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Chaney STEM/VPA students walk out Monday afternoon
YOUNGSTOWN
Chaney STEM/VPA students started what they called a revolution during a walkout Monday afternoon.
“You know what they say: ‘All revolutions started out small,’” said Amya Franziskakis, a junior and one of more than 150 students standing outside Chaney.
Students protested Youngstown City Schools CEO Krish Mohip’s plan for neighborhood schools.
Mohip’s plan will place students in prekindergarten through eighth grade into one of nine school buildings closest to their homes. Those school buildings then dedicate students to either East High School or Chaney. Chaney will lose its title as the only STEM/VPA school in the district because the opportunities of those programs will be put in every school.
Many students said they didn’t want Mohip to take away their program and that having it in just Chaney is fair because any students in the district are free to apply.
“What we have here is students encouraging each other to do what we believe is the right thing,” said junior Shiree Wilson.
Mohip said despite the three-hour conversation he had with students Monday morning, he still believes students are getting misinformation about his plan to reconfigure the schools.
“I will continue to meet with them to try and sort some of this out, but I understand, at times, change is difficult,” he said. “Change is difficult for all people, but we can’t allow instructional time to be lost because of it. We as a district have to stand by this decision because we think it is right and best for these students.”
He added his intent is to make a change in a failing district.
La’rayja Hill, a junior, begged the question: “How is anyone going to help the system without the heart? The kids are the heart. Without students, there would be no jobs. We are the heart of all of this.”
Mohip said he doesn’t want to “bog down” the special programs – such as Chaney’s STEM/VPA program – that aren’t even certified by the state.
“We are trying to give everyone the opportunity for these opportunities,” he said.
Mohip offered to meet with students outside of instructional hours.
“Every second of instruction counts, and we are missing it right now,” he said.
Students were not swayed.
Principal Joe Krumpak gave students time to get back into the school free of consequence. School spokeswoman Denise Dick said there will be no suspensions but the instructional time must be made up after school hours.
La’rayja was one of many students who offered a tearful delivery of “We love Mr. Krumpak” speeches in response to Mohip’s announcement that Krumpak will be replaced.
“He is the only person that knows all of our names in this entire school,” she said. “We love you, Mr. Krumpak, even if you suspend us.”
“Peaceful protest” chants rang out through the crowd as most students went back into the building.
About 25 remained outside.
Shiree said the protest shouldn’t stop at just the students, but the community should step forward as well.
“We all need to come together to make changes,” she said.
La’rayja agreed.
“What people are going to see today is that we fight for what’s ours,” she said.
Although Shiree couldn’t rejoice for any outcome, she said she’s glad students’ voices were heard.
“It is obvious our school pride is still here,” she said.