YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown Board of Education has adopted a request for proposal resolution to explore options for finding a new transportation model, especially with the first phase of the district’s reconfiguration plan to take effect in September.

“The (hybrid) model we have is not sustainable,” Kenneth Donaldson said after Tuesday’s regular board meeting at Youngstown Rayen Early College High School.

He was referring to the combination of local bus drivers and Warren-based Community Bus Services Inc. as an outside contractor.

The board voted 4-1-1 to adopt the resolution, with vice president Tina Cvetkovich abstaining and Brenda Kimble voting no. Those who voted in favor were Joseph Meranto, Donaldson, Carie Watson and President Juanita Walker. Board member Tiffany Patterson was absent.

Donaldson, who heads the board’s transportation committee, said that complicating matters regarding the transportation puzzle has been misinformation being disseminated about what for many bus drivers has become an emotional issue, with some fearing possible job losses.

“Don’t listen to the chatter; the facts don’t lie,” Donaldson said, adding, “If you go to work every day and do your job, you should not be concerned.”

Superintendent Jeremy Batchelor concurred with Donaldson’s assessment of the transportation challenges, saying that the district cannot continue to operate “in a dysfunctional system” when it comes to safely getting students to and from school.

“Just understand, this problem is not one-layered,” he said.

During the session, Kimble took issue with Donaldson bringing up the resolution, claiming that the drivers’ concerns and voices have not been properly heard and addressed. Under those conditions, it was “wrong” for him to introduce the request for proposal, since it was his sole decision and not that of a full committee, Kimble said in her remarks.

Walker disputed Kimble’s claim, saying that three transportation meetings have taken place and two of them had a quorum.

Donaldson called the current transportation model “a Band-Aid approach” and added that “it needs healing to stop the bleeding” in an effort to have and sustain a healthy overall culture.

For his part, Batchelor said he wants to see a solid plan to address the transportation problem in place in 30 days.

“We’re just trying to find a solution to a big problem …. It’s looking at the options,” Meranto said, referring to the crux of the resolution.

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Also during the meeting, the board heard a presentation from Joy Jackson, clinical director with Akron-based Families First Health Services.

Many behavior and mental health challenges that play out in school spill over from problems at home, such as domestic violence, abuse, poverty and hunger, all of which often adversely affect and interfere with some students’ ability to learn. Consequently, the community- and school-based agency is available to provide services that include assessments and treatment planning, school- and community-based therapies, behavioral interventions and coping-skill development, and care coordination and family support, Jackson said.

Individual treatment plans also align with students’ individualized education plans, she said, adding that such services come at no cost to the district.

Main benefits to Family First’s offerings are improved attendance and student engagement, added support for families and teachers, access to necessary services without transportation barriers and fewer classroom disruptions via improved emotional regulation, Jackson continued.

In the larger picture, more than 30% of students in Youngstown and similar urban districts across Ohio reported feeling persistent sadness and hopelessness. Also, chronic absenteeism rates statewide have increased after the COVID-19 pandemic, she noted, adding that behavioral problems and trauma exposure continue to have a negative impact on classroom performance.

In other business, Batchelor said that Chaney High School was recently designated as an Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Momentum Award school for having improved from 2.5 stars on the state report card to 3.5 stars. In addition, East High School saw a one-star rating improvement last year, he added.

The award recognizes districts and individual schools for exceptional academic growth and improvement, with a focus on those that show accelerated and significant student progress.

Also at the session, Treasurer Michael A. Rock said in his report that the district recently received a clean audit from the state.