John White School was shut down for a very good reason

John White School was shutdown for a very good reason
EDITOR:
I have been told that the Youngstown Board of Education has plans to move the Alternative School from Choffin Career Center to the now-closed John White School.
This would happen in the very near future. Students would begin there in the first week back from the winter break.
Anyone who has been inside John White School can tell you that the building is in deplorable condition and is not the place for any students to be. The building should have been demolished long ago. It is unbelievable that the school board would consider it for use. If it was unfit a few years ago when the school board closed it, how can it be all right now?
The students not only would be going into an unfit building, but their educational process would be interrupted in the middle of the school year, which is not necessary. Why are the students going to be pulled out like that? Where is the care from the school board for these children? No other schools have had to move in the middle of the school year. Why are these students being put through a major change at that time of the year?
Parents, family and friends of these students should call the school board to voice their displeasure and outrage. Let them know that your students are just as important as any others. Attend the board meetings, and let your feelings be known. Ask board members and administration if they would allow their children and relatives to be treated this way. An honest answer would be & quot;no & quot;.
Tell the board that you would like to visit and tour John White School, which you have a right to do as taxpayers, and citizens. Once inside, you will have no choice but to declare the building unfit for the students. The school board promotes new buildings as a motivator for students to learn and do well. Don't all students deserve that? Is a difference being made between the alternative students and the others?
If the school board goes through with this, it shows that children don't come first. If they don't come first, what does? Money? Power? Unconcern? Maybe all three. But the people are the power, and we can make changes and make things right for all students, not just some, if we voice our concerns and are watchdogs over things.
Let's stop this from happening, for the best interest of the students. If you do not have children or relatives in the Alternative School but care about children, you can make a difference, too. Everyone pull together and voice ourselves. Ask the board to shine its & quot;Beacon of Light & quot; on these students.
MARK DAVIS
Youngstown
YSU's ban on use of alcoholat tailgate parties is overdue
EDITOR:
It was interesting to read in The Vindicator recently that there would be no alcohol consumed during tailgate festivities before Youngstown State University home football games. I applaud a president who has the courage to cast his vote for what is right for once.
Previous administrations have caved in to the liquor industry and refused to make a stand against a powerful lobby. Dr. Sweet did attempt to deflect some of the grief by appointing a committee to study and reach a decision that is so obvious. Perhaps the committee will make this permanent.
There should be NO alcohol anywhere at anytime on a college campus! We don't send our most precious gifts, our young men and women, to a college to be inducted into a lifestyle of dope and drinking! Thank God, there are some colleges that make students sign a no drinking pledge and then enforce it. Caught drinking on or off campus and you catch the next bus home. No second chance! May their numbers increase!
No one can dispute that most of our crimes have been influenced by alcohol. Car wrecks, robberies, sexual crime, assaults on the innocent, home break-ins, shoplifting, killings, let alone divorce and family break-ups. What a shame to have taxpayers provide a university with funds when drinking rather than education seems to be the main attraction.
Please, please, Dr. Sweet, put a stop to alcohol anywhere on the YSU campus, including the loges and private offices. You can if you will. I pray you will.
HAROLD W. QUEEN
Youngstown