UPDATE | Hundreds fill McGuffey cafeteria to discuss schools plan

YOUNGSTOWN — Hundreds filled the cafeteria this afternoon at William Holmes McGuffey Elementary School for a meeting regarding the Youngstown Plan for the city schools.

Some members of the audience booed Thomas Humphries and cheered Joe Schiavoni at the meeting.

Humphries, president and CEO of the Youngstown-Mahoning, was one of the proponents of the plan, said what's been done in the schools so far hasn't worked.

"I believe something has to change to help these kids," Humphries said.

Schiavoni said that contrary to what proponents say, the bill would actually drive more students from the city s school system.

The meeting was organized by state Sen. Joe Schiavoni, state Rep. Michele Lepore-Hagan and Mayor John McNally.

The Youngstown Plan would appoint a chief executive officer to operate and manage the city school system. The plan was approved last month by both houses of the Ohio Legislature.