Two state legislators push to eliminate Academic Distress Commissions in Ohio
State Representatives Lauren McNally and Juanita Brent are showing support at the Youngstown Education Association picket line. The union is on day 10 of a strike against the Youngstown City School District.
They joined a rally for better teaching and classroom conditions outside Rayen Early College High School at 20 W. Wood St. in Youngstown.
McNally, D-Youngstown, and Brent, D-Cleveland, discussed legislation they’re introducing to eliminate Academic Distress Commissions in the state.
“We certainly support this legislation,” YEA spokesperson Jim Courim said. “Although the Youngstown Academic Distress Commission serves only in an advisory capacity and the Board has the full power to negotiate it out of our contract, this legislation will make it a certainty that the disastrous effects of state takeover will not happen again.”
Why eliminate Academic Distress Commissions?
Courim explained the main sticking point in the dispute deals with contract language surrounding Academic Distress Commissions.
“That’s why this is important.” he said. “The Academic Distress Commission still exists in Youngstown, but it has no power. They’re just an advisory panel,” said Courim.
He said the Youngstown City School District Board of Education can eliminate the language in the proposed contract they’ve been disputing.
Specifically, they want two things removed from the contract:
- Language that states transfers and promotions be based on seniority
- Any mention of the Academic Distress Commission
“It is important that we eliminate this so that no other school district has to go through what Youngstown and East Cleveland had to go through,” Courim said. “Because the academic distress commission was a disaster for those areas, it needs to go away so that it doesn’t affect any other district.”
At the picket line, McNally discussed how districts receive failing grades on the Ohio School Report Cards for three consecutive years. If this happens, the state places the districts under the guidance of an Academic Distress Commission.
“The reason why it’s important to get rid of the academic distress commission is because not all school districts are the same,” Courim said. “Youngstown is different than Austintown, which is different than Canfield, which is different than Poland, which is different than Cleveland Heights. If you treat all of the school districts the exact same way, you’re not going to get all the results for your students.”
Updates on contract negotiations and a teacher hit by a car while picketing
Talks continue between the Youngstown Education Association and the Youngstown City School District. The sides have been talking on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday this week.
“I know last night that the YEA offered the board a proposal in relations to seniority and in-district school transfers,” Couric said. “The board was supposed to make a counter-proposal this morning. That’s all I know at this point. We’re hoping for a great deal for our community, our students and our staff. And we just ask the community to pray for our community, pray for our leaders and pray for our teachers.”
Courim said YEA member Shane Snyder is recovering but still feeling sore after being hit Aug. 23 by a car driven by a Youngstown City School District official on the picket line.
“It’s probably going to be a while for him to get back to normal, but he’s in good spirits. He and his wife are very appreciative of all the kind words and everything but he’s still really sore. So we’re hopeful for a speedy recovery for him.”
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