Ombudsman at Youngstown City School District
What is an Ombudsman?
The Youngstown City School District Ombudsman, Dr. Martin Freeman, is committed to fostering fair and equitable practices across our school community. Acting as a trusted listener and advocate for fairness, the Ombudsman helps students, families, staff, and community navigate concerns, misunderstandings, or conflicts in a respectful and solution-focused manner using Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Whether you’re seeking information, voicing a concern, or looking for support in resolving an issue, the Ombudsman is here to:
Listen without judgment
Clarify policies and procedures
Facilitate communication between parties
Help explore options for resolution
Promote accountability, transparency, and trust
The Ombudsman is not a substitute for formal grievance procedures (this is the role of HR) or legal matters, but serves as an informal, impartial, independent and confidential guide who is committed to improving communication and strengthening relationships within the district.
Together, we are building a school culture and climate where every voice matters and every concern is heard.
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