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CEO says Gov. Kasich supports city schools’ recovery effort
By Denise Dick
YOUNGSTOWN
Gov. John Kasich is interested in the success of the city schools and passionate about the Mahoning Valley’s recovery, Krish Mohip said.
Mohip, city schools chief executive officer, met for about 30 minutes Monday with the governor, who was at Liberty’s E.J. Blott Elementary and W.S. Guy Middle schools to cut the ribbon on the “Don’t Quit!” Fitness Center.
The Liberty school district is among three in the state to receive $100,000 each from a private/public partnership for the centers.
“He’s very interested in us being successful,” Mohip said after meeting with Kasich.
The governor offered his support for the effort, Mohip said, although the two men didn’t talk about specifics.
Before meeting with Mohip, Kasich told reporters the school district’s recovery is part of the Mahoning Valley’s revival.
“I have been saying for years that this is another piece of bringing back the Valley,” Kasich said. “Look, we now have 15,000 available jobs in a 40-mile radius that can’t be filled. That shows you that there is a mismatch between education and skills.”
He referred to the small percentage of city school students who graduate from high school college-ready.
Kasich said Mohip’s experience as a Chicago schools administrator has prepared him to lead the city schools, which for years have struggled academically.
“My understanding is that he has good marks,” Kasich said. “Are there people who are going to fight him? Absolutely. And they’re some of the people that have put themselves before the kids. But I think he’s getting a good reception and I’m looking forward to talking with him.”
He cautioned, though, that people shouldn’t expect a quick turnaround.
“These schools that need rehabilitated – it does not happen overnight,” Kasich said. “It’s not going to happen overnight in Cleveland. It’s not going to happen overnight here, but recognizing a problem in order to address it is a first step to solving it.”
Mohip was picked as the city schools’ first chief executive officer by a new academic distress commission. The new commission and the CEO are pieces of the Youngstown Plan, passed last year by both houses of the Ohio Legislature.
Mohip said Kasich cares about the city and the city schools.
“You know how politicians talk about education,” Mohip said. “When [Kasich] talks about it, it’s more than a talking point. He’s passionate about it.”