Education News for 05-21-2013

State Education News

• Legislature may ditch takeover proposal for Columbus schools (Columbus Dispatch)

As hearings start this week on a Columbus school-district reform bill, an earlier proposal allowing for a state takeover of the state’s largest district is likely to vanish…Read more...

Local Education News

• North Canton school officials take steps to increase building security (Akron Beacon Journal)

The Board of Education has approved the purchase of digital radios and antennas as part of a district-wide safety and security initiative…Read more...

• Akron board cuts Akron Digital Academy loose (Akron Beacon Journal)

The Akron school board effectively severed ties with Akron Digital Academy — after sponsoring the online charter school for more than a decade…Read more...

• A look inside the future of education (Cincinnati Enquirer)

In a new building just outside of Indianapolis’ downtown, Darren McCorkle sits at a desk in a sea of short-walled cubicles, taking an eighth-grade algebra lesson online…Read more...

• Teachers negotiating (Findlay Courier)

Contract negotiations between Findlay's teacher union and the district administration are progressing smoothly, according to Superintendent Dean Wittwer…Read more...

• Lorain City Schools' staff looks to change culture of low expectations (Lorain Morning Journal)

Lorain City Schools’ staff has developed a “widespread culture of low expectations” but hope is budding among employees under its new administration, a state assessment determined…Read more...

• Lots of changes in Warren district (Marietta Times)

The Warren Local school district will look very different next year with a new superintendent, new high school and elementary administrators and the return of high school busing…Read more...

• Boardman schools official warns of 5% cut in funding (Youngstown Vindicator)

The Boardman schools director of instruction said she expects a 5 percent cut in funding next year for the four federal programs for which the school district receives money…Read more...

Editorial

• Dollars in the classroom (Akron Beacon Journal)

State Sen. Peggy Lehner wants to devote an additional $100 million to early childhood education in Ohio. The Kettering Republican cites the handsome return, $10 or more for every dollar spent…Read more...

• Added scrutiny of charter schools in city and state is overdue, but finally coming (Youngstown Vindicator)

State and local education leaders are committing themselves to beefed-up monitoring of Ohio’s ballooning network of charter schools…Read more...

Education News for 05-06-2013

State Education News

• Transportation costs squeezing school districts (Akron Beacon Journal)

Mogadore, Cuyahoga Falls, Akron and Barberton schools have more in common than interconnecting county highways…Read more...

• Auditor’s focus in records seizure was mostly grade changes (Columbus Dispatch)

State Auditor Dave Yost seized records of grade and attendance changes for more than 870 students for his data-tampering…Read more...

• Ohio's education standards debated (Columbus Dispatch)

New math and English standards known as the Common Core are already in Ohio classrooms, even as opposition mounts from groups that include those affiliated…Read more...

• School funding plan improving (Findlay Courier)

Legislators don't often change their minds on important policy issues, but state Rep. Robert Sprague said he did when he learned the details of Gov. John Kasich's school funding plan…Read more...

• Early start, better finish? (Newark Advocate)

As a single mother working full-time, Jessica Dyer doesn’t have much time to work with her 2-year-old daughter, Annabelle…Read more...

• Health department, school monitor MRSA (Springfield News-Sun)

The Ohio Department of Health and the Clark County Combined Health District are working with Springfield school officials to address recent cases of the staph infection…Read more...

Local Education News

• Transportation disparities put many students walking to school on dangerous path (Akron Beacon Journal)

Anise Moore had mixed feelings about safety in the rough neighborhood where her kids walk to school…Read more...

• School levies asking for new money on rise (Akron Beacon Journal)

All but two of the 15 school districts in the five-county Akron-Canton area with an issue on the May 7 ballot are proposing tax hikes for homeowners — a request that’s increasingly frequent…Read more...

• Gay Catholic-school teacher’s firing raises questions (Columbus Dispatch)

The firing of a gay Catholic-school teacher by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus raises competing constitutional questions about religious freedoms and civil liberties…Read more...

• BYOD lets NHS students to bring their own technology to school (Newark Advocate)

For the past few years, Brian Stepanic had a sign in his classroom instructing students not to use wireless devices such as cellphones and tablets during school…Read more...

• State calls East Portsmouth Elementary a “School of Honor” (Portsmouth Daily Times)

The Portsmouth City School Board rewarded faculty and staff of East Portsmouth Elementary School with a special luncheon…Read more...

• Campbell schools receives grant from state (Youngstown Vindicator)

The Ohio Department of Education has awarded the Campbell school district almost $120,000 for a 2013-14 elementary school reading program…Read more...

Editorial

• Cleveland schools leaders lay out broad transformation ideas (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

It's taken a while to get here, but there's a lot to like in the first draft of the Cleveland Plan for Transforming Schools, which aims to turn around 13 failing schools…Read more...

• Is minimum OK with Elida voters? (Lima News)

Administrators at Elida Local Schools are running out of tricks when it comes to offering a quality educational experience on minimal funding…Read more...

Education News for 04-19-2013

State Education News

• Projections show funding increases for charter schools (Akron Beacon Journal)

After cutting $82.2 million from Gov. John Kasich’s original school funding proposal, recent reports detailing…Read more...

• Emotions run high at 1st school board meeting since Strongsville teachers strike (Sun Newspapers)

Emotions wound taught and simmering frustrations snapped and boiled over…Read more...

• Strongsville teachers continue workplace picketing (Sun Newspapers)

At the end of their seventh week on strike in Strongsville, teachers there have resumed picketing at workplaces of school board members…Read more...

Local Education News

• Medina levy issue crumbles as state probes district, superintendent’s finances (Akron Beacon Journal)

The Medina school board has rescinded Superintendent Randy Stepp’s contract…Read more...

• Geneva BOE: Rehiring Zappitelli saves money (Ashtabula Star-Beacon)

Geneva Board of Education members have not been shy about their intention to retire, then rehire Superintendent Mary Zappitelli, and have given official public notice and scheduled a public hearing on the matter…Read more...

• Emphasis placed on ability to write (Cincinnati Enquirer)

Northwest Local Schools is making big changes in its three middle schools to get its adolescent students writing papers before they get to high…Read more...

• Participation fees might see reductions by Northridge board (Newark Advocate)

The Northridge School Board is considering eliminating school fees for students and reducing pay to participate fees…Read more...

Editorial

• Reeling in Medina (Akron Beacon Journal)

It won’t be easy, and it probably won’t be cheap, but the Medina school board must find a way to move forward, rebuilding public trust shattered by revelations…Read more...

• Relief from dysfunction (Akron Beacon Journal)

Medicaid expansion will remain a contentious issue for many more weeks as Ohio debates the next biennial budget. Advocates of expansion…Read more...

• Inspired teachers inspired students (Columbus Dispatch)

Great teachers don’t just pound knowledge into a student’s head; they care, inspire and change lives. They teach with such passion…Read more...

Education News for 04-09-2013

Local Education News

• Watching over Lorain's schools; Academic Distress Commission appointed to help district recover (Lorain Morning Journal)

The Academic Distress Commission that will oversee Lorain City Schools education improvements includes three Lorain County Community College employees, the former director of REACHigher in Lorain County and a former associate state superintendent…Read more…

• Cleveland school district avoids state control based on Cleveland plan already in place (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

The Cleveland schools will not fall under the control of a state academic distress commission.…Read more…

• Medina superintendent Randy Stepp offers his side of contract, education payment controversy (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

The following letter was sent to area media outlets earlier today by Medina Schools superintendent Randy Stepp following the Medina School Board's decision to place him on paid administrative leave.…Read more…

• Strongsville City Council considering resolution urging end to teachers strike (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

According to Strongsville City Council, the now six-week old teachers strike has "undoubtedly irreparably" harmed students, and it will go on the record saying that a special meeting called for 5 p.m. April 9.…Read more…

• The superintendent will explain the Revitalization/Choice Plan changes (Youngstown Vindicator)

Youngstown parents and students are invited to meet with Superintendent Connie Hathorn this week to learn more about new program options for the 2013-14 school year.…Read more…

• Connie Hathorn seeking retirement and rehiring as superintendent (Youngstown Vindicator)

City schools Superintendent Connie Hathorn will retire and is seeking re-employment to the post. The school board will conduct a public meeting on the issue of Hathorn’s proposed employment as a retiree at 5:30 p.m. June 4…Read more…

• Brighter Tomorrow Plan: School, citizens plan for future (Canton Repository)

The first of four community meetings to discuss the future of the City Schools drew about 120 parents and concerned citizens to Souers Middle School Monday evening.…Read more…

• New strategy for intruders to be enacted (Findlay Courier)

A new, nationally recognized strategy for defending against violent intruders will be taught to staff and students of Findlay City Schools beginning in June thanks to the city's police department.…Read more…

• Veterinary program teaches care (Marion Star)

The shout went out as Tri-Rivers Career Center students shuffled about, checking on lizards, tortoises, chinchillas and other animals in the veterinary science lab.…Read more…

• Students, public say goodbye to Niles school (Warren Tribune Chronicle)

It was a bittersweet farewell as students and teachers - both current and former - walked through the halls of old Niles McKinley High School one last time.…Read more…

• King CLC opening likely to be delayed due to moisture problem (Akron Beacon Journal)

Akron school officials say a water barrier that was “not properly” installed at the King Community Learning Center (CLC) will likely delay its opening.…Read more…

• Carey board OKs teacher contracts (Findlay Courier)

Carey school board approved teacher and non-teacher contracts for the 2013-14 school year.…Read more…

• Huntington School Board cuts one position, trims four more (Chillicothe Gazette)

Faced with a projected $720,000 deficit and flat-lined funding from the state, the Huntington Board of Education began working to narrow its budget gap Monday.…Read more…

Editorial

• Listen to the police (Akron Beacon Journal)

A school safety bill beginning to make its way through the Ohio House has triggered concerns that it would encourage more school districts to arm teachers and other staff members.…Read more…

Education News for 04-05-2013

Local Education News

• Ohio superintendent of public instruction presents banners to 3 schools (Coshocton Tribune)

Richard Ross, Ohio’s superintendent of public instruction, visited a couple classrooms during a stop in the county to present three schools with special Schools of Promise banners…Read more…

• Avon Lake City School officials receive $1,500,000 tax revenue advance (Lorain Morning Journal)

Avon Lake City School officials are relieved after being granted a $1.5 million tax revenue advance from the Lorain County Auditor’s Office yesterday after a late tax payment by NRG Energy Inc.…Read more…

• Board overturns decision to close Akron Digital Academy (Akron Beacon Journal)

A recent vote to close Akron Digital Academy, an online charter school sponsored by Akron Public Schools, was overturned Thursday…Read more…

• Charter school under scrutiny (Cincinnati Enquirer)

So many financial and student records are missing from the now shuttered International College Preparatory Academy in Bond Hill that Ohio State Auditor Dave Yost says he questions how nearly $1 million in federal funds was spent…Read more…

• Toledo Public Schools narrows interim superintendent search to 2 finalists (Toledo Blade)

The Toledo Board of Education pared further Thursday its candidate list for interim superintendent of Toledo Public Schools…Read more…

• Canal Winchester plans April 15 vote on open enrollment (Columbus Dispatch)

Canal Winchester could become the third Franklin County school system to open its doors to students living outside the district.…Read more…

• Taking advantage of a change in state law, Fostoria school administrators are seeking voter (Findlay Courier)

Taking advantage of a change in state law, Fostoria school administrators are seeking voter approval of an 8.15-mill continuing levy on May 7.…Read more…

• Three school tax issues on Seneca County ballots in May (Findlay Courier)

Bettsville School District is seeking renewal of a 1 percent, five-year income tax for operating expenses in the May 7 primary.…Read more…

• Clear Fork puts off drug test vote (Mansfield News Journal)

A vote to approve the first reading of the potential new Clear Fork Schools drug testing policy was postponed during a lengthy board meeting Thursday night.…Read more…

• Takin’ It to the Schools part of Alcohol Awareness Month (New Philadelphia Times-Reporter)

As part of Alcohol Awareness Month, Takin’ It to the Schools, a school-based alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention program…Read more…

• $27M Niles high school set to open next week (Youngstown Vindicator)

The new $27 million Niles McKinley High School will officially open to students Tuesday morning.…Read more…

Education News for 04-03-2013

State Education News

• Educators line up to tour Reynoldsburg (Columbus Dispatch)

If you’re an educator who wants to tour Reynoldsburg schools, you’re going to have to wait until fall. The district leads about two tours a week for educators from around the country and across the world, and they’re booked for months…Read more...

• Ohio’s bookkeeping improved, 2012 audit finds (Columbus Dispatch)

If not for the state’s massive Medicaid health-care program, there would be little to talk about in this year’s annual audit of Ohio’s financial records…Read more...

• Area schools named Schools of Promise (Lima News)

Many pieces go into determining whether a pupil finds academic success, and Superintendent Dale Lewellen believes it’s why both Bath's elementary and high schools landed on the state’s…Read more...

• 21 Mahoning Valley schools designated Schools of Promise (Youngstown Vindicator)

Twenty-one Mahoning Valley schools have earned the designation “School of Promise” for the 2011-12 school year from the Ohio Department of Education…Read more...

Local Education News

• Ashtabula City Council tweaks curfew laws (Ashtabula Star-Beacon)

The children spoke and City Council heard them…Read more...

• Huron school board upholds firing former Superintendent Fox (Lorain Morning Journal)

A majority of Huron School Board members voted last night to uphold their firing of former Superintendent Fred Fox, despite a mediator’s report last month that said Fox should be reinstated with back pay…Read more...

Editorial

• Out of Akron (Akron Beacon Journal)

For the past several years, Akron Public Schools administrators have been engaged in an exercise they refer to as “right-sizing” the district. They have closed several school buildings and laid off staff members, including principals, teachers…Read more...

• Clarity on school funding urgently needed (Canton Repository)

Nothing about Gov. John Kasich’s proposed two-year budget is simple. It’s filled with fundamental changes in the way state government operates, and he faces opposition…Read more...