May forum will gather public input on qualities for the city schools CEO

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown City School District Academic Distress Commission voted unanimously tonight to retain the Mahoning County Educational Service Center to conduct a national search for a district chief executive officer.

Commission Chairman Brian Benyo said the majority of the commission favors having a CEO with an educational background.

A public forum will be scheduled in early May to allow people to provide input on the characteristics and qualifications they'd like to see in a CEO for the city schools.

Benyo said the commission wants to honor a 60-day time frame to hire a CEO, but: "We're not going to hire the wrong candidate just to meet the timeline." The commission has until June 7 to appoint a CEO.

The panel selected Jennifer Roller as vice chairwoman.