Gadfly Bites 10/9/19 – Oversight

1. Here is a nice profile of Haugland Learning Center in Sandusky, Ohio, a school dedicated to teaching students on the autism spectrum and those with developmental disabilities. There’s even mention of the two voucher programs in Ohio which help families access such educational services for their children. I don’t know what’s more impressive about this piece: that the reporter doesn’t seem to know the difference between a charter school (free) and a private school (tuition), or that she still seems positively disposed toward Haugland while thinking it is a charter. (Sandusky Register, 10/8/19
2. Measuring the strength of your academic report card rankings by your high school athletic conference is an interesting approach. (Cleveland.com, 10/8/19)
3. Coventry Local Schools in Summit County fell into a state of fiscal emergency in 2015, after nearly 20 years in fiscal caution before that. A lot has changed since a state-led fiscal oversight commission was seated in 2015, and the financial situation is beginning to brighten. Mostly through cuts and downsizing. But apparently it’s not happening fast enough for Coventry’s elected board or their superintendent. There is an income tax measure on the ballot for November. While the supe is enthusiastic and the board voted unanimously to place the levy on the ballot, the fiscal oversight commission was split and ended up approving it by just one vote. Apparently some folks feel that more cutting is needed first. (Akron Beacon-Journal, 10/7/19)
4. The process to create a new school board in Youngstown begins in earnest this week. “All candidates shall be residents of the school district and shall hold no elected public office, according to the state.” Music to my ears anyway. (Vindy.com, 10/8/19)

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