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ACTION cancels meeting about city schools
By Denise Dick
YOUNGSTOWN
There won’t be a community meeting between a religious-based organization and the city school board.
“We were not getting the response that we are demanding,” said Rose Carter, executive director and lead organizer of the Alliance for Congregational Transformation Influencing Our Neighborhoods.
She sent a letter last month to board members inviting them to a meeting that was to take place this week. Carter wanted the full board to attend to answer questions from parents and the community about the status of the school district and how it could be improved.
Carter said that because of requests by some school board members, the meeting was to be rescheduled to June 16. That’s not going to happen, either.
“We’re a little bit frustrated with the fact that they don’t feel it’s important enough for them to answer the questions we’re asking,” Carter said. “To me, it’s just another way the board is not stepping up.”
Board President Brenda Kimble said she told Carter that the majority of the board members said they would attend the meeting.
“I told her I could not guarantee the full board,” Kimble said.
Members Michael Murphy and Richard Atkinson said they planned to attend.
“I’m willing to talk to anyone who has questions about the schools,” Atkinson said.
With so many different schedules, though, it may be difficult to schedule a meeting when all seven board members can attend, he said.
Murphy said he was willing to attend the meeting, whether it was scheduled this week or next month.
“I would have been there,” he said.
Kimble and board members Jackie Adair and Ronald Shadd also said they would be there, Carter said.
Jerome Williams, another board member, said he’s not opposed to such a meeting, but he doesn’t think it’s the right time.
With Superintendent Connie Hathorn leaving — his last day will be May 29 — the district will be between superintendents. Board members may not be able to answer the questions posed by those attending the meeting.
“I feel it would be better if we wait until everything gets situated,” he said.
Board member Marcia Haire-Ellis couldn’t be reached.
Kimble said Carter opted to hold off on the meeting based on the advice of members of the organization’s education committee.
Kimble believes that’s a good idea because, if the school board answered some questions from parents and the community without having a superintendent in place, it would appear the board is making decisions without the leader of the district.
Carter said ACTION will wait until a new superintendent is selected and then work with him or her.
“It’s just kind of the attitude that bothers me,” she said. “We need a full response. We need the full board.”