The Austintown Fitch High School Media Center (aka the library) is going to have significant changes in the upcoming school year – none of them for the better.  Right now, the Board of Education has decided to substantially decrease the accessibility of the library by eliminating staff that is readily available to check out books. 

     This appears to be almost the same failed approach that the Board of Education has taken with the restructuring of Austintown Middle School’s Media Center.  In the 2018-2019 school year alone, the Austintown Fitch Media Center lent out 2,568 books.  That number can be juxtaposed with Austintown Middle School’s (AMS) Media Center that lent out only 234 books.  The AMS’s Media Center model clearly does not work if the goal of a Media Center is to promote reading and to lend out books to young scholars.

     Moreover, the Board of Education has decided not to bring back Mrs. Patricia Hartsough, a trusted adult with whom the students have developed relationships.  Over the past four years while Mrs. Hartsough has been the Media Center Specialist (Librarian), she has vastly improved the Media Center in both measurable and immeasurable ways.  Since her time as Media Center Specialist, Mrs. Hartsough has procured 1,612 books for the Media Center through several sources while personally donating over 900 books herself – at no cost to the school.  But as many students, teachers, and parents know, Mrs. Hartsough’s true contribution to Austintown Fitch for many decades has been her ability to connect with students as unique individuals.  She has continually provided a safe space for students to go when they are experiencing academic and personal challenges as well as a great place for students to go to celebrate accomplishments.

     By signing this petition, you are using your voice to tell the Austintown Local Schools Board of Education that their choices as they relate to the Austintown Fitch Media Center and Mrs. Hartsough are not supported by the community.  We are requesting that the Board of Education immediately reverse its decision and reestablish the Austintown Fitch Media center as it existed in the 2018-2019 school year and to reinstate Mrs. Hartsough as its Media Center Specialist.

     If you are inclined to tell the Board of Education in person that you do not support their decision in regards to the High School Media Center, please join us on Thursday, August 22 at 1:00 pm at the Board of Education’s monthly meeting in AMS cafetorium. 

Thank you for your support!