Middletown Forum : Other School Issues http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/ This is an XML content feed of; Middletown Forum : Other School Issues : Last 10 Posts Mon, 05 Oct 2026 11:21:57 +0000 Wed, 01 May 2019 17:00:29 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 10.12 30 www.middletownusa.com/forum/RSS_topic_feed.asp?FID=17 Middletown Forum http://middletownusa.com/images/blog-logo.jpg http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/ Other School Issues : Middletown AD leaving http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6939&PID=51148&title=middletown-ad-leaving#51148 Author: VietVet
Subject: Middletown AD leaving
Posted: May 01 2019 at 5:00pm

MIDDLETOWN —
The Middletown City School District announced Tuesday that Justin “J.D.” Foust will be its new athletic director.

And now, the typical speech we hear from ALL AD's or Superintendents when taking on any Middletown position.....

"“I am very excited to be joining the positive(??? (don't know about that) movement in Middletown,” Foust said in a release. “The Middies have had a tradition of proven success (just not within the last decade or two), and I am proud to be the next athletic director. I am looking forward to building relationships with the students, coaches, alumni and community of Middletown.”" (Just start winning and being competitive for starters)

followed by the support speech.....

"“He brings to us a wealth of experience in the field and some outstanding skills that will take us to the next level with athletics,” Middletown principal Carmela Cotter said. “He is excited to be on our team and to become part of our Middie family as we strive for future success.”"

with the typical result of them staying a short period of time until they see the writing on the wall and move on to more lucrative positions in higher performing districts......

Nevertheless, I wish the new AD well in his tenure, be it short or longterm, with the Middletown district. It will take a special type of person to persevere here. A person who has exceptional patients and forgiveness given the many shortcomings both in academics as well as sports. It is far from what it use to be as to excellence. ]]> Wed, 01 May 2019 17:00:29 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6939&PID=51148&title=middletown-ad-leaving#51148 Other School Issues : Middletown "Middie Meal Machine" http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6945&PID=51110&title=middletown-middie-meal-machine#51110 Author: middiemom
Subject: Middletown "Middie Meal Machine"
Posted: Apr 03 2019 at 12:17am

Bob 🙌🏻]]> Wed, 03 Apr 2019 00:17:56 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6945&PID=51110&title=middletown-middie-meal-machine#51110 Other School Issues : Middletown "Middie Meal Machine" http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6945&PID=51107&title=middletown-middie-meal-machine#51107 Author: buddhalite
Subject: Middletown "Middie Meal Machine"
Posted: Apr 02 2019 at 9:58am

I've only seen one instance in the last 5 years where I knew of a kid who was hungry.  It was an abusive situation and it was handled.

I thought (from all the media hype out there) that all our kids were sedentary and on the verge of obesity?

Which is it?  Either the kids are obese or they are hungry - figure it out.

Furthermore - when our society took the feeding of the hungry and needy out of the hands of our churches - that's when the entitlement mentality began to take hold.  Instead of a true measure of someone's ability/wealth and blessing them accordingly...we turned it over to the government.  The government just throws money at problems and only makes them worse.

The government style welfare has evolved now into melees at food pantries, fist-fights at soup kitchens and better yet the illegal sale of government benefits.  Between Sec. 8, food stamps, wic, medicaid, TANF, housing assistance, SSI, earned income credit and more...I'm confused as to how anyone can be hungry (this is of course disavowing any horrific life choices people make) in today's world.

Yet - it exists.  I know a school teacher who packs two lunches everyday - one for himself, one for a student who lives in a home with no food, no water, leaking roof and probably more horrific than we can imagine.  This is the reason we do it.

Could it be done better?  Sure - but not until true means testing is completed.  Not until the truly needy are separated from the truly greedy.  Why is it so hard for people to give up benefits?  Oh yeah - the government calls them 'benefits' - because here's a great example....

A family of four under low income can get just shy of $700 in food stamps EACH MONTH!  I spend most of my grocery dollar at Aldi, buying store label products and meats that are almost out of date on clearance to feed my family...while a food stamp family can shop at Kroger, buy name brand items and purchase foods I can't afford.

Way too hard to give up a 'benefit' like that.  Furthermore - I've NEVER spent that kind of grocery money in any given month!  What are we thinking?
]]> Tue, 02 Apr 2019 09:58:20 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6945&PID=51107&title=middletown-middie-meal-machine#51107 Other School Issues : Middletown "Middie Meal Machine" http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6945&PID=51104&title=middletown-middie-meal-machine#51104 Author: middiemom
Subject: Middletown "Middie Meal Machine"
Posted: Apr 01 2019 at 8:02pm

For once, I agree with Vet. The summer meal program is a HUGE waste of $$$. Every summer my mother takes the grand kids to get “free” lunches. They don’t receive any government assistance and don’t need it. You wouldn’t believe the food/juice boxes/ fruit they come home with. Plastic grocery Bags and bags of stuff every time. I hope there is more over sight. I too would like your questions answered, Vet. Valid concerns. I challenge any one of you to go to one of these and see what goes on. MADDENING! ]]> Mon, 01 Apr 2019 20:02:59 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6945&PID=51104&title=middletown-middie-meal-machine#51104 Other School Issues : Middletown "Middie Meal Machine" http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6945&PID=51103&title=middletown-middie-meal-machine#51103 Author: VietVet
Subject: Middletown "Middie Meal Machine"
Posted: Mar 30 2019 at 11:42am

Journal story concerning the school district feeding kids during non school months.....

BUTLER, WARREN —
Many area school districts are going to historic lengths to bring nutritional meals into the communities where some of their poorer students live.

Now that battle against hunger has gone mobile.Last week saw Middletown Schools unveil the district’s first food truck, part of a $225,000 program to feed the district’s needy students by going to them on non-school days. The giant, brightly colored truck will travel to some of Middletown’s low-income communities this summer to deliver free lunches to children and teens who during the school year depend on such meals from their school cafeterias.Hungry and malnourished students can’t pay attention as well, and over time they are prone to lagging behind developmentally and physically, studies have shown.In Butler County, Middletown and New Miami Schools have 100 percent of its student population eligible for free school meals in 2018 with Hamilton Schools showing 68 percent of its enrollment listed as poor enough to qualify, according to the Ohio Department of Education.

Among Butler and Warren County school systems, Mason Schools has the lowest percentage of meal-eligible students at 9 percent.Ohio is one of the most food insecure states in the nation, according to 2017 national report.
About 16 percent of Ohio households have low or very low food security, according to data published in September by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service.Middletown joins Lakota and Hamilton schools in using mobile units to transport meals where low-income students live during school breaks.VIDEO & STORY: Lakota Schools reach hungry students on summer break with food buses All Ohio school districts offer federally subsidized free and reduced cost meals to financial eligible students during the school year.“The daily breakfast and lunch meals provided by Hamilton Schools may be the only complete and balanced meals some students receive in a day,” said Cinde Gorbandt, senior director of dining services.“Due to family finances, or not having a parent at home to cook, many students may not have access to a hot meal while school is on break.”Officials said the meal programs help students stay connected in the classroom.“If a child is hungry, they are not going to feel ready to learn,” said Holli Morrish, spokesperson for Talawanda schools, which has about a third of its enrollment poor enough to qualify for free school meals.Pam Pratt, spokesperson for Edgewood Schools — where in 2018, 36 percent of its enrollment could partake of free school meals — echoed that.“Providing sufficient nutrition is so important for a student’s growth and development (and) when you reduce a child’s anxiety about basic necessities, such as where and when they will receive their next meal, they are able to focus on learning which influences the quality of their education,” Pratt said.MORE: Hamilton Schools unveil district’s first food truck to feed needy students during summer break In Butler County, nearly one in seven families are food insecure, meaning these families experience lack access, at times, to enough food, according to a 2017 report from the YMCA,.Warren County’s Kings schools is a long-time leader in making sure its students are fed over the weekends of a school year. The district, which reported 17 percent of its students eligible for free school meals in 2018, started a “power pack” food stuff program in 2010 that has since been adopted by many other area school systems.Each school week, volunteer high school students pack nutritional meals, snacks and beverages for distribution to low-income students on Fridays to last them through the weekend.The food bags are then delivered to students’ lockers during Friday classes, when the hallways are empty, so those students don’t draw attention. Or they are dropped off at the front of closed classroom doors so teachers can quietly hand them to students before they leave for home.“Food insecurity puts tremendous stress on families, so we do our best to identify students who may be well-fed during the week at school, but the weekends can prove particularly daunting,” said Kings spokesperson Dawn Gould.“The Kings district is very aware that hunger negatively impacts a student’s academic performance. “We do our best to ensure that the process is equitable.”Meal distribution through deliveries is the goal of Lakota’s mobile lunch program during summer break. Lakota officials map communities with the largest groupings of low-income households.“Last year, we averaged 273 meals per day for a total of 13,320 meals over a 50-day period during summer break,” said Betsy Fuller, spokesperson for Lakota.Middletown’s new food truck, adorned with “Middie Meal Machine” and the district’s logo purple represents the latest reform tried by the largely low-income school districts.

“We are so excited the Middie Meal Machine is finally here,” said Middletown Schools Superintendent Marlon Styles Jr.“We’ve been modernizing our approach to reaching students and teaching healthy habits. The Middie Meal Machine showcases the district’s commitment to provide all students with what they need to be successful.”

Sounds like a great program for the kids. Now, I have some questions to consider......

1. Should the Middletown school district offer a social program like this when we have agencies in Hamilton at the county level that should probably administer and absorb the cost of this?

2. How much did this food truck cost? How long has this been active? Was it paid for by the taxpayers? Was the money to pay for this part of a levy in the past and if so, why wasn't it mentioned when we all voted for that levy? Seems to me that if the taxpayer is going the pay for this non-school time program, it should not be paid for using a school related funding levy, but rather, be a totally separate levy presented to the voters. We should have had a say in the matter IMO.

3. Where does the food come from and is the taxpayer paying not only for the food truck but the food as well? How much are the families of the kids using this program required to pay toward feeding their kids?

4. With low income families receiving Food Stamps, WIC and other freebie social services, why can't the families put food on the table for their kids using the services provided? How are they eating if they can't feed their kids? Seems they are receiving state and fed taxpayer money through low income programs AND benefiting from this type of taxpayer supplied service as well. Isn't that overkill as to benefiting these parents? What are the parents part in contributing to feeding their own kids? How much are they expected to provide toward the kids they voluntarily had?

Might seem "insensitive" to ask these questions in today's kinder/gentle/how could you be so cruel/stop being "so mean"/try to make people feel guilty bullcrap we live through each day, but asking the questions as to how our money is being used and who is responsible for what, is, IMO, not out of line here. If the taxpayer's are paying for the ride, I believe they have a right to ask the specifics of the cost. JMO]]> Sat, 30 Mar 2019 11:42:48 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6945&PID=51103&title=middletown-middie-meal-machine#51103 Other School Issues : Middletown AD leaving http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6939&PID=51088&title=middletown-ad-leaving#51088 Author: VietVet
Subject: Middletown AD leaving
Posted: Mar 18 2019 at 7:05pm

buddhalite:

"I don't know if that is the fault of the students, teachers, admins or the janitors - but it is of grave concern. Maybe we should have hired more teachers and kept the old building."

I have to point my finger of blame toward the apathy of the voting people living here who have accepted the low academic and sports performances. The people living here seem to condone low standards as they voted for the 45 million dollar bond levy building of the elementary schools, saw there was no positive progress and then voted for the 96 million dollar bond levy for the high school expansion, the new practice field, the new middle school and the mega campus complex they have built on Breile at Manchester. Incredible! Did you not see that your 45 million did nothing toward improvement? The only way the school people would have gotten the message that their performance was not acceptable to the community was to reject both levies, but we all saw what happened. The voters bought the school message hook, line and sinker and actually believed that new schools would produce better results. Same thinking that a new, fancy gym would produce a better basketball team and a 2+ million dollar upgrade would produce a winning football team. They were wrong but don't seem to want to complain that they were cheated out of their tax money. Millions spent.....nothing positive produced......and still, most must be satisfied at this scenario. Amazing blindness shown by the people of Middletown here. Gullible as hell. The school supporters know they can fool the voters now and will continue to use them knowing they will drink the propaganda kool-aid time and time again. Gullibility, apathy and blindness to reality from the people living here, is a pathetic thing to see.]]> Mon, 18 Mar 2019 19:05:20 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6939&PID=51088&title=middletown-ad-leaving#51088 Other School Issues : Middletown AD leaving http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6939&PID=51086&title=middletown-ad-leaving#51086 Author: buddhalite
Subject: Middletown AD leaving
Posted: Mar 18 2019 at 2:55pm

Well Vet,

I've never seen a CEO of a failing company hold a press conference and hype up the fact that the company is failing.  Even when it is apparent to the whole world that the sky has fallen - public figures still point that the sun is still shining.

The sports accomplishments (or lack thereof) bother me none.  It would be nice to have winning teams, but that doesn't add to the credibility of a district rated in the bottom 15% of the state.

But, I share your  concerns....millions spent on arena, schools and fields....not only do we have no extra-curricular achievements about which to greatly boast - we are stuck in a failing school system as well.

I don't know if that is the fault of the students, teachers, admins or the janitors - but it is of grave concern.  Maybe we should have hired more teachers and kept the old building.
]]> Mon, 18 Mar 2019 14:55:46 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6939&PID=51086&title=middletown-ad-leaving#51086 Other School Issues : Middletown AD leaving http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6939&PID=51083&title=middletown-ad-leaving#51083 Author: spiderjohn
Subject: Middletown AD leaving
Posted: Mar 18 2019 at 7:45am

imo
If you are not from here, Middletown schools and Admin are pretty much a training ground and stepping stone resume builder. I enjoyed mr.zupka though it seemed that he was on a very tight leash. He was rumored to be job-seeking after his first year. As vet says. we have top shelf facilities and some very good coaches now with less than top shelf results. Talent levels are less than the norm though the attitude/desire to win seems to be improving. We are now the smallest school in the GMC, which has added to our athletic struggles. Cross country and bowling seem to be going well and are consistent, with football and basketball hopefully on the improve. Will be interesting to see who replaces Aaron—my guess is that it will be his assistant.]]> Mon, 18 Mar 2019 07:45:37 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6939&PID=51083&title=middletown-ad-leaving#51083 Other School Issues : Middletown AD leaving http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6939&PID=51082&title=middletown-ad-leaving#51082 Author: VietVet
Subject: Middletown AD leaving
Posted: Mar 17 2019 at 8:46pm

Journal story tells us that AD Zupka is leaving after three years to take the AD job at Milford. Zupka tells us that "a lot of great things have happened" during his tenure as AD. Let's see how that relates to reality.

The football team has been a bust for years with losing records for most of that time. There have been several seasons where the team went 1-9 or 0-10 in wins and occupied last place in the conference. Don't see any signs that would tell the community that there is any measurable improvement on the horizon.

The basketball team has performed only slightly better but has had losing seasons for years as well. A "good season" at Middletown would include .500 seasons and a competitive, talented, winning season seems to be an enigma.

The baseball team went 0-18 last year according to the recent article in the Journal and can usually be found at the bottom of the standings.

Minor sports such as bowling, soccer and golf may have performed better but, I would imagine, those who follow sports don't consider these as important as the basic three mentioned above.

Mr. Zupka tells us the system has good coaches in place but it appears the coaches are severely limited to the talent in this city. Seems the talent level has decreased tremendously here the last few decades. In defense of the coaches, they must take the role of mom and dad while trying to develop the player to be competitive. An almost overwhelming role for them. We really can't expect even the best coaches to assemble a competitive team if the quality of the athlete is not available and mom and dad are not there to help teach discipline and responsibility to their kid. Same goes for controlling any discipline and responsible behavior in the classroom. Perhaps introducing some military tactics would entice better behavior in this case. Unfortunately, the kinder/gentler, "don't touch my angel" parents get in the way of forming decent human beings in the high school ranks.   

We have great sports facilities in this town. The new field at the corner of Manchester and Breile, the new "Wade Miller Arena" are topnotch and much more fancy than should be at the high school level. Barnitz has always been a tremendous facility for football and was made even better with the new upgrades. Still, it would be a pleasant change of pace if the quality and winning tradition would reflect the new facilities. Now, we have Taj Mahal schools with sports facilities that match. Problem is, we don't have quality sports or academics to match.

It would appear, when comparing any school officials rhetoric to the actual situation of poor performance, both academically and sports-wise, Mr. Zupka has added to the embellishment that we frequently hear from the Middletown School District. It is sad to see denial of the reality of the situation in action. When will they learn that it is what it is and leave their fiction behind?

]]> Sun, 17 Mar 2019 20:46:49 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6939&PID=51082&title=middletown-ad-leaving#51082 Other School Issues : Non-Retained Principal Still Being Paid http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6930&PID=51034&title=nonretained-principal-still-being-paid#51034 Author: VietVet
Subject: Non-Retained Principal Still Being Paid
Posted: Jan 24 2019 at 11:34am

Looks as if we have a former school principal at Rosa Parks Elementary that was let go, but by contract, is still being paid half his salary he was earning while working. Sweet deal if you can get it. Didn't see that setup in the private sector in over 48 years of working. The school board won't tell the Journal nor the public, even though it is the people's money, why this situation is occurring. The story mentions some sort of discrimination but what happened specifically and who did the discriminating and why haven't they been fired? Too much secrecy with this school board. Urso and company claim it is a private matter dealing with personnel issues and they are not required to tell the public anything. Seems wrong to me not to be made to publish what happened to allow this man to resign. If he is collecting his paycheck on the public's dime, and we are paying him for NOT being here, IMO, we should know the background of this story. The Journal asked if any other school board member wanted to speak. Not one of the members wanted to be open and honest as well.(remember their names when election time is here and let's get 'em off the board) Exactly what do these other school board members do to earn the positions they have? We never hear from them as to public comments. We never hear any justification for their existence. The school board members never interact with the public. Urso does on an infrequent basis. What are their plans to turn this district around and start performing and why hasn't it been communicated to the public? Hmmmm. Kinda sounds like the pathetic city council doesn't it with regard to a lack of communication with the community. Do we have anyone running for office in this town that truly wants to be honest and open with the people they are suppose to be representing? Doesn't appear to be the case with the current crop of council and school board people. Secrecy is the current game and has been for a long time now.

So.....when the school board asks the public for money to operate their schools, wants a renewal, or wants to build more Taj Mahals on the next levy, and because they won't be open and honest about all taxpayer supported school money spent/decisions made between asking for more money, I would suggest we taxpayers remind them of this little incident next time at the voting booth. Hell, we aren't getting anything for the millions we gave them in the past. They are still leading a district that is teaching at the bottom dweller failure level anyway. What do we have to lose if we keep turning over incumbents on council and the school board? Already know what we have now, right? None are impressive, right? Couldn't do any worse and might do better with the right combination of candidates. ]]> Thu, 24 Jan 2019 11:34:54 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6930&PID=51034&title=nonretained-principal-still-being-paid#51034