New YES coalition forms to support Youngstown schools plan

YOUNGSTOWN

A new coalition aims to ensure that the plan to reform the city schools is community-driven.

Youngstown Educational Solutions members announced its formation today at a news conference.

“Education is the foundation of the future of our community and our development,” said Tracey Winbush, a former city school board member and a YES member.

She supports the Youngstown Plan, which will see a chief executive officer appointed to manage and operate the schools.

“I’ve seen the politics that’s gone on between superintendents and boards for years,” she said.

The CEO will develop a plan for improving the schools using input from people in the community. That plan must be approved by a new academic distress commission, also appointed through the new law.

The city schools spend about $13,000 per pupil, but test scores remain low, Winbush said.

The Youngstown Plan needs help from the community to be successful, and it’s up to people in the community to make positive change, she said.

Read more about the new group in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.