- As we have been following in these here clips, the pilot program for a new approach to Covid-exposure quarantines in schools was deemed a success. Thus, the state’s quarantine guidance to schools was updated this week to the mellifluous tune of “mask-to-stay and test-to-play” model. (Cincinnati Enquirer, 10/27/21)
- The spending priorities for Covid funds seem to be OK as listed in this piece, but the folks at Clear Fork Valley Local Schools do say that no new taxes will be required of district residents due to the federal largesse and due to a ton of savings realized during the last two pandemic-disrupted school years. Specifically, the treasurer and superintendent say that they saved a boatload on virtual schooling. “Other districts spent tens of thousands of dollars to hire a third party to set up remote learning… Our two unions stepped up for our kids and we did it ourselves.” Cha-ching! (Richland Source, 10/28/21) There are no details on Middletown City Schools’ ESSER spending given in this piece, but the outcome is the same, officials say: no new taxes. For now. (The Journal-News, 10/28/21) No such luck for the taxpayers in Lorain City Schools: With the money likely going into the hands of the elected school board and
CEOSuperintendent Jeff Graham at long last, the editorial board of the Chronicle-Telegram is urging voters to approve the levy ask on the ballot…and Graham is promising Very Bad Cuts to come if it doesn’t pass. Almost as if there never was a pandemic…or an Academic Distress Commission. (The Chronicle-Telegram, 10/29/21) - Speaking of districts currently operating under the (nominal) aegis of an Academic Distress Commission (whether or not they want to acknowledge that they are), the Ohio Department of Education has, unsurprisingly to most folks, asked for improvements in all three of the academic improvement plans submitted to them. Here’s a look at what is being asked of Youngstown City Schools’ elected board. While I concur with him that the fix is probably very minor in practice (and is, indeed, only
embarrassingly tinynumbers on paper at this juncture anyway), do take a moment to note the fingers-in-ears, fiddling-while-Rome-burns, nothing-to-see-here, aren’t-we-awesome reaction from the elected school board president. Classic. (Vindy.com, 10/28/21)
- Meanwhile, two long-serving appointees on the state board of education resigned this week. (Cleveland.com, 10/29/21)
- Finally this week, implementing language passed in this year’s budget, Governor DeWine yesterday issued orders creating rules for an afterschool enrichment savings program for Ohio students between the ages of six and eighteen whose families earn up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level. It is funded by federal Covid-relief dollars and can be spent on academic supports such as tutoring, day camps, music lessons, and field trips. (Cleveland.com, 10/29/21)
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