Save the Early College at YSU

Save the Early College at YSU

I attended a recent Youngs- town Board of Education meeting during which several principals presented with pride reports summarizing their schools’ achievements, student progress and the challenges of raising educational standards. Especially passionate was the principal of the Early College program whose remarks left no doubt about the vital impact her school was having on the lives of 250 high school students. She made a convincing case for the continuation — at all costs — of the program.

How sadly ironic that a few days later the trustees of YSU voted not to continue their financial support.

Cutting programs, staff and services for our inner-city school children has been the main focus of the news in recent months. The truth is: these children don’t need less. They deserve more.

As YSU finds the means to expand its campus with wonderful new buildings, it might be wise for the trustees to concurrently focus on development policies to ensure that local students will attend classes in these facilities. After all, newly-appointed President Cynthia Anderson’s first goal is to build student success. I think she’s got it right. Building structures might take second place.

Ron Barron, Poland