The Mahoning County Educational Service Center is hosting a special community forum to address the protection of the public school system from privately-operated schools at 6 p.m. Monday, May 7 at the Boardman High School Auditorium.
The forum will provide members of the community a chance to hear from a panel of speakers from both government and education concerning the future of public education, what steps need to be taken to protect the system from privatization and ways to improve the current school system.
The forum's presenters include:
Ted Strickland, Ohio governor 2007-2010
Kern Alexander, nationally acclaimed school finance expert and distinguished professor at University of Illinois
Steve Dyer, Education Fellow, Innovation Ohio and former Ohio State representative
Dick Murray, Muskingum Valley ESC
William L. Phillis, Executive Director, Ohio Coalition for Equity & Advocacy of School Funding
Ron Iarussi, Superintendent Mahoning County ESC
Frank Lazzeri, superintendent of the Boardman School District
Deborah Cain, State Board of Education member
In addition to the forum's presenters, Ohio reps. Ron Gerberry and Robert Hagan and state Sen.Joe Schiavoni will be on hand to contribute to the discussion.
"It's very important for the public to be better informed about the privatization movement occurring in education, and to equip taxpayers with the necessary information to help protect the future of public education," Ron Iarussi, MCESC Superintendent, said.