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YSU Police Academy coordinator, said House Bill 49 is like an abusive relationship when it comes to educators and the legislature
YOUNGSTOWN
Ed Villone, Youngstown State University Police Academy coordinator, said House Bill 49 is like an abusive relationship when it comes to educators and the state Legislature.
“It’s just one little thing at a time we are getting picked away at, whether it’s sick leave, vacation time, whatever it be,” he said. “This reminds me of another analogy of someone that’s in a bad relationship – domestic violence. You’re continuing to get beat down until finally you just give in and say, ‘OK, I guess that’s all I’m worth,’ and I don’t think that’s where we want to be.”
HB 49 will create a review process for tenured professors, reduce sick leave and require financial disclosure statements for textbook requirements.
State Reps. John Boccieri of Poland, D-59th, and Michele Lepore-Hagan of Youngstown, D-58th, voiced opposition to the bill at YSU Monday afternoon and said they will continue to speak out against the attack on educators.
“We stand strong with our friends here working hard every day to educate students in our valley at this university,” Boccieri said. “[HB 49] doesn’t allow professors to spread their wings and use their full capacity to teach {students].”
The bill is a prime example of why legislatures shouldn’t be so involved in direct education choices, he added.
“We are not supporting our teachers and I don’t know why, because in their hands are the leaders of the next generation,” Lepore-Hagan said. ”We need to put more money and support toward public education and encourage our kids to have critical-thinking skills ...”
The Senate is reviewing HB 49 and is expected to report an amended version by June 12.