Letters to Editor

March 28, 2013

Keep Local School Systems

I have been reading your articles regarding the school finance problems in the different districts in our county. However, I am dismayed that you have not begun a series on the benefits of keeping the local school systems and the devastating effects that the loss of the local school systems will have on the individual neighborhoods and the county as a whole.

On a small scale, I do not see that it does anything to help increase readership for this newspaper, because many people purchase your newspaper to read the sports articles. Loss of schools means loss of sports teams and leadership opportunities, and that translates into fewer opportunities for our young people and likely an increase in criminal activity.

Why would any parent buy a newspaper if their child doesnt have a chance to be recognized in a positive way? This would have an immediate effect on any business that earns revenue from working with the different school systems, directly and indirectly.

I would encourage you to start discussing the benefits and not just the tax dollars, because so many of the benefits do not directly translate into tax dollars, but they do absolutely translate into other positive attributes like the sense of identity, increased opportunities in both athletics and academics, less need for law enforcement, increase home values, etc.

The local school systems are the center of positive, creative and safe activities for each of the communities in which they serve. The loss of the local school building in the neighborhood directly relates to a loss in property values. Children and parents that have to travel further distances to school are less likely to be involved and more likely to find detrimental activities in which to engage.

Additionally, the school systems in Geauga County provide significant employment to our neighborhoods. I believe it is clear even in our own county that the loss of the elementary schools in the local communities has continued to depress those areas.

Further, what receiving school district would want to get all of those no votes and more no votes from the now absorbed school district? That receiving school district would have significant, increased difficulty in passing future school levies. They too could find themselves in increased financial problems.

We cant fix the problems with school funding, but we can preserve what we have. We should all consider the benefits of our local school systems and stand up and fight for them, and I feel this newspaper should be out there giving the full story. The losses to our local communities would be devastating.

Robin Stanley

Montville Township

Not In Favor of Retire/Rehire

In Geauga County, we do not have a policy regarding retire/rehire.

I have said that I would like a policy, but our prosecutors have clearly indicated to us that we cannot discri-minate as to who we consider for hiring or we could be in a position for a lawsuit.

Recently, our director of aging retired. We posted for a part-time director. During this same time, the second person in authority at the department of aging was stricken with health issues that prevented her from working. We were left in an awkward situation.

Most companies when losing their top two people in a particular depart-ment would find it necessary to hire back an employee that could hit the ground running, giving them time to find and hire a qualified individual for that position.

However, Ms. Bells rehiring was part-time and is temporary in that we are reposting the position for a full-time director.

Ms. Bell has done an exemplary job for over 22 years, but it is time to find a full-time director.

My position on retire/rehire at this time has been as it always was: I am not in favor of it. If I was, I would have taken my own retirement which I am eligible for but did not take.

I believe that many retirees seek further employment for financial reasons, or simply because they do not like retirement. Whatever the reason, it really is none of our business.

In cases where classified employees have been hired in Geauga, they came back with lesser pay and benefits, hence the comments on saving money.

Other departments not under our hiring authority or control have retired/rehired employees at the same pay and benefits.

The bottom-line is we hire the best qualified individual for the money under the law keeping in mind the taxpayers best interest.

Mary Samide

Geauga County Commissioner