Statewide Education News

Regents to share office space with education department (Dispatch)

They may not be ready for marriage, but Ohio’s primary-, secondary- and higher-education systems plan to move in together later this year. The Ohio Board of Regents is preparing to leave its Downtown offices in the Rhodes Tower and move a block and a half to the state Department of Education’s building on Front Street. The move — expected this summer — will allow the two agencies to better collaborate on several efforts, including the shared goal of ensuring that all high-school graduates are academically prepared for college. It also should save money. Read More…

Study shows woeful state of school budgets (News-Herald)

If your child attends a school experiencing or nearing a budget shortfall, he or she is far from being alone. A recent study of state schools by Policy Matters Ohio shows two out of three districts lack sufficient funds to make ends meet. “Schools across the state — poor, wealthy and in between — revealed alarming levels of fiscal distress,” said Piet van Lier, education researcher and one of the report authors. “The cuts being discussed — to staffing levels, course offering, arts and extra-curriculars — will hurt Ohio students.” Read More…

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We invite you to join Ohio Teachers’ Homeroom, the new Facebook page from the Ohio Department of Education. It’s a great way to keep up with the latest news important to your career and to connect with colleagues around the state. We welcome you to share your ideas, lesson plans and comments with fellow Ohio educators. Find us here

Local Issues

Budget, staff cuts proposed by district (News-Sun)

MECHANICSBURG — School officials plan to slash $750,000 from the district’s budget and reduce its staff by about 14 percent as it faces a long-term deficit and a still struggling local economy. For local parents and students, it will mean fewer options for classes, fewer bus routes and new fees to participate in sports, among other changes. Dan Kaffenbarger, district superintendent, said the recommended cuts could eliminate as many as 15 positions, including one teacher each in physical education, Spanish, art, music, industrial technology and a part-time agricultural position. Read More…

Youngstown schools system facing a challenging future (Vindicator)

Just when it seemed that the em-battled Youngstown City School District had weathered the worst of the financial and academic storms, it was hit with a lightning bolt that has jeopardized its future. The Ohio Department of Education recently informed Superintendent Connie Hathorn that the district will lose $4 million in funding from the state. The reason: The loss of more than 500 students, as determined by the official October enrollment count. In the public education system in Ohio, the money follows the student. Read More…

Editorial

Schools need sunshine (Dispatch)

A recent ruling by Franklin County Common Pleas Judge John F. Bender should establish an important principle from here on: Whoever is spending tax dollars to educate students in charter schools should have to make that spending transparent. Charter schools are public schools, and the public is entitled to an accounting of how tax dollars are spent. Accordingly, Bender recently ruled in favor of 10 charter schools that contracted with Akron-based White Hat Management to run the schools, but later sued the company because it refused to disclose its spending and claimed ownership of the desks, computers and other equipment bought for the schools with tax dollars. Read More…

Change orders (Beacon Journal)

David James, the superintendent of the city schools, plans to recommend that the Akron Board of Education close three elementary schools at the end of this school year. Neighborhood residents are not likely to welcome the school closings, but the proposal is crucial for more efficient management of the public school system. In 2003, when Akron voters approved an increase in the city income tax to finance school construction, the facilities list for the Akron Public Schools featured 58 buildings the district reckoned would have to be rebuilt or renovated during 15 years. The joint state and local construction project, with an estimated price tag of $800 million, has progressed with gratifying efficiency. Read More…