An Apology Offered
Thank you for letting me use this forum to apologize to several different groups — not because of anything that I’ve done, my conscience is clear, but because of negative impacts from what the Newbury superintendent and school board have said and done.
I apologize to the students attending Newbury Schools for the actions of adults implying that your education and school experience will be compromised by a completed discussion on consolidation.
Look at the West Geauga website to investigate their curriculum offerings, athletics, arts and enrichment. Do not let anyone make you feel that you cannot compete in a bigger arena — your talents will not fade, they will grow with more opportunities available to you.
I apologize to the last three decades of alumni, past school boards, and parent volunteers for comments made by the BOE president, Susan Arnold. You know how much your heart still cherishes your experiences involving Newbury’s students and employees. We know how proud we were, and still are, of the students — their past academic, athletic, co-curricular and personal accomplishments, as well as the adult members of society that they have become.
Susan Arnold made a public statement about the “. . . decades of seeing a stagnant school . . .” I apologize for her use of the word “stagnant” in reference to the accomplishments made and dedication shown during your years with Newbury Schools.
I apologize to teachers at Newbury for an administration that seems to be proud of the fact that there have been no base increases for Fiscal Years 2014, 2015, or 2016; and that they adopted a new, high deductible, shared funding plan for benefits. Yes, when times are tough, we have to look at ways to decrease our budgets; I am just sorry that they are doing this by being unfair to you. You are valuable assets, and you deserve compensation that is fair and equitable.
I apologize for the unprofessional interactions by the Newbury BOE with the West Geauga administration, school board and community. I am sorry that Newbury’s BOE put the cart before the horse and publicly shared incomplete and inaccurate information. They may claim that they acted to insure transparency, but what they displayed was a lack of responsibility. Your approach was professional. I am sorry that they saw fit to attack the integrity of your superintendent, board, and treasurer. I am sorry for all the injustices toward you; I’m asking you, please, do not give up on Newbury — there is a tremendous amount of support for continued investigation into becoming members of the West Geauga community.
For those living in Newbury that support a merge or consolidation, I am sorry that the BOE may have misrepresented you, making the West G board believe that you may vehemently oppose consolidation. Many of us in Newbury love the Newbury district, but realize that continued decreasing enrollment, and financial challenges make the school unsustainable.
For facts about this situation go to Facebook and look for the “It’s Time” page. Facts are sourced to documents provided by the Newbury superintendent’s office, and county and state offices.
You would think that I would feel better after five apologies; in this situation, I just don’t.
Fran Dittrich
Newbury Township
Working Across the Aisle
When it comes to today’s political environment, it is difficult to find compromise to benefit the people. But, I want to congratulate and thank our local representatives and our Ohio senators for their hard work and effort in introducing legislation that will help our district.
House Bill148, signed by the governor in late December, allows the Berkshire school district to build a new school with up to 55 percent of state funding. In the past, the Ohio Facilities School Commission only allowed us to have about 18 percent funding from the state. With the passing of this house bill, we have the opportunity to build a building on the Kent State University campus and share the facility. Not only brick and mortar, but we can also share staffing.
We need to thank John Patterson (D) and Sarah LaTourette (R), who are both the state representatives for our district. John has the north end of our district and Sara has the south. They worked across the aisle and encouraged their counterparts throughout the state about how important it is support education in the state. They both had countless meetings and spent time with the Ohio Department of Education explaining how important this legislation is.
Our state senators, John Eklund (R) and Capri Cafaro (D) also came up big for us, as they worked very diligently in the senate to convince the other state senators how important this is for rural district.
Because of the officials efforts, our district has a very bright future. We are in the process of hiring a new high school principal and have already hired a new superintendent, John Stoddard, who is enthusiastic and looking forward to the partnership with Kent State University. He is moving his family here from Cincinnati because he believes so strongly in this effort.
If you happen to come across any of the aforementioned state officials, please thank them and let them know how much we appreciate all that they have done for us.
Our officials in Washington could take lessons from them on how to work together.
John J. Manfredi
School Board President
Berkshire Schools
Garbage is Everywhere
I am writing this letter because of my concern about all the dirty, disgusting garbage I see along our roadways, around parking lots, around stores, in the rural ditches by my home. Everywhere I go I see it’s everywhere.
We were walking in a cool, beautiful park up a mountain. Lots of people were around. As we stopped for a rest, I met a nice young man from Germany, with his dog. As we talked about the weather and small talk, the first thing I had asked him was so how do you like America. His first response was, “America is very dirty,” you know, trash, junk, garbage, crap laying all over the ground.
Like it is here, and especially in Geauga County, Middlefield, it’s everywhere I look, so my message to all people is: Please throw your dirty, nasty, disgusting garbage out at your home, not on our roadways, on the ground, anywhere, because if you look everywhere that’s all you see.
That’s not what I taught my child growing up and I hope nobody else teaches their kids such gross habits.
Michael Masterino
Troy Township
