members agree with most of the recommendations issued last month by a consultant appointed by the Youngstown School District Academic Distress Commission.
Mark Freeman, a former superintendent in Shaker Heights Schools, delivered his recommendations last month. He was appointed by the ADC to provide training to school-board members, Superintendent Connie Hathorn and other members of the administration in team- and consensus-building and parliamentary procedures.
One of the recommendations called for the district to review and improve communication between Hathorn and board members.
Hathorn said he’s been trying to do that through documents sent to board members weekly.
Within 60 days, Hathorn said he would provide a sample of a district “fact book,” listing information such as staff demographics by schools, attendance, enrollment and suspension information. That was another of Freeman’s recommendations.
Board members agree that committees should be eliminated and replaced with work sessions.
“I think we should have two meetings a month and a work sessions,” said board member Brenda Kimble.
Two regular meetings have been scheduled each month plus additional special meetings. In its updated recovery plan, the commission restricted to two per month the number of board meetings for which members get paid. Board members earn $125 each per meeting.
Kimble also has issue with the consultant’s recommendation that Hathorn should attend all board meetings, including executive sessions.
There may be times when the board wants to discuss things without Hathorn, she said, adding that the panel has done that in the past and should be able to continue it.
Hathorn objected.
“Since I’m the CEO, I think anytime you’re talking about the school district, I should be there,” he said.
Board President Richard Atkinson and member Michael Murphy said they believe Hathorn should attend all of the gatherings.