Here’s a look back at 30 years of alternative schooling in Knox County

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second of a two-part series tracing Knox’s origins
The county’s alternative school in its evolution as the Knox Learning Center. Part I published on Saturday.

MOUNT VERNON – As director of the Knox Learning Center, Joe Mazzari knows that compassion and understanding are just as important as discipline and academics.

His students have learning challenges that range from emotional stress that can erupt into disruptive behavior to the daily trauma of unsafe home circumstances. Some have specific disabilities.

His greeting to new students — referred to the Learning Center by their home districts — never changes: “We don’t care why you’re here. You are here and we will help you.”

The Learning Center’s strategies are paying off. Last spring, 11 high school students earned enough credits to graduate and received diplomas from their home districts. Several of their parents personally thanked Mazzari for the positive changes in their children’s lives.

Located in the former Mount Vernon West Elementary building, the Learning Center continues the mission of the alternative education center established by Juvenile Court Judge James Ronk in the early 1990s. It serves students in grades 1 through 12 who, for one reason or another, are struggling in succeeding in a typical school environment.

The Learning Center is operated by the Knox Educational Services Center (ESC).

“Many of our students have been evaluated and identified as having emotional disabilities,” said Dr. Timm Mackley, ESC Superintendent. “An emotional disability is more than just a ‘behavior problem.’ Our students are occasionally overwhelmed by their emotions and don’t know what to do when that happens.

“Some of our older students come to us for credit recovery. Their classes are self-paced, allowing them to move quickly if that’s what they want to do.

“The length of time a student is at the Learning Center varies depending on the student’s personal circumstances, but many are with us for several consecutive years.”

When Ronk created the alternative center three decades ago, his main motivation was to avoid rewarding negative behavior. Students suspended for disruptive behavior were walking around town.

Ronk asked them to continue their education under supervision at the alternative center. It was housed in the former Mount Vernon City Schools Administration Building on Chestnut Street, now the location of the Knox County VA and Board of Elections.

In 2005, students moved out of West Elementary when Twin Oak Elementary opened. Moving the alternative school to West Elementary allowed for much more space for the program.

After Mackley became ESC superintendent in 2010, the name was changed to the Learning Center to emphasize student academic activities.

Built in 1915, the West Elementary building was not in the best shape, but significant physical improvements were made over the years.

“We are indebted to the many kind and compassionate people in Knox County who have ensured that our 110-year-old facility is a happy and healthy place to learn,” Mackley said.

Mazzari knows all too well the difficult circumstances some children face. He worked with Judge Ronk for 21 years, moving from a part-time probation role to director of probation.

“I think it’s important for the students that we serve to know that we care,” said Mazzari, principal since 2020. “Some students who attend here have had to learn very early in life, very quickly, that the person in front of them is a good person, a safe person or someone I can trust. You can’t fake it with them. You have to be patient and consistent.”

The learning center, which has an enrollment of approximately 60 in grades one through 12, serves all five Knox County school districts, the career center, Clear Fork, North Fork, Canrdington, Mount Gilead, Highland, Granville and Lexington.

Previously, the center had students from Ontario, Buckeye Valley, Warsaw (Riverview) and Columbus City schools.

Mazzari said the Learning Center’s success is the product of its teachers and support staff.

Mackley agreed.

“I am very proud of the Learning Center staff,” Mackley said. “I understand what our students need to be successful and work very hard to maintain a welcoming and compassionate attitude, even when circumstances are
stressful.”

Last spring, parents Amber and Ryan Towney wrote a letter thanking counselor Liza Mazzari “for being our advocate from day one” when their son was transferred to the Learning Center.

They wrote that at the Learning Center, their son “felt appreciated here for who he really is. Teachers willingly dealt with things that others would not. It changed his perspective. He graduated a year early with a positive attitude.”

Christina McGlaughlan also had high praise for the Learning Center, explaining that her son graduated two years in one last spring.

“He had a great experience here,” she said. “What he got here was structure and safety. The people here were really worried about him, not about what happened that caused him to be here.”

Kayla Will, the parent of a fifth-grader, said her son has made a lot of progress since entering third grade.

“He had explosive behavior at first, but the Learning Center really saved him,” she said. “When he had a bad day, Joe and others rallied for him. When he had a behavior problem here, the teacher called to let me know, but added that he would start again in the morning.

“He’s calm when he comes in here now. It’s like going home. It’s personal, very individualized.”

Rochele Ark said her grandson was able to graduate in the spring, a year early.

“He came here in sixth or seventh grade. It wasn’t always pretty,” she said. “The first two years were hard, but the teachers became like a family.

“He never liked school, but he excelled here. Joe and the others were very patient with him, letting him learn at his own pace.

“When he broke his leg playing basketball, the Learning Center went above and beyond to accommodate him. It really made a difference.

“They made him feel like he was successful. Now he feels comfortable in himself. He had a goal: finish a year early. And he did.”