Listen: Ashland fire dept. offers live burn demonstration; Richland County schools offer different COVID protocols

Why do Richland County schools have different COVID protocols?

https://www.richlandsource.com/open_source/open-source-why-do-richland-county-schools-have-different-covid-protocols/article_d704d710-2533-11ec-8139-33fe4b44772b.html

Ashland Fire Dept. burns a model bedroom at new digs along Mifflin Ave.

https://www.ashlandsource.com/news/ashland-fire-dept-burns-a-model-bedroom-at-new-digs-along-mifflin-ave/article_87bed942-2648-11ec-8ab6-a7dbaae31804.html

Hartsel L Robinson Sr.

https://www.richlandsource.com/obituaries/hartsel-l-robinson-sr/article_54a12312-26b6-11ec-8045-3bab041bb29b.html

Today – Richland County schools are split over the issue of mask requirements. And four of the county’s nine public school districts have implemented mask requirements in an effort to stem illness and quarantine-related absences.

Right now about 51 percent of Richland County’s public school students are under school mask requirements. And one of our readers recently asked us if Richland County’s school districts have considered developing uniform, evidence-based masking and quarantine protocols. The simple answer is no. Policies and protocols vary by school district. They’re determined by school boards and administrators.

Superintendent Kevin Kimmel of the Mid Ohio Educational Service Center told us that they’re not going to be consistent throughout the county because each district is led by an elected board of education. Creating a uniform set of protocols can also be difficult because public health conditions vary. And of course politics and public opinion come into play.

Kimmel explained that each district had their unique twist to this because of local pressures and local data. Not all people are in agreement that mask mandates are the appropriate approach. That varies by school district. Last school year, there was less variation between school districts. But this was largely because of statewide public health mandates.

But the state lifted all health orders on June 2, so schools had to come up with their own mitigation policies for this school year. Superintendent Rob Peterson of the Madison Local School District said that each superintendent is focusing on their own communities when it comes to COVID-19 protocols. Richland Public Health released a guidance document for local schools, as did the Ohio Department of Health. But for the most part, those documents included recommendations — not rules.

Superintendent Lisa Carmichael of Ontario Local Schools says it really is more challenging this school year. She thinks this because they’re left to make their own decisions and just hope that what they’re doing is best for the district. But while school districts don’t operate with identical protocols, superintendents do meet regularly to discuss ideas.

The county’s superintendents meet monthly at the Mid Ohio Educational Service Center. Member superintendents have another monthly meeting, as do all the schools that work with Pioneer Career and Technology Center. And there are also open discussion meetings that any superintendent is welcome to attend.

Kimmel says that COVID-19 is on the top of every superintendent’s mind every day — 24 hours. And all of the district superintendents have a goal to do everything they can to keep their kids in school, face-to-face, five days a week. Kimmel notes they recognize that’s the best place for students to learn.

Next, some local history…Did you know that Mansfield was named after the Surveyor General of the United States, Jared Mansfield?

It turns out he was a very interesting character. Born in New Haven, CT in 1759, he attended Yale but was thrown out and expelled during his senior year for complicity in a theft of books from the Library and “other discreditable escapades”. But his reputation recovered. He fought against the British in the revolutionary war, became the rector of the Hopkins Grammar School, and eventually was forgiven by Yale and awarded a degree.

He eventually published a series of scientific papers that caught the eye of Thomas Jefferson and as a result Jefferson appointed him to be a mathematics teacher at West Point… then two years later he was given a promotion to Surveyor General of the United States. He was tasked with surveying Ohio and lands north of the Ohio River as well as the Indiana and Illinois Territories.

Now, we’d like to take a moment to highlight a few upcoming events…

First, the “Drop the beat dance center 5k run and walk will be off to the races on Saturday at 1150 Rafield Dr. in Mansfield. The kids fun run starts at 11:30am and the 5k kicks off at noon. Registration costs $15.00 and you should sign up ahead of time at runsignup.com. Come prepared to sweat.

Next, on Sunday from 12 to 3pm, the Richland Early American Center for History will join the Copus Hill Model A Ford Club to display their vintage vehicles from 1928 to 1931. The event is free and will give enthusiasts and families alike the opportunity to admire an important part of America’s automotive heritage.

Next, From Ashland Source… The city’s newest fire station staged its first-ever live burn demonstration this week to educate the public on the dangers of a residential fire. The event meant burning a wooden trailer, which was divided into identical two rooms typically found in a home. The difference between the two, however, was the presence of a sprinkler system in one of them. The fire drew a crowd of around 50 people, all eager to witness a controlled fire. Many of those in attendance were children, who were given a chance to ask questions at the end.

So far this year, the bureau has done five such burns around the state in order to show the public the benefits of having a sprinkler system throughout the house. The event came on the heels of National Fire Prevention Week and represented the Ashland Fire Department’s fifth annual controlled burn — but the first at the new digs.

Ohio State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon, who was at Tuesday’s burn, urged the crowd to remember to check their smoke alarm batteries, to discuss an exit strategy in case of a fire and to even talk to the family about where to meet outside in the event of a fire.

Finally, we’d like to take a moment to remember Hartsel L. Robinson Sr. of Mansfield. Hartsel was born in Hacker Valley, West Virginia. For 35 years, Hartsel was employed at Peabody Barnes. After retirement, he worked as an OR transporter at Mansfield General. Hartsel was a longtime member of Richland County Fish and Game Club. He loved the outdoors, fishing, hunting and gardening. A true handyman, Hartsel was always found tinkering and working on projects. Kind, caring and helpful, Hartsel had a love for others and was always willing to help any way he could.

Hartsel is survived by his wife of 62 years, his sons, his daughter, his grandchildren, his great-grandchildren, his siblings, his cousin, and his dog, Biscuit.

Near and dear to Hartsel’s heart was the Richland County Fish and Game Club. The family asks that memorial contributions be made in his honor to help create a handicapped accessible fishing ramp.Thank you for taking a moment to remember and celebrate Hartsel’s life.