Gadfly Bites 11/26/25—Counting on

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1. Fordham’s Aaron Churchill and Ohio State University’s Vlad Kogan are among the experts quoted in this extensive piece looking at the state of mayorally-controlled school districts across the country. Not sure there’s one central message emerging from all the analysis, except that some folks that have it want to change it, while some that have it want to keep it; and that the same exact divide exists in those cities that don’t have it too. Who’da thunk? (Chalkbeat, 11/22/25)
   
   

2. Speaking of mayorally-controlled school districts, leaders of Cleveland Metropolitan School District are beginning to get a handle on—and to answer questions from the public about—all the various details of what will change when the proposed school closures and mergers are completed. These include staffing, services, transportation, extracurriculars, budgets, and more. You know why they can give that information now? Because a mayorally-controlled district has more authority to make—and stick to—such plans versus an elected board. Just sayin’. (Signal Cleveland, 11/21/25)
   
   

3. And speaking of details, Akron City Schools is poised to undergo its first official performance audit in nearly 30 years. The move appears to have been instigated by new treasurer Wayne Bowers—whom we have discussed before as wanting to make some big changes in how the district does its fiscal business, even as he aired that business in a way that seemed to your humble clips compiler as a tad “gabby” for a typical district. But the elected school board backed him up, voting unanimously to engage the Ohio Auditor’s Office for the gig. Amusingly, it is noted at the end of this piece that “District officials also are looking at ways to boost student enrollment, including bringing students back who may have left for a charter or private school”. Sure hope no one up there is counting on the Ohio Auditor of State to solve that lost cause for them! (Akron Beacon Journal, 11/24/25)
   
   

4. Meanwhile, Elyria Catholic High School has launched a capital campaign. “With enrollment growing and programs expanding,” said school president Annie Heidersbach in her announcement letter, “we must ensure our facilities rise to meet the needs of today’s students — and tomorrow’s.” The plan includes creation of a new Leadership and Innovation Center and Courtyard, which will be “a transformative hub for learning, leadership development and student support” and will include “flexible gathering areas and a comprehensive student success hub that unites guidance, STEM, career and college advising.” All this and more besides. Best of luck to them in their huge endeavor. (The Chronicle Telegram, 11/25/25)
   
   

5. While first released back in July, Ohio’s new plan to improve K-12 mathematics instruction and student achievement is getting some fresh attention in the news. Sounds pretty good to me: Proven curricula, lots of teacher training, and the involvement of instructional coaches. But there’s still a few things that trouble me—such as the insistence that “math anxiety” is a thing and that instruction “often overemphasize rote skills at the expense of deeper mathematical thinking”—which now that I think about it may be more a focus of this piece than the actual plan. Full plan is here, so take a look for yourself. (Cleveland.com, 11/22/25)
   
   

6. Finally this week: The November election may have happened more than three weeks ago, but it ain’t over until all the recounts are done. To wit: A $70 million bond issue has apparently passed in Jonathan Alder Local School District by just three votes after a recount was completed earlier this week. (NBC 4 News, Columbus, 11/25/25). Meanwhile, a ballot issue that would reduce income tax revenue for Carlisle Local Schools faces a recount of its own after it was defeated by a mere five votes. Crazy stuff. (Dayton Daily News, 11/24/25)

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