Meetings set on rebuilding plan

Some parents have said they aren't being informed of building changes.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The city school district has scheduled a series of public meetings in an effort to keep parents and other residents up to date on impending school moves and construction.
The district has drawn criticism from a few parents who say they have been kept in the dark about the status of the district's $192 million school rebuilding program.
A total of 14 schools are being replaced or renovated, and that involves a lot of temporary relocation of pupils as individual building projects begin.
Four buildings have been completed, five are under construction, and five are in design stages.
Some parents have complained that they don't know where their children will be temporarily assigned to attend classes next school year.
Dr. Wendy Webb, superintendent, had said recently that the administration would schedule public meetings to take project information directly to the public.
On Thursday, school board member Shelley Murray, chairman of the board Facilities Committee, told the full board the sessions will begin next week.
What's scheduled
Building principals will chair the meetings but central office administrators will also be on hand to help answer questions, said Anthony DeNiro, assistant superintendent of school business affairs.
The times and locations for the meetings are:
Thursday: Sheridan Elementary: 9:30 a.m.
May 19: Cleveland Elementary: 5 p.m.
May 19: Southside Upper Elementary: 5 p.m.
May 23: Kirkmere Elementary: 5 p.m.
May 24: Bunn Elementary: 2:45 p.m.
May 24: North Elementary: 4:15 p.m.
May 25: Alpha School of Excellence: 6 p.m.
May 24: Athena School of Excellence: 6 p.m.
May 25: Taft Elementary: 9:30 a.m.
May 30: WIlliamson Elementary: 9:30 a.m.
May 31: East Middle School: 4:15 p.m.
June 8: Haddow Elementary: 10 a.m.
gwin@vindy.com