Youngstown school board to be included in future Academic Distress Commission meetings

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown City School District school board will be included in future Academic Distress Commission meetings.

School board President Ron Shadd said being involved in decisions for the district is a win for the board.

"This is a step in the right direction," Shadd said. "It's something I think that we can grow into what we make it."

The meetings will follow the current Academic Distress Commission format, but now board members have the opportunity to be involved in the conversation.

Selina Cotton, a member of the Academic Distress Commission, provided the school board with information from previous commission meetings, including a summer enrichment program, student attendance, redistricting the middle schools and Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds.

Cotton said the point is to make the school board, the Academic Distress Commission and CEO Justin Jennings work together to function together to make the best decisions for the district.

"It gives you a seat at the table, and it gives you a voice," Cotton said.

The next Academic Distress Commission meeting will be at 4 p.m. June 16.

This story was originally published May 12, 2021 at 5:35 AM with the headline "Youngstown school board to be included in future Academic Distress Commission meetings."