Fitch band directors and students earned praise

Fitch band directors and students earned praise
EDITOR:
On Oct. 3, the Austintown Fitch High School Band, the musical talent and pride of our community, performed for WFMJ at 5:30 a.m. on their football field. The band's performance was outstanding. Watching the young talented students in our area filled the community with pride, pleasure and enthusiasm. Mr. Snell and Mr. Pellegrini, the band directors at Fitch High School, are to be commended for taking advantage of the wonderful opportunity and for providing their students with this unique experience.
It was unfortunate and upsetting to learn later that members of the community were upset with Mr. Snell and Mr. Pellegrini and the band for choosing to take part in the activity because of the early morning neighborhood "noise." This type of negative feedback from people in the community is dispiriting to everyone, especially the students.
It was completely unjust to discourage the band directors. No person, especially a public figure, who is working toward the betterment of our community and the future of children, deserves such treatment and backlash. Instead, the community should be showing support and encouragement to the band, or any school organization for that matter, that is demonstrating hard work and success. School spirit must stem from everyone, including members of our community.
When we show discouragement and criticism, we are only hurting the children. These students are our future and need positive feedback.
SUSAN and TOM DAVIS
PEG and DON SKEEBO
Youngstown
With growth comes need for education decisions
EDITOR:
Is the way we fund our schools in Ohio constitutional and fair? This question has been under dispute for decades. Politically it has created controversy in every school district of our state. I do not have the solution to this issue. My concern lies at the other end of this important topic, the education of our children.
I have been fortunate to be associated with two communities that have long traditions of academic excellence. McDonald where I live and Canfield where I teach.
In the last 30 years, the Village of McDonald has experienced its largest population growth with a continuing demand on educational resources. During this time financial assets were strained by recessions and the collapse of the steel industry. There were many times this community faced controversy in funding of one kind or another, but support for the schools was always there.
The Village of Canfield is now facing a considerable increase in population. The schools have been able to handle the influx of new students and continue to furnish the highest level of education, however with the constant growth in the student body expected over the next few years it is time for the residents of this community to make a decision. Support Canfield's tradition of academic excellence and pass the school levy, or continue the political debates about funding and let the schools decline.
WILLIAM SPERATI
McDonald
Strong schools are key
EDITOR:
Strong schools create strong communities! In Boardman, Canfield, and Poland that's what we have! Let's keep it strong!
A vote for your schools is a vote for your communities!
Our responsibility -- our gain!
NANCY FALGIANI
Boardman