- Fantastic story from The Atlantic today on the newest Cristo Rey High School, which started its second year in Columbus in September in a newly-renovated historic building downtown. Very nice profile here, especially if you’re not familiar with the innovative Cristo Rey model. (The Atlantic)
- Speaking of schools getting it right, here’s a nice profile of Mansfield schools’ Spanish immersion program. It’s so popular that it is attracting students – and funding – from outside the district. The story is great, the online comments are less so. (Mansfield News Journal)
- The Reynoldsburg strike is already ancient history for us outsiders after just a week, but there are at least two more districts in Ohio whose teachers are working without contracts and in which negotiations are – thankfully – ongoing. Some good progress, it seems, in Lexington schools yesterday. Earlier stories, searchable from the News Journal’s website, indicate that one of the biggest sticking points here is the district’s current teacher evaluation processes. (Mansfield News Journal)
- We mentioned earlier this week that it is the season for districts’ 5-year budget forecasts. Mentor City Schools got downright philosophical in their budget presentation: “You can only save a dollar once. Once we cut an expense, we will figure out a way to do without ... but once you have done that you can’t do it again.” There is also an update on the district’s use of their Straight A Fund grant. Hint: MacBooks are involved. (Willoughby News Herald)
- Speaking of Mentor schools, it seems that the board there has voted to switch out the Education Service Center with which it contracts for services. Part of the reason for the change is probably budgetary, but not in the way you think. There is ongoing litigation that alleges their former ESC neglected to forward on nearly half a million dollars in state funds due to the district. Not sure what the newly-voted switch will do to help or hurt the progress of the lawsuit. (Willoughby News Herald)
