- There are only two times when school report cards are deemed correct by school district officials: the first is when they show traditional district schools doing well (and specifically when districts, like Talawanda City Schools in this piece, are faring better than their regional sports rivals). The second one, well…you know. (The Journal-News, 12/2/21)
- Here in Columbus, Educational Solutions has big plans to expand their charter school offerings, adding a high school in response to parental requests. Local news coverage suggests there are some potential zoning hurdles to overcome regarding their preferred location, but at least one influential member of the Northland Community Council is vocally supportive of the move. Fingers crossed! (ThisWeek News, 12/2/21)
- Tis the season for districts to release their five year fiscal forecasts, as we have noted in these clips a few times in recent weeks. Tis also the season, unfortunately, for some questionable on-the-record statements in regard to those forecasts. First up today, dire financial trouble was predicted in Lorain City Schools if their November levy didn’t pass. Less than a month from the defeat of that levy, the district forecast is sunny through almost the entirety of the five year window. Why? Increased student enrollment. While the piece throws a little shade on whether the district CEO and elected school board members knew this information prior to Election Day, that issue really seems immaterial to me at this point. Students are returning to Lorain City Schools, despite everything they’ve experienced over the last four years. That’s the big news, but no one seems to know why. The theories put forward by folks on the payroll, however, are many and varied. And hilarious. (The Chronicle, 12/1/21)
- Even more troubling, the five-year budget forecast for the Adams County Ohio Valley School District appears to be predicated on the treasurer’s political prognostications. The stream-of-consciousness reportage in this piece is hard to slog through, but the gist is that there is some solid bad news on revenue loss and rising expenses in the near term. But, if they just tighten their belts a little now, “In year three of the forecast, in my opinion, we will probably have a new governor, which means there could be a new school funding formula”. And the future will take care of itself from there. (People’s Defender, 12/2/21)
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