Vanessa McCRAY
The Toledo Blade
Toledo, OH, United States
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Past articles by Vanessa:
TPS nabs $400,000 grant to aid homeless students
Toledo Public Schools, the Ohio district with the most homeless students, recaptured a grant that will return tutors to shelters and pay for school supplies, uniforms and other services. The Toledo Board of Education on Monday accepted $400,000 in federal funding awarded by the Ohio Department of Education as part of the McKinney-Vento homelessness aid law. The board accepted the grant roughly… → Read More
TPS administrators union OKs 3-year contract
The union representing Toledo Public Schools’ principals and other administrators voted unanimously Friday to approve a tentative contract with the Toledo Board of Education. The contract for the 320-member union would provide roughly $5.4 million in additional pay by the end of its three-year term and change how employees are paid, district officials said. Students head home for the day from… → Read More
Washington Local accepts resignations of 5 teachers
Soon after Brady Hall returned from a fun-filled Michigan camp trip in early May, the Washington Local student said his sixth-grade teacher left his class “frantically in the middle of the day.” The 12-year-old who recently finished sixth grade at Hiawatha Elementary said he hasn’t seen his teacher since. The classroom door shut firmly behind five Washington Local teachers Wednesday when the… → Read More
UT buys out 121 employees with $4M package
In a big buyout move, the University of Toledo will pay 121 employees a total of $4 million in salaries to leave their jobs by June 30. The enticement aimed at older and experienced employees swayed workers in all areas — from hospital housekeepers to college professors — to accept the lucrative offer. The university proposed the voluntary option in April to about 480 eligible employees, who had… → Read More
BGSU to expand look into student success
BOWLING GREEN — Bowling Green State University received $750,000 from the state to expand a research project tracking how prepared high school graduates are for college. The Ohio Department of Higher Education announced the funding Friday. The university will use the money to broaden a roughly year-old effort to collect data on how local high school graduates perform upon entering BGSU and… → Read More
Owens Community College picks interim president
Owens Community College provost and chief academic officer Steve Robinson will be its interim president. Mr. Robinson will take over July 1. His employment agreement is still being negotiated. The college’s board of trustees unanimously approved his appointment today as well as the process to begin looking for a firm to help lead its search for its next permanent president. Outgoing president… → Read More
Foundation for Toledo Public Schools asks alumni for contact info
Former Rogers High School Rams, Woodward Polar Bears, and other Toledo Public Schools alumni could receive a barrage of requests by postcard, email, and phone to update their personal information. The foundation that raises money for the district authorized a massive mailing — about 92,000 postcards when the work is finished — to high school graduates to try to gather current names, addresses,… → Read More
TPS replacing lights to pare energy costs
Toledo Public Schools will replace interior lights with energy-efficient bulbs in more than two dozen schools — a $3.35 million project the district expects will pay for itself quickly. Chief Business Manager James Gant said he thinks the $3,350,428 project will result in enough utility savings to cover its cost in three years. District-wide, TPS spends roughly $8.5 million a year on utilities,… → Read More
Community gathers in Bedford Twp. to honor fallen service members
American flags and flower bouquets dotted the grassy Lambertville Cemetery where more than 100 people — including veterans and their families — gathered today to mark Memorial Day. The half-hour service held at the graveyard off Dean Road and across from a Bedford Township fire station showcased the gratitude of a community with a rich history of service. “This annual event signifies the… → Read More
5 Washington Local teachers resign over camp probe
Five Washington Local Schools teachers resigned and two tutors won’t return to work amid allegations they skipped out on sixth-grade camp duties to drink alcohol at restaurants. The district announced the departures Friday after placing seven employees on paid leave May 17. “The investigation did point out that all seven did drink,” school board President David Hunter said. He said the… → Read More
Seven Washington Local employees on paid leave identified
Five teachers and two tutors placed on paid leave by Washington Local Schools have nearly spotless employment records, according to a review of district documents. Washington Local placed the employees on leave May 17 amid a now-complete investigation into allegations that they left an overnight sixth-grade camp to dine at restaurants that serve alcohol. The district has said that leaving camp… → Read More
Housing authority accepts resignation of organization head LaMar
A resignation letter from the head of the Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority describes his departure as “unexpected” and a disappointment. Martin LaMar abruptly resigned the leadership post of the housing authority Monday. The agency’s board of commissioners quickly named Demetria Simpson, the agency’s chief operating officer, as his successor as interim president and chief executive officer.… → Read More
Budget forecast stable for TPS district over next 5 years
A five-year forecast projects a stable budget for Toledo Public Schools, so long as voters keep the cash coming. A five-year forecast projects a stable budget for Toledo Public Schools, so long as voters keep the cash coming. The district does not envision asking for new tax money during the half-decade span. But the forward-looking financial estimate unanimously accepted Tuesday by the Toledo… → Read More
Forecast projects stable budget for Toledo Public Schools
A five-year forecast projects a stable budget for Toledo Public Schools, so long as voters keep the cash coming. The district does not envision asking for new tax money during the half-decade span. But, the forward-looking financial estimate unanimously accepted this evening by the Toledo Board of Education depends on renewing three local levies that will expire over the duration of the… → Read More
TPS approves teachers contract
The Toledo Board of Education approved a teachers union contract that will cost the district roughly $12 million in additional compensation over the pact’s three-year life — raises aimed at recruiting and retaining “rock stars.” Board members on Thursday unanimously approved the agreement, which officials said will make Toledo Public Schools’ wages competitive with higher-paying area districts.… → Read More
Toledo Board of Education OKs teachers contract
The Toledo Board of Education approved a three-year contract with its teachers that includes millions of dollars in pay raises aimed at making the district more competitive with higher-paying area school systems. Board members unanimously approved the pact at meeting today. Second grade teacher Kim Downour, left, gives a hug to one of her students, Madison Mullins, at Oakdale Elementary School… → Read More
UT library undergoing big change
The Carlson Library on the University of Toledo’s main campus will undergo a dramatic exterior transformation this summer. Crews are removing the 1973-vintage building’s brick and block east side wall and replacing it with glass stretching from the second through the fifth floors. The new facade near the Thompson Student Union is a striking component of a $3 million library renovation to be… → Read More
Springfield Schools promotes Geha to superintendent
Springfield Local Schools promoted its assistant superintendent to its top post. The board of education today unanimously approved hiring Matthew Geha, 44, as its next superintendent pending the successful negotiation of an employment contract. Mr. Geha has served as assistant superintendent, overseeing operations and personnel for the roughly 4,000-student district, since August of 2015. He… → Read More
TPS, teachers union reach tentative 3-year deal
Toledo Public Schools and the roughly 2,600-member teachers union reached what both sides described as a “tentative agreement” on a three-year contract. The school district and the Toledo Federation of Teachers made the announcement in a joint statement issued today, the day before union members are scheduled to vote on the contract. The board of education has not approved the terms, which have… → Read More
Schools chief expected to be hired at next meeting
The Springfield Local Schools Board of Education could pick its new superintendent at a meeting this week. The board is scheduled to meet at 4 p.m. Wednesday and discuss its search for a leader to take over for Superintendent Michael O’Shea, who retires this summer. Springfield Schools Superintendent Michael O’Shea will retire after the end of the school year. The district’s search committee is… → Read More