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Community group, Youngstown schools CEO differ on state of district
YOUNGSTOWN
The Rev. Kenneth L. Simon of New Bethel Baptist Church told Youngstown community members that it is time to “wake up” to the “antidemocratic” practices of CEO Krish Mohip.
“Are we asleep, Youngs-town?” he asked at a news conference hosted by the Community Leadership Coalition on Education before Wednesday’s school board meeting.
Pastor Simon said he called the press conference out of concern for what’s taking place in the district.
“We need to make parents and taxpayers aware of what’s happening,” he said.
His concerns included “reckless decisions without community input” regarding “spending without accountability.”
Simon contended Mohip’s spending on administration has been “high-priced” and “top-heavy.”
But according to the district’s five-year forecast, salary spending is almost the same this year as it was last year – $42 million.
In January, Mohip announced the hiring of about six people for leadership positions with combined salaries of about $500,000.
Some of the hires include: Greg Slemons as chief financial officer on a 12-month contract at a salary of $133,000; John LaPlante as chief information officer on a 12-month contract at a salary of $123,000; and Pat Lowry as director of strategic initiatives on a 12-month contract with a salary of $75,000.
Pastor Simon said “padding pockets” of the administration is costing the district what it is supposed to be spending on teachers.
Larry Ellis, president of Youngstown Education Association, the teachers union, said Mohip’s decisions and lack of spending in necessary educator resources are an “assault on public education.”
Pastor Simon said because of this, he will remain adamantly opposed to Ohio House Bill 70, which enables the Youngstown district’s CEO to lead the schools with only state-appointed academic distress commission oversight. Both the CEO and the commission are now in place in the city.
Mohip said if spending practices are discussed, the discussion must include mention of the $1.5 billion spent on students in the past decade for which the district has nothing to show.
“We have spent a lot of money on professional development just this year,” he added. Total development spending is more than $600,000.
Further, Mohip noted that more than 99.2 percent of teachers reported they have the appropriate resources to be successful with their students.
Also Tuesday, board members cast a rare unanimous 5-0 vote denying a 100 percent tax abatement to Wells Associated Renaissance Partners to redevelop the Wells Building on West Federal Street, downtown.
“If they’re going to come here and live off the fat of the land, make them pay for it,” said board member Jackie Adair.
Fellow member Dario Hunter concurred, calling the abatement the “use and abuse of public funds,” “taking money away from the children” and “taking money from a baby.”
“I’m going to agree with my fellow board members for once,” said board Vice President Michael Murphy. “Nobody needs 100 percent.”