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BOE members outraged over Mohip's rejection of resolutions
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown Board of Education members were outraged Tuesday after district CEO Krish Mohip scrapped two resolutions that would have allowed participation in the Ohio School Boards Association Legal Assistance Fund.
The board unanimously approved the two resolutions seeking $250 despite the district CEO’s denial.
Board member Jackie Adair said she’s had enough of “the CEO dictating to us the things he feels he has the authority to do” and suggested getting a legal opinion on Mohip’s authority. Mohip was hired by a state-appointed academic distress commission to bring the district out of academic emergency, and he reduced the school board’s role to advisory.
“I was freed a long time ago,” she said. “I don’t have a dictator. I don’t have a ‘massa.’ I am a free African American elected board member of this Youngstown city school board, and I will not be dictated to by anybody who thinks he has the authority to tell us when we can eat, sleep and jump.”
The CEO was not in attendance. He had his denial delivered by Stephen Stohla, the school district’s interim superintendent.
“The actions of the board are advisory unless the CEO has delegated specific powers to the board,” Stohla read from Mohip’s address.
“As to ‘operational issues’ of the district, as you are aware, he has not done so yet. ... Mr. Mohip is not yet certain that he will allow the school district or its employees to support the board’s request to either fund or accept funding from this organization if the goal is to fight the CEO turnaround plan.”
The address also stated if the board’s desire to participate in the OSBA Legal Assistance Fund is not for fighting the turnaround, to let him know and he would take it into consideration.
After Stohla delivered the address, the board members expressed discontent. Corrine Sanderson said Mohip is trying to dictate board business, “which he has no right.”
“I do not acknowledge, constitutionally, [Mohip’s] position, and he does not dictate what the board says or what it does,” she said. “If a payment needs to be made, I’ll make it.”
Michael Murphy, board vice president, agreed.
“Compared to within a year, [Mohip] spent more than a million [dollars], I think $250 is chump change,” he said. “We can afford that every day of the week.”
Still, board President Brenda Kimble said each member of the board is now willing to meet for a retreat the CEO offered – as long as all board members participate – and all that she needs is a date.