Tuesday, July 19, 2016
By Denise Dick
YOUNGSTOWN
They talked about too much testing, about the dress code, bullying and teacher support.
Ten city school students aired their concerns Monday to Krish Mohip, school district chief executive officer, as part of the last of Mohip’s community stakeholders meetings, which was at the school district’s Irene L. Ward Building on Wood Street.
Schools represented include Chaney, Rayen Early College Middle School and Youngstown Early College. One girl was a student at Ursuline High School.
Before the meeting, YEC senior Isabella Miller, 17, and junior Mya Rios, 16, said they believe programs are working well.
“I want him to keep YEC as a school,” Isabella said.
Mya said she believes the district’s programs are working well.
“We have been given an amazing opportunity at YEC,” Isabella said.
She’s on track to earn her associate degree at the same time she graduates from high school.
Some of the Chaney students told Mohip they’re concerned about the dress code. Most of the city schools require students to wear a uniform – blue, white or black shirt and khaki, navy or black pants, shorts, dresses or skirts – but Chaney students were granted permission last year to dress how they want as a way to express their creativity.
YEC students, who spend their school days on the Youngstown State University campus, aren’t required to follow the dress code either.
Several of the students who talked with the CEO admitted they had been a victim of bullying at some time in their school careers. Some took the problem to an adult at school, and others said they dealt with it on their own.
Many also expressed frustration with state tests.
Mohip envisions a school district focused on instruction.
“We’re going to support our teachers like they’ve never been supported before,” he said.
Mohip, who began as CEO on June 29, has until Sept. 6 to develop and present a strategic plan for district improvement to the Youngstown City School District Academic Distress Commission.
The gathering afforded the CEO an opportunity for the first time to talk with students.
“The most-important group is students,” Mohip said. “We’re doing all of this for you.”
He said he learned a lot.
“They had great things to share,” Mohip said. “They’re things I wouldn’t ever have thought of.”
The students will help him develop a student survey to be distributed through the district.
“It kind of sounds like they haven’t always been listened to,” Mohip said. “We’re going to change that.”