Teaching, learning are priorities

Youngstown City School students will return to classes Sept. 5 this year, and there will be some noticeable differences. As we enter into the second year of the strategic plan, there will be a strong focus on teaching and learning in every classroom.

The first year operating under the strategic plan was spent gaining a perspective of the challenges ahead of us, improving our already solid financial footing and finding the leadership needed to guide the district through the necessary shifts to improve instruction.

With the additions to the senior leadership team and the new principals added to the district, I am excited for the improvements we will see in student achievement. To help celebrate the growth of our children, we are using a new assessment that will help us measure the growth of students throughout the year. We are introducing all teachers to a different way to teach; one that has been proven nationally to be a successful way to instruct students. Support will be provided through ongoing professional development, coaching and weekly feedback.

With this increase of support will come accountability. The shifts in instruction can only happen if there are clear expectations that are aligned to competent support.

While revamping instruction is necessary, we cannot ignore the culture and climate within our schools, as well as the community influence on our students. This past year we saw a 55 percent reduction in out-of school suspensions; however, despite this decrease we are still suspending our students at a rate more than five times the average of other schools in Ohio. We are implementing a new Student Code of Conduct that requires our staff to implement restorative practices. A new approach is needed because what we have been doing simply has not worked. We can and will do better.

The community involvement and the belief in our school district has never been stronger. Although there are some people who are still skeptical of the work we are doing, it is clear that the community is getting behind our recovery plan. Individuals and organizations like City Kids Care, The Red Zone, The Colony, 1st Ward Dreams, DJ Chip Banks, The United Way, the Boys and Girls Club, The City of YOUth, Taft Promise Neighborhood and more have come together to support our schools.

When we held our first scrimmage of the season for our East High School Golden Bears, more than 1,000 people filled the stands. The Red Zone and City Kids Care are organizing back-to-school events specifically for our students and families where youth-sized bikes will be raffled off. Nearly 100 volunteers came together to assemble the 800 donated bikes. Sojourn to the Past led by Penny Wells continues to provide a life-changing experience for high school students who visit sites in the American South that played pivotal roles in the 1960s civil rights movement. The list goes on, and the hope builds with each passing day.

In the 14 months I have been at the helm of the school district, there has been an incredible shift. The city of Youngstown is on the verge of greatness and the community is on board to help support the recovery of the school district.

Krish Mohip is chief executive officer of the Youngstown City School District.