Youngstown school board prez defends commission selection

YOUNGSTOWN — The city school board president defends her decision to appoint a longtime administrator to the Youngstown City School District Academic Distress Commission.

“She is a utility administrator,” Brenda Kimble said of her appointee, Carol Staten. “She works in all capacities.”

Kimble acknowledged that Staten is her cousin but points out that Staten has been in the school district for more than 30 years. Kimble was elected to her second school-board term earlier this month.

The Youngstown Education Association, the union that represents district teachers, is upset about the selection.

The law allows the school board president to appoint one person, a district teacher, to the commission.

Staten is a longtime principal who retired and now fills in when called by the district. She worked as a teacher before becoming a principal.

Paula Valentini, a union vice president and spokeswoman, said the union continues to explore its options. The union believes a current teacher should have been appointed, she has said.

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