Youngstown Plan alternative would protect contracts, delay personnel actions

YOUNGSTOWN

Two lawmakers’ supplement to the Youngstown Plan for city schools would remove the chief executive officer’s authority to reopen or change employee contracts. It also delays by one year CEO actions to replace personnel.

It also would extend the time required before the CEO could close a failing school, increase the membership of the academic distress commission and take measures to address poverty among its provisions.

Further, the proposed legislation would remove sections of the Youngstown Plan that call for a school board appointed by the mayor. That provision isn’t set to be effective for at least a few years.

State Sen. Joe Schiavoni of Boardman, D-33rd, and state Rep. Michele Lepore Hagan of Youngstown, D-58th, introduced their plan at a news conference today. They said they developed the plan, an alternative to the Youngstown Plan that would allow a CEO takeover of the city schools, with input gathered from individuals and organizations.

Schiavoni said he plans to get the bill to the senate education committee as soon as possible.

The plan, titled “Youngstown Community Recommendations to the CEO,” lists 10 elements:

• Ensure transparency and accountability.

• Involve the community as partners in the improvement plan process.

• Improve the lines of communication in the district.

• Build upon existing programs and practices.

• Clearly define performance standards.

• Support educators and staff.

• Work to implement strong early-childhood education for all students.

• Embrace the original intent of House Bill 70, community learning center model.

• Break down academic barriers caused by poverty.

• Adjust expectations for improvement.

Schiavoni’s plan also increases from five to seven the number of members of the academic distress commission to “create greater balance between the community and Columbus.”

Under the Youngstown Plan, the academic distress commission, which will appoint the CEO, includes five members: three appointed by the state superintendent of public instruction, one by the mayor and the fifth, a teacher, appointed by the city school board.

Schiavoni’s plan would have three appointees by the state superintendent, one of which would be a Mahoning County resident; two appointed by the school board president, one of whom must be a district teacher; one teacher appointed by the teachers’ union and one appointed by the mayor.

Read about the lawmakers’ proposal in greater detail in Saturday’s Vindicator.