Technical schools get mixed reviews
Ohio’s career-technical schools fared somewhat better on this year’s state report cards than regular public schools, but they still struggled on key measures. And the majority of the state’s dropout-prevention schools are meeting or exceeding state standards.
Vocational students are likely to graduate on time and go on to do something productive, according to grades awarded Thursday to career schools by the Ohio Department of Education. But test-passing rates and preparation for life after high school seem to be lacking, at least according to the state’s calculations.
Ohio is split into 91 joint vocational districts. Every regular school district is served by a nearby career center or a big urban school district with a vocational program, such as Columbus City Schools. Statewide, 84 vocational districts earned an A or B for four-year graduation rates. And 75 of those got an A and eight got a B for “post-program placement,” meaning most students
“He didn’t even consider that this was a busy library ... with families and children,” she said. “There was no consideration for the safety of other people.”
The victim, John Thrasher, 47, was struck in an ankle by one of three shots fired by Steward after the two argued.
Thrasher was getting onto an elevator on the second floor of the library at 96 S. Grant Ave., as Steward was getting off. Steward bumped into Thrasher’s girlfriend, prompting Thrasher to confront him for not saying, “Excuse me.”
During the ensuing argument, both men squared off to fight, but Steward pulled a handgun and started
shooting. Thrasher limped to the basement after being shot, and library security intercepted and subdued Steward.
“I’d like to say I’m sorry for what I did,” Steward told the judge. “I’m sorry for everyone in that library, but it was just like one of those things where you’re about to get into a fight and the other guy was way bigger than me ... I wasn’t really trying to kill or hurt him like that, but I didn’t want him to beat me up.”
The victim didn’t attend the hearing.
Defense attorney Robert Krapenc said he’s convinced that Steward, who has a history of homelessness and misdemeanor offenses, has “undiagnosed mentalhealth issues.”
Steward’s father pleaded with the judge to give his son as little prison time as possible and “get him the help he needs.”
Sayje Brown said the shooting victim wasn’t the only one harmed in the incident. She spoke of the trauma to library patrons and staff. She read a portion of a letter from the library’s chief executive officer, Patrick Losinski, who said some staff members continue to receive counseling.
The library system “has expended numerous staff and financial resources to thoroughly review security protocols,” he wrote. “We will never fully understand... the mental, emotional and financial toll the shooting incident had on our staff, customers and the community.”