SCHOOLS Howland working to fix rating

The superintendent has identified 200 pupils who need intervention.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HOWLAND -- School administrators will be working with teachers and pupils to improve the district's state report card rating.
The Ohio Department of Education released the cards last week, showing that Howland passed 21 of a total 23 indicators for an "effective" rating.
The rating is based on proficiency test scores, graduation rate and attendance.
Superintendent John Rubesich told the board of education Monday that Howland schools need to improve to receive an "excellent" rating.
He said the district has identified 200 pupils in the fifth through the 12th grades who require intervention. This is especially true in math.
Teachers will attend professional development days, Rubesich explained, so they can better understand how different pupils learn -- so they can be taught more effectively.
For example, some pupils need only be told about a math problem while others must visualize it.
Board member Scott Lehman said he believes that too many veteran teachers are of the mistaken opinion that if they teach, pupils should just simply learn without extra help.
Of the 45 districts in Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana counties, six received a rating of excellent: Canfield, Lowellville, Poland, South Range, Western Reserve and Champion.
Twenty-three districts were ranked effective, and 14 had a rating of continuous improvement. Warren was in academic watch; Youngstown was rated in academic emergency.
Other action
In other business, the board:
UHired Andrew Rauzen and Dan Chiaberta as assistant varsity football coaches at $4,809 each; and hired Bill Dorazio as eighth-grade volleyball coach, $3,837.
UAccepted the resignation of Megen Stocker, a secretary to the assistant superintendent who specialized in keeping computer data on pupils. She will be replaced by Karen Teringo, whose salary has not been established.
UHired Cynthia Baer and Lori Sanders as Destination Imagination coordinators, $1,443 each. The program is a team of seven members involved in problem solving competition.
UNamed Frank Thomas, high school principal, to hear suspensions of middle school pupils, and Barbara Sullivan, middle school principal, to hear appeals of high school students.
yovich@vindy.com