Schools in Conneaut or Ashtabula, OH (Columbus, Cortland: house, find a job, construction)

[loislanemystery]

Hi there,
My family is considering moving closer to my parents in PA, but I am a teacher with OH certification. Hoping to find an excellent to good school system where my two kids can go & I can possibly find a job. The two areas of interest right now to us are Conneaut and Ashtabula. Does anyone know what their school districts are like? I read the thread on Cortland, OH with all of the information on what a great small town it is...might try finding a job there. My parents are in decent health right now so I'm thinking an hour away would still be better than where I live now which is Columbus. Looking for a small town atmosphere w/ excellent schools. Help anyone

[cb14]

Well, first of all--what is your certification? Next, what grades are your children in?
Out of the 7 districts in the county I can tell you that both Conneaut and Ashtabula are "city" districts. Conneaut has one of the highest ratings in the county--only because the state took them over a few years ago because they were doing so poorly. Ashtabula is rated the lowest in the county, but that does not mean they are a bad district--they just have all the problems that accompany city schools. My children go to school in this district and we are pleased so far with the education they are receiving. My son is in the "gifted" program (better program than any other in the county) and my daughter has not yet been tested. However, if choosing this district, or any other for that matter, I would advise becoming involved with their lessons/teachers/school/administration to keep ahead of any potential problems. I am in my childrens' school at least once a week.
As for finding a teaching job--GOOD LUCK!!! I have been trying for the past four years to get hired in a local district and it's been unsuccessful to date. Ashtabula laid off 35 teachers at the end of last school year and the other districts are just not hiring. You will find that most districts in this county have a peculiar way of hiring only alumni and relatives/spouses of current teachers they employ.
If you have any other questions feel free to ask--I can tell you all about the area (places to live, school districts, etc...)

[JR_C]

I can tell you that Ashtabula has a new high school. My architectural firm recently finished the drawings for the junior high school; construction has already started. And, they will have new elementary schools within the next couple years. (we are in the early stages of design now)

I know this doesn't really reflect the quality of a school district's academics, but at least you and your children would have new facilities.

[Aniras2]

I went to Conneaut High School I just graduated in 06. I lived in Conneaut for 12 years. First of all you are recognized by your last. Now that goes for jobs, schools, social life. Now the school is one of the things most people complain about unless your from a higher class. Me I grew up medium to poor, kids there can be very ruthless (like most children) but you cant do anything if their last name were vendetti, joslin... you will realize what I'm talking about. The jobs there are very few and hard to come bye we have some industrial work places but kids out of high school go and work there. Alot of pizza joints and thats it alot of kids get into trouble because theres nothing to do. The pizza place I worked at tried to get a video and internet cafe, for the kids to play video games and have tournaments to keep them from going to house parties, but then the "city manager" wouldn't allow it. Also businesses cannot come in to Conneaut because they turn them down they think if some place like taco bell comes in they will get a certain kind of people that they don't want in "their" town.. Also one more big juicy detail we just got all new schools buildings which we had to vote to raise taxes right?. Well there was this principle ran for city school manager and got the job well but what people didn't say was that she got the salary of the previous city school manager AND his assistant because she ran her own erins n made her own phone calls. Rumor has it she now makes over a quarter million.... (not too sure about it but she does make wayyy more than she should)