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Gadfly Bites 1/22/18 - The saddest surprise party

Jeff Murray
1.22.2018
  1. With ECOT closed, a special master appointed by the court to help oversee things like records transfer and asset management, and families working to find new schools that are at least the second-best fit for their kids, it seems there is little else for education reporters to write about. Especially if they actually want to report on anything of substance. (Columbus Dispatch, 1/19/18)
     
  2. Per the above, I picture staff members at school districts across the state standing around the front entrance to their buildings today like frustrated guests at the world’s saddest surprise party – waiting and waiting and waiting to welcome guests who just aren’t going to arrive. But let’s not let reality get in the way of a good clip, shall we? We’re all better than that. In the vein, here is a story on what some districts in Stark County have planned to help their seniors graduate on time at the end of this school year. Very little of it sounds inspiring or indeed very helpful at all. The current “on track/likely to be on track” numbers for the various school districts are enlightening though. That surprise party in Canton might be the saddest of all. (Canton Repository, 1/21/18)
     
  3. Apropos of nothing at all, I’m sure, Galion City Schools is advertising an upcoming info session (in person, on site, at the district HQ of course) in order to “introduce or reintroduce” the district’s online learning opportunities to anyone interested in finding out. It will be held next week. So, that’s like holding the world’s saddest surprise party two weeks late and in a dentist’s office. (Richland Source, 1/20/18)
Topics:
Governance
Tags: Stark County

Jeff Murray is a lifelong resident of central Ohio. He previously worked at School Choice Ohio and the Greater Columbus Arts Council. He has two degrees from the Ohio State University and lives in the Clintonville neighborhood with his wife.

He is proud every day to support the Fordham mission to help make excellent education options more…

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