Wednesday, October 25, 2006
West Elementary School faced with loss of teachers
EDITOR:
Driving down South Schenley Avenue on the West Side of Youngstown, we see a beautiful shell of a brand new school. What we do not see is the disarray that has occurred due to our board of education relocating teachers and combining classrooms due to "lower student numbers" this school year.
What is our board of education doing to keep our children in our city schools, and what are they doing to support an optimal education? The board is having our children adapt to larger classrooms, change of teachers, and regrouping of education after the school year has begun. Let me ask the board and Ms. Webb this: How would you feel if your child was in a classroom at West, has a teacher being removed due to "low numbers? & quot; And if your child would have to adjust to the new classroom, new classmates, new atmosphere, and at the same time, hope the new teacher is at the same point in lessons that the original teacher was?
West was a euphoric place when the ribbon was cut and the new school building opened, but where is that board support now? As a graduate of Youngstown City Schools and an advocate of its educational foundation, I question the reasoning behind this radical change for my child as well as his fellow classmates.
The levy is up on our city ballot in a very short time, and before the polls open, we, the parents of our future of Youngstown, deserve answers to the questions presented regarding West Elementary School. Why are you uprooting our teachers and making our classroom size larger? Why aren't you announcing the good things happening at West, and market the school system to increase our enrollment? Is it easier to hide your tail between your legs and downsize?
Our children deserve a quality education, they do not deserve having to readjust in the middle of a school year to an unnecessary situation.
CINDY KRAUSE
Youngstown
Where there's some smoke, you're not being fired
EDITOR:
I like the fact that my friends and family who work in the hospitality industry have jobs. I like it so much that I refuse to vote for Issue 5, which would criminalize smoking in almost all Ohio businesses and have a drastic effect in the hospitality industry.
I think Issue 5 will lead to many Ohio hospitality workers losing their jobs. As places like Washington, Canada, and Minnesota have seen, strict smoking bans end up driving away business in bars and taverns.
I fully support Issue 4, which offers a middle ground to those interested in saving jobs and those interested in public safety. Under Issue 4, smoking will be banned in 90 percent of Ohio businesses, but places that depend on adult smokers for business, such as bars, will be offered the opportunity to allow smoking. In this way, both jobs and health can be protected.
Issue 4 is the only serious option for protecting our health and our jobs. Please vote for Issue 4 on Nov. 7.
JAIME ANDERSON
Youngstown
Voting: a priceless privilege
EDITOR:
One of the many freedoms Americans have been blessed to have is the freedom to vote for the candidates of their choice.
On Nov. 7 all registered citizens will have the opportunity of going to the polls and voting their conscience.
As a strong supporter of the voting system, I feel anyone who neglects to vote weakens and surrenders one of their most precious freedoms.
A person's vote is their voice. I strongly urge people to have their voices heard on Nov. 7. Please care enough to vote. Its more than a duty. Its a priceless privilege.
MARY LOU JURINA
Youngstown