Citing ‘no real commitment to change,’ NAACP backs away from Rootstown schools partnership

Portage County NAACP President Geraldine Hayes-Nelson (right) and Rootstown Board of Education President Amanda Waesch speak to Rootstown residents during their first community forum about racism on Oct. 11. Michael Indriolo/The Portager

Citing ‘no real commitment to change,’ NAACP backs away from Rootstown schools partnership

- Michael Indriolo

The Portage County NAACP condemned the Rootstown Board of Education’s decision to appoint two white men involved in youth football to fill its vacant seats, despite receiving applications from highly qualified women and pressure from the community to diversify its leadership.

Three women who applied for the open seats hold master’s degrees in education, one specializing in youth mental health and two others with more than 15 years in special education each, according to applications obtained by The Portager.

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