- Editors in Cleveland opine on two current bills – HB 2 and the governor’s budget – which aim to reform Ohio’s charter school law. Good timing, as Gov. Kasich is in Cleveland today – at a Breakthrough-operated charter school – touting his plan. PD editorial on charter reform. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
- Speaking of the governor’s budget, while Kasich himself is on the road selling, his budget director is on the hot seat in the Ohio House, answering questions from legislators. Yesterday, it was detailed questions about K-12 education. This go-round was just about traditional district funding, although I’m sure the proposed changes to transportation funding will end up affecting charter and voucher students as well if enacted. Hopefully, for the better. (Gongwer Ohio)
- Speaking of transportation, the results of a two-year study of school transportation in Stark County were released earlier this week. I am almost speechless at its findings (almost) but will say that only a study produced by this particular group of players could find savings by hiring a hoard of new employees across multiple districts. I wonder to whom the work will fall to organize the centralized driver training and mechanic facilities? What noble entity will work this plan all out, save districts a bunch of money, and then consider “expanding” it to include vocational/charter/voucher school students? (Canton Repository)
- Speaking of altruists, here’s an update on the efforts to unionize teachers at one Columbus charter school. Spoiler alert: nothing has changed in the status of the process since the last update. However, there is a shameless shot across the bow of another local charter contained within. Better check the sand traps, folks. Something’s in there. (Columbus Dispatch)
- We told you a couple of weeks ago that Walnut Twp. schools in rural Fairfield County is facing fiscal emergency status declaration and intervention by the state. Today’s update on their situation is depressing in a number of ways. The district has been heading for the abyss slowly, for more than five years. The budget cutting plan put forward by the superintendent at a school board meeting earlier this week was rejected by a vote of 4 to 1, with no alternative provided and a state-mandated deadline of February 10 looming. I understand the old saw “pressure makes diamonds”, but how is a five-year-long fiscal decline going to be solved from scratch in less than a week? Answer, it’s not. Even more depressing are the comments from the ODE staffer who attended that board meeting to offer the following “encouragement”: “I would avoid it,” he said of the state intervention which is inevitable if an acceptable plan is not reached. “It is risky and hurtful. I’ve never seen more harm done to a school district than with a fiscal emergency.” Man, with friends like these, who needs enemies? (Lancaster Eagle Gazette)
- Not to end on a downbeat note, but there is still a ton of snow in the northern portion of Ohio and once again the dreaded “snow day makeup” question is rearing its head, despite changes to state law during last year’s brutal winter that were intended to ease the situation for schools. Here is a story about a suburban Toledo district which is trying out online school sessions during snow days. I am upbeat about this story because I personally am a huge proponent of what my daughters’ school calls “virtual days”. It is expected from day one and they even happen when the sun is shining. But I am downbeat because no one here seems to be trying very hard to actually make it work. And I question who wants to be out sledding more: the kids or the adults interviewed for this story. (OurTown Perrysburg/Toledo Blade)
