Jeremy Batchelor, Youngstown City Schools Superintendent Elect, will officially be appointed as Superintendent effective August 1, 2023. During the interim period, Batchelor has been actively communicating with the Youngstown Board of Education on ways to ensure the district continues to move forward towards meeting its AIP goals, Strategic Plan, and One Plan goals with minimal interruption and in an even more efficient manner.
During the 2023-24 school year, the Superintendent's senior leadership team will add no new executive-level team members. However, familiar faces who have proven valuable to the district's operations and academic improvement will be asked to have added responsibilities in renamed positions.
- Robert Kearns, former Chaney High School Principal and current Executive Director of Operations and Student Experience, will elevate to Chief of Staff to work alongside Batchelor. Kearns will provide direct support to all departments in the district with a specific focus on areas of student support, facilities, security, wrap-around services, etc.
- Mr. Aaron Bouie, III, a seasoned and successful principal and current Executive Director of Elementary Teaching and Learning, will elevate to Chief Academic Officer. Bouie will lead the department responsible for the district's academic improvement, with the essential leadership also coming from Executive Director of Secondary Teaching and Learning, Tiffany Varney. This department will ensure that we continue to improve academic measures in the district as well as professional learning for our staff.
- Mrs. Ava Yeager, a state-level expert on grants and federal programs and current Executive Director of School Improvement, will serve as Chief of School Improvement, overseeing all funding sources and how they are utilized to support instructional and social-emotional improvement across the district.
Youngstown City Schools' internal restructuring with more streamlined reporting will bring a cost savings of close to $200,000 in reduced top-level administrative salaries and benefits.
Regarding building-level leadership, Youngstown City Schools welcomes two new head principals at the elementary and middle school level.
- Dr. Kelly Washington, former assistant superintendent with the Ashtabula City Schools and former Ohio Department of Education consultant, will serve as the Principal of Kirkmere Elementary after the departure of Ms. Michelle Payich.
- Mr. Michael Sauner will take on the principal position at Chaney Middle School at McGuffey Campus. Sauner is a veteran principal with previous experience at Austintown and Western Reserve Local Schools.
The district is additionally reorganizing its athletic administration for the 2023-24 school year without losing any key members. Mr. Nick Sferra, who previously served the district as the Middle School Athletic Director/Special Projects Coordinator, will now move to the District Athletic Administrator role, providing leadership for improving and expanding the district's athletic and other extracurricular programs.
Mr. Casey Bogerd and Ms. Tanisha Franklin will continue to serve as building-level athletic managers for the two traditional high schools while also serving as Graduation Coaches for their respective schools. These shifts will also reduce some general fund athletic department costs while not reducing the quality of the programs.
Youngstown City Schools gives our sincerest thanks to the city of Youngstown and surrounding communities for its support. We remain committed to ensuring all our scholars have access to high-quality education, resources, programming, modern facilities, and mentorship.