- The state board of education discussed the state’s proposed new charter sponsor rating system – you know, the one that needs to replace the one that was scrapped following scandal? The clock is ticking as well, with a December 31 deadline looking. Chad’s testimony before the board is quoted by the PD in their piece. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 12/15/15) It is also quoted by the Dayton Daily News in their piece, along with some commentary on Chad’s testimony by hometown Sen. Peggy Lehner. (Dayton Daily News, 12/15/15) To read Chad’s written testimony in full, click here. For an in-depth look at the board’s discussion of this thorny issue – but not including Chad’s testimony, Gongwer’s got you coverage. (Gongwer Ohio, 12/15/15)
- The board also this week named an interim state supe. As predicted, the job went to Dr. Lonny Rivera, an accomplished district administrator from Northwest Ohio and current assistant state supe. Also, the only person put forward for the job. You can read a brief piece on the appointment in Dr. Rivera’s hometown paper, the Blade. (Toledo Blade, 12/15/15) Or you can check out a more interesting piece from the formerly-Big D wherein they actually interview the guy to get his take on some important issues. (Columbus Dispatch, 12/16/15)
- A member-elect of the Akron City School Board is already causing a ruckus – weighing in on the appointment of another member to fill a post-election vacancy – before he even takes his seat. Pretty twisty piece if you’re not up on all the names (I’m not) and the revolving-door nature of local politics (that, sadly, is part for the course in Ohio), and the ironies are everywhere. My favorite: a former school board member describing to a journalist that the task of running a political campaign in Akron as “daunting”. Maybe because the newspaper likes to run detailed financial information on candidates? Doug Livingston goes at the top of your humble compiler’s New Year Honors List. Thanks for keeping Gadfly Bites from being boring, Doug! (Akron Beacon Journal, 12/16/15)
- Elyria Schools Superintendent Tom Jama is optimistic. I mean, really optimistic: a “glass three-quarters full” kid of guy. In five to seven years, he envisions Elyria undergoing a resurgence (perhaps as far as to rival neighboring Avon in regional awesomeness) as stellar Elyria grads choose to return to the city and build upon its greatness – which is currently slumbering. (Northern Ohio Morning Journal, 12/15/15)
It’s rare for us to report a non-news story, but as of this publication, there has been no ruling on the aspects of the Youngstown Plan which were heard in court on Monday. It seems that every aspect of the new Academic Distress case is on hold until a ruling is made.
