CITY TO HOLD OFF ON INSTITUTING DARE-LIKE PROGRAM IN SCHOOLS

Tallmadge -- The schools will have no program to provide drug and alcohol
education to students until possibly 2010 since the cancellation of DARE,
Mayor Christopher Grimm said, and some school representatives wish it
could be offered sooner.

"I consider it more of a luxury item with the economy the way it is,"
Grimm said. "We're going to wait."

The mayor said the city hopes to eventually institute a program similar to
DARE, which was canceled this school year in December to save money, he
said.

The program, which taught students about drug abuse resistance education,
was funded by the city. The city paid an officer to schedule classes with
all of the schools in the district.

According to Finance Director Jill Stritch, the program's cancellation
will save the city about $25,500 annually.

Part of that savings is from former DARE officer Charlie Glisson's
retirement. Glisson earned about $28 an hour, said Stritch.

Grimm said part of the reason for not immediately replacing the DARE
program is because, "We have a freeze on hiring right now, unless
absolutely necessary.

"We recognize the fact we need to put some kind of program in place .. but
we're waiting to see what we can do," Grimm added. "It all comes down to
finances." Grimm also said he believes Tallmadge students will be OK for
the time being without a DARE-like program in place.

Helene Hussing, president of the Tallmadge Council of Parent Teacher
Associations, disagrees.

"Most assuredly, children will suffer without drug and safety education,
and in addition, will be affected by the lack of a uniformed officer
visiting in the classroom with regards to this education," Hussing said.

Jennifer Bronstrup, Tallmadge Middle School teacher, PTA member and
Tallmadge Community Action Network president, echoed Hussing's concerns.

"We feel some kind of drug/alcohol prevention programming in the schools
is an essential part of our children's education," Bronstrup said.

"The city has always paid for the program," added Grimm, "but right now,
we're looking to stave off a huge deficit."

"We are trying to pass a levy in May to keep us operating in the black and
there will be more staff cuts as well as program cuts next year, so
implementing these programs that were mostly funded by the city doesn't
seem feasible at this point for the schools, unfortunately," Bronstrup
said.

Administrators and teachers from the schools would like to see a
replacement program in place for the start of the 2009-10 school year,
Hussing said.

"The mayor assured us in the February after hours with the mayor [meeting]
he had every intention to replace a drug and safety program at the start
of the 2009-10 school year," Hussing said. "The PTA continually advocates
for the children and we will continue to encourage the mayor in fulfilling
his commitment."

Grimm said he and his staff are continuously looking at the budget and
trying to see if the city's growth level is where it needs to be. But for
now, the idea of a replacement program will continue to stay on hold,
pending the city's financial outlook, he said.

Community Action Network

The Tallmadge Community Action Network consists of a group of concerned
citizens committed to the promotion of healthy, drug-free lifestyles in
the community. The focus is on building an awareness of alcohol and other
drug abuse and its prevention through education. Community involvement is
encouraged by networking, providing resources, building trust and
educating youth and their families.

Since its founding in 1997, CAN has spearheaded the following initiatives
in Tallmadge: "Parents who Host, Lose the Most" campaign; Safe Homes, Safe
Parties parents pledge; nationally known drug prevention and motivational
speakers for school assemblies; "Healthy Lifestyle Award" to graduating
THS senior who has demonstrated healthy choices and a drug-free lifestyle;
annual middle school ice skating party and annual elementary school roller
skating party and primary school family bowling party; support of Teen
Institute and PANDA student drug prevention organizations; annual Red
Ribbon Week drug prevention awareness campaign; Tallmadge Family Fun Day;
"Parent to Parent" video-based parenting workshops; and community youth
events at various locations in partnership with the city and schools.