- Democracy can be messy. Nowhere is that more apparent than in school boards around Ohio. Take Akron City Schools, for example. A majority of voters opted not to reelect an incumbent board member in November. A majority of sitting board members opted to bring him back at the first meeting of the new year to fill an empty seat. (Akron Beacon Journal, 1/11/16)
- Charter schools can be messy. Nowhere is that more apparent than in the case of Andre Tucker. He led three charter schools that opened and quickly folded back in 2013. Litigation over a number of issues has been ongoing ever since, with Tucker representing himself in his defense and in scattering lawsuits of his own all over Franklin County courts. It is with some thinly-veiled glee that the formerly-Big D (sued by Tucker for reporting on him) tells us Tucker was slapped by a judge this week as “vexatious litigator”. It is hoped by the reporters that this will shut down Tucker’s efforts for good. Now, about that stalled litigation in Youngstown… (Columbus Dispatch, 1/13/16)
- A small sliver of news on the Youngstown Plan litigation in this piece – a hearing is set for next week, the reporter notes. What else is going on in Youngstown? Threats of more legal challenges, again involving Dr. Carol Staten. This time board members are objecting to her new job as full-time principal at Volney High School, which we told you about in the clips on Monday. Yep. Intestinal fortitude can be messy. (Youngstown Vindicator, 1/13/16)
- Speaking of Monday’s clips, we discussed on that day the perception of the “Youngstown Plan” from the perspective of Lorain City Schools. They do not seem to be fans, mainly because their perception of it is as a method of attacking “the public common school”, and are heck-bent on avoiding the same situation. In yesterday’s follow up story, we catch a glimpse of how the state of Ohio is trying to help Lorain avoid a new-style Academic Distress Commission (improve academics), how said help is being received by various local stakeholders (barely noticed, irritatedly), and how one state legislator is trying to help (via legislation that would change the messy new rules). (Northern Ohio Morning Journal, 1/12/16)
- Hiring high-level people can be messy. Case in point, discussion at this week’s state board of education meeting as to just how high they should set the starting salary to recruit the best candidates for new state supe. Think, Urban Meyer’s bonus. Or maybe even his salary. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 1/13/16)
- Military recruiting in Franklin County high schools can be messy. Not everyone has a well-developed and highly-popular ROTC program, like we talked about last week in Newark, and not all high schools are equally friendly to recruiters. Even though the state requires equal access for recruiters of both college and military branches. But honestly, who wouldn’t want kids doing extra pull ups in the hallway, whatever the reason? (Columbus Dispatch, 1/12/16)
- The reinvention of Cincinnati City Schools continues apace. To wit, a new gifted program to be launched in an existing elementary school on the west side of the Queen City. It will mirror a similar program (full up and with a waiting list of kids from all over the city) on the east side. Let’s hope it doesn’t get messy. (Cincinnati Enquirer, 1/12/16)
- Here’s a detailed look at a number of projects from schools and districts in Stark County vying for Straight A Fund dollars in the current go-round. All interesting ideas, including the “burn building” thing. I so wanted one of today’s clips to not be troublesome, but that only happens here if one doesn’t read the lone online comment. The internet is messy. (Canton Repository, 1/13/16)
