Education goals

Goal A.  Getting Them In - Children enter school ready to learn.

Issue:  Currently there are more than 11,000 children under the age of 5 in Butler County.  Multiple studies conclude that for every $1 invested in early care and education, $7 is saved in remedial and special education, welfare, and criminal justice expenses.  1 in every 5 children in the County needs special education.

Outcome:  Children are better prepared to enter school and the need for support is decreased.

Goal B.  Getting Them to Succeed - Children maintain progress through growth process.

Issue:  Our school age children represent one-third of the County's population, totaling nearly 30,000.  At least 14% have physical, mental, learning, or emotional needs and 16% are living in single parent households.  In 4 of our 7 school districts, more than 25% of students are economically disadvantaged.  20% of all students are eligible for free or reduced lunches.  The average number of students per teacher in the County is 16.4.  School revenues lag behind school expenditures.  There are alarming numbers of children in the Children and Youth system, with recidivism in family reunification fall-out at high levels.

Outcome:  Students show academic progress/success and avoid risky behavior.

Goal C.  Getting Them Out - Children leave school ready for success.

Issue:  An alarming number of 18-24 year olds are neither in school or employed and are at risk for becoming homeless.

Outcome:  Teens exit school with a better understanding of career opportunities, personal assets, skills and interests; are better able to set goals, gain employment, and develop skills necessary for future vocation.

Members of the Education Impact Council include:

Henry Sinopoli, Chairman; Alice Nunes, Butler County Children's Center; Ray Steffler, Office of Senator Mary Jo White; Julie Thumma, Lifesteps; Jody Gulish, Lifesteps; Erin Schmidhamer, Center for Community Resources; Richard McCartney, Moraine Trails Council Boy Scouts of America; Donna Weckerly, UAW Local Union 3303 at AK Steel; and Sherry Sassone, United Way of Butler County.