Forum Monday to focus on protecting public schools from privatization

Staff report

Boardman

Mahoning County Educational Service Center and township schools are sponsoring a forum at 6 p.m. Monday about the future of public education in Ohio and ways to protect it from privatization.

It will be in the Boardman High School Auditorium off Glenwood Avenue.

“It’s very important for the public to be better informed about the privatization movement occurring in education, and to equip taxpayers with the necessary information to help protect the future of public education,” said Ron Iarussi, MCESC superintendent.

Panelists include former Gov. Ted Strickland; Kern Alexander, nationally acclaimed school finance expert and distinguished professor at University of Illinois; Steve Dyer, education fellow, Innovation Ohio and former Ohio representative; Dick Murray, Muskingum Valley ESC; William L. Phillis, executive director, Ohio Coalition for Equity & Advocacy of School Funding; Iarussi; Frank Lazzeri, Boardman superintendent; and Deborah Cain, state school board member.

State legislators are also expected to attend.