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Parents join Mohip for Coffee with CEO
YOUNGSTOWN
Parents shared concerns about their children’s education with CEO Krish Mohip at William Holmes McGuffey Elementary.
The hourlong session Monday morning was part of Youngstown City Schools’ 10-session series called Coffee with the CEO.
Parent James McGahan said he thought of the session as both a success and a possible failure.
“I know [Mohip] heard me, but will anything be done is the question,” he said.
McGahan was passionate about lessening technology in the classroom and teaching students “the old ways.”
“I would love to see more testing where they have to show their work,” he said. “Education needs to get back to basics like when I was in school. We had to show all of our work.”
Technology, McGahan argued, is teaching students it’s OK to lack common sense.
Mohip said he didn’t agree or disagree, but it’s his job to get students on track with state standards and state tests, which incorporate technology.
Mohip took McGahan’s phone number to further discuss concerns specific to his children.
Mohip encouraged parents to help him and the students by becoming part of his mission in changing negative perceptions about the city schools.
“Help me get this message out there that we are different,” he said.
To continue fostering parent involvement and input, Terry Wilkie, Parent Teacher Organization president, asked parents to sign up for the PTO.
“Parents do need to be involved,” Wilkie said. “It doesn’t matter what you, you or you say. We could talk our heads off and it won’t matter. ... [We] come together and have some input in our kids’ lives.”
For information about the PTO, contact Wilkie at 330-744-7999.
Coffee with the CEO is Mohip’s latest way to reach out to families, parents and the community.
He has convened community meetings about the district strategic plan, school and grade alignment and other matters since he took office in late June 2016.
He also conducts Mondays with Mohip at 5 p.m. weekly on Facebook Live, answering participants’ questions as they are submitted, and he recently announced a CEO’s Citizens Coalition.