The Youngstown City School District is entering an historic chapter. Jan. 1, we will have a new five-member board of education, appointed by Youngstown Mayor Jamael Tito Brown. Under House Bill 70, also called the Youngstown Plan, an appointed school board replaces the elected panel if the district scores an overall "D" or "F" on the state report card for a fourth year.

This is the legislation. It’s the law. The district must abide by it and we must continue to move forward. Our goal remains the same and that is that every adult in the district is accountable for our scholars' learning, which leads to their success as adults.

Mayor Brown will appoint the five new board members from a list of at least 10 nominees selected by a nominating panel. Membership of that panel is spelled out in the law. The state superintendent of public instruction serves as the group’s chairman and as a non-voting member. The chairman of the district’s academic distress commission, myself (Youngstown City District’s chief executive officer), two members appointed by the mayor, a teacher appointed by the teachers’ union, a principal selected by district principals and a district parent make up the group.

The nominating panel was tasked with sending names of potential candidates to the state superintendent in early November. The nominating group will meet Nov. 7 and submit the list of at least 10 names to the mayor by Nov.8.

To be nominated, an individual may not hold elected office and must live within the school district.

In the meantime, I have begun my regular meetings with members of the community. Update meetings are the second Wednesday of each month, at noon in the Community Room at 20 W. Wood St. Those are public meetings, open to everyone. In addition, please tune in to Star 94.7 every Monday at 7:55 a.m. for my weekly update.

I will meet with members of the faith-based community the second Tuesday of each month at 8 a.m. in the CEO Office, inside 20 W. Wood St. I plan to meet both in the morning and in the afternoon with parents/guardians and community members on the fourth Tuesday of every month.

The morning meetings will be at 8 in the CEO Office and afternoon sessions will be at 4:30 in the CEO Office. I want to keep these meetings small so participation at each will be limited to the first 12 people who call the CEO's executive assistant at 330-744-6920 and ask to be added to the list.

My goal is to give you, the Youngstown City Schools Community, a voice in moving the district forward, completing our mission to have a vibrant school district. This mindset is the “Strong Schools will equal a Stronger Community” approach. I look forward to meeting you at my next community meeting.
               

 Sincerely,

 Justin Jennings

Chief Executive Officer

Youngstown City School District