Superintendent Webb presents dramatic plan for change

YOUNGSTOWN — The school district’s superintendent unveiled a plan that would drastically change the way students are educated in the city’s public schools.

Superintendent Wendy Webb led the discussion in East High School’s auditorium tonight, seeking feedback on an initiative called Framing the Future.

The plan would change scheduling and add two schools to the system to create four separately functioning high schools.

Pupils between fifth and eighth grade might have classes for nine weeks, followed by three weeks off, repeated throughout the year.

By forming the staggered schedule, Webb said pupils would receive intensive help during the three-week intervals if they were underperforming.

The schedule also would allow pupils to retain information they might otherwise lose during a lengthy summer vacation.

Four smaller high schools would direct students toward college and career opportunities but by separate routes.

Two schools would divide students by gender, each providing baccalaureate programs. The other two schools would concentrate on science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, and some baccalaureate programs.

Webb said the Framing the Future plan is the only step toward the progress demanded of the education system by colleges and businesses seeking competent, educated graduates. She said the old system of education is flawed.

For the complete story, see Thursday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.