YOUNGSTOWN — A vocal critic of the state-mandated chief executive officer model of leadership that was imposed upon Youngstown City School District in 2016 is now the board of education’s president.

Ronald Shadd, 45, said he will strive to work with CEO Justin Jennings in the repair and transition of the district, so it can eventually return to local control, with the school board and superintendent working together in improving operations.

“There is a meeting already scheduled with Jennings, the chair of the Academic Distress Commission (John Richard), and myself,” Shadd said.

Jennings said he is fine with having meetings with the school board president, as long as the sessions are substantive.

“I reached out to Mr. Shadd when I learned he was named the board president,” Jennings said. “He emailed Dr. Richard and myself, saying he would like to meet with us once a month.”

Read more in Sunday’s Vindicator.