Gadfly Bites 1/23/23—Impossible to overestimate

1. Despite the somewhat-traditional National School Choice Week snowfall, nearly 1,000 people attended the Northwest Ohio School Choice Fair at Lourdes University yesterday. Representatives from many K-8 schools were present to make their case to families, as well as folks providing information on homeschooling and Ohio’s five voucher programs. While some of the kiddos quoted here were perhaps less than thrilled by the day’s activities, the parents were all in the right frame of mind and, even if they do not choose to change schools or school types, likely got a lot of valuable information no matter what. This is the way, folks. (Toledo Blade, 1/22/23)
   
   
2. The principal of Horizon Science Academy seems skeptical of Dayton City Schools’ new plans to improve student transportation. And who can blame her? She’s got her own stories, which are compelling and are recounted in this piece. But I think this quote from the district supe (which was not part of the coverage we looked at on Friday, I note), says even more: “In previous years, an attendance bonus was used as an effort to improve driver attendance. Although it was stopped because the results were not significantly different, the district is hopeful a new bonus will help improve driver attendance.” The clear lesson here is that hope does indeed spring eternal…for some folks. (WHIO-TV, Dayton, 1/20/23)
   
   
3. Another lesson to learn from the elected members of Dayton City Schools’ board: You gotta spend money to make money. The budget to renovate the district’s Welcome Stadium nearly doubled last week as the elected board approved adding another $9.25 million in spending to the project. They note in their justification comments that it’s federal Covid-relief funds they are tossing into that particular money pit and that somehow they’re predicting to make $150 to $300K in profits every year by renting it out to other groups for events…as soon as it’s done. (Dayton Daily News, 1/20/23)
   
   
4. Finally today, here’s some evidence that one of Akron City Schools’ career academies is working somewhat like it’s supposed to. That is, the “applied engineering” pathway has actually worked to get at least one student to pursue welding. Mind you, that’s not how the academy system is designed/promised by the district to work. But sometimes, miracles happen despite the foibles of mere mortals. (Akron Beacon Journal, 1/20/23)

Did you know you can have every edition of Gadfly Bites sent directly to your Inbox? Subscribe by clicking here.