YOUNGSTOWN - The Youngstown City School District is opening its recently announced reconfiguration plan to public comment tonight at the Board of Education's regular meeting. The meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Choffin Career and Technical Center, 200 E. Wood St.

Superintendent Jeremy Batchelor unveiled the two-phase plan on May 9, aimed at consolidating traditional middle and high schools to optimize resources and enhance academic programs.

Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, the district intends to "unite" its two traditional middle schools and two traditional high schools under new names. The current East High School site will house a unified high school, while the current East Middle School site will become the unified middle school. Early college programs at both the middle and high school levels will continue.

Batchelor stated the goal is to provide "a robust academic program, high quality instruction and cohesive school identity" while ensuring responsible and sustainable use of resources. The district plans to expand course offerings and career and technical programs because of the consolidation.

Phase one of the plan also includes all juniors and seniors choosing a pathway at Choffin Career and Technical Center or enrolling in College Credit Plus courses starting next school year.

Phase two, anticipated for the 2027-28 school year, would relocate the early college high school and middle school programs to the former Chaney High School building.

The district has launched a dedicated website, YCSD.org, with timelines, updates, and visuals for the project. Public feedback opportunities, including tonight's meeting and future town halls, are planned to gather input on aspects such as new school names and mascots.