The CEO of Youngstown schools says the district will no longer pay for a lawsuit pursued by the city’s board of education.
CEO Krish Mohip signed a resolution Friday halting funds for a lawsuit meant to challenge House Bill 70, the legislation that defines the takeover process for failing school systems who are transitioned from local control to that of an Academic Distress Commission and CEO.
Two districts in Ohio fall under such control- Youngstown and Lorain City Schools.
The Youngstown Board of Education filed a lawsuit two years ago challenging the restructuring process.
A Franklin County judge ruled against the lawsuit twice before the board filed its final appeal earlier this year.
During that time, the school district, with Mohip’s approval, continued to pay for the lawsuit, but when a final decision was issued on Oct. 11, Mohip said he would no longer provide the board with the necessary legal funds.
“It was important for the board to have its day in court,” Mohip said in a written statement, adding that the board should work with him to “do what’s best for the children of this district.”
Under House Bill 70, the CEO has the powers of a superintendent and school board and controls the district’s budget.
Youngstown schools were placed in Academic Emergency in 2010.
