Criticism of Dr. Webb raises a number of questions

Criticism of Dr. Webb raises a number of questions

EDITOR:

This letter is in response to the Nov. 24 article, “Webb gets mixed reviews from city school board,” and a Dec. 3 editorial, “Webb’s future with district rests with academic rating.” As a retired supervisor from Youngstown city schools with 30 years in education, these articles have raised six questions in my mind.

When Dr. Webb assumed the position of Superintendent:

1. What was the rating for Youngstown city schools?

2. What funding was the district receiving?

3. How many supervisors were employed by the Youngstown city schools?

4. How many Charter Schools existed in the Youngstown area?

5. Isn’t spending allocations the responsibility of Youngstown Board of Education members, who have the treasurer of the district reporting directly to them and not the superintendent?

6. How many policies that govern the district were current and student friendly?

My parents taught me that if you “criticize” you should come up with a better or more efficient way of doing things. What suggestions have board members made that were not implemented by Dr. Webb? Having worked very closely with her I found that she was very receptive to any suggestions that would benefit students even though, sometimes, her decisions would be unpopular with the teachers union, the board members or the community at large. I would like to know the experiences with education that Anthony Catale, Dominic Modarelli and Michael Murphy have had. Children come to the YCSD as they are and not how we, as educators, would like them to be. Teachers and administrators work very hard to take students from where they started to the level dictated by state standards, The two of three board members who gave Dr. Webb a “satisfactory” evaluation, Shelley Murray and Jacqueline Taylor, I have worked with very closely when developing health policies for the district. Both focus on students.

I know, from experience, the motivating factor behind decisions that Dr. Webb made has been the students of the Youngstown City School District.

Dr. Webb has the professional integrity to focus on the students regardless of the backlash. She is not taking a defensive position over the evaluation because she knows, in her heart, that she has done everything possible for the students of the district. Although Dr. Webb is a knowledgeable, caring individual, she is not “The Miracle Worker”.

I am a product of East High School and spent 22 of my 30 years in education in the Youngstown city schools. As supervisor of the school nurses, I was in each school many times and realize the great things occurring in those buildings that never get published. It was no surprise to me that a teacher in the Youngstown city schools, Jennifer Walker, was named “Teacher of the Year 2009” for the state of Ohio.

JAN CARPENTER

Lady Lake, Florida

It feels like Christmas

EDITOR:

Many years ago a little girl was told “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.”

I have always supported Jim Traficant, always will and I believe he was wrongly imprisoned. Now after many years, I feel the happiness that he, his loved ones and many supporters feel knowing, “Yes, Jim, you’re finally coming back home where you belong.”

I’ve heard it said there are those who “darken and dampen” a room they walk into, and others who “brighten and electrify” a room they walk into.

Whether one loves or hates Jim Traficant, when he went away the electrifying force he created was dimmed by sadness and loss.

MARY LOU JURINA

Youngstown