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Who has the agenda authority?
YOUNGSTOWN
Three board members left the city school district meeting Tuesday evening as they argued with Krish Mohip, chief executive officer, over the agenda.
“The board has to approve the agenda for the board meeting,” board member Dario Hunter argued.
But Mohip informed Hunter that although that was the operation before, he has since taken over the meeting, thus changing the procedure.
The CEO then attempted to move on with the meeting, citing rules in House Bill 70, also called the Youngstown Plan, which give him managerial, operational and instructional authority over the district. But he ended up having to take a 10-minute caucus and spend 20 minutes disputing who was to approve the agenda.
Hunter stood and vehemently asked board members to not participate further in the meeting, which he said was not a true board of education meeting.
“If you truly represent the people who elected you, I would ask that you leave along with me – otherwise continue to be stooges for [Gov. John] Kasich and [Academic Distress Commission Chairman Brian] Benyo.”
Benyo leads the commission that appointed Mohip, and the former state superintendent of public instruction who was appointed by Kasich was instrumental in the creation of HB 70.
Hunter and fellow board member Jacqueline Adair left the meeting in response to Mohip’s continuing with the session.
Before Adair’s departure, she said since board members were not given the opportunity to ask questions or provide input on the agenda, she “cannot and will not approve it.”
“I am not concerned about the CEO’s recent edict concerning his unlawful control over board operations,” she said. “... As a member of the board, I was to use my knowledge, skills and ability to act in the best interest of the students and of the community, and in that regard, my voice and the voice of the community have been totally silenced.”
Corrine Sanderson, board member, left shortly after.
Board member Ronald Shadd said he didn’t understand why Adair, Hunter and Sanderson were protesting Mohip’s authority when they voted to try to withdraw from the lawsuit challenging HB 70, which gave Mohip control.
“This is the future you created for our district through this type of behavior,” Shadd said.
Despite his disagreement with the meeting’s structure, he said the meeting should go on.
“I think we need to figure this out at another time. ... So, let’s do so to bring about positive change for our district,” Shadd added.
Mohip said the Youngstown City School District is a district like no other and, hence, must operate differently.
“Change is hard, but we still have to stay focused on the 5,300 kids that are in this district. We have failed repeatedly. I’ve said it from day one that I’m student-centered – and when you are student-centered, it makes adults uncomfortable.”