RSS | Print | Comments | Tell a Friend | Larger Text | Smaller Text | Bookmark and Share

Local News

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Memorials for students draw board's attention
Findlay Inn & Conference Center -Downtown Findlay
By DENISE GRANT

Staff Writer

MOUNT BLANCHARD -- Plans to memorialize four members of the Riverdale class of 2010, including two who died this past school year, are moving ahead, but future memorials may have to meet a set of guidelines.

Riverdale school board has asked its administrators to develop a policy on student memorials.

A memorial stone is already in place on campus for Kira Elwood, a Riverdale High School student who died after being injured in a car accident in July 2007. Elwood was a member of the class of 2009.

On Monday, Riverdale school board members said that decorations being left around Elwood's memorial stone were getting out of control, and asked that the family be contacted to remove them. By Wednesday, the decorations were gone.

Board members also balked at plans for the class of 2010 memorial.

According to a report in the Daily Chief-Union, Upper Sandusky, on Tuesday, board member June Boose said, "This is not a cemetery. This is a school."

Board member James Thames said, "We have to develop some sort of policy over this sort of deal. It is out of hand," according to the newspaper.

Plans for the memorial include a bench, tree and small, stone walkway. A memorial plaque will list the names of the class members who have died: Melinda Justice, May 10, 2009; Chase Lortz, Feb. 11, 2009; Tylor Lauck, Sept. 15, 2005; and Timothy Altvater, Jan. 8, 2001.

Teresa Cramer, who has taught at Riverdale Schools for 35 years, said the board has approved the plans, and Superintendent Eric Hoffman has signed off on a requisition for the funds. Money raised by the class of 2010 last school year will pay for the memorial.

Cramer teaches English, drama and reading at the high school and served as junior class adviser during this past school year. It was a rough year, she said.

"These kids were really hit hard. They lost two very active and popular classmates," said Cramer. "We are trying to put together a nice memorial in their honor. We want it to be somewhere students can go to talk or just meditate about their fallen classmates."

There have been other deaths in the Riverdale community, too. Cramer said two alumni, Cody Camper, class of 2008, and Mark Gillfillian, class of 2007, died within the past year.

With class sizes of about 80 to 110 students, Cramer said, "Everyone knows everyone."

She thinks the decorations on Elwood's memorial should have been left alone.

"It is something that the kids are doing to show how much they care," she said.

Cramer was shocked with the board's response, and said Boose's comment about the school not being a cemetery was "very upsetting."

"We worked with the kids on a daily basis. This has been a very upsetting time for them. They are trying to deal with their emotions and feelings. We're not trying to make it look like a cemetery," Cramer said. "We want to give these students a fitting tribute. They certainly deserve that. They all left such an impact on their classmates. It has been rough."

Superintendent Eric Hoffman said it is not that school officials don't care. The board does want some control, however.

Cheri Lovre, director of the Crisis Management Institute, Salem, Ore., says school boards should have clear policy on student memorials.

Lovre, whose "Tip of the Week" is distributed electronically to area school administrators by the Hancock County Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services, addressed the issue in a Sept. 30, 2008 "Tip of the Week."

"When students want to create some kind of permanent memorial (a mural, a statue, a park bench dedicated to the student) remember that what you do for one, you must be able and willing to do for all," she said. "And permanent memorials are vulnerable to vandalism, tagging or other kinds of defacing that then becomes a new issue in itself."

She does recommend giving students ample time to grieve.

"Although some schools had responded pretty well at the time of the death, students once again had significant desire to pay tribute to the deceased peer when they faced graduating without their beloved friend," said Lovre.

She calls it the "ripple back" effect.

"A student's death can 'ripple back' months later when a team the student played on last year reconvenes for the next sport season ... . And so it goes for the other extracurricular in which that student participated as well," she said.

On the Net: www.cmionline.org

Grant: 419-427-8412,

Send an e-mail to Denise Grant
Comment on This Story
NOTE: Comment moderation has been enabled. If you see a comment that violates our Electronic User Agreement, please e-mail webmaster@thecourier.com. Thank you. If you are having problems viewing this Web page, please contact our Internet Department to help us diagnose and correct the problem. We may contact you for more information. Thanks in advance.
Your e-mail address will not be displayed on this website or shared with anyone. It is used by our online editor for contacting purposes.
Comments are moderated by The Courier according to its Electronic User Agreement within one business day. Comments that slander others or include language that violates the agreement will be rejected. All comments that impart opinion and information are welcome.

61 Comments (7 pages)

Latest comments listed first.
Kelly wrote:
Maggie
“ I'd like to correct a statement you made Maggie. The truth be told, no one knows the true circumstances of my nephews death because my family has chosen to keep that to ourselves. Alot of people may believe that they know how my nephew died, obviously you included, but that couldn't be further from the truth. I can't change how you feel about my sister, but have enough respect to keep Chase's name and memory out of whatever comments you choose to make in the future. When you comment on him as you just did, you hurt his entire family. We're dealing with enough pain every single day that we are without him and we don't need references to the way people assume he died. Before anyone else chooses to make such comments, I ask you to please stop and think of the people who loved him and are struggling every day to move on without him. And those of you who did know him well, would know that no matter what his relationship was with his own mother, he never in his entire life said one single bad word about her. That wasn't who he was. If you're trying to defend Chase, then please live your life as he did and treat people as he did. Don't attack each other and don't ever use his memory in such a way again. ”
Wednesday, August 05, 2009 7:31:20 AM
findlay mom wrote:
Maggie
“ I don't even know you or anyone involved in any of these deaths...I am just someone reading this article and the comments....I am outraged though at your comment to Chase's mom....I pray that you are never in her situation...I'm sure you wouldn't want someone to say that to you. ”
Tuesday, August 04, 2009 7:47:26 PM
Maggie wrote:
Perspective
“ Wow, Lorri. Interesting time to suddenly be a parent to your son. You need to take your own words to heart and consider that a lot of people know the circumstances of Chase's death, so you shouold probably climb off your high horse.

That aside, I agree with Ms. Boose. She should have been more tactful, but she's correct. Yes, it's unfortunate that the upcoming senior class has had so many losses. No one is arguing that. But if every student lost through the years had a tangible memorial, then the school grounds definitely would take on the look of a cemetary. Of all of you who are posting nasty things about Ms. Boose, how many of you are prepared to sit on the school board? It's easy to sit back and complain about every decision, but you might want to consider their job, which is to look at the future of the district, not just emotional issues of the moment. Insteade of posting on a blog, run for election.

My senior class endowed a scholarship to honor classmates who had died, which memorializes them, and helps another member of the school family every year. Something more constructive might be considered. ”
Tuesday, August 04, 2009 6:56:07 PM
Lorri wrote:
riverdale BOE comments
“ We do have 3 caring and devoted BOE members that care about the Riverdale students and want to serve them as well as the school, members that cared enough to check in on the families when this story came out. I feel bad for what this must do to them and their families as they are the ones that have students still in attendance at Riverdale. It's sad that two members are making everyone suffer, but it's not the first time these members have spoken without thought so the ones of you writing about how those of us upset by this don't have common sense or are out of line, you need to understand this is bigger than one slip of the tongue or act of insensitivity it is repeated events and this was the breaking point!! These kids and this community aren't healed the last losses were still very recent and that would have been a good reason to have had this be an executive only discussion, then there would have been NO contraversy or chance from crude comments that just tore open wounds we all were hoping to have started to scab over before they returned to school, i got a call from a girl in my son's class the day she read all this and she was crying and said it made her feel like it had all just happened all over again. That isn't something the pres. of our BOE should be causing of the student body, it may seem trivial to you Mrs. Boose but not to the kids that lost so many friends THEY ARE STILL FRAGILE!!! So to everyone upset about our opionions on Mrs. Boose's comments stop and ask yourself if you had to make the choice to bring up something as sensitive as this less than a month after the last students passing, wouldn't you have chosen to do so in a closed session like so many things that public has no say in are done? And if you did do so in public forum would you not have carefully thought through your comments knowing a reporter was in the room and your student body was going to read your comments??? And lastly, if you feel so strongly in backing Mrs. Boose and want to comment to that affect why not leave your name like those of us standing behind these kids?? And Courtney lots of us donate time to Riverdale only to us its volunteering to make it better for our kids, Chase,RIP, is gone now and Seth is choosing to be home schooled at the present but I will continue to volunteer with show choir activities and did after his passing because I care about his friends, I'm not trying to take away that she volunteers that's great but others do to and we don't say things that hurt these kids, we try hard to keep them in one piece!! ”
Tuesday, August 04, 2009 1:34:02 AM
-- wrote:
Memorials
“ Kira has had a rock for 2 years which was APPROVED by the board-- that was not the issue. & It's not a headstone & no one uses it as that! SOOO..maybe you should get the whole story instead of telling everyone else to! ”
Monday, August 03, 2009 4:16:54 PM
Riverdale parent wrote:
Board Split
“ So if what RHS Grad 08 is saying is true then with regards to the topic of the memorial for the students of the class of 2010 it should go something like this; there has to be a unanimous vote. So if the other 3 board members don't have a problem with it then the vote should be 3-2 in favor of completing the memorial. I really dont see why they are haggling over it now. You set precedent when you let there be one for Kira Elwood. So if the board chooses not to approve the memorial for the class of 2010 are they going to ask the Elwood family to come and take Kiras rock off of school property?
The location is on the back side of the school. What would it hurt to have the memorial stay there. The deaths that our community has experienced has been very tragic. The two board members are wanting to make policy as if this is going to happen every year. What are you anticipating you might have to hire a grounds keeper for your cemetery? Hopefully it won't ever happen again but if it does just like any other school hopefully they are few and far between! Have some sort of kindness and compassion when it comes to the kids of Riverdale in which you serve. It's their classmates that you are referring to. When it comes to the death of a classmate it becomes very personal. That is why they show so much passion about this subject! It is just the right thing to do!! ”
Monday, August 03, 2009 2:39:45 PM
. wrote:
Do you know the whole story?
“ The part that the Courier didnt mention was the part that was discussed prior to June Booses comment. The plan was to put up a huge rock (Ill say headstone) as a memorial for this young lady. I'm sorry, but I have to agree with Ms. Boose that this is a school and there is a place for memorials such as this and it is called a cemetery. Because the girl was cremated and there is not a head stone in the cemetery, does not mean that the school should be the place for a memorial. I am truly not trying to sound cold, but if this is allowed and accepted, then what is going to stop other folks from setting up a memorial on the school property and not using the proper avenue for those that want to remember their loved ones?

Those that feel they need to rip apart these two board members reputations just because they gave their opinions need to know the full story. They werent being cold or heartless, but they were just being realistic and looking at the big picture.

No, I'm not related to these board members, I'm just a bystander who seems to have a little more common sense than the people that are negatively commenting on this thread. ”
Monday, August 03, 2009 1:52:53 PM
Blarney Island wrote:
Board Member
“ June Boose..Facebook is not the proper sounding board for the PRESIDENT of the Riverdale BOE to manage "damage control" of this situation. This limited expression is useless to the entire Riverdale Community. Please if you have something to say, say it on a more public forum as this. So please don't deny it(or your family members) or the very nasty things you are saying. It can very easily be copied/pasted or scanned on this forum if that is what suites you best. I guess it's up to you.

[COMMENTS REMOVED]

Well June, you go out there and get your signatures to run for school board in November..after this I don't think it will happen. Have a good day! ”
Monday, August 03, 2009 12:58:50 PM
Riverdale Mom wrote:
Courtney (courier reader)
“ First of all I need to clarify something in your post and this is your actual words: "courier reader was neither Mrs. Boose or her family". Well, being her daughter, is her family. Maybe that makes it harder for you to see the point being made. I'm sure I would not like to see my mother being burned at the stake either, but if you step out of the box you just might see the issue at hand. I realize that the article's main issue was the memorial itself but the posts are more about your mother's and Mr. Thames' words and actions. I'm sure even you can see that. As many have said, the board does have a closed session that can be used for things the media should not be reporting and having the opportunity to use to "sell papers" as the Elwood family was told. They should have used it. They have a work session one week before the board meeting to discuss all that they are going to discuss at the board meeting...did they not see this coming. The problem for me is the continued insensitivity of not just the board but some of the administration. Many people...parents, teachers, alumni, etc worked very hard during all of these unfortunate events this year to help lift these kids up, while I might add trying to deal with the losses themselves. Some opened their homes up for days for 10, 20, 30 or more kids that were on teams or in groups with these lost ones to grieve together, only to have some administrator or even counselor rip their hearts back out by a simple, insensitive comment. Maybe that wasn't your mother or even the school board then, but it is now...continuing the cycle to once again upset and hurt these kids and the families with the words coming out of their mouths. It just opens the wounds back up. There may be things that your mother and the school board have done that is right and positive in the past, but this definately is not one of them. I'm sure it does take a lot to run a school but with that duty comes responsibily, caring and just plain common sense. I "donate", or as I like to call it "volunteer", many hours of my time to Riverdale also and so do so many more people. Riverdale and the support they have does not just happen because of the school board alone. She may have to make bigger decisions, but decisions that are made by all of us that "donate" our time affect the students too. I'm sorry that this year was so unfortunate for this community and that this school board is the one now needing to set regulations, but this should have never been discussed to anyone except the families that it is affecting. And the negative remarks should have been left behind closed doors or even better, not said at all. For that your mother, Mr. Thames and anyone else who may support their same negative and hurtful statements about this issue owe an apology to these families and their friends. I can remember when I was in high school and everyone told me that high school should be the best years of your life. Well, my daugher is in the Class of 2010 and for her and her friends, it has been the worst. They have had to put 6 of their friends and 2 of their friend's parents to rest in a period of 2 years. Now as they are going to be starting the first day of their last year at Riverdale, it can't even be on a positive note and that is something that noone can change NOW! ”
Sunday, August 02, 2009 7:34:20 AM
RHS Grad '08 wrote:
Please Read!!!
“ I would just like to clarify that not all 5 board members are against the memorials at the high school. I know that there are some very angry and upset individuals out there, but before everyone starts petitioning to remove board members or decides who they are not going to vote for in the fall, just remember that June Boose and Gabby Thames were the ONLY two members who thought that the memorials were a problem of interest.

I have thoroughly read all of the comments made regarding this story and I am very surprised how just two members can cause a stir at a Monday night meeting and all of the sudden everyone is referring to the BOE as "insensitive" and horrible people. For those of you who did not attend the meeting last Monday night, the paper only quoted Thames and Boose because there were no other comments made about the topic by the other 3 members (Sarah Gilbert, John Livingston, and Ryan McKinniss).

So please take into consideration the comments you are saying and posting and how it is affecting the families of the other board members who want to KEEP the memorials at the school and who don't agree with their fellow board members. Many people don't understand that the entire board does not always agree 100% with each other on controversial topics. Typically, there is a split decision.

I understand that this is completely off topic, however I have been following this feed and I know first hand how situations like this can spin out of control and affect the opposing board members and their families. Many people who do not know the entire story tend to make many unkind phone calls to the wrong people (in this case Gilbert, Livingston, and McKinniss).

So if you are going to point fingers or make any angry phone calls, make sure you do it to the right people who deserve them and need to keep their mouths shut, June Boose and Gabby Thames. Thank you! ”
Sunday, August 02, 2009 1:26:23 AM
   NEWS VIDEO

Benton Ridge Shooting

This video, released by the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office, shows the shooting of a Lima man who led authorities on a three-county chase ending Aug.24 in Benton Ridge. Be cautioned, the video contains graphic content.
   SPECIAL SECTIONS
Summer Coupons
   WEEKEND
USA Weekend

ANDERSON COOPER: Five years after Hurricane Katrina, the CNN reporter returns to New Orleans as the Gulf Coast faces even newer challenges.


Roses are red...

SOLUTIONS, NOT PROBLEMS: The University of Findlay plays host to competitive sailor who is a quadruple amputee.

ALSO IN WEEKEND: Area events,
prep boys and girls soccer and a trip to Niagra Falls.

   STAY IN TOUCH
The Courier on Facebook
   VIRTUAL VILLAGE
TisaWee Farm

Far Flung Guest Book

Virtual Village
   PHOTO GALLERY
Randy's Seen

IMAGE BLOG: Go behind the scenes with Courier photographer Randy Roberts.


You can purchase photographs from The Courier through our easy-to-use online system. Get prints, mousepads, T-shirts and more!

   LOCAL NEWS
  LATEST COMMENTS Last 10 comments submitted by our readers...
j wrote in article "Many winners named as Hancock Fair opens":
Good but little expensive
“ The fair was interesting, but at $5 for the more popular rides on the expensive side, same with the food, many people commented... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 10:37:10 AM
JM wrote in article "McComb couple is serious about fair competition":
Very nice!
“ What a lovely article. Will have to check out their goods at the fair. ” Read More...
9/2/2010 10:21:42 AM
Ed wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Dirt bag...
“ A head shot would have put an end to the both dirt bag's chance of getting more money. NATE: could it be that you have some fir... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 9:53:26 AM
Yfkm wrote in article "Heroin outbreak":
Denial
“ To Tony and TL Every good citizen, parent and public official advocates the eradication of drugs from our communities; you are n... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 9:08:20 AM
Penny Musgrave wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Benton Ridge Shooting
“ Although I am all for catching the criminal, I don't condone what was done to this guy. They converged on him like gangbusters b... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 8:43:07 AM
Yfkm wrote in article "Parole denied in murder case":
Unqualified reassurance
“ To Tony - here is another example of your inability to see situations as they really are. It is obvious that you are so self in... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 8:42:45 AM
JP wrote in article "Pigskin Picks":
Wood Shed???
“ "Bubba," why would a Tiger take a Polar Bear to the wood shed? Wouldn't it be more likely that: Tigers knock Polar Bears into a... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 7:16:48 AM
poor victim!!!!! wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Nate
“ Nate your a moron and obviously do not know a thing about use of force. Also most taser cartridges carried have a 15 ft to 35 f... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 7:15:05 AM
Ryan wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Research
“ It doesn't matter if there was a weapon found or not. An officer's job is based upon perception and their objective reasonablen... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 7:05:15 AM
Derek wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Nate......what???
“ Nate, first of all, police officer's don't carry mase. If they did, the would carry maCe. Now, if you did some research, you'd... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 4:02:04 AM
  U.S. Headlines
  World News
  Ohio News
Bennett's Furniture Town
News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.