UPDATE | 2 state ed officials testify at Youngstown plan hearing

COLUMBUS — Two state education officials called to testify during a hearing today in Franklin County Common Pleas Court recounted the failing performance of Youngstown City Schools and the need for a new direction at the district.

"There are tough decisions that have to be made in the district, and when you work in a large urban setting, you have different power structures that are in place," said Lonny Rivera, associate superintendent of the Ohio Department of Education, testifying in support of HB 70. "Change is something that is really not embraced by many people, especially when it's being forced. So then you have these walls that are put up, and in my opinion there has to be a way to break that. And this is something that gives the CEO some more autonomy to be able to make some tough decisions that others are not willing to make or for political reasons cannot."

Rivera and Christopher Woolard, senior executive director of the agency's Center for Accountability and Continuous Improvement, testified during the second day of a hearing challenging the Youngstown plan.

For the complete story, read Thursday's Vindicator and Vindy.com