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Gov. DeWine must save cash-strapped school districts like New Philadelphia | Opinion

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Gov. DeWine must save cash-strapped school districts like New Philadelphia | Opinion



Students have been forced to attend school in modular classrooms for decades. We can’t accommodate students with disabilities. Some children learn in classrooms without proper walls or doors.

Amanda Fontana and Jennifer Schrock both serve on the board for New Philadelphia City Schools. They are writing as parents and members of the All in for Ohio Kids coalition.

Our families have lived in and around New Philadelphia for generations. We are raising our children here so they can experience the same tight-knit community we did.

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We ran for school board to be champions for the district we love. Our children deserve to go to school in safe, modern buildings, to be taught by well-paid professionals and to pursue their passions through extracurricular activities.

Unfortunately, new Ohio Speaker of the House Matt Huffman doesn’t share the same goals for our children.

He has a long track record of lining the pockets of his corporate donors with tax breaks and sending our public dollars to well-off families for private school vouchers. He wants to do more of the same in the 2025-26 state budget.

Soon, Gov. Mike DeWine will introduce his budget proposal. We’re calling on him to protect Ohio’s public schools.

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Ohio lawmakers continuously fail our schools and students

For more than 20 years, Ohio policymakers did not live up to the constitutional requirement to “secure a thorough and efficient system of common schools throughout the state.” The funding system relied too heavily on local property taxes, which benefits wealthy districts with high property values and shortchanges working-class communities like ours.

Last year, we joined a group of educators, parents and community leaders called the All in for Ohio Kids Coalition. Four years ago, they pushed state lawmakers to include the Fair School Funding Plan in the 2022-23 budget. The bipartisan plan changed the funding formula to account for the different needs of Ohio’s small towns, suburbs, big cities and rural communities.

New Philadelphia is located in the middle of predominantly rural Tuscarawas County.

About 30% of our students qualify as economically disadvantaged. Our dedicated educators and administrators work miracles with inadequate materials and outdated buildings. New Philadelphia’s most modern school was built in the 1970s.

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Students have been forced to attend school in modular classrooms for decades. We don’t have the facilities to accommodate students with disabilities. Some children learn in classrooms without proper walls or doors.

Although Quaker pride runs deep, voters rejected the district’s November bond request to upgrade our severely outdated school buildings. Most told us they simply could not afford to pay more in property taxes.

We were not alone.

More than half of Ohio’s school district levies failed last fall. For a district like ours that derives more than half our revenue from local property taxes, we live in a constant state of uncertainty. The Fair School Funding plan helps provide the stability we need.

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Ohio public schools need funding

If lawmakers don’t include the Fair School Funding Plan in the next state budget, they will be responsible for taking about $900,000 away from New Philadelphia City Schools in 2027.

That could force our district to cut staff, slash extracurricular activities or reduce support services.

A few weeks ago, Huffman called the Fair School Funding Plan “unsustainable.”

What seems more unsustainable is forcing cash-strapped districts to continuously go back to the ballot so he can give away our schools’ money to his rich friends and supporters. If he has his way, high-quality education will be out of reach for more Ohio children.

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Many of his fellow Republican lawmakers stood up to Huffman and defended our public schools.

From increasing mental health services in our schools to expanding Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library across the state, DeWine has always prioritized Ohio’s children.

As he moves into the back end of his second term, we’re asking him to cement his legacy by protecting the Fair School Funding Plan.

Amanda Fontana and Jennifer Schrock both serve on the board for New Philadelphia City Schools. They do not speak for the school board, but are writing as parents and members of the All in for Ohio Kids coalition.

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Hail slams parts of Northeast Ohio, damaging homes in Solon area

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Hail slams parts of Northeast Ohio, damaging homes in Solon area


CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Hail slammed parts of Northeast Ohio Wednesday, with Cuyahoga County seeing two-inch hail for the first time in six years.

Homes in the Solon area were hit hard. Windows were busted out, siding was punctured, and roofs need repair.

Ricky Campopiano, Owner of Campo Roofing, said his phone started ringing when he opened for business, primarily from people in the Solon area.

“We had over 1,000 people call our office and ask for us to come out,” Campopiano said.

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Roof damage widespread

Campopiano said the damage was severe across the area.

“Pretty much every roof that I looked at [Thursday] had damage that you could see from the ground. It was a no-brainer, it has to get replaced,” he said.

Many homeowners likely called their insurance companies Thursday. Campopiano said insurers sometimes push back on full replacements.

“A lot of the times companies don’t want to replace all of the shingles, they just want to replace a facet or two,” he said.

Under Ohio law, if new shingles don’t match the color or quality of the ones already on a roof, the insurance company may be required to replace more of the roof until it looks the way it did before the storm.

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The next 24 hours for damaged homes could include a tarp covering the roof to stop further damage.

Campopiano said after protecting the home the process involves identifying damage and having insurance come out to make sure everyone is on the same page when it comes to method of repair.

With so many homes damaged across northeast Ohio, repairs could take months or even years, depending on how bad the damage is, Campopiano said.



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Philanthropist E. Roe Stamps to deliver Ohio State’s spring commencement address

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Philanthropist E. Roe Stamps to deliver Ohio State’s spring commencement address


Philanthropist and private investor E. Roe Stamps IV will deliver this year’s spring commencement address at The Ohio State University.

Beginning at noon at Ohio Stadium on Sunday, May 10, the commencement ceremony will feature the conferral of roughly 12,000 diplomas. 

Stamps is best known as the co-founder of the Boston-based private equity and venture capital firm Summit Partners and the Stamps Scholars Program, a charitable initiative that provides scholarships to students at over three dozen universities worldwide. At Ohio State, around 50 students each year receive scholarships through the affiliated Stamps Eminence Scholarship Program.

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“We look forward to welcoming Roe Stamps to our university to share words of wisdom with the Class of 2026,” said President Ravi V. Bellamkonda. “Roe is a champion for the transformative power of higher education, and he has been an extraordinary partner in building a tradition of excellence at Ohio State. His lessons on service and creating impact will be of great value to our graduates as they prepare to take their next steps.”

“It is a true honor to deliver the 2026 commencement address to The Ohio State University’s graduating class,” Stamps said. “Ohio State is an extraordinary institution, and through the Stamps Scholars partnership with the university, our family has had the privilege of getting to know many remarkable Buckeye students. I look forward to being on campus and celebrating alongside the graduates as they mark this important milestone and begin the next chapter of their journeys.”

Stamps holds degrees in industrial engineering from Georgia Tech University and an MBA from Harvard. Following early career experiences in venture capital in Chicago and Boston, he co-founded Summit Partners with Steve Woodsum in 1984, working as a managing director before transferring daily operations to several partners in 2001. Summit Partners currently has $44 billion in assets under management and has invested in over 550 companies.

Stamps is also passionate about investing in education and communities. Beyond the Stamps Scholars Program, he is a trustee emeritus of the Georgia Tech Foundation. He also supports a variety of charities in the Miami region where he resides, including the University of Miami, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida and Miami Lighthouse for the Blind.

In addition to delivering his address, Stamps will receive an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree at the commencement ceremony in recognition of his dedication to advancing educational opportunities and his other philanthropic contributions.

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Tahlman Krumm Jr. and Edgar Lampert will receive the university’s Distinguished Service Award.

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Joseph D. Schiavone, Youngstown, Ohio

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Joseph D. Schiavone, Youngstown, Ohio


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Joseph D. Schiavone, 85, Co-Owner and operator of Schiavone Funeral Home, passed away on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Joe was born on April 11, 1941, in Youngstown, to his parents Joseph Schiavone and Louise Massaro Schiavone.

A band member and 1959 graduate of Ursuline High School, Joe pursued higher education earnestly, earning an Associate Degree from Youngstown State University and completing his studies at the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 1962.

His professional journey began with a one-year apprenticeship at the Schiavone Funeral Home, followed by a year of dedicated service in Tiltonsville, Ohio, eventually returning to Youngstown where he continued his career with distinction.

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Joe was known not only of his commitment to his work but also for his entrepreneurial spirit, particularly in his passionate pursuit of vintage automobiles. At the young age of sixteen, he built his first car, a 1932 Ford Coupe, igniting a lifelong enthusiasm for street rods, European classics, and unique American automobiles. His remarkable collection earned him various awards and recognition within the car enthusiast community. Joe was affectionately known as “Mr. Fix It” among family and friends, a testament to his skill and ability to solve most problems.

Joe enjoyed the simple things in life, such as working outside and woodworking, along with his love of “oldies” music. These hobbies complemented his personality, often times enriching the lives of those around him.

He was a nominee for the Brier Hill Man of the Year in 2026, a testament to his profound impact on and contributions to his community where he was a dedicated and contributing member of Saint Anthony of Padua Church.

Family was a central part of Joe’s life. He is survived by his two sons, Brian J. Schiavone (Thu T. Ngo) of Chicago, Illinois, and Edward J. Schiavone of Menlo Park, California; his daughter Elaina L. Schiavone of Youngstown; his three cherished granddaughters, Maleah K. Schiavone of Columbus, Liliana M. Schiavone of Youngstown, and Sophia L. Schiavone of Chicago, Illinois. He is also remembered fondly by his sister, Marie A. Lorubbio, his brother John D. Schiavone, both of Struthers, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He will be greatly missed and forever remembered.

Joe was preceded in death by his beloved parents, his devoted wife, JoAnn M. Colonna Schiavone, whom he married October 15, 1964 and died November 13, 2013, and his daughter Yvette M. Schiavone who died at a young age.

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Those who knew Joe will remember his quirky sense of humor, his strength in character, his supportive nature, and his firm beliefs and faith that guided him through life’s challenges. His legacy is one of resilience, dedication, and deep love for both his family and his unique interests.

Gathering of family and friends will be held at Schiavone Funeral Home, 1842 Belmont Ave., Youngstown, Ohio 44504, on Friday, April 17, 2026, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 9:30-10:30 a.m., followed by A Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1125 Turin Street, Youngstown, Ohio 44510. Burial will be at Tod Homestead Cemetery, 2200 Belmont Ave., Youngstown, Ohio 44505 following mass.

Contributions made in Joe’s memory to the charity of your choice.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joseph D. Schiavone, please visit our flower store.

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