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Youngstown muni clerk looks back on her time in office
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: January 25, 2024
Some people are destined to make their mark on more than one profession.
That is certainly true of Sarah Brown-Clark who spent the first half of her career in higher education and the latter portion as Youngstown Municipal Clerk of Court.
Now after serving as clerk for 24 years, she recently bid the office goodbye.
“What I’m most proud of is that I gave quite a few young people the opportunity to start professional careers in the clerk’s office and at the courthouse, many of them graduates of Youngstown State University where I taught,” said Brown-Clark, whose last day on the job was Dec. 29, 2023.
In fact, the new Clerk of Ccourt Richard Vincent Hill is a former student of Brown-Clark’s.
“I feel like taking on the role of clerk was a natural progression for me,” said Hill, who most recently served as criminal/traffic division supervisor in the clerk of court office.
“Sarah and my mom grew up together so I’ve known Sarah since I was a child,” said Hill.
“She was my professor at YSU and after she was elected she asked me if I would be interested in joining her staff,” said Hill. “I’ve earned two promotions and obtained a master’s in public administration since then so it made sense to me that I would run for her position when she decided to retire.”
Brown-Clark leaves Hill with a very different office to manage than when she began in 2000.
“Sarah was a visionary,” said Hill. “When Sarah first got elected the office was using docket books and the clerks would write disposition notes in the book.
“Sarah completely modernized the office by computerizing those functions.”
Brown-Clark said the office now has an electronic case management system and offers some e-filing options.
“I know my successor plans to take things a step further by instituting a more comprehensive e-filing system as well as a number of other things,” she said.
Brown-Clark also hired Darryl Anderson II, a network administrator for the city of Youngstown, in 2000.
“Coming in Sarah knew we had to adjust with the times,” said Anderson. “That was her main focus. She wanted to implement technology because she believed it would benefit the citizens. She understood that it had to be done in a responsible way, however, bearing in mind that whatever programs we selected would be paid for by money that comes from the citizens.
“We’ve undergone a number of upgrades over the years and we’ve got a big leap coming in 2024 that will really help the citizens and the legal community.”
Like Hill, Anderson is also a former student who has known Brown-Clark for many years.
“I’ve learned a lot from Sarah, including the importance of having faith in the next generation,” said Anderson.
Born and raised in Youngstown, Brown-Clark received her bachelor’s degree in English from Ohio University in Athens. She also has a master’s degree in English from Ohio University and attended Kent State University where she earned hours toward a doctorate.
In 1972, she joined Youngstown State University, initially serving as an instructor and then as an associate professor of English.
During her tenure at YSU she taught Black studies, English literature and composition classes. She also served as director of the Black Studies program for several years.
In 1999, Brown-Clark decided to run for clerk of court, and after winning the election, she took political leave from YSU. She officially retired in 2004.
She currently has emeritus status at YSU.
In an earlier interview with the Akron Legal News she said of her decision to run for clerk of court: “I had been paying close attention to the office and I realized that the former clerk was near retirement and I felt that the office would be a good fit for me.
“We were coming into the electronic age and I had a number of ideas that I felt would be beneficial to the court.”
She officially became clerk of court in January 2000 and has continued to hold the position ever since.
During her last term, she oversaw the move of the clerk’s office to the City Hall Annex, though she consistently laments the change in operating hours that made it difficult for many to access her office after 4:00 p.m.
Despite this concern, she said the office continued to initiate technology changes, such as an improved website with access for customers.
There was also the pandemic, which Brown-Clark said she and members of the court successfully navigated.
“For the most part, the clerk’s office remained open and provided service to the public,” said Brown-Clark. “People were able to pay fines and costs electronically thereby limiting staff exposure to the public and vice versa.
“I am very pleased with what I have been able to achieve during my time as clerk,” she said.
“I loved my time here and at the university,” said Brown-Clark. “I feel like I opened a previously closed career path for YSU graduates and other young people in our community who might otherwise have relocated. During my tenure, a number of my young clerks have married, purchased property in the city and started families.
“I am quite proud of (Youngstown Municipal Court) Magistrate Meghan Brundege, another of my YSU students who started in the clerk of court office.”
She also points to Ebony Burnside’s achievements.
Burnside spent a summer in the office as part of a special program for high school students and now holds the title of administrative bookkeeper in the clerk’s office.
“After graduating from high school, she earned her B.S. and M.S. degrees from YSU while working in the clerk’s office,” said Brown-Clark. “She progressed from part time to full time and now serves as the administrative bookkeeper while completing classes at the Ohio Supreme Court to become a certified court manager.”
Burnside, also a former student of Brown-Clark’s, said she was very supportive of her educational and career endeavors.
“She has given me multiple opportunities during her time as clerk,” said Burnside.
“I will really miss her,” said Burnside. “I think she did an excellent job as clerk. She was a great manager and she made sure everything flowed properly. She treated everyone fairly and created a lot of positions for people in the community.”
Youngtown Municipal Court Chief Bailiff/Jury Commissioner George Williams III started as an intern.
“After I graduated college and moved back home, I needed an internship and Sarah gave me one,” said Williams. “It led to my working in the clerk’s office and later in the court. I am very grateful to her.”
During his time in the clerk’s office, Brown-Clark said she nominated him to participate in the Ohio Supreme Court’s court management certification program.
“She made a big impact on the careers of many people,” said Williams. “She will definitely be missed.”
In addition to her work, the mother of three and grandmother of six has given back to the legal, educational and Youngstown communities in numerous ways over the years.
Brown-Clark served two terms as president of the Youngstown Board of Education, is a past president of the United Way executive board and a past chair of the Youngstown Human Relations Commission.
While at YSU, she was an active member of the Ohio Education Association and was elected to serve on the National Education Association Resolutions Committee.
Brown-Clark is also a former member of the board of the National Association for Court Management and has served on a number of national committees, including the National Center for State Courts Judicial Education on Substance Abuse Committee, as well as several Ohio Supreme Court committees and is a past president of the Ohio Association of Municipal/County Court Clerks.
Early in her career as clerk, Brown-Clark earned her certification as clerk of court. While a member of the Court Personnel Education & Training Judicial College of the Ohio Supreme Court, she assisted in developing courses and taught classes.
Additionally, Brown-Clark was on the boards of the YWCA, Greater Warren-Youngstown Urban League, Woodside Receiving Hospital, Leadership Mahoning Valley, Goodwill Industries and the Mahoning County Mental Health & Recovery Board.
She is a graduate of the 1986 Leadership Youngstown program and the 1994 Leadership Ohio charter class.
Two of her many accolades include the Ohio Association of Municipal/County Court Clerks Outstanding Clerk of the Year in 2006 and the Elizabeth Powell Award for Government and Community Leadership in 2017.
While her chapter at the clerk’s office has come to a close, don’t be surprised if her name appears on the ballot again in the future.
“I’m going to relax for a while and spend time with family but I don’t think I’m done with politics yet,” Brown-Clark said.
She concluded the interview by quoting an old African-American proverb: “Every shut eye ain’t sleep; every goodbye ain’t gone.”