West Branch awaits word on school year

BELOIT — West Branch Local School District pupils are still holding out hope that the Ohio General Assembly will step in to shorten their school year.

State Sen. John Bocierri of New Middletown, D-33rd, has been working to have the district excused from an Ohio law that requires schools hold classes a minimum of 180 days, schools Superintendent Scott Weingart said in a letter to parents of West Branch students May 21.

West Branch pupils missed as many as four days after a mysterious rash affected its combined middle and elementary school building in March. Before the outbreak, students were scheduled to begin summer break June 6.

Weingart said, he is holding out hope that an exception to the law for his district will be added to a state bill before June 6.

For complete story, see Wednesday’s Vindicator or www.vindy.com.