Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Youngstown Schools Takeover Plan Dividing Local Leaders, Legislature And State Officials

A state law allowing a powerful chief executive officer to take over the troubled Youngstown City Schools is dividing local leaders and members of the state school board and Legislature. 

A private group that included members of Republican Governor John Kasich's administration developed the so-called Youngstown Plan. The proposal surfaced and cleared the Legislature in a single day. Kasich signed it 22 days later. When it takes effect Oct. 15, the law immediately affects Youngstown. But it's worded to apply to any academically distressed district in the state. Tom Humphries is a local business leader who helped craft the plan. He says a radical approach was needed to save Youngstown's children and prepare them for jobs. In an August lawsuit, the district and its employee unions allege the law's unconstitutional.
 

Related Content