Youngstown Schools ends relationship with QuickMed

The Youngstown City School District announced Friday that it had ended its multiple contracts with QuickMed, the company that provided healthcare for staff and students in the district.

An email sent out districtwide by Superintendent Jeremy Batchelor stated, "The district no longer maintains a formal relationship with the company."

Quickmed has released the following statement on the matter:

“QUICKmed will continue to assist Youngstown students and families at standalone urgent care facilities in the city and through other local strategic partnerships that will be announced in the coming months."

The school district entered into multiple contracts starting in 2021 with QuickMed under the CEO, then Superintendent Justin Jennings for services in the district, including:

• YOUCare clinics in four of the district school buildings
• Contracts and services paid for include the COVID crisis plan and tests
• Dental RV program
• Mental Health Care Services
• Audiology RV program
• Ophthalmology program
• Athletic Training Services agreement
• Behavior Analysis Services

As you may remember, 21 News has reported several stories on the contracts and some of the questionable spending of the district's pandemic relief funds, known as ESSER funds.

Our Watchdog investigations examined how the district spent the $78 million in federal pandemic recovery funds it received and the contracts that the district entered into.

Jennings resigned from the district on June 5, 2023.

Both the Youngstown City School District and QuickMed facilities and QuickMed's owner Lena Esmail's home were raided by the FBI on the same day in mid-January, although no one would confirm any connection between the two. Sources at the time of the raid told 21 News that officials were seeking information about the district that had entered into with businesses, including some owned by Esmail.

Esmail maintains her business operates legitimately and is cooperating with the investigation.

21 News has reached out to Esmail and Superintendent Batchelor for comment. Batchelor sent us a statement that reads in part:

"You are trying to create a story where none exists. The district is not paying off or paying for any contracts where we do not receive services.  For example, the athletic training contract is still in effect, trainers are being provided, and the vendor is being paid for the services as previously agreed. As of now contracts that are currently in effect are being worked, but will not be renewed.  There is no duplication of services, and there is no cost implication beyond what was already approved and entered into.  The district renews, does not renew or changes vendors all the time. The district is not entering into any new QuickMed service contracts."

What does this mean for current contracts and RVs?

Here is what the email, in part, started about the district severing all ties to QuickMed:

"As we continue to move forward, I want to remind everyone of the critical role healthcare plays in our mission to support the whole student. Our school nurses remain available in all buildings, ensuring that the health needs of our scholars are met. Additionally, our student-athletes will continue to receive support from our athletic training staff on the fields, courts, and gyms...

One change this year is that the district is transitioning away from the QuickMed clinics and services. The independent QuickMed clinics that were previously located in four district buildings will no longer be operational. However, if you are a patient or client of QuickMed, this should not impact your ability to seek services from their other locations, though the district no longer maintains a formal relationship with the company.

After the raids, the FBI announced a tip line looking for evidence of "kickbacks" in the Youngstown city school district.