A boost from the new West

The school is the third of 15 to open in a $202 million construction program.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Sandy Davis thinks the new West Elementary School is a major boost to the community.
"It's important for the neighborhood," said the South Hazelwood Avenue resident, one of about 300 people who turned out for the school's official opening Sunday.
Pupils have been in class since Sept. 6, but Sunday was the first day adults got a chance to tour the facility on South Schenley Avenue.
"People look at the schools when they move into an area," Davis said. "I love [the new building]. It's really nice for the kids."
The 97,000-square-foot, $12.8 million school projects a positive image, she said, adding, "The teachers are good and most of the kids are good."
Her husband, Ralph, agreed, calling the school "an upgrade for the neighborhood."
Son Ralph, 6, is a first-grader. He said he's most impressed with the gymnasium and playground.
"State of the art. It's wonderful," said Shawna Achten of North Osborne Avenue, a cafeteria monitor aide and office volunteer in the school. Her son, Justin, is a first-grader.
"I'm impressed with it," said her husband, Ralph, making particular reference to the interior color scheme.
"You want bright colors to welcome kids. You don't want them to walk into a dark building," he said.
What does Justin like best about coming to the new school?
"Learning," he said.
Third to open
West Elementary is the third of 15 schools being replaced or renovated under a $202 million program. Taft and Harding elementaries are the two new schools that were finished before West, and the new Williamson Elementary is scheduled to open at Christmas. The state of Ohio is picking up about 80 percent of the construction costs.
West Elementary houses just over 800 pupils in kindergarten through fourth grade.
"This is for the children. This is for the community of Youngstown," said Dr. Wendy Webb, district superintendent, as she welcomed visitors to the open house.
Each school in the rebuilding program is being designed around the personality of the neighborhood, the children and the staff it serves, she said. No two will be exactly alike.
However, new schools are just the beginning. The district still must improve itself academically, Webb said.
Favorable comments
People touring the building were impressed with what they saw.
"This is so nice," one woman remarked as she surveyed the school's computer laboratory.
"I just love the library. It's just great," said another as she moved between rows of books.
"It's nice," said Nikki Jones of South Dunlap Avenue, one of those also impressed by the interior brightness of the school compared with the old West Elementary.
Her daughter, Kaisha Carver, 7, a second-grader, said she was most impressed by the school's elevator and the fact that the restrooms have motion-activated facilities.
"It's a nice school," said Peggy Sluka of Wesley Avenue, although she isn't particularly fond of the interior color scheme.
She was impressed to learn West Elementary has both preschool and autistic preschool classrooms, she said.
Sluka has a daughter, Katelynn, who is in kindergarten at West Elementary.
Katelynn's favorite class?
"Music," her mom said.
"Let's stand behind our education system and become a united force," urged 4th Ward Councilwoman Carol Rimedio-Righetti, one of those to address the crowd.
It's the future of the city, she said. Without the education system, there is no economic development and no new businesses, she said, calling for the formation of a partnership between the city and the school district.
"We have to get a positive mind-set on where we want to be," she said.
gwin@vindy.com