Youngstown schools need chief unafraid to move ahead boldly

The decision by the Youngstown City Schools Academic Distress Commission to fill the singularly important position of superintendent on an interim basis so as to allow for a thorough, deliberate search for a successor to Dr. Connie Hathorn is deserving of the community’s praise and support.

The urban school system has been skating on thin academic ice for some time, and while Hathorn and the state commission have developed a far-reaching recovery plan that has been endorsed by the Ohio Department of Education, its implementation will require a leader with intestinal fortitude — courage.

Hathorn, who will be leaving at the end of this month to become superintendent at Watson Chapel Schools in Pine Bluff, Ark., can testify to the difficulties he has faced trying to put in place some of the more controversial aspects of the recovery plan. He has been at the helm of the troubled school district since January 2011 after serving as assistant superintendent for three months, and his departure is a major blow to the system.

Hathorn has enjoyed strong support from the academic distress commission, which was empaneled when the state placed Youngstown in academic emergency (now watch), and is backed by Gov. John Kasich and Richard Ross, state superintendent of public instruction.

Nonetheless, he was demonized by some members of the school board and self-styled leaders in the community. In discussing his future with The Vindicator, the superintendent acknowledged his departure was prompted by individuals undermining his efforts to pull the system out of academic watch.

Let there be no doubt about the challenge the academic distress commission faces in coming up with someone of Hathorn’s qualifications, experience, vision and, yes, integrity. There are no secrets in today’s world of email, Facebook, Twitter and all the other portals on the Internet, which means the Youngstown district’s dirty laundry is out there for all to see.

COMMISSION’S RIGHT MOVE

Given this reality, the commission is right in first pursuing the appointment of an interim superintendent who would have the choice of applying for the permanent position.

“We want the best candidate who is ready to fit the bill and keep things moving forward,” said Joffrey Jones, chairman of the commission.

A search committee of two members each from the commission and the board of education and three community members selected by the school board will narrow the list of applicants to three finalists. The deadline for naming the finalists is June 9.

While the school board has been given the responsibility of selecting the interim superintendent — the board named Hathorn superintendent and then brought him in as the assistant for three months — the commission holds veto power.

While we applaud the panel for involving the school board, we reiterate our call to Gov. Kasich and state Superintendent Ross to become actively involved in the selection process for Hathorn’s successor.

In every conversation he has had with us about the Youngstown school system, Kasich has been adamant that his administration will not dictate to the local community, and he wants the stakeholders to decide the future.

Under normal circumstances we would have no qualms about endorsing the governor’s position. But there’s nothing normal about the Youngstown City School District, which is why we seek outside intervention.

The children of Youngstown deserve the best and the brightest working on their behalf.