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Schools

School Board Hears Residents' Concerns Over Pending Legislation

New firm for district's lead attorney approved at March 14 meeting

Students may have an answer soon  to accommodate being closed because of winter storms.

“People are thinking we are going to have school those days, even though it is likely we are not,” said Jacquie Mazziotta, a spokesperson for the Stow-Munroe Falls City School District.

Already passed by the Ohio House of Representatives, legislation now in committee in the Ohio Senate is scheduled for its first hearing today at 9 a.m., according to the office of State Rep. Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson), a co-sponsor of HB 36.  If successful, the legislation would restore to 175 days the state minimum, out of 180 days, that schools be in session each academic year, allowing school closure for five, rather than three, calamity days.

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“I’m very confident the legislature will reinstate it, and I think that’s wise. It’s all about the safety of the students,” said Superintendent Dr. Russell Jones.

During its meeting Monday at Highland Elementary School, the Stow-Munroe Falls City School District Board of Education also heard from residents concerned about other pending legislation that, if passed, would eliminate the requirement that school districts offer all-day kindergarten and continue to allow districts to charge tuition for all-day kindergarten.

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Jones said the issue is still pending legislation and would be addressed if passed into state law.

The Board unanimously approved a motion to employ the law firm of Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP, where Adam Miller, lead attorney for the school district, became partner March 1. According to the firm’s press release,  Miller is a former teacher, coach and school superintendent who earned his law degree from Capital University Law School. Miller previously had been employed at the law firm of Ulmer and Burne LLP.

The Board will next meet at 7 p.m. March 28 at Stow-Munroe Falls High School.

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