The Star Beacon; Ashtabula, Ohio

Local News

June 14, 2009

School’s out but not all summer

Early return to classes may impact activities on GOTL strip

GENEVA-ON-THE-LAKE — Wearing white paper hats while they serve up hot dogs and root beer, teenage workers are important fibers in the fabric of the village’s businesses, Councilman Don Woodward says.

“A number of years ago, the schools wanted to go back before Labor Day,” Woodward said. “Now I see by the 2009-2010 school calendar that school starts two full weeks before Labor Day.”

With no industry, limited residential space and a four-month window of summer employment, revenue and tourism, the village needs all the help — and all the summer weekends — it can get, Woodward said.

“That is going to nail the hell out of our season,” he said.

Geneva schools Superintendent Mary Zappitelli said there isn’t much flexibility when it comes to the school year calendar.

“We take the summer season, student summer employment and other factors into consideration every year,” Zappitelli said. “It is not possible at this time to begin the school year later and the governor wants to add days to the calendar.”

Woodward said he isn’t asking the schools to sacrifice days of education.

“I mean, it should be the same number of days — 186 days— but the way those days fall on this calendar is killing us,” he said.

Woodward, who owns several GOTL businesses, said the students he employs keep the businesses staffed. Families continue to visit the lake for long weekends while school is out. The high school students miss out on two weekends of pay, he said.

“I have not met one parent who agrees the students should go back before Labor Day,” he said. “Basically the schools have thumbed their noses at GOTL and the tourism industry that is our bread and butter.”

Woodward said he hopes council will draft a resolution expressing the village’s needs regarding the school calendar.

Zappitelli said the beginning of the school year is a concern every year.

“There are many, many factors to consider when making the school calendar,” Zappitelli said. “The students are still in school a full week after Memorial Day. There are things that the state controls — I’m not talking about the school year in particular — but other things we are involved in that dictates the beginning of the year.”

Text Only
Local News
  • Six ready to interview for Buckeye’s super job

    The Buckeye Local Board of Education will conduct interviews with six superintendent hopefuls next week, said Board President Jacqueline Hillyer.

    May 25, 2012

  • fridaySchool Shooting Ohio.jpg Shooting suspect to be tried as adult

    A 17-year-old will be tried as an adult in the school shooting deaths of three students, a juvenile court judge ruled Thursday after hearing a sheriff’s deputy describe how the teen wore a T-shirt with the word “Killer” and admitted shooting people.

    May 25, 2012 1 Photo

  • Ohio EPA takes AIM at site of hazardous wastes

     Ohio Environmental Protection Agency staff members returned this week to the site of the now-bankrupt Ashtabula Iron and Metal on West 30th Street to take samples of the unknown liquids and analyze hazardous wastes, asbestos and other potential health and environmental concerns.

    May 25, 2012

  • Commissioners look at selling nursing beds

    Commissioners have retained the services of a law firm that specializes in the sale of excess nursing home beds as the board looks at ways to raise additional revenues.

    May 25, 2012

  • Conneaut looks at demolition funds

    The city is making preparations to secure its share of nearly $692,000 in demolition funds expected to be Ashtabula County’s portion of a multi-billion dollar settlement with national mortgage lenders.

    May 25, 2012

  • MT Friday Key bank .jpg Volunteers get more help than needed at rescue spot

     Despite their good intentions, Edward and Mary proved more hindrance than help to the Conneaut KeyBank employees lending a helping hand Thursday to a farm animal rescue operation in Kingsville Township.

    May 25, 2012 1 Photo

  • wd friday lakeside grad 2 .jpg 220 graduate at Lakeside

    Thursday night was a time of pomp, circumstance and smiles as 220 seniors graduated from Lakeside High School.

    May 25, 2012 2 Photos

  • Lost money?

    There is no map, and “X” may not mark the spot, but hundreds of Ashtabula County residents may have unclaimed cash ready and waiting for them through the Ohio Department of Commerce.

    May 25, 2012

  • Lane to be tried as adult in Chardon High shooting

    A 17-year-old boy will be tried as an adult in the school shooting deaths of three students, a juvenile court judge ruled Thursday.

    May 24, 2012

  • Happy Hearts Graduation Happy Hearts School holds commencement for its Class of 2012

     As commencement exercises go in Ashtabula County, the one at Happy Hearts School was small, with just five students.

    May 24, 2012 3 Photos

Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
House Ads
AP Video