- Several odd stories in the news since Friday. First up: some community members in Tipp City are on a crusade to remove certain elected school board members due to what they say is a decline in the “quality of education and overall health” of the district. One of their complaints is the closing of the district’s borders to open enrollment, which happened nearly a year ago from what I can tell. That’s not all the citizens are getting exercised about, and I’m betting we’ll hear even more concerns if those are not sufficient to create the desired response. (Dayton Daily News, 5/14/21)
- Speaking of school boards, HB 298 was introduced in the General Assembly last week. The bipartisan bill calls for the elimination of appointed seats on the state school board and would ultimately reduce the total number to just the 11 elected members. There are two explanations given as to why this move is needed, one for each “partisan”. Personally, I’m not sure I buy either one at the moment, but I’m betting we’ll get more explanations as we go. (Gongwer Ohio, 5/14/21)
- And speaking of legislation, Ohio’s so-called “backpack funding” proposal is garnering media attention. As you might imagine. So far it’s just the usual voices saying the usual things regarding vouchers. But I’m betting we’ll get some more creative commentary soon enough. (Toledo Blade, 5/16/21)
- Finally in today’s weirdness wrap-up: As of early May, only 55 percent of seniors in Columbus City Schools were on track to graduate. That percentage is much lower in certain school buildings. The entire blame is placed on the pandemic—and especially on remote learning—despite the fact that the major catch-up effort underway is also being conducted fully remotely. Anyone want to bet that the irony will not occur to any of the officials quoted here? (Columbus Dispatch, 5/14/21)
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