Don’t let academic integrity slip; vote for South Range schools tax

Don’t let academic integrity slip; vote for South Range schools tax

The South Range Local School District has been an excellent school system for many years. Results are the best measure of success, and if you have currently enrolled students or graduates of South Range you already know what those results are. Boasting top performance in academics, music and athletics for 20 or so years is not something many school systems public or private can be proud of.

If you live within the community but have no children attending the schools, please attend a South Range Drama Club presentation or a band concert to see an example of the dedication the students have. This dedication directly reflects the dedication and care of faculty and staff.

Our family moved here 13 years ago just before my youngest started kindergarten. The decision was based solely on the academic record of the school. At that time the four-year college graduation rate and academic achievement scores were near the top in the tri-county area. However, with budget cuts due to levy failures, school funding changes and a drop in new homes built within the district, our scores are dropping.

Economic challenges face everyone. A 1.75-quart container of ice cream has a price tag much higher than a half-gallon container did just a few years ago. South Range has still managed to turn out a quality product even with ridiculous constraints placed on all public schools via the state and federal government school funding cuts and unfunded mandates.

Our new school, built in 2010, should evoke two things: a sense of pride in the commitment this community has made to education over the years and a sense of hope for ever increasing property values. Without funding, the school becomes a monument to the past with little hope for the future.

No one can please everyone, and many decisions made by the board of education and by the administration and the staff have frustrated individuals. This is unavoidable. Look past the bruises and look at the children. For the sake of the future, please vote “yes” for the South Range Local Schools emergency levy on May 5.

John Kuhns, North Lima

South Range school board’s record of financial accountability lacking

Responsibility and account- ability are missing from the South Range Board of Education. I am astounded that the last two levies were voted down by the taxpayers by almost 2-to-1 margins, yet the board members decided to spend another $10,000 to $12,000 to have it once again appear on the ballot on May 5. Surely, their rationale for doing this would not be due to the historically poor turnout in a primary election that would allow the levy to sneak through.

Unfortunately, the current board has a dismal record when it comes to financial accountability. The current superintendent, who retired last year at a salary of $110,000 and received a bonus in excess of $40,000 as severance, was one day later rehired at a salary of $80,000. In addition, he receives an estimated $60,000 to $80,000 pension from the state teachers retirement system. This is in addition to 20 paid vacation days and 15 paid sick days a year and a health care plan that resembles a Ferrari rather than a Cadillac. The district even pays his $8,000 pension contribution for him. I have worked in the private sector my entire life, and I can assure you that such largess is absent.

I attended last Monday’s school board meeting. Unfortunately what transpired wasn’t a board meeting, but rather a pep rally in support of the levy. I was appalled to witness the unprofessional behavior shown by many of the teachers and staff (organized cheerleaders) and a board member’s spouse. The margin of defeat for last two levies clearly demonstrates that the majority of the taxpayers do not want another levy. Taxpayers have a constitutional right to vote “no”. During the meeting, I heard comments such as “move if you don’t like the levy” and “you are the problem” shouted out to Mr. Rich Ferenchak. I find such comments and behavior disgusting, deplorable and completely unprofessional.

In my opinion, Mr. Ferenchak is holding the board accountable and is forcing them to follow the law. In what I feel is an inexcusable display of hubris, the board once again broke the law by reappointing Amy White. Instead, they should have rescinded their illegal March meeting at which she was appointed in a manner that clearly violated the Sunshine Law.

I am a member of ACT (Accountability, Clarity and Transparency) and I oppose the current levy. The taxpayers of South Range who are affiliated with ACT are fed up and have no desire to fork over more of our hard earned income to cover the incompetence and lack of leadership by Superintendent Dennis Dunham and the current board of education. They have failed miserably by putting our school, our community and our kids in this current financial situation.

Vote “no” on May 5.

Jeffrey E. Curry, North Lima

Please don’t abuse or misuse Fellows Gardens at Mill Creek

I don’t know why so many people seem so confused about Fellows Riverside Gardens.

Though it is a part of Mill Creek Metro-parks, it is not a “park.” It is a public garden for education and enjoying beautiful plants in a serene setting and should be appreciated, not abused.

It is not a dog park, so leave the pet at home. It is not a picnic ground or beach, so don’t bring blankets. It is not a playground, so don’t bring bikes, Frisbees, kites or balls.

The pavilion, gazebo and trees are not monkey bars, so don’t climb on them.

It’s not your own yard, so don’t go barefoot, pick flowers, walk in beds or carve on anything (especially trees).

There are regulations posted at both paved entrances. When the ranger asks that you not do something, don’t get indignant; he’s doing his job. Please read the regulations or simply act in a respectful, considerate and responsible manner that is suitable for a public garden.

There are plenty of other areas in Mill Creek Metroparks that are informal where you can bike, climb, picnic, walk the dog, etc. But please don’t carve on trees; it injures them and in large amounts will kill them. I hope to see more considerate, thoughtful and educated visitors next time I go to FRG.

Julie M. Hahn, Youngstown

Internet needs no fixing from FCC

The Federal Communications Commission voted recently to regulate broadband services for Americans and classify the Internet as a public utility. Commissioners voted to “preserve the Internet’s role as a core of free expression and democratic principles.”

High sounding rhetoric, but are we to believe that putting the web under more government control and allowing regulators to meddle with its innovative, competitive platform will achieve so-called Net Neutrality? More likely such a ruling will deter investment, stunt innovation and mean more expensive, slower broadband services for you, me and the many businesses and organizations that depend on a free and open Internet.

I have been an educator in the Mahoning Valley community for my entire career. I have used and have encouraged use of the Web as a vital teaching and communications tool in the classroom and beyond. I believe the FCC ruling could leave schools and students with bigger bills for broadband services and limit the positive impact of the Internet on the education of our children.

With so many critical issues facing our country, why do some in our government insist on fixing what is not broken and regulating what has historically operated as a free, open and vibrantly innovative entity? We deserve better, and perhaps we must turn to Congress, rather than the FCC for a genuine solution.

Dr. Anthony D’Ambrosio, Youngstown