Youngstown teachers take to the streets to support colleague who was hit by car
The Youngstown Education Association (YEA) took their fight for a new contract and concerns over a teacher being hit by a car to the streets.
Literally.
About 250 teachers gathered in front of the Youngstown city prosecutor’s office Thursday morning to call for the prosecution of Youngstown City School’s Chief Academic Officer Aaron Bouie III, who reportedly hit YEA member Shane Snyder while picketing at Volney Rogers Elementary School on Aug. 23.
“We heard Shane was trying to get out of the way, but was hit,” YEA spokesman Jim Courim said, who added that Snyder was taken to the hospital, but is home and sore from his injuries.
Youngstown Police Traffic Lt. Robert Gentile said both parties have obtained counsel and the case has been referred to the Prosecutor’s Office.
Youngstown City School District Superintendent Jeremy Batchelor and Communications and Public Relations Director Stacy Quiñones did not immediately return an email seeking the status of Bouie III at the school district.
“We’re proud to stand with other organized labor in the Valley in solidarity with an educator and union member who was attacked by management for exercising his legal and contractual right to strike. Our message to the prosecutor is clear. No more stalling. Do your job. There is no good reason that there has been no accountability yet in this situation. Our message to the community is that we hear you. It is time to get this done for our students.” Courim said. “It’s been almost a week since the incident, but there’s no way to feel any better about this situation now. We’re talking about a high-ranking school administrator who made it his business to use his car as a weapon against an art teacher. It’s unconscionable. It’s a horrible look for the school district, and it’s pretty difficult to defend anyone who is in a position to hold this man accountable and doesn’t.”
The rally has held in conjunction with the Mahoning-Trumbull AFL-CIO Labor Council.
The Vindys to play in support of teachers
Youngstown rock band The Vindy’s is performing a free pop-up concert, entitled Rock Solidarity, in support of the Youngstown Education Association on Thursday at 4:15 pm at the intersection of Market St. and Midlothian Blvd. in Youngstown. It will take place in the empty lot across the street from Sami Quick Stop.
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This story was originally published August 31, 2023 at 1:49 PM.
