Brook Park passes resolution in support of public schools

BROOK PARK, Ohio – A mayoral proclamation issued in January in support of Ohio School Choice Week has been followed by a Brook Park City Council resolution backing public school education and the Berea City School District.

City Council adopted the resolution at its April 19 meeting. Council as a whole and Mayor Ed Orcutt co-sponsored the measure.

The resolution indicates “90 percent of American children attend public schools, and public funding of education should be used for public schools that are publicly governed and accountable to parents, educators and communities.”

“We wholeheartedly support the 800 employees of the Berea City School District, 108 of which are Brook Park residents,” it says. “Council is in support of our residents continuing to enroll their students in the Berea City School District.”

A lengthy discussion occurred at the April 12 council caucus, with Councilman Brian Poindexter spearheading support for the resolution.

“It’s a piece of legislation I believe in,” Poindexter said. “I would never push somebody into a decision with their child … but I just think some of the things (parents) look for when they choose to go outside of our district our district already has.

“We all know strong school systems are the cornerstone of strong communities,” he added. “How do we keep our school district strong? By keeping it financially strong and keeping the state funding and property tax funding within our school district.”

Councilmen Jim Mencini, Tom Troyer and Rick Salvatore suggested some revisions, as did Council President Mike Vecchio, to soften “strong” wording (i.e. changing “urging” to “in support of”) contained in the original piece.

“I’m not somebody who is going to tell someone where to send their kid,” Councilman Steve Roberts said, noting his children attend the Berea City Schools. “If you feel somewhere else is better, then that’s where you send your kids.”

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