Improvements in finance, academics top platforms of 5 Youngstown school board candidates

By Harold Gwin

Improvements in student behavior and cultural diversity are also being discussed.

YOUNGSTOWN — Faltering academics and financial instability are key issues on the minds of the five candidates in the November race for three seats on the Youngstown Board of Education.

Three are incumbents.

Youngstown has been under state-mandated fiscal emergency since November 2006, and the district slipped back into academic emergency (the lowest academic rating) on its 2009 state report card, which measures student achievement.

The district needs to do whatever it takes to get out of academic emergency and meet the state educational standards, said Lock P. Beachum Sr., who is seeking a fourth term on the board.

Jacqueline Taylor, who is seeking a third term on the board, said she favors implementing a school improvement process that effectively uses student performance data to make decisions, close the achievement gap and engage the community — all while efficiently managing finances.

Improving academics and fiscal accountability are the top items on the list of Dominic Modarelli, who is seeking a second term on the board.

Andrea Mahone, who hasn’t sought public office before, said finances and academics are key issues to be addressed, but that she would also like to continue the Increase the Peace movement launched several years ago to decrease violence.

Rachel Hanni, another first-time candidate, suggested that two approaches be taken with students to encourage them to achieve academically — the promise of reward and the threat of reprisal.

Read the full story with profiles of candidates Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.