Suburban schools have long had problems protecting their porous borders. Parents in Cleveland and Akron, hoping to escape the violence and weirdness of their own districts, have a tendency to spirit their kids across borders in hopes of providing them with better, safer educations. And who can blame them?
But since suburban taxpayers have to pick up the tab, they’re none too pleased. Some districts, particularly on Cleveland’s East Side, employ detectives to root out those who’ve enrolled with fake addresses.
Copley-Fairlawn decided to take a less labor-intensive approach. In November, it began offering $100 rewards to anyone who ratted out a student who didn’t actually live in the district.
School treasurer John Wheadon got the idea after reading how New York schools were paying bounties as high as $300. “For years we’ve been tracking down students who don’t belong here,” he says. “But more and more, we’re getting people coming from adjoining schools — residents from Akron, Revere, all over.”
Wheadon says the district is presently schooling around 100 impostors. “We have a good reputation,” he says. “A lot of students come here because we’re just better, but a lot come here because their grandparents live in the neighborhood and can babysit them after school. And some of them come here to play sports — swimming, football, basketball. But mostly, they just don’t want their kids going to Akron.”
While the migration is flattering, it comes with an $8,000 price tag to educate each student. He points to a Barberton family that sneaked four kids into the district. One required special education, costing the district almost $100,000 a year. “Let’s say your kid goes here, but doesn’t have a right here,” Wheadon says. “That doesn’t mean that the state is gonna give us 8,000 bucks to educate your kid. It comes out of the taxpayers’ pockets.”
But while it’s hard to argue with the economics, the bounty may force Copley-Fairlawn to change its mascot from an Indian to a rat.
Wheadon has already paid out two rewards, and will likely pay five more this month. Though many parents refuse the reward, the bounty seems to be breeding Wall Street morals among the student body.
“Kids are starting to turn in kids,” Wheadon says. “. . . They’d say, ‘I’m good friends with you, but I’ll turn you in because I want the hundred bucks.'”
The moral of the story: Unless you want your kid to someday join the Witness Protection Program — or worse, become an investment banker — stay clear of the Copley-Fairlawn schools.
Dead Wrong?
The two-month relationship between Lisa Emling and Casey Kensinger didn’t exactly end on good terms.
When it was over, Emling was feeling betrayed. So she broadcast her feelings to Berea, sending a scathing e-mail to neighbors, business owners, even Kensinger’s children, accusing him of being a “cheater.”
Call it the Shining Path Method of Revenge. “I don’t appreciate getting dicked around,” she says. “I did damage control.”
But to Kensinger, this wasn’t what he’d call sweet poetry. He’s the director of Baker Funeral Home, a job that calls for somber dignity. He didn’t appreciate the apple of his clearly fallible eye yapping about his love life like some contestant on a cable reality show. “Lisa’s a little disturbed,” he says. “She’s real lucky there isn’t a restraining order against her. I’m sorry I ever got involved with her.”
It might have ended there, but in a suburb the size of Berea, it’s hard to separate enemy combatants. When a friend of Emling’s died, she went to Baker Funeral Home to pay her respects. That’s when she received a note: “You have five minutes to pay your respects and get out.”
Emling considered it a violation of her grief. And she wasn’t about to take orders from her arch-nemesis. So Kensinger called the police. “I told them there was somebody there that had made threats against and harassed me,” he explains.
The cops didn’t pull up until Emling was leaving. But as you may have guessed, she’s not one to suffer indignities quietly. So she tipped off Punch. With only two funeral homes in Berea, she asks, what’s she going to do the next time someone dies? “Am I not allowed to go to any funerals because he’s a creep?”
But for some reason, we’re not sure that grieving is her highest priority. “I contacted you guys in a vindictive kind of way,” she perkily admits. She even suggests a title for her saga: “You should call it, ‘Have the dead lost their rights?'”
This article appears in Feb 20-26, 2008.
I just happen to have been next to Lisa when the incident at the funeral home happened. She was doing nothing wrong but listening to a service that a priest was giving for the deceased, which, by the way, was the time that Mr Kensinger decided to hand her the note. Not to mention that this action in itself did not make our friends family very happy to hear that this kind of stuff was going on in their time of grief. To my understanding, a funeral home is nothing more than a rented space, with the director and the other attendants being kind of your employees for the time that you pay a butt load of money for the funeral and all the services that go with it. So in that line of thinking, is it appropriate for the director to hand notes, slam doors( which is something I am sure lisa did not even mention) and call the police to escort someone out?. I think that Mr Kensinger acted on his emotions and left all the professionalism (that his line of work should entail) behind him. Also from what I know about Mr. Kensinger, he is a black belt in karate, why in the world would he need a restraining order from a girl who is of all about 5’3″ tall, who only wrote an email. Now on the order of the email that Lisa wrote, yes she may have acted on emotions with the emails she sent, but, in needing to mention why she left those emails, girls do those kind of things when they find out they are not the only one in their man’s life. wink wink…
It would appear that the person writing this article formed their own opinion of Emling. Let me guess it’s a man? If I was Emling I would sue Scene Magazine for slander, you have no idea what she thinks or how she feels and you would have to in order to make comments such as she is not one to suffer idignities quielty. Do you know her personally? Have you had a similar experience with her or did your last girlfriend break your heart so you decided to take it out on Emling?
My advice to anyone reading Scene Magazine is not to believe anything they write because I know this article is incorrect so that leads me to believe alot of others are also.
This article seemed to have left alot of information out…then reading the other comment it brought it all to light. So really was this Kesinger character cheating on the Emling girl? If that is the case, hey you pay the price for cheating and trying to play some girl, and obvioulsy he did it to the wrong girl this time. I would hate to be her or any of the other girls he was playin as well. I guess don’t hate the playa, hate the game..but easier said than done.
I also dated Casey a couple years ago. I caught on to his game right away and ended it. Kudos to this girl for sticking up for all of us woman that men think they can cheat on and use like cheap pieces of meat. One question I have Is Mr Kensinger going to call the police on all his x’s if attending a service?
I’m So Sad it took the general public this long to recognize Mr. Kensinger for the loser he is – clearly he’s lived a life of disrespecting people and it seems to be catching to him – what makes me so sad is I’m not seeing it first thing – kharma is a wonderful thing Casey and it’s comin’ to get you;-)
FOR THE PEOPLE WHO WROTE COMMENT 2,4,5. YOU MUST BE A BUNCH OF CRY BABY WOMEN WITH COB WEBS ON YOUR VAGINAS, GET A FRIGGN LIFE AND GET OVER YOURSELVES…..HOPE YOUR DAYS ARE BETTER CASEY.
I really need to comment back to 251514….nice comment dude…sorry but in the day of STD’s that don’t go away, you know the one’s that can actually kill you…girls tend to get upset, and it has nothing to do with cobwebs in vaginas?? What kind of comment is that?? Way to go male chauvinist!! Hope one day you don’t find out that the apple of your eye is also the apple of five other guys as well. WOW cobwebs in vagina’s I really have heard it all now!!!!
Wow I grew up in Berea and my family has used Baker Funeral home for as long as I can remember, I have attended services there for family and friends so many times I know the place like the back of my hand. However I had no idea of the unprofessionalism going on behind closed doors. If the owner of this establishment called the police on someone attending my loved ones funeral (espcially when they werent doing anything wrong) I would have a fit. I would probably demand my money back. The stress of losing a loved one is hard enough but to have the owner bring his personal life into his professional life is unacceptable! This was not his home. The space was rented and he had no right to ask her to leave. As far as the comments from the rude comments from the man stating the woman need to clean the cobwebs from their vaginas. Think about it, try and use your brain. The female wasnt the one with the problem. She simply attended a funeral of someone she cared for. The owner of the funeral home is the one who has issues. None of this would have taken place had he allowed her to give her condolences and move on. I dont think I will be using Baker Funeral Home in the future. I wouldnt trust the care of someone I loved to this man with so many issues. If he doesnt care about living women in general, why would we trust him to take good care of our deceased?
Comment in response to #9. What would make you think Lisa Emling knows who you are? She is constantly harassing and stalking people. Did she forget about all the married men she slept with, and all the men she moved into her home with only knowing them for days? Is 2 months really a relationship, maybe to Lisa. She can’t have a normal relationship, because she is so disturbed, not just “a little”. I believe she did not attend the funeral to pay her respects; she did it to set up Casey Kensinger, and cause a scene. And not so little 5’3″ Lisa should have a restraining order against her from the whole community. She has the blood of Satan running deep through her. Lisa is the evil one, maybe the Anti-Christ. This is not just a bashing against Lisa for no reason, it is well deserved. She needs to grow up. She has text messaged many children harassing them and plays on my space to try to seduce young boys that she can’t pick up at the bar and bring home the same night. She has plenty of money from her job (which she has also harassed many male and female victims), and the large amount of child support she collects to buy new cars, spend thousands on her hair, tanning, nails, buy named brand for herself, but why does she try to get assistance to pay her utility bills, free lunches for her children and buy their clothes at garage sales-talk about fraud! Lisa Emling loves the drama, and any man or woman that’s involved in her life “this week” BEWARE!
To comment 9 and 10 Seems like the both of you women may be jealous So what if shes got money and buys nice things with it, and num 9 are you a stalker you know her car and plate num? Her boyfriend cooks at a bar is that why she may be there? That girl is raising 4 kids alone which I might add all are great kids and involved in alot of things with school and the town of Berea. As far as attending a service I know first hand she went for the family so all of you that think she went to see Casey your nuts! To comment 10 sounds to me you also may be a stalker how do you know about her bills and lunch money?
Wow comment #9 and #10 you both sound like really disturbed women yourself! LOL it’s almost comical how this one woman has affected your lives so much. I can almost see #9’s face turning red as she types the words you F**K**G B*T*H. I have no idea if this Emling girl is disturbed as you say, but you both sound like you need to seek counseling yourselves. Relax, check your blood pressures and move on with your lives, let your jealousy for this girl go. I sympathize with you if she OBVIOUSLY stole your man, or turned your mans head away from you, however, you should be blaming your man and not this girl. Maybe this girl is a little more attractive than you girls are and this makes you jealous also. I wouldnt mind meeting this Lisa girl who sounds pretty exciting and who can have all the jealous cats of Berea walking around with their claws out. Sounds like she might be good looking even after having all those children and you other ladies kinda let the age take over and dont look so pretty anymore! Lose some weight, get a face lift and seek counseling. And watch your language we men dont find that attractive.
WOW #9 and #10..talk about needing a life!!! How do you know soo much about Lisa?? Do you not have lives of your own? I think I know who both of you are and if it is who I think it is…man people in glass houses, you know what I mean?? You shouldn’t point a finger when you both have 3 pointing back at you! and yea she just frequents funerals because it is a fun thing to do on a weekday just to set someone up!!…really seriously…Look in the mirror, get a life, and move on losers..and please calling people names on a blog…how old are you???
believe what u may—check her reports at all your local police stations–
Hey number 9 where is your son? Oh thats right I have him because you left us for another man. By the ways hes doing great.
I live and work in Berea after hearing the buzz about this I wanted to read it for myself. I dont know the parties but wonder why Mr Kensinger if your jobs calls for somber dignity did you even speak to the scene? Why bring drama to yourself? Also if Ms Emling has done all the things you have stated why dont you get a restraining order? Could it be what you have stated isnt true? To comment 9,10 same to you. I did check she has no restraining orders. Very easy to look up check under the city of Berea courts. Ms Emling my advice to you is send flowers or a card next time someone you knows passes. You yourself may wish to follow up with the police dept seeing that comment 9 knows your so called hangouts and car.
To everyone else we hear about my space everyday on the news if someone was using it to bring young children into their home I think they would get busted like all the other sick people have.
So number 10 and 14…I took your advice and looked up Lisa in Berea and found nothing…but….I did look up you and number 9 and found.WOW, records of what?? Yea you know what I am talking about…and hey number 10 didn’t you beat up number 9??? P.S. this is not Lisa…but word travels fast in Berea sweeties!!!!!!!
I dated Lisa for 6 years after her divorce. I messed up and she forgave me but doesnt forget. We have stayed friends and i talk to her still everyday on the phone. For the girl who slammed her I know who you are and what you both did to her. Lisa has taken many people into her home she feeds them, chothes them and will even detox them then get them the help they need. When it comes to kids she will drop everything to help a child in need such as when parents kick them out or beat them up (then she will call child services for help)She has the biggest heart ive ever met and for that I still love her today. Kicking some one out of a service is just wrong. Casey are you upset because you lost her I know I was. Lisa you did youself a favor your very strong and dont need to take anyones shit. Talk to you tomorrow. Love you!
Having known Lisa for the last 7 years and Casey also I wanted to add a comment. First, Becky (also known as #9) you need to get help yourself. All of the pills you took must have clouded your brain. Maybe that’s why you just up and left your husband and child. Paula (AKA #10) you have a lot of nerve talking shit about husbands when you screw men for money to pay your house payment and electric bill. Oh and Paula make sure your daughter gets to school ya loser. The bottom line is that many people hold wakes and funerals at Baker because they have lived in Berea forever. How sad is it that if you are an ex of the owner CK you cannot attend a service at Baker Funeral Home? To me that is the lowest of lows to throw someone out because you can’t control yourself. Do I think the relationship went overboard? Yes. Do I think Kensinger was unprofessional? Yes. Do I think Berea is a Stepford Community? YES… to be continued.
This is to add to Sue’s comments….I am glad to see that there are other people who think that #9 is Becky and #10 is Paula. You both need to get a life, that is if you can ever pull yourselves away from the bottle long enough!!!
Here we were thinking that the bad comments were from Becky and Paula not true Ms Karen Henry wrote them. Karen it must suck having that ring on your finger for what 5 yrs and never marring lisa’s x. Lets call that a WANNA BE WIFE. Do you feel good having her sloppy 2nds? Better yet how do u like the fact he will drop everything for Taylor? Have you told Charlie the truth how the court TOOK your kids away? PUBLIC RECORDS I TOOK YOUR ADVICE> Are the two boys his or are you lying abou that too?? Its sucks knowing Lisa will always be better then U!!!
Here we were thinking that the bad comments were from Becky and Paula not true Ms Karen Henry wrote them. Karen it must suck having that ring on your finger for what 5 yrs and never marring lisa’s x. Lets call that a WANNA BE WIFE. Do you feel good having her sloppy 2nds? Better yet how do u like the fact he will drop everything for Taylor? Have you told Charlie the truth how the court TOOK your kids away? PUBLIC RECORDS I TOOK YOUR ADVICE> Are the two boys his or are you lying abou that too?? Its sucks knowing Lisa will always be better then U!!!
Here we were thinking that the bad comments were from Becky and Paula not true Ms Karen Henry wrote them. Karen it must suck having that ring on your finger for what 5 yrs and never marring lisa’s x. Lets call that a WANNA BE WIFE. Do you feel good having her sloppy 2nds? Better yet how do u like the fact he will drop everything for Taylor? Have you told Charlie the truth how the court TOOK your kids away? PUBLIC RECORDS I TOOK YOUR ADVICE> Are the two boys his or are you lying abou that too?? Its sucks knowing Lisa will always be better then U!!!
Here we were thinking that the bad comments were from Becky and Paula not true Ms Karen Henry wrote them. Karen it must suck having that ring on your finger for what 5 yrs and never marring lisa’s x. Lets call that a WANNA BE WIFE. Do you feel good having her sloppy 2nds? Better yet how do u like the fact he will drop everything for Taylor? Have you told Charlie the truth how the court TOOK your kids away? PUBLIC RECORDS I TOOK YOUR ADVICE> Are the two boys his or are you lying abou that too?? Its sucks knowing Lisa will always be better then U!!!
Wow, I would say this is the most absurb posting i have read in a long, long time!!! Lisa is most certainly NUTS!! Her mom was a real nut job, alcoholic and who knows what else. Lisa is ALWAYS trying, but rarely is she successful in stealing other people’s men and husbands. i feel sorry for 1). her daughters to have a slut like that for a ‘mom’ and 2). any guy dumb enough to even get remotely involved with her. Yes google her name–it comes up with stories such as this–nice ‘mom’. Put the pot and booze down Lisa along with whatever crap you do and go the hell up!! To the other posters trying to stick up for the chubby pysco–get real!! Oh by the way call her a pysco and she goes nuts–she cannot stand the truth. Lastly she only buys nice things from all the different men that she gets child support from!!
She still psycho