WEATHERSFIELD SCHOOLS Board: Alternatives to TCTC were studied

The citizens were concerned about the new 2-mill levy the district will have to pay.
By MARY R. SMITH
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
MINERAL RIDGE -- Representatives of the Weathersfield Township Responsible Citizens Association were assured Tuesday that an in-depth study of alternatives was made before the Weathersfield school board decided to send vocational education students to the Trumbull County Technical School.
Members of the WTRCA attended the board's meeting Tuesday. The group's president, Luanne Boles, and member Marvin McBride questioned the board on its decision. They were concerned about the new tax levy that school district residents will have to pay because of the move to send the students to TCTC. A 2-mill levy will be assessed starting February 2003.
Reason for move: The move to TCTC was done after renewal of a contract with the Gordon D. James Career Center in Lordstown fell through when Niles voted against renewing its contract with the center. Weathersfield vocational students attend the James center, which will close at the end of this school year.
Four other school districts were also sending students to the James center, and all but Howland voted to send students to the TCTC. Howland is sending students to Ashtabula County Career Center.
School board member Douglas Darnall said three board members attended meetings at Gordon James, and board members from all five of the districts met without superintendents in attendance. He said they even met with Niles board members before Niles voted not to renew its contract with Gordon James.
Could have faced fine: Darnall added the district had to find an alternative, or be fined $200,000 by the state for not providing vocational education.
Board president Bruce Bacak said two school board members from Howland wanted to try to set up a vocational education program among the five districts, with Howland offering six courses, but no one else had the room to accommodate the classes.
School Superintendent Rocco Adduci added: "It was not a decision that was reached overnight." He said the 2 mills levied on residents' taxes will be voted on in a few years by all districts involved in TCTC.
Board member Deborah Maust said the board was concerned about the 2 mills being put on the tax duplicate without residents voting on it. However, she said, "Once Niles pulled out, we had no choice."