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Talks canceled today on Youngstown teachers contract, teachers working on response

By Chris Pugh

Updated September 14, 2023 2:17 PM

Youngstown teachers picket outside Youngstown East High School on Wednesday. Kelcey Norris/Mahoning Matters

Talks today between the Youngstown Education Association and the Youngstown City School District were canceled by the teachers union, but spokesman Jim Courim said the group is working on an answer to a proposal from the school district and plans to meet Friday.

“Our team was at East and ready and more than willing to negotiate,” Youngstown City School District Communications and Public Relations Director Stacy Quiñones said in a statement. “At this point, we would welcome a trained mediator to help us through this process, which has to be mutually agreed upon by both parties.”

Youngstown City School District Superintendent Jeremy Batchelor said the school offered planned to offer a counter proposal Wednesday to the teachers which will remove contract language regarding the district’s academic distress status.

Teachers have said the language would give the district “absolute power.”

In its place, Batchelor says the district wants back some flexibility in regard to seniorities, vacancies, and postings.

Courim said the sides exchanged ideas on Wednesday.