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 03-21-2013

Local Education News

• Jefferson Area School District employees may face layoffs (Ashtabula Star-Beacon)

Educators and staff of the Jefferson Area School District could be facing layoffs as board members unanimously approved the intent for a reduction in force for the 2013-2014 school year…Read more...

• Academic measures may be altered (Cincinnati Enquirer)

Elementary school report cards could have more detail, the grading scale could change and more classes could help boost a student’s GPA…Read more...

• T.J. Lane's 'Killer' T-shirt stirs debate over defendants' statements in court (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

Geauga County Prosecutor James Flaiz said Wednesday that he was shocked when T.J. Lane showed off his "Killer" T-shirt at his sentencing, but he didn't point it out during the proceeding because he believed the judge would take care of it…Read more...

• Huber schools could restore $1.6M in instructional programs (Dayton Daily News)

Officials with Huber Heights City Schools are considering restoring $1.6 million in instructional programs if the district is able to generate additional revenue by passing a levy in August and receives an increase in state funding…Read more...

• Impacts of Heights tax levy success, failure outlined (Newark Advocate)

Licking Heights schools superintendent Philip Wagner laid out the good news and bad news Tuesday surrounding the success or failure of the district’s proposed new 8.9-mill tax levy…Read more...

• Strike spills into Beachwood, Parma as Strongsville teachers picket at board members' employers (Sun Newspapers)

Picketers for the Strongsville Education Association took their message to the Western Campus of Cuyahoga Community College March 20, where David Frazee, president of the Strongsville School Board…Read more...

• Superintendent Hathorn wants to meet with charter school parents (Youngstown Vindicator)

City schools Superintendent Connie Hathorn wants to meet with parents of students attending charter schools to tout what the city district has to offer…Read more...

• Student fees hot topic at Austintown BOE (Youngstown Vindicator)

School board members spoke out Tuesday about fees that are charged yearly to all students, saying that some parents and teachers have been vocal in their opposition to them…Read more...

Editorial

• School aid do-over (Toledo Blade)

When Gov. John Kasich first outlined his plan to reform Ohio public school funding, there was hope it would lead to a more equitable, more adequate system. As details of the proposal have emerged, that hope largely has been dashed…Read more...

Education News for 03-07-2013

State Education News

• Both candidates for Ohio education boss have made missteps (Columbus Dispatch)

Gov. John Kasich’s education adviser disclosed a 2009 drunken-driving conviction as part of the Ohio Board of Education’s search to find a new state superintendent…Read more...

• Local schools didn't use up calamity days (Mansfield News Journal)

Students may not be happy about it, but the winter of 2012-13 has been kind to area school districts…Read more...

• Restructuring plan unveiled (Youngstown Vindicator)

Three school buildings would close next year, two more would change functions and grade alignment would change in several others under a restructuring plan…Read more...

• School board president wants Connie Hathorn to stay (Youngstown Vindicator)

Superintendent Connie Hathorn still doesn’t have a new contract, but as of Wednesday afternoon, he had the backing of the school board’s majority…Read more...

Local Education News

• Strongsville teachers, district hold talks - but no positive results (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

No positive news emerged and no further talks are scheduled following a meeting Wednesday night of officials from the Strongsville school district and its striking teacher's union…Read more...

• Coleman’s panel asks: Is elected school board best? (Columbus Dispatch)

Mayor Michael B. Coleman’s Education Commission will bring in experts later this month to explore whether an elected school board is the best governance model for Columbus City Schools…Read more...

• Marion superintendent interviews beginning (Marion Star)

The Marion City Schools Board of Education announced it will start interviewing superintendent candidates today as it searches for a successor to James Barney…Read more...

• No more talks scheduled; parties in Strongsville teacher strike remain divided (Sun Newspapers)

Contract talks between the teachers union and the district won't resume in the coming days, said Strongsville Board of Education President David Frazee March 6…Read more...

• Medina: Outrage at superintendent's 'supersized' bonus (WKYC)

Parents, teachers and students in the Medina School district are outraged over a supersized bonus for the superintendent…Read more...