Friday, April 25, 2014
YOUNGSTOWN — Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel was in the Mahoning Valley today urging more of a focus on teaching skilled trades and recommending the state provide a financial incentive to school districts that teach shop classes.
The state shouldn’t mandate shop classes, but offer additional funding to districts to offer or maintain those classes, he said.
Mandel, a Republican, has often spoke of high schools offering shop classes and that learning a manufacturing trade can be a better option for students than earning a four-year liberal arts degree.
Mandel acknowledged that as treasurer he has no authority regarding his proposal, and is using his office as a “bully pulpit” to draw attention to the issue. But he said he’s concerned with the state’s finances and economy.
Mandel was at Taylor-Winfield Technologies in Youngstown today to honor long-time employees at the metalworking-machinery company.
For the complete story, read Saturday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com