COLUMBUS, Ohio - State Representative Michelle Lepore-Hagan is throwing her support behind a bill that would end the state takeovers of Younstown City Schools and two other Ohio school districts.

State Represents Joe Miller (D-Amherst) and Don Jones (R-Freeport) on Tuesday introduced bipartisan legislation to dissolve Academic Distress Commissions currently overseeing operations in the Youngstown, Loraine, and East Cleveland schools. 

The districts, including Lorain City Schools in Miller's district, are currently under state control, while ten districts across Ohio could potentially join them over the next two years, according to a media release from the bill's sponsors.

State takeovers of Ohio's academically troubled schools were made possible by House Bill 70that was signed into law by Governor John Kasich in 2015.

Youngstown Schools CEO Krish Mohip is leaving the Youngstown City School District at the end of this school year.

"The failed state takeover experiment has shown we can't impose a one-size-fits-all model for turning schools around. Instead, we need to give communities the tools to build success themselves," according to Miller.
 
In addition to eliminating the Academic Distress Commissions, the bill would restore local control over public schools and moving toward what sponsors describe as a building-based, bottom-up reform model. 

Low performing schools would be empowered to provide coordinated support services like after-school enrichment and social/health services, a model Miller says will better help students maximize their potential.
 
Rep. Michele Lepore-Hagan (D-Youngstown) represents the Youngstown City School District, one of the three districts currently under state control, and is lending her support to the bill.
 
"This bipartisan legislation will end the failing Academic Distress Commission system and restore our district's control to the democratically-elected school board," said Lepore-Hagan. "We need an effective, evidence-based turnaround model that allows children and teachers to truly have the opportunity they need to succeed."
 
"Colleagues on both sides of the aisle see that HB 70's so-called reforms aren't working-in Youngstown, Lorain and East Cleveland. In the wake of charter school corruption and these failed takeovers, now is the time to invest in our future by investing in our public schools," added Lepore-Hagan. "The Youngstown City School District has suffered under our former governor's disastrous plan for too long, and I look forward to finally passing a real solution."

"This bill has bipartisan support, as well as support from the OEA and local school boards," said Rep. Jones.
 
The bill will now be sent to the House Rules and Reference Committee, where it will receive a bill number and committee assignment.