Schiavoni calls for state superintendent’s removal

July 21, 2015 at 9:41p.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

State Sen. Joe Schiavoni believes the state superintendent of public instruction should be replaced based on the state official’s handling of the Youngstown Plan and the actions of one of his subordinates.

Schiavoni of Boardman, D-33rd, along with Democrats from the state house and senate believe Richard Ross, state superintendent of public instruction, should either resign or be removed from office.

“I think the school board needs to seriously consider removing Dr. Ross,” he said. “They have the power to do that.”

The Ohio Department of Education’s response is brief.

“Dr. Ross is fully committed to continuing his work as state superintendent,” Mike Perona, an ODE spokesman, said in an email.

The state superintendent is appointed by the state school board. Eleven of the board’s members are elected while the eight at-large members are appointed by the governor.