I have long been a proponent of a boarding school for such students. They act that way because there are no consequences for their actions - whether it is due to a disinterested, disabled or absent parent or guardian; lack of regard and respect for education or lack of the basic necessities of life, namely food, clothing and shelter. The Board should work with Judge Dellick to assign these children to such a program and monitor their progress outside of the toxic home environment. I would have loved to serve on such a committee - but I gave up on the city schools long ago.
The problem at YSU has been and continues to be that the athletic program does not want to recruit local talent - the kids who grew up here and want to stay here - but can and will get scholarships other places. The AD and coach do not want to spend scholarship money on those athletes. A great example of this is Dan Gerberry - deemed too small to play at YSU - got a full ride to Ball State and is now with the NFL. Until that mindset changes, YSU will remain a small program - recruiting students who are not committed to this area - and who won't stay.
Not surprising that Jackie Taylor lost - she came in third last time she ran - and her support of Wendy Webb finally did her in - perhaps the new board members will be able to effect change at the top!
Let's not get caught up in the four year graduation rate. There is much more to the college experience than attending classes. While no one will earn a degree without coursework, there are other components to the degree process that are of value to employers - because ultimately, students are being prepared for the world of work. If a student does everything possible to make themselves completely marketable, such as internships and gaining leadership experience both on and off-campus, plus working at least 30 hours per week (which most students have to do), it will take them between five and six years to graduate. That's fine because the ultimate goal is to earn a bachelor's degree - not to graduate in four years. Students who are pressured to graduate in four years often have lower GPA's and fewer marketable skills.
In the spirit of full disclosure, I worked at YSU many years ago and have two degrees from there. My husband has a degree from YSU and each one of my children are students there. Let's not denigrate the entire institution and everyone who works there because of a short-sighted contract agreement. Just for the record, the recruitment and retention of students is the job of each person on a college campus, faculty, staff and administrators, so the largess if there is any, should be shared equally by all.
The reason CBS got the contract in the first place is because the owner is/was the son-in-law of former school board member Anthony Julian. There are definitely some shenanigans going on and Tony DeNiro is a key player. Unfortunately, the current school board president, Anthony Catale, while I think he means well, is young and being played for a fool by DeNiro and Wendy Webb.
I agree with you, but I did the best I could to effect change to no avail. I had no choice but to move my child and pay. If you think my rights were violated, what about those of my child who was denied a quality educational experience in the Youngstown City Schools.
I absolutely agree with Debra. I have personal experience with many of the teachers in the city schools and the dregs of society they are forced to teach presents them with an impossible task. Why assign homework that will not be done? There will be no consequences at home. The reason I blame the administration is because the "leadership" (and I use the term loosely) embracesd the "hug a thug" mentality, in short, oversimplifying the issue by maintaining that all that is needed is for children to "feel good" about themselves. It is definitely a complex issue but the current board and administration is not addressing it in the way that needs to occur. For starters, those students from the more challenged homes need to be boarded in a place where they will feel safe, be fed and be rewarded for good academic progress instead of drowning in apathy. That would be a good use of building funds and grant monies.
Posted on November 9 at 4:12 p.m.
I have long been a proponent of a boarding school for such students. They act that way because there are no consequences for their actions - whether it is due to a disinterested, disabled or absent parent or guardian; lack of regard and respect for education or lack of the basic necessities of life, namely food, clothing and shelter. The Board should work with Judge Dellick to assign these children to such a program and monitor their progress outside of the toxic home environment. I would have loved to serve on such a committee - but I gave up on the city schools long ago.
Posted on November 9 at 11:06 a.m.
The problem at YSU has been and continues to be that the athletic program does not want to recruit local talent - the kids who grew up here and want to stay here - but can and will get scholarships other places. The AD and coach do not want to spend scholarship money on those athletes. A great example of this is Dan Gerberry - deemed too small to play at YSU - got a full ride to Ball State and is now with the NFL. Until that mindset changes, YSU will remain a small program - recruiting students who are not committed to this area - and who won't stay.
Posted on November 9 at 9:43 a.m.
Very scary - used to be the best side of town
Posted on November 6 at 9:59 a.m.
Not surprising that Jackie Taylor lost - she came in third last time she ran - and her support of Wendy Webb finally did her in - perhaps the new board members will be able to effect change at the top!
Posted on September 22 at 11:16 a.m.
Let's not get caught up in the four year graduation rate. There is much more to the college experience than attending classes. While no one will earn a degree without coursework, there are other components to the degree process that are of value to employers - because ultimately, students are being prepared for the world of work. If a student does everything possible to make themselves completely marketable, such as internships and gaining leadership experience both on and off-campus, plus working at least 30 hours per week (which most students have to do), it will take them between five and six years to graduate. That's fine because the ultimate goal is to earn a bachelor's degree - not to graduate in four years. Students who are pressured to graduate in four years often have lower GPA's and fewer marketable skills.
In the spirit of full disclosure, I worked at YSU many years ago and have two degrees from there. My husband has a degree from YSU and each one of my children are students there. Let's not denigrate the entire institution and everyone who works there because of a short-sighted contract agreement. Just for the record, the recruitment and retention of students is the job of each person on a college campus, faculty, staff and administrators, so the largess if there is any, should be shared equally by all.
Posted on September 22 at 9:47 a.m.
The reason CBS got the contract in the first place is because the owner is/was the son-in-law of former school board member Anthony Julian. There are definitely some shenanigans going on and Tony DeNiro is a key player. Unfortunately, the current school board president, Anthony Catale, while I think he means well, is young and being played for a fool by DeNiro and Wendy Webb.
Posted on September 18 at 4:55 p.m.
It is about time that charter schools were held to the same standards as the public schools.
Posted on September 18 at 3:43 p.m.
I agree with you, but I did the best I could to effect change to no avail. I had no choice but to move my child and pay. If you think my rights were violated, what about those of my child who was denied a quality educational experience in the Youngstown City Schools.
Posted on September 18 at 1:32 p.m.
It cost us nearly $5000 we didn't have to send our child to another school - but we couldn't afford not to do it.
Posted on September 18 at 12:06 p.m.
I absolutely agree with Debra. I have personal experience with many of the teachers in the city schools and the dregs of society they are forced to teach presents them with an impossible task. Why assign homework that will not be done? There will be no consequences at home. The reason I blame the administration is because the "leadership" (and I use the term loosely) embracesd the "hug a thug" mentality, in short, oversimplifying the issue by maintaining that all that is needed is for children to "feel good" about themselves. It is definitely a complex issue but the current board and administration is not addressing it in the way that needs to occur. For starters, those students from the more challenged homes need to be boarded in a place where they will feel safe, be fed and be rewarded for good academic progress instead of drowning in apathy. That would be a good use of building funds and grant monies.