By Patrick O’Donnell
The Plain Dealer
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Gov. John Kasich signed a controversial bill that drastically changes how the state can step in to run “failing” school districts by creating a new CEO position, allowing mayors to appoint school board members and giving the CEO power to override parts of union contracts.
The bill comes with the backing of several prominent figures in Youngstown, the district most affected by the changes, including Youngstown State University President Jim Tressel, Bishop George Murry of the Youngstown Catholic Diocese, former Youngstown superintendent Connie Hathorn and Tom Humphries, head of the Youngstown-Warren Chamber of Commerce.
It’s a bill supporters say is needed to change a district that has been ranking at or near the bottom of the state with its test scores for years.
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