In Hubbard, open enrollment generates most discussion

The board passed the measure unanimously.

By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

HUBBARD — The Hubbard Board of Education’s annual reorganization meeting generated little discussion on any issues except one: open enrollment.

Board members were set to vote on 16 housekeeping issues Wednesday, but board member Raymond DeLuco asked that the open enrollment issue be voted on and discussed separately.

“There are a lot of pros and cons with this and it needs to be looked at separately,” he explained.

Open enrollment became an issue for some as recent as late last year, when a 13-year-old pupil at Reed Middle School brought a toy pellet gun to school. Police said she brought the pellet gun to school to shoot another female pupil with it after the two had a disagreement.

The girl listed a Youngstown address.

School policy calls for the expulsion of any student who brings a weapon to school. Superintendent Richard Buchenic would not say what disciplinary measures were taken, but said the school’s policy was followed.

Board member Linda Silvidi said it is important for residents to understand that not only open enrollment students pose a disciplinary problem. She said some students within the district pose disciplinary problems as well.

Silvidi also said those open enrollment students looking to come into the schools here and play sports must wait a year before playing sports. She said the loss of funds generated from open enrollment students could mean the loss of eight teachers.

Buchenic said the district has 2,150 total students, with 138 of those students from open enrollment. The district gets about $5,400 per open enrollment student or about $750,000 annually. Buchenic said the money is needed.

The district, Buchenic said, can have as many as 150 open enrollment students. He said there is no room for additional open enrollment students on the high school level, but pupils are still being accepted on the elementary level.

Buchenic said it’s better to bring open enrollment students into the district in the elementary grades so that those students are better acclimated to the system and prepared to remain here throughout their academic careers.

The board unanimously agreed to maintain its current open enrollment policy.

jgoodwin@vindy.com