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Education News for 04-15-2013

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State Education News

  • Common Core: More thinking, more learning (Cincinnati Enquirer)

    • Eileen Gorman likes to watch her students struggle. The eighth-grade math teacher at Glen Este Middle School in Cincinnati believes they will learn more that way…Read more…

    


  • Ohio 4th for parent involvement in education (Columbus Business First)

    • Ohio placed fourth in a Center for Education Reform ranking of states by several educational quality measures, the Dayton Business Journal reports.…Read more…

    


  • Ohio House school funding plan looked good at first, but the numbers show they’re cutting education (Akron Beacon Journal)

    • With 20 years as one of the state’s most knowledgeable education funding analysts, Howard Fleeter of the Education Tax Policy Institute in Columbus was banging his head against his spreadsheets for much of last week…Read more…

  • OHSAA looks to level the playing field (Canton Repository)

    • As he sat in the bleachers at Triway High School, Dave Rice looked at his high school’s volleyball team.…Read more…

    


  • Double dipping by school workers might make comeback (Columbus Dispatch)

    • After years of debate over the practice known as “double dipping,” it has all but died in central Ohio schools.…Read more…

    


  • Ohio University trustees to vote on 1.6% tuition hike (Columbus Dispatch)

    • Ohio University wants to raise tuition and fees for in-state undergraduate students this fall by $164 per year, to a total of $10,380, under a proposal that the board of trustees is to vote on Friday.…Read more…

  • State, school districts work to collect income taxes in face of underreporting, nonfiling (Mansfield News Journal)

    • Monday is the loathed April 15 deadline for state and federal taxes, but due dates don’t carry the same weight to scofflaws and tax evaders.…Read more…

    


  • A moving target for schools (Mansfield News Journal)

    • No one likes trying to hit a moving target, especially Ohio teachers and school superintendents who have faced a barrage of performance standards since No Child Left Behind was passed more than a decade ago.…Read more…

Local Education News

  • Another round of talks between school district, teachers fall through; strike enters seventh week (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

    • The teachers strike goes on. For the seventh time in six weeks, the bargaining teams for the Strongsville Education Association and the school board met at length at the behest of the federal mediator…Read more…

  • Strongsville teachers, school board teams meet in Independence for another round of negotiations (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

    • Bargaining teams for the 383 Strongsville teachers on strike since March 4 and the school board will meet in the presence of the federal mediator for the seventh time at 1:30 p.m. April 14.…Read more…

  • Unions show solidarity with striking Strongsville teachers at rally (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

    • One day longer. That was the refrain of a cross-union rally held on the Strongsville Commons April 12, as more than 300 people, including members and representatives from more than 15 unions across Northeast Ohio, gathered to show their support…Read more…

  • Strongsville school board will receive additional $3.2 million in revenue (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

    • In the last week, the school district here got a nice surprise from Cuyahoga County..…Read more…

  • For CPS board member, years of tough calls (Cincinnati Enquirer)

    • Catherine D. Ingram was appointed in October 1993 to fill a vacant seat on the Cincinnati Public Schools board of education – a position that was to be on the ballot about three weeks later.…Read more…

  • Contractor: District off on busing comparison (Columbus Dispatch)

    • Private bus contractor First Student says Columbus City Schools’ claim that it could operate 300 bus routes itself next school year and save money doing it is a stretch…Read more…

    


  • District hopes to increase laptop use (Cincinnati Enquirer)

    • The Forest Hills Local School District hopes to get more high school students using their laptops.…Read more…

    


  • Schools head into contract talks with unknowns about funding (Lima News)

    • At first glance, Waynesfield-Goshen schools Superintendent Chris Pfister is feeling much better about the Ohio House school funding proposal.…Read more…

    


  • Coventry High students teach physics, learn creativity with youngsters (Akron Beacon Journal)

    • Andrew Bullock hastily assembled a 12-inch tower of wooden blocks and waited for a group of elementary students to construct a wrecking tower made of Lego pieces.…Read more…

    


  • Next TPS chief looks to shut academic gap (Toledo Blade)

    • Romules Durant — most people call him Rom — was far from destined to be the next superintendent of Toledo Public Schools.…Read more…

    


  • Plain Township school stops ‘mindfulness’ program after some in community raise concerns (Akron Beacon Journal)

    • The Tibetan bell no longer tolls at Warstler Elementary in Plain Township.…Read more…

    


  • Applications come in for South Range open enrollment (Youngstown Vindicator)

    • The South Range Local School District is poring over 70 open- enrollment applications, hoping to bring in new students to help the district keep class sizes up and survive state budget cuts.…Read more…

  • Two women who were Head Start students return the favor to today's kids (Chillicothe Gazette)

    • Head Start, the school readiness program for children from low-income families, left an imprint on two local women that extended well beyond their own school careers.…Read more…

    


  • Stricken mom sees son graduate early in solo ceremony (Columbus Dispatch)

    • When the cancer returned, Darlene Schultz decided: She would see her son graduate from Hilliard Darby High School.…Read more…

    


  • Lima schools looking at carry-over policy (Lima News)

    • Lima City Schools will soon put a policy in place requiring the district to have a reserve fund amounting to at least 10 percent of its overall budget.…Read more…

    


  • Warrensville Heights cheerleading club protests school district fees (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

    • A cheerleading club for girls in this economically struggling suburb has lost its longtime practice space after the Warrensville Heights school district insisted that the group pay hundreds of dollars to use school facilities.…Read more…

  • Former Springboro booster treasurer stole $439,000 (Dayton Daily News)

    • The former treasurer of the Springboro Athletic Boosters Association admitted Thursday to stealing almost $440,000 from the group he helped found 20 years before.…Read more…

    


  • Kalida Elementary earns top honors (Lima News)

    • It took just one attempt for Kalida Elementary School to win an award for providing the highest quality of education to its pupils.…Read more…

    


  • Ashtabula Area City Schools BOE member receives Award of Achievement from state (Ashtabula Star-Beacon)

    • The Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) annually recognizes board members for their commitment to learning and leadership with the Award of Achievement program and the Master Board Member Award.…Read more…

  • Louisville City Schools seeks emergency funds (Canton Repository)

    • Reductions will happen either way, but a levy passage in May will mean less cuts to an already strapped Louisville school system.…Read more…

    


  • Lorain High students plan international food tasting (Lorain Morning Journal)

    • Lorain High Schools’ culinary arts and junior achievement programs are sponsoring an international food tasting event at Lorain High to promote a cookbook developed by the students.…Read more…

  • Cuts coming to Firelands; Schools to eliminate 8 staff members, reduce hours (Lorain Morning Journal)

    • Firelands Local Schools will cut eight classified staff members and reduce hours for eight others for the 2013-14 school year.…Read more…

    


  • Parent asks school official to resign (Mansfield News Journal)

    • Parent Beth Diesch requested the resignation of board president Susan Shealy at Thursday’s Buckeye Central school board meeting.…Read more…

  • Fenwick students dig ‘talons’ into service work (Middletown Journal)

    • It may only take 45 minutes, but an activity by students and staff at Bishop Fenwick High School is helping to feed hundreds of homeless people.…Read more…

    


  • Leaders for Learning awards presented to 14 Licking County teachers (Newark Advocate)

    • The group of administrators stealthily crept down the hallway of Heritage Middle School, peeking around corners to make sure their appearance at Claire Goins’ door would be a complete surprise.…Read more…

  • City schools hosting ready fair for families (Springfield News-Sun)

    • The Springfield City School District will host its third annual “ready fair” Friday with activities and giveaways that will help parents of young children prepare for school.…Read more…

    


  • Presidential descendant helps mark special day at Oregon school (Toledo Blade)

    • Merrill Eisenhower Atwater drove 12 hours from Kansas City to northwest Ohio, much of it on I-70.…Read more…

    


  • Bedford hires its top choice for superintendent (Toledo Blade)

    • It’s official. Bedford Public Schools has a new superintendent. The Board of Education last week unanimously approved a three-year contract for Mark Kleinhans, the candidate selected as its top choice during a search this year.…Read more…

  • Scott Hunt leaving Perry Schools to become Cardinal superintendent (Willoughby News Herald)

    • Scott J. Hunt will leave Perry Schools to become Cardinal School District superintendent effective Aug. 1.…Read more…

    


  • Niles schools seek 2 levies (Youngstown Vindicator)

    • Two additional school levies are on the May 7 primary ballot in the city, and the school district’s superintendent says their approval is the only way to keep the red ink from getting worse.…Read more…

  • Jackson Milton English assignment grows into fundraiser for animals (Youngstown Vindicator)

    • It looked like a 3-mile run/walk with dogs, but it was really a homework assignment.…Read more…

    


Editorial

  • Most districts understood rules (Columbus Dispatch)

    • There is no harm in the Ohio Department of Education clarifying the rules for how and why schools may officially withdraw students from attendance rolls.…Read more…

    


  • When oversight slips, the taxpayers suffer: editorial (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

    • Only a U.S. District Court jury -- or Joseph Palazzo himself -- can say whether the former technology director of Cuyahoga Heights Schools is guilty of stealing $3.4 million from the district.…Read more…

  • Inadequacy 2.0 (Akron Beacon Journal)

    • The Ohio House put forward its own school-funding plan last week with the aim to rectify shortcomings in Gov. John Kasich’s “Achievement Everywhere” proposal in the biennial budget bill.…Read more…

  • Medina superintendent's too-sweet deal: editorial (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

    • Shame on the Medina City School District's Board of Education and Superintendent Randy Stepp, for the disdain they showed citizens by quietly negotiating hundreds of thousands of dollars for Stepp's bonuses and education expenses…Read more…

  • It’s worth making an exception to keep Hathorn at the helm (Youngstown Vindicator)

    • As a general rule, we are opposed to the retire/rehire policies that have grown in popularity in the public sector as government employees strive to squeeze the maximum in benefits by retiring when they become eligible.…Read more…

Education News for 04-11-2013

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State Education News

Local Education News

  • 14 were interested in Columbus superintendent job (Columbus Dispatch)

    • Columbus City Schools had 14 applicants from across the nation for superintendent when the school board voted to suspend its search on Tuesday evening, bowing to the wishes of Mayor Michael B. Coleman and others.…Read more…

  • Goggin hired as Midview superintendent (Lorain Morning Journal)

    • The Midview school board will hire current Director of Education Scott Goggin as its next superintendent at today’s board meeting.…Read more…

  • Avon Lake High School might cut credit hours (Lorain Morning Journal)

    • It may be easier for Avon Lake High School seniors to receive their diploma in 2014 as school board members consider cutting graduation credit hours from 24 to 21 credits.…Read more…

  • South Range district asks state for more funding (Youngstown Vindicator)

    • The treasurer of a Mahoning County district urged state lawmakers Wednesday to increase state funding for local schools.…Read more…

  • Boardman stadium project gets boost from Home Savings donation (Youngstown Vindicator)

    • Boardman High School boosters are trying to get a new stadium project up and running, despite voter rejection of a bond issue in 2007 that would have provided funding.…Read more…

Education News for 04-09-2013

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Local Education News

  • Watching over Lorain's schools; Academic Distress Commission appointed to help district recover (Lorain Morning Journal)

    • The Academic Distress Commission that will oversee Lorain City Schools education improvements includes three Lorain County Community College employees, the former director of REACHigher in Lorain County and a former associate state superintendent…Read more…

  • Cleveland school district avoids state control based on Cleveland plan already in place (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

    • The Cleveland schools will not fall under the control of a state academic distress commission.…Read more…

    


  • Medina superintendent Randy Stepp offers his side of contract, education payment controversy (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

    • The following letter was sent to area media outlets earlier today by Medina Schools superintendent Randy Stepp following the Medina School Board's decision to place him on paid administrative leave.…Read more…

  • Strongsville City Council considering resolution urging end to teachers strike (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

    • According to Strongsville City Council, the now six-week old teachers strike has "undoubtedly irreparably" harmed students, and it will go on the record saying that a special meeting called for 5 p.m. April 9.…Read more…

    


  • The superintendent will explain the Revitalization/Choice Plan changes (Youngstown Vindicator)

    • Youngstown parents and students are invited to meet with Superintendent Connie Hathorn this week to learn more about new program options for the 2013-14 school year.…Read more…

    


  • Connie Hathorn seeking retirement and rehiring as superintendent (Youngstown Vindicator)

    • City schools Superintendent Connie Hathorn will retire and is seeking re-employment to the post. The school board will conduct a public meeting on the issue of Hathorn’s proposed employment as a retiree at 5:30 p.m. June 4…Read more…

  • Brighter Tomorrow Plan: School, citizens plan for future (Canton Repository)

    • The first of four community meetings to discuss the future of the City Schools drew about 120 parents and concerned citizens to Souers Middle School Monday evening.…Read more…

    


  • New strategy for intruders to be enacted (Findlay Courier)

    • A new, nationally recognized strategy for defending against violent intruders will be taught to staff and students of Findlay City Schools beginning in June thanks to the city's police department.…Read more…

  • Veterinary program teaches care (Marion Star)

    • The shout went out as Tri-Rivers Career Center students shuffled about, checking on lizards, tortoises, chinchillas and other animals in the veterinary science lab.…Read more…

    


  • Students, public say goodbye to Niles school (Warren Tribune Chronicle)

    • It was a bittersweet farewell as students and teachers - both current and former - walked through the halls of old Niles McKinley High School one last time.…Read more…

    


  • King CLC opening likely to be delayed due to moisture problem (Akron Beacon Journal)

    • Akron school officials say a water barrier that was “not properly” installed at the King Community Learning Center (CLC) will likely delay its opening.…Read more…

    


  • Carey board OKs teacher contracts (Findlay Courier)

    • Carey school board approved teacher and non-teacher contracts for the 2013-14 school year.…Read more…

    


  • Huntington School Board cuts one position, trims four more (Chillicothe Gazette)

    • Faced with a projected $720,000 deficit and flat-lined funding from the state, the Huntington Board of Education began working to narrow its budget gap Monday.…Read more…

    


Editorial

  • Listen to the police (Akron Beacon Journal)

    • A school safety bill beginning to make its way through the Ohio House has triggered concerns that it would encourage more school districts to arm teachers and other staff members.…Read more…

Education News for 04-08-2013

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State Education News

  • School districts seeking levies tell voters state aid uncertain (Columbus Dispatch)

    • The Groveport Madison school district is appealing to voters, telling them that an emergency levy in May that raises $5.5 million a year will help solve long-term financial needs…Read more…

  • Gov. John Kasich's education budget about to be amended by the Ohio House (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

    • After hearing testimony from dozens of education groups and complaints from school officials back in their districts, members of the Ohio House are about to make major changes in Gov. John Kasich's proposed education budget.…Read more…

  • Value-added rankings compare students' academic growth in Northeast Ohio schools (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

    • For the first time, 832 Ohio school districts and charter schools have been ranked on their value-added scores, providing one more lens for viewing academic progress across the state.…Read more…

Local Education News

  • Third straight day of contract negotiations between Strongsville teachers, district end with no deal (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

    • Negotiations to end the ongoing teachers strike ended April 5 after 9 hours with no deal again, for the third straight day, and will reconvene Monday morning at 9 a.m.…Read more…

    


  • Academic distress commission takes over Lorain city school (Lorain Morning Journal)

    • Newly appointed state superintendent Richard Ross will officially form Lorain’s Academic Distress Commission Monday afternoon.…Read more…

    


  • Trying to contact the school board? Good luck (Cincinnati Enquirer)

    • An Enquirer analysis shows these elected officials keep basic contact info private.…Read more…

    


  • Medina school board's bonuses and perks for Superintendent Randy Stepp anger residents (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

    • Randy Stepp was a success story in the Medina school district. The former high school principal was regarded highly enough to be promoted to superintendent of the more than 7,000-student district…Read more…

    


  • School bans student from class because of haircut (Springfield News-Sun)

    • A kindergartner with a new, spiked Mohawk haircut was sent home from a local elementary school this week for violating the district’s dress code.…Read more…

    


  • TPS union leaders blast report (Toledo Blade)

    • The presidents of two Toledo Public Schools employee unions blasted a performance audit of the district, saying a first draft released Wednesday was riddled with errors and used inaccurate data.…Read more…

  • Citizens meet with officials to discuss plans for new elementary schools (Canton Repository)

    • MASSILLON — City school district officials invited local residents to weigh in on the possibility of building one or more elementary schools in the district…Read more…

    


  • Akron students excel in tough transition to college while in high school (Akron Beacon Journal)

    • They’re not the average exceptional students. And that’s not an oxymoron.…Read more…

    


  • 2 magnet schools given reprieve (Columbus Dispatch)

    • Two Westerville magnet schools that had been set to close after this school year will stay open for at least one more year.…Read more…

    


  • Panel likely to advise pre-K for all (Columbus Dispatch)

    • The mayor-appointed panel that has been debating ways to improve Columbus schools is likely to recommend offering all Columbus children affordable pre-kindergarten…Read more…

    


  • Fairborn school district at crossroads (Dayton Daily News)

    • Fairborn City School officials said they will have to borrow money from the state in the fall regardless of whether voters pass a proposed 11.7-mill emergency levy in May.…Read more…

    


  • Superintendent: Keep 8th graders at middle school (Dayton Daily News)

    • As Vandalia-Butler School District officials deal with the June closing of an elementary school, outgoing superintendent Christy Donnelly advised the Board of Education to go with an option that keeps eighth graders out of Butler High School.…Read more…

  • Agencies develop educational summer camps (Hamilton Journal-News)

    • A new series of summer camps will allow students the chance to design aquatic robots and build their own electric guitars. Junior high and high school students in Butler and Warren counties can now enroll in…Read more…

  • Putnam County placing radios in all school buildings (Lima News)

    • Beginning early next month Putnam County schools will have new communication radios in each building… The radios are part of MARCS (Multi-Agency Radio Communication System), a statewide system that allows communication between different departments.…Read more…

  • City, schools in Lima seek safe route grant (Lima News)

    • City Council will vote Monday on applying for a Safe Routes to School grant application with the Ohio Department of Transportation.…Read more…

    


  • Free college credits at virtual high school (Middletown Journal)

    • A new partnership is offering local high school students the chance at free college courses.…Read more…

    


  • Carrollton schools seek 'short-term' levy (New Philadelphia Times-Reporter)

    • With the oil and natural-gas exploration occurring in Carroll County, the economic impact appears promising for the not-too-distant future.…Read more…

    


  • Four districts seek May levies (Springfield News-Sun)

    • Four local school districts will ask voters to approve operating issues on the May 7 ballot, including two requesting a total of $6 million in new tax money.…Read more…

    


  • Richmond Heights students working with art, theater students in Canada (Willoughby News Herald)

    • Students at Richmond Heights High School are working with art and theater students in Canada without leaving the comfort of their classroom. The partnership between the two schools serves to expose students to other corners of the world through art…Read more…

  • Youngstown Foundation helps city school students (Youngstown Vindicator)

    • City high school students have the opportunity to get help paying for college through a new $3 million Youngstown Foundation program.…Read more…

    


Editorial

  • Food needs more thought (Columbus Dispatch)

    • Getting America’s kids to eat more healthfully should be high on the public agenda, given the toll increasing childhood obesity is taking on the nation and its future.…Read more…

    


  • Funding the future (Akron Beacon Journal)

    • Follow Statehouse discussions on John Kasich’s two-year budget proposals, and it is clear the prospects remain dim for an adequate and equitable system of financing elementary and secondary education in Ohio.…Read more…

Education News for 04-05-2013

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Local Education News

  • Ohio superintendent of public instruction presents banners to 3 schools (Coshocton Tribune)

    • Richard Ross, Ohio’s superintendent of public instruction, visited a couple classrooms during a stop in the county to present three schools with special Schools of Promise banners…Read more…

  • Avon Lake City School officials receive $1,500,000 tax revenue advance (Lorain Morning Journal)

    • Avon Lake City School officials are relieved after being granted a $1.5 million tax revenue advance from the Lorain County Auditor’s Office yesterday after a late tax payment by NRG Energy Inc.…Read more…

  • Board overturns decision to close Akron Digital Academy (Akron Beacon Journal)

    • A recent vote to close Akron Digital Academy, an online charter school sponsored by Akron Public Schools, was overturned Thursday…Read more…

    


  • Charter school under scrutiny (Cincinnati Enquirer)

    • So many financial and student records are missing from the now shuttered International College Preparatory Academy in Bond Hill that Ohio State Auditor Dave Yost says he questions how nearly $1 million in federal funds was spent…Read more…

  • Toledo Public Schools narrows interim superintendent search to 2 finalists (Toledo Blade)

    • The Toledo Board of Education pared further Thursday its candidate list for interim superintendent of Toledo Public Schools…Read more…

    


  • Canal Winchester plans April 15 vote on open enrollment (Columbus Dispatch)

    • Canal Winchester could become the third Franklin County school system to open its doors to students living outside the district.…Read more…

    


  • Taking advantage of a change in state law, Fostoria school administrators are seeking voter (Findlay Courier)

    • Taking advantage of a change in state law, Fostoria school administrators are seeking voter approval of an 8.15-mill continuing levy on May 7.…Read more…

    


  • Three school tax issues on Seneca County ballots in May (Findlay Courier)

    • Bettsville School District is seeking renewal of a 1 percent, five-year income tax for operating expenses in the May 7 primary.…Read more…

    


  • Clear Fork puts off drug test vote (Mansfield News Journal)

    • A vote to approve the first reading of the potential new Clear Fork Schools drug testing policy was postponed during a lengthy board meeting Thursday night.…Read more…

    


  • Takin’ It to the Schools part of Alcohol Awareness Month (New Philadelphia Times-Reporter)

    • As part of Alcohol Awareness Month, Takin’ It to the Schools, a school-based alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention program…Read more…

    


  • $27M Niles high school set to open next week (Youngstown Vindicator)

    • The new $27 million Niles McKinley High School will officially open to students Tuesday morning.…Read more…

    


Education News for 04-04-2013

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Local Education News

  • Toledo Public Schools audit identifies $100M in savings over 5 years (Toledo Blade)

    • A private consulting firm that conducted a performance audit of Toledo Public Schools recommends moves the firm says would save the district about $100 million over five years…Read more…

  • State Auditor: Noncompliance Findings For Columbus City Schools (WBNS)

    • State Auditor Dave Yost released documents overnight detailing findings from an annual audit of the Columbus City School district.…Read more…

    


  • Strongsville Strike: Negotiation meeting ends with no deal (WOIO)

    • A federal mediator met with both sides in the ongoing Strongsville teachers strike Wednesday morning. But after 14 hours of negotiating, no deal was made.…Read more…

    


  • Assaulting bus drivers, passing school buses could bring stiffer penalties in Cleveland (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

    • City Council's Public Safety Committee approved two ordinances this morning that would stiffen the penalty for passing school buses and add assaults on a public transit worker to the list of misconduct on a public bus or train.…Read more…

  • Left behind? (Marietta Times)

    • Some local school officials are concerned about having the hardware and capacity to administer new computer-based state tests set to debut in 2014-15.…Read more…

    


  • Monroe approves superintendent contract (Middletown Journal)

    • The Monroe school board in late March approved a two-year contract for Dr. Phil Cagwin as superintendent, confirmed district treasurer Holly Cahall.…Read more…

    


  • Schools face up to $1.3M cuts (Springfield News-Sun)

    • Federal sequestration budget cuts could cost Clark and Champaign County schools up to $1.3 million for tutors and other staff members that help disadvantaged students, at the same time that districts are facing new state reading requirements.…Read more…

  • Preschool project hinging on quality (Cincinnati Enquirer)

    • “A chair for every child in a quality preschool.” That’s the mission of Preschool Promise, an ambitious plan to expand preschool access to 1,000 more children from low- and middle- income families annually in Greater Cincinnati……Read more…

  • Mock school shooting gives true experience in Boardman (Youngstown Vindicator)

    • Two Boardman High School students lay helpless, one in a first-floor hallway bleeding from her arm, one on the stairs missing half of his leg.…Read more…

    


  • Activists complain of inaction by Youngstown school board (Youngstown Vindicator)

    • A group of activists and city school parents, frustrated with what they see as a lack of response to its concerns from the school board, is launching its own action plan to improve the quality of education.…Read more…