What if sports don't exist? This town keeps not supporting levies & that will be a reality very quickly.

Read an article just the other day about Coventry Schools coming out of fiscal watch after 16 years.....have their sports been anything worth mentioning in the last 16 years? Connection there? Hmmm.

Good athletes/students don't stay in bad districts.

Old Rider;1449988 wrote:I'm just trying to figure out where to send them?? Smithville, Apple Creek, or Dalton?? HMMMM???

Let me know where you decide, I may have some to join you...

RIDER DAD;1450074 wrote:Old Rider, if your children put on a uniform from another school wouldn't their skin burn like a vampire in the sun. LOL

LOL..yes it would be hard for me and the kids to put anything on but red/white/black. However, if I keep them in Orrville there may be NO uniform for them at all!!! I know that my brother is SERIOUSLY considering open-enrolling his kids elsewhere...the state of our schools is just SICK!

RedRider1;1449992 wrote:State has caused SOME of this...but our town is very different in terms of demographics. When 50% of kids in the school are on free or reduced lunch, that's a concern. I'd bet a lot of parents of those kids aren't voting for levies.....but they always have room in the budget for smartphones & mountain dew by the case.

Too many takers in this town....not enough givers.

SOOO TRUE!! Lots of poverty, low-income/government funded housing, unemployed lazy people, renters, Wtrash, etc, etc, etc!!! But they have money for their cartons of marlboro's, 40 ounces, tatoos, and bags of Mcdonalds....

Old Rider;1450105 wrote:SOOO TRUE!! Lots of poverty, low-income/government funded housing, unemployed lazy people, renters, Wtrash, etc, etc, etc!!! But they have money for their cartons of marlboro's, 40 ounces, tatoos, and bags of Mcdonalds....

WOW!!! You guys seem to know a lot about the habits and living arrangements/conditions of these people. By these comments, you must realize that a great majority of them do not own their own homes and/or property and by that, do you really think that they are voting?

You therefore must then also consider, the government funded housing...who owns those properties, who is reaping the benefits of the subsidized rent of those properties, and are those property owners voting yea or nay for the tax levy increases. And can you really blame the poor for the economic crisis of the city, county, state and/or country?

Series62;1450500 wrote:WOW!!! You guys seem to know a lot about the habits and living arrangements/conditions of these people. By these comments, you must realize that a great majority of them do not own their own homes and/or property and by that, do you really think that they are voting?

You therefore must then also consider, the government funded housing...who owns those properties, who is reaping the benefits of the subsidized rent of those properties, and are those property owners voting yea or nay for the tax levy increases. And can you really blame the poor for the economic crisis of the city, county, state and/or country?

Please tell us what a solution would be...

RedRider1;1450085 wrote:What if sports don't exist? This town keeps not supporting levies & that will be a reality very quickly.

Read an article just the other day about Coventry Schools coming out of fiscal watch after 16 years.....have their sports been anything worth mentioning in the last 16 years? Connection there? Hmmm.

Good athletes/students don't stay in bad districts.

Fiscal watch is not a deciding factor as to whether the school can produce good academic/athletic students. All poor families do not produce only failing academic and athletic students. If a family leaves a "bad" district, it's more a matter that they can afford to do so. It's not that easy for many to just pack up and move.

rrfan;1450506 wrote:Please tell us what a solution would be...

A solution to end all the woes...I don't have one as managing and operating schools is not the profession I'm in. I do know enough to say that blaming the poor is even less of a solution.

I will however suggest you consider the governor of our state and the Congressmen and Senators that supports the measures/programs that many of you seem to agree are the base cause of the financial difficulties of the school systems.

The demographics of Orrville hasn't changed that much in the last 10-20 years that I've been here.

Series62;1450509 wrote:Fiscal watch is not a deciding factor as to whether the school can produce good academic/athletic students. All poor families do not produce only failing academic and athletic students. If a family leaves a "bad" district, it's more a matter that they can afford to do so. It's not that easy for many to just pack up and move.

Socioeconomic standing has a big impact on academic performance, and that's been proven in scientific studies. Of course it's not 100% of the time. Just google it & you'll find plenty of supporting evidence to SES & slower child development.

Families with the means, or just the drive to give their kids the best opportunity will find a way, even if it means a longer commute to school or moving.

Again, Coventry has been known for nothing as it relates to sports. It's not a coincidence that their schools have struggled financially over the past 20 years. Good students & athletes DO leave struggling schools. What do you want to bet that a lot of kids who live in their district attend a neighboring school with a better academic, athletic & financial outlook.

Series62;1450515 wrote:The demographics of Orrville hasn't changed that much in the last 10-20 years that I've been here.

But they have....

This link says there's been a 165% growth in the # of residents of latino heritage, a 20% jump in residents 65 years old+ and a 20% drop in the african american population.

http://censusviewer.com/city/OH/Orrville

• Married couples living together made up 54.4% of residents in 2000, in 2010 that number dropped to 49% (we have less married couples & less kids from 2-parent households).
• 35% of households had children under 18 living with them in 2000, in 2010 it dropped to 32.5% (we have less households with kids in the schools).
• Median age in 2000 was 36, in 2010 it was 39 (we're getting older).

And lastly...poverty rate. Ohio's rate is 14.8%, Wayne County is 10.6%, Rittman (the butt of many "poor" jokes) is only 8%. Orrville is an embarassing 18%. Have fun searching here (http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/39/3958828.html).

Total population is virtually unchanged (down 2%) but the makeup of that number has changed dramatically. Stats (not assumption) prove that.

rrfan;1450506 wrote:Please tell us what a solution would be...

<br><br>A solution to end all the woes...I don't have one as managing and operating schools is not the profession I'm in. I do know enough to say that blaming the poor is even less of a solution.<br><br>I will however&nbsp;suggest you consider the governor of our state and the Congressmen and Senators that supports the measures/programs that many of you seem to agree are the base cause of the financial difficulties of the school systems.<br><br>The demographics of Orrville hasn't changed that much in the last 10-20 years that I've been here.

RedRider1;1450535 wrote:But they have....

This link says there's been a 165% growth in the # of residents of latino heritage, a 20% jump in residents 65 years old+ and a 20% drop in the african american population.

http://censusviewer.com/city/OH/Orrville

• Married couples living together made up 54.4% of residents in 2000, in 2010 that number dropped to 49% (we have less married couples & less kids from 2-parent households).
• 35% of households had children under 18 living with them in 2000, in 2010 it dropped to 32.5% (we have less households with kids in the schools).
• Median age in 2000 was 36, in 2010 it was 39 (we're getting older).

And lastly...poverty rate. Ohio's rate is 14.8%, Wayne County is 10.6%, Rittman (the butt of many "poor" jokes) is only 8%. Orrville is an embarassing 18%. Have fun searching here (http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/39/3958828.html).

Total population is virtually unchanged (down 2%) but the makeup of that number has changed dramatically. Stats (not assumption) prove that.

I did know that the Latino population increased immensely and that there are fewer children in the schools.

However, you still cannot lay the state of the schools economy at the feet of the poor or the change in demographics.

I do however believe that even if the levy fails, the school board will find a way to do what needs to be done and Orrville won't decline to fiscal watch status.

Let's build a city around failing schools and poor people, it's done wonders for Detroit

Series62;1450542 wrote:I did know that the Latino population increased immensely and that there are fewer children in the schools.

However, you still cannot lay the state of the schools economy at the feet of the poor or the change in demographics.

I do however believe that even if the levy fails, the school board will find a way to do what needs to be done and Orrville won't decline to fiscal watch status.

But at some point there will need to be an infusion of money, correct? Costs to the district aren't going down. If income is flat (or goes down if this existing levy expires), you can cut more but at some point they will run out of cuts to make.

First step would be to renew the levy currently on the books. Nobody's taxes go up and it will be a baby step in the right direction.

Tough times in Orrville for sure. Here's hoping the community can rally around the kids and schools.

Series62;1450542 wrote:I did know that the Latino population increased immensely and that there are fewer children in the schools.

However, you still cannot lay the state of the schools economy at the feet of the poor or the change in demographics.

I do however believe that even if the levy fails, the school board will find a way to do what needs to be done and Orrville won't decline to fiscal watch status.

Hi Series, can we agree that the sky is blue today or would you like to debate that as well? I wish I could live in your fantasy world for a day. Redrider1 spits out a ton of facts and your rebuttal is "you still cannot lay the state of the schools economy at the feet of the poor or the change in demographics" Really? so what caused the stat or the schools economy?

Series,
I will lay SOME of the problem at the feet of our changing demographics....just as I lay SOME of the blame at the feet of the district for not effectively selling this levy to community residents.

I was called crazy when I said this town has changed and its different than it was even 10 years ago. I proved it with statistics so I'll let those speak.

The town has changed & the trends are not positive with respect to what makes a community a strong one. PERIOD. Accept it or refute it with statistics that prove otherwise.

If we can't have a debate based on facts, then there's no point even trying.

REDRIDER555;1450552 wrote:Let's build a city around failing schools and poor people, it's done wonders for Detroit

Detroit wasn't built around failing schools and poor people. Detroit was a thriving city that prospered and suffered per the automobile industry. When the auto industry began to flounder and cutbacks were made, those who could leave, did, many couldn't, and didn't. Some fell into poverty as a result of the lack of employment. Was it there fault that the availability of work diminished? Sometimes when cutbacks are made, salary increases cease, sometimes salaries are reduced, but your debt doesn't decrease accordingly.

Series62;1450613 wrote:Detroit wasn't built around failing schools and poor people. Detroit was a thriving city that prospered and suffered per the automobile industry. When the auto industry began to flounder and cutbacks were made, those who could leave, did, many couldn't, and didn't. Some fell into poverty as a result of the lack of employment. Was it there fault that the availability of work diminished? Sometimes when cutbacks are made, salary increases cease, sometimes salaries are reduced, but your debt doesn't decrease accordingly.

I vote for you to go and fix Detroit, don't let the door hit you on the way out.

rrfan;1450619 wrote:I vote for you to go and fix Detroit, don't let the door hit you on the way out.

Well, there's another "vote" you just lost!

I find the following stats provided by RR1 to be very interesting and thought provoking:

<<...poverty rate. Ohio's rate is 14.8%, Wayne County is 10.6%, Rittman (the butt of many "poor" jokes) is only 8%. Orrville is an embarassing 18%.>>




<<This link says there's been a 165% growth in the # of residents of latino heritage, a 20% jump in residents 65 years old+ and a 20% drop in the african american population.>>

Maybe I'll move to Chicago and tell them how they should run their town.

BRF;1450811 wrote:I find the following stats provided by RR1 to be very interesting and thought provoking:

<<...poverty rate. Ohio's rate is 14.8%, Wayne County is 10.6%, Rittman (the butt of many "poor" jokes) is only 8%. Orrville is an embarassing 18%.>>




<<This link says there's been a 165% growth in the # of residents of latino heritage, a 20% jump in residents 65 years old+ and a 20% drop in the african american population.>>

Maybe I'll move to Chicago and tell them how they should run their town.

This is America, you have that right to do so!

BRF;1450811 wrote:I find the following stats provided by RR1 to be very interesting and thought provoking:

<<...poverty rate. Ohio's rate is 14.8%, Wayne County is 10.6%, Rittman (the butt of many "poor" jokes) is only 8%. Orrville is an embarassing 18%.>>




<<This link says there's been a 165% growth in the # of residents of latino heritage, a 20% jump in residents 65 years old+ and a 20% drop in the african american population.>>

Maybe I'll move to Chicago and tell them how they should run their town.

Start with less murders. Good first step.

RedRider1;1451120 wrote:Start with less murders. Good first step.

Actually, I was thinking about looking at local high school traditions and seeing if any of them would be considered to be racist towards whites. Then I would attend the football and basketball games of the suburb I resided in and just sit there, not cheer them on, but take mental notes about all the things that I thought they did wrong.

Then I would get on the area sports chat sites and tell everyone how it is.

BRF;1451153 wrote:Actually, I was thinking about looking at local high school traditions and seeing if any of them would be considered to be racist towards whites. Then I would attend the football and basketball games of the suburb I resided in and just sit there, not cheer them on, but take mental notes about all the things that I thought they did wrong.

Then I would get on the area sports chat sites and tell everyone how it is.

LOL. Getcha popcorn ready.