- Before we get to the actual news you probably came here for, how about a related side trip? Our own Aaron Churchill was a guest on public radio’s All Sides with Ann Fisher yesterday morning, discussing the state of play regarding the EdChoice program. While Aaron was as awesome as expected, and while the show actually earned its title for once, I did have to stop listening when the homeschool parent called in looking for her state money! (WOSU-FM, Columbus, 1/30/20) By the end of the day, we had gone from side trip to sideshow, however, as it was reported that U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos had somehow become involved in DeFlap. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 1/30/20)
- The one thing that became clear in listening to the All Sides discussion is that the voucher grouchers were flummoxed by the late night doings on Wednesday in the Ohio House. To wit: a brand new proposal from the Speaker to do away with the performance-based voucher program all together and to move forward with an expanded, solely income-based, EdChoice program. The grouchers, in full fight mode, did not seem to know whether they should attack this or not. It had some definite upside for them, I think. But perhaps the conference call hadn’t happened prior to the 10 a.m. radio show. It was kind of funny as the old talking points rang a little hollow in light of the new proposal. (Gongwer Ohio, 1/29/20) Jeremy Kelley did a good job of describing the horse trading that went on and that which was to come regarding the voucher program. But I will take issue with EdChoice being “in limbo” until said horse trading was completed. (Not the first time I’ve taken issue with the use of this word in the DDN.) Standing pat and making no changes was still an option, and the existing voucher program would go forward as planned (for the last seven years!) if no deal could be completed. (Dayton Daily News, 1/30/20)
- I had, unfortunately, forgotten that there was another option. Hmmm… Maybe “limbo” was the right word after all, but only in regard to parents interested in applying for a voucher. (Gongwer Ohio, 1/30/20) That’s right. The latest proposal from the House was to delay the opening of the voucher application window (for new applicants only) from February 1 to the highly appropriate April 1 during which time legislative horse trading would continue. The Senate must agree to that change today. (Columbus Dispatch, 1/30/20)
- The political finesse move described above should be very familiar around here. We’ll call it the ADC Maneuver. Speaking of which, the folks in Youngstown were both blindsided and flummoxed by the possibility that Lorain City Schools could be released from state oversight via Academic Distress Commission while their district would not. Of course, that was at least two legislative voucher proposals ago and may not happen at all now…or later. I’m sorry, was that really just yesterday they were talking about all that? Oy vey. (Vindy.com, 1/30/20) Wearily, determinedly, the CEO of Youngstown City Schools picked himself up after all that, dusted himself off, and got back to work trying to craft a new strategic plan to turn his district around. Again. (Vindy.com, 1/31/20)
- Back in the real world, here is some lovely coverage of that school choice fair held in the Lima area earlier this week. (Hometown Stations, Lima, 1/30/20) The Superintendent of Lima City Schools herself manned her district’s table at the fair. As you can tell because she was the only school representative quoted in either piece. (Lima News, 1/30/20)
- Holy cow. Praise the Lord and pass the green! Staying in Northwest Ohio to end the week, it was announced today that a local entrepreneur has pledged to fully pay college tuition, room, board, books, and fees for every 2020 graduate of Toledo’s Scott High School. Not only that, but he will pay for all those things for one parent or guardian of each of those grads too!! Loyal Gadfly Bites subscribers will remember retired business magnate Pete Kadens from his first foray into the Toledo education scene about a year ago. He is memorable because he made his money in the marijuana biz (with lots of hilarious puns and jokes from yours truly) and had some big ideas for a foundation to help Toledo City Schools students succeed. The whole thing went quiet after that first big splash and my personal supposition is that the source of his wealth might have been offputting to some. That or he just forgot. But Snoop Pete came back in a big way and it seems like lots of people are thrilled. I’ll be blunt: this is an awesome story. (13ABC, Toledo, 1/29/20)
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