AKRON, OH (WOIO) -

After years as the head football coach at Youngstown State University and The Ohio State University, Jim Tressel was named VP of Strategic Engagement at the University of Akron.

The official announcement was made during a 10AM news conference on Wednesday morning.

“The first thing I’m going to do is listen, and learn and become a part of the team,” Tressel said. “I’m not the offensive coordinator or the defensive coordinator, I’m just on the team.”

Tressel will make $200K a year in the new position. 

“I don’t really have any interest in coaching in the NFL, and so the commitment I’ve made to anyplace that I’ve gone is that I’m going to work everyday like I was going to be there forever,” said Tressel. “And, quite honestly, every place I’ve ever coached, I would have been happy to be there forever, because they are special places. So my commitment to the University of Akron is that I’m going to work as if this is the last place I’ll ever work.”

19 Action News has learned Tressel will help with fundraising. Akron would like a new arena to go with the brand new football stadium.

http://www.19actionnews.com/story/16656719/jim-tressel-to-take

Article Courtesy of WOIO 19 Action News

Boots are getting the boot at a middle school to help combat cell phone problems.

Starting Monday, students will be banned from wearing UGGs in a Philadelphia-area school district.

The school’s policy is that cell phones are not allowed during class, but teachers said students are hiding them in boots. Students can wear the boots to school but have to then leave them in their lockers.

Many of the students and some parents were not happy with the boot ban.

School leaders said they may reconsider the ban if the cell phone problems improve.

article courtesy of Newsnet5.com

Buncombe County School District in North Carolina is in the spotlight once again after one of their middle schools reportedly asked a wrestling coach not to wear a t-shirt with a religious message, reports The Christian Post.

Upset by the request, the entire North Buncombe Middle School wrestling team and a few parents wore a shirt that said “Got Jesus” on the front with a scriptural reference on the back to a wrestling meet on Wednesday night as a response, ABC News 13 reported.

The wrestlers raised the money themselves to get the shirts made, which they plan to continue wearing to the rest of their remaining meets as well as to school.

Parents stated that the move was not “against something” but rather a movement in support of their religious convictions.

One parents told the station that for far too long, Christians in the area had been quieted, allowing their liberties to be taken away.

“I think it’s just time that we let people know our voice and have our voice be heard in the right way, in love, in the spirit of truth,” he shared.

read full story

article courtesy of Eurweb.com/TheChristianPost.com

CANTON, Ohio – Ron Johnson, the head football coach of the Canton McKinley football team, has been fired after four seasons on the sidelines.

The firing has led to a fierce debate in the Hall of Fame city, where it appears residents are split over the controversial decision.

A recent study by the Yale University Child Study Center shows that Black children — especially boys — no matter their family income, receive less attention, harsher punishment and lower marks in school than their White counterparts from kindergarten all the way through college. A subsequent article published in “The Washington Post” reported that Black children in the Washington, D.C. area are suspended or expelled two to five times more often than White children. It’s a national trend that needs to be addressed.

Judith Browne Dianis, co-director of the Advancement Project joined Roland Martin on Washington Watch to discuss this disturbing trend.

article courtesy of Newsone.com/RolandMartin.com

CLEVELAND – The U.S. Department of Education has selected Cleveland as one of six cities to receive specialized training to assist the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and area community organizations in getting better education out to families on completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Mayor Frank Jackson, CMSD CEO Eric Gordon and College Now CEO Lee Friedman spoke of the importance of Financial Aid Awareness Month at the first of several events in the Cleveland City Hall Rotunda on Wednesday.

“We know that higher education is the single-most important step that students of any age can take to prepare for a successful future,” Jackson said.

In 2011, Jackson launched Cleveland’s Higher Education Compact to better open the doors to Cleveland families so that FAFSA form can be completed and they can get help paying for college. Many families give up before it’s finished. Since the FAFSA funds are dealt out a first-come, first-serve basis it is important to get the form in early.

The Higher Education Compact is a collaborative partnership among 40 community organizations, 15 Ohio colleges and universities, CMSD and the city of Cleveland.

There is calendar of events planned by the Compact from Jan. 9 through Feb. 15 to help Cleveland residents interested in getting aid for their children’s future education.

For information families may search online at www.higherdeucationcompact.org , or www.ohiocollegegoalsunday.org for help.

Or, call 1-800-233-6734 to talk to the Ohio Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (OASFAA). You may also contact the City of Cleveland’s College Now Greater Cleveland at 216-241-5587.

Read more: http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/cleveland_metro/mayor-jackson-kicks-off-financial-aid-awareness-month#ixzz1jBrYpKlv

SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio – On his way to Shaker Heights High School, President Barack Obama made a stop at a house on Cleveland’s southeast side, to meet with 91-year-old Endia Eason and her 81-year-old husband, William, a retired postal worker and Marine. The Eason’s have lived in their neighborhood since 1971, but 10 years ago they were approached by a broker who offered to help them take out a loan to make much needed repairs to the house.

The couple agreed, but before they knew it, the broker had disappeared with their money. The Eason’s were left with $80,000 in debt and were losing their home. A few agencies helped fix the problem and today, William Eason accompanied President Obama to Shaker Heights High School.

“I am honored. He made my day,” said Eason.

The president’s stop to the Eason’s home tied in perfectly with his speech. As Obama walked inside the school’s gym, he waved to the audience and shook the hands of those eager to hear his push for jobs, end to abuse by banks, and how he will fight for hardworking Americans.

“You’re the reason why I ran for this office…We’re still fighting for…an America where hard work and responsibility pays off,” Obama said.

Obama’s trip to Shaker Heights comes a day after the Iowa caucuses, and his announcement of Richard Cordray as America’s consumer watchdog. The president called Cordray exactly what every American needs.

“His job will be to protect families like yours from the abuses of the financial industry. His job will be to make sure you’ve got all the information you need to make important financial decisions.”

With a director in place, the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau can start overseeing the mortgage companies, payday lenders, debt collectors and other financial operations often blamed for practices that helped tank the economy.

“If you’re a student, Cordray’s job will be to protect you from dishonest lending practices” & make sure you have all info you need on student loans…If you’re a veteran, Cordray will help make sure you aren’t taken advantage of when you come home from serving our country…If you’re a senior, Cordray will help make sure you don’t lose your home or your retirement because someone saw you as an easy target.”

Before wrapping up his 25 minute speech, Obama said millions of Americans need someone who will look out for their interests. “They need someone like Richard,” he said.

“Cleveland, I know you’re hearing a lot of promises from a lot of politicians lately. But today, you’re only going to hear one from me. As long as I have the privilege of serving as your president, I promise to do everything I can, every day, to make this country a place where hard work and responsibility mean something — where everyone can get ahead, not just those at the very top or those who know how to work the system. That’s what America has always been about. That’s what today is all about. And with the help of people like Richard, that’s the country I believe we can be once again.”

Meanwhile, Mitt Romney is accepting an endorsement from Arizona Sen. John McCain, the 2008 Republican presidential nominee. Romney flew to New Hampshire Wednesday after his narrow Iowa caucus win to begin campaigning for next week’s primary in the New England state.

Also, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann said Wednesday she’s ending her bid for the Republicans presidential nomination after her last-place finish in Iowa’s leadoff precinct caucuses.

Read more: http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/cleveland_metro/president-obama-talks-jobs-at-shaker-heights-high-school-touts-cordray-watchdog-appointment#ixzz1iWuTq5Vt

WARREN, Ohio – A post on Twitter from a high school basketball player may keep him off the court.

Arthur Cook used to go to Euclid High School, but he moved to Warren in Trumbull County last year.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association said Cook tweeted last summer that he would be taking his talents to another school district.

The association ruled cook ineligible for a year, saying he left Euclid High School for a better basketball experience.

Cook’s family said he left to live with his dad after his parents split. And his attorney said the association has no right to keep him off the court.

“The basketball experience is rewarding in very many ways but one of those ways is his opportunities to help fund his college education and move forward,” said Cook’s attorney Sarah Baker.

And he can play — for now. Wednesday, a Trumbull County judge ruled the Harding High School student is allowed to play until a hearing in two weeks to determine his eligibility.

Cook is a straight-A student.

Read more: http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/oh_cuyahoga/former-euclid-high-students-tweet-may-keep-him-off-the-basketball-court#ixzz1hxYUZj5B

GARFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio – Saying its schools are at the “most critical crossroads” in its history, Garfield Heights is planning to severely cut several school programs and shorten school days.

It’s not only affecting students and parents, it hits the community hard in other areas as well.

At Elmwood Elementary, music students are learning the 12 days of Christmas. But music classes in kindergarten through fifth grade are among several school programs being eliminated, according to a letter that has just been sent out to parents by school officials.

School Superintendent Linda Reid said no new property tax-supported operating money has come in since 1992, and five school levy attempts have failed. Plus, the district’s performance index is one of the lowest in the state.

So, elementary art classes will also be cut, as will library programs and physical education.

Because of the cuts, parent Kristina Nicholson might take her son out of Elmwood.

“It makes me mad,” Nicholson told NewsChannel5’s Scott Newell. “It really does, because I feel he needs to have the education and he’s not getting it.”

The programs cut in elementary schools will also be “greatly” reduced in the middle school, and students who get a free lunch in grades K-8 will get it at the end of the school day — a bagged lunch to go.

The high school day will be cut to 6 hours, and elementary and middle school classes shortened as well. Some will get out as early as 1:10 p.m.

That will mean Garfield Heights police will bring in extra traffic patrols.

“We would anticipate there would be some traffic issues, especially around the elementary schools,” said Garfield Heights Police Chief Bob Sackett. 

Police are not the only ones affected. Crossing guards may have their schedules adjusted, too.

“They can’t do nothing if they don’t have the money,” said crossing guard Dan Shelton. “They have to cut.”

The shorter school days begin January 17, 2012.

Read more: http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/education/garfield-heights-cutting-school-programs-shortening-school-days-to-save-money#ixzz1gY2ylgPO

CLEVELAND – The KeyBank Foundation donated $700,000 to the Cleveland Metropolitan School District during a STEM school partnership announcement Tuesday morning.

The joint venture is viewed by CMSD as a vote of confidence not only in Cleveland schools, but for the students who will take part in this new and innovative curriculum that’s designed to increase their chances of attending college and leaving with a diploma.

The announcement took place at 10:30 a.m. at the Hannah Gibbons-Nottingham PREK-8 School in Cleveland. Hannah Gibbons-Nottingham School is one of six designated STEM schools in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. The other five schools include George Washing Carver, Michael R. White, Mound, Mary B. Martin and Orchard.

Read more: http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/education/cmsd-and-keybank-foundation-team-up-for-stem-student-success#ixzz1eTeTkfNf