Youngstown city schools are ranked the worst in the state by the Academic Report Card issued by the state of Ohio.

Youngstown was the only district in the state to be placed on academic emergency, the lowest possible classification.

An Academic Distress Commission has been brought in by the state to work with administrators to determine a more effective teaching strategy.

In addition to being in academic emergency, the district also faces a fiscal emergency.

Officials expect to have fixed the budget crisis by the end of the year.

Frank Bellamy, a Youngstown resident, said the designation is a major concern.

"Years ago I discovered the shortfalls in public education. I decided to make every sacrifice necessary to get the best education possible for my kids, that being send them to private schools. If that means going without at home, it's a necessity," Bellamy said.

Bellamy sends his children to private school.