Ministers question Warren zero tolerance policy

WARREN – About a dozen black ministers say they will take to the pulpits Sunday in an effort to gain support to oust the school district superintendent and board president over the district’s implementation of a zero-tolerance policy, which can lead to expulsion because of fighting.

Members of the Trumbull County Ministerial Alliance voiced their dissatisfaction during a press conference outside the board offices Wednesday with Superintendent Kathryn Hellweg and board president Robert Faulkner. The members had been ordered out of Monroe Street offices by the school administration, backed by city police.

“We are incensed because our children are being hurt by a policy that is unreasonable and unjust,” said the Rev. Alton Merrell Sr., pastor of New Jerusalem Fellowship.

The Rev. Frank L. Hearns, pastor of the Second Baptist Church, said the expulsion rate has been a concern, “but it’s never reached this level.”

The Rev. Mr. Hearns said the group’s actions are not racially motivated, but the issue has come to a head because of the expulsion of three black high school senior girls for fighting. Many of the ministers also attended Tuesday night’s school board meeting and tried to express their concerns.

Hellweg countered that the ministers have never asked for a meeting with the administration about the zero-tolerance policy for fighting.

For more, see Thursday’s Vindicator and vindy.com