- Our recent report on the impacts of Ohio’s EdChoice program on traditional district schools is one of two choice-focused reports recently reviewed by non-profit organization The Sentinel. Thanks, y’all! (The Sentinel, Kansas/Missouri, 1/4/23)
- Speaking of lingering stories from 2022 (were we?), Governor DeWine extended the holidays into January by signing the Christmas stocking education bill—passed during the lame duck legislative session—into law yesterday. Definitely some fun stuff in there and Gongwer has a little rundown. (Gongwer Ohio, 1/5/23)
- Moving firmly into the new year, I know you are all on pins and needles to find out how Columbus City Schools’ new busing plans have worked out so far. Here is a look at what is termed Day 1 of the new routing plan on Wednesday. It does not sound super great to me. But we all know that Wednesday was actually Day 2 and that the real Day 1 was Tuesday, when many charter and private schools in the area started back after the holiday break. While the morning routes for charter students sound like a bit of an improvement over 2022, by the evening things already appeared to be tanking. (Columbus Dispatch, 1/4/23) Day 3—the real Day 3 yesterday—does not sound all that much better for either district or charter students based on this coverage. Interestingly, lack of drivers is not an issue anymore—district officials stress that they have way more drivers than routes on their roster as well as hundreds of additional routes covered by a third party contractor. So, causes of the documented problems must lie elsewhere. District officials quoted here seem to have some firm ideas where. (Columbus Dispatch, 1/5/23)
- In neighboring Licking County, we are told for the millionth time that districts have been dealing with a shortage of bus drivers “for years” but that efforts to respond to the problem are new…or in some cases, still being developed. (Newark Advocate, 1/1/23)
- And speaking of potential busing problems, here’s a…unique one from Lorain County. At the very least, local districts (aided by guidance from the Ohio Department of Education), are planning ahead—way ahead—on this one. (Chronicle Telegram, 1/5/23)
- I believe we have given kudos to this northeast Ohio construction company before, but we’ll do it again because they have hired on Alliance City Schools construction trade students to help work on a new district building. The kids seem happy to get their hands dirty…and cold…for the benefit of their district and themselves. (Canton Repository, 1/3/23) More? OK. Here’s a quick look at the work of the Ohio State Apprenticeship Council, operated out of the Eastern Ohio Education Service Center, which has already provided nearly 100 regional graduates with qualifications for a recognized pre-apprenticeship program certificate of completion. (Alliance Review, 1/4/23) Still more? Sure thing! Meet Mahoning County Career and Technical Center student Rileigh Altman. The 17-year-old senior is the founder of her own makeup company, which is already pretty successful and will likely be glowing way the heck up once she graduates and can focus all her time and considerable effort upon it. Beauty Freak indeed. (WDTN-TV, Dayton, 1/4/23)
- Finally this week: In case you missed it, by this time on Monday, Akron City Schools teachers may be on strike. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, but this issues still to be negotiated seem large and particularly intractable. Looks like a long weekend for everyone up there. (Akron Beacon Journal, 1/6/23)
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