Gadfly Bites 10/25/19 – More arguments

1. As noted on Wednesday, arguments were heard before the Ohio Supreme Court (sitting in remote Montpelier, Ohio) on the constitutionality of HB 70, the law which created Ohio’s current CEO-style Academic Distress Commissions. The testimony was pretty dry and the hearing was quick. No idea why you would want to charter a bus to go there. I’m pretty sure even those high schoolers were board. Decision—and inevitable, wearying appeal—pending. (Vindy.com, 10/24/19) The full video is here, courtesy of the Ohio Channel, if you’re interested for some reason.
2. Speaking of arguments, expect a lot of them as residents of the Stark County village called Hills and Dales prepare to try again to have their homes reassigned to a neighboring school district in the wake of a new law which makes it easier for them to do so. Seems like that number is a lot higher than what we’d heard previously. Could be quite a brouhaha, I’m thinking. Somebody put the Supremes on standby! (Canton Repository, 10/23/19) A somewhat similar situation is on the mind of Cleveland curmudgeon Brent Larkin, who minces no words in condemning the greed he sees in a group of wealthy NEO villagers looking for changes to the way they pay taxes to local school districts. Blistering rhetoric indeed. (Cleveland.com, 10/24/19)

3. More measured words in this editorial from the Dispatch this morning. “The stars could be aligned for Columbus [City Schools],” the editors write. They are talking about the chances of academic improvement in the district for the betterment of students. And one of those stars is new(ish) superintendent Talisa Dixon. Hopefully. (Columbus Dispatch, 10/25/19)
4. In good great news news, Heritage Christian School in Canton is on the grow in a pretty spectacular way after a tough couple of years of retrenching. They have been able to offer sixth grade again, with a return for seventh grade planned in 2020. Could a new high school be on the horizon? Time, and the timely expansion of the income-based EdChoice Scholarship, will tell. Just listen to the principal describing the academic rigor of the school. AND they’re offering student supports and the same time they are teaching kids so they can pass tests?! An awesome way to end the week! (Canton Repository, 10/24/19)

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