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After an incident of hazing was reported at the high schooI, and with the subsequent trial and convictions, I expected something to be done -- new policies, teacher and staff training, a public statement of action -- something.

It would seem the Tallmadge City School District has chosen to ignore a crime committed on school property last August. I believe its mission statement of "producing responsible citizens" has failed in this recent hazing case.

I believe inaction describes what the public has seen from the administration and coaches. The state court found the hazing incident to be "disturbing," according to Judge Linda Teodosio. Why hasn't the school?

I am disgusted by the actions of the unruly students, and in my opinion the seemingly oblivious coaches and the pay-no-attention administration. This kind of problem does not fix itself.

Children learn from the actions of adult role models. What message has the school sent to its students by ignoring the situation?

Even if private condolences were given to the family, how can Tallmadge hope to produce "responsible citizens" without publicly showing some kind of directional leadership? I am shocked at what I perceive to be a lack of support for the victim and his family.

Tallmadge has scored an "excellent" rating according to state testing. Can the district really call itself "excellent" when, in my opinion, it hasn't ensured the safety of its students?

When will the school administrators, coaches and staff take action to make Tallmadge High School the exemplary place they claim it to be? Why hasn't the athletics department re-evaluated its student supervision policy? When will stakeholders realize this incident has defined the district recently and their inaction has given the impression that Tallmadge does not care about the basic rights of their students?

Isn't the point of this unfortunate circumstance to learn from mistakes and take positive actions toward a safer tomorrow?

When the above questions have been answered proactively, Tallmadge can continue to call itself an excellent or exemplary district.

Jennifer Justice

Kent