Community leaders upset with Youngstown school plan proposal

YOUNGSTOWN -- The Rev. Kenneth Simon, pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church and affiliated with the Community Mobilization Coalition, said those gathered at a news

conference this morning wanted to demonstrate their displeasure with the legislation affecting the Youngstown City Schools, which was passed last week by the Ohio General Assembly and signed by Gov. John Kasich.

Those attending said they are upset the plan was devised in secret and without public input.

Paula Valentini, an elementary school teacher, decried the lack of teacher input into the changes.

"Teachers' goal has always been to help the children of the Youngstown City Schools system," she said. "We've proven that with actions rather than with words."

Brenda Kimble, school board president, said the community needs to send a message in opposition to the plan. That message needs to go beyond the city; it needs to go all over the state and the country.

"It cannot be a one-day rally. It needs to be a total movement," Kimble said.

For the complete story, read Friday's Vindicator and Vindy.com