- Details of Governor Kasich’s new biennial budget are emerging this week. Here are some peeks at the K-12 education portion of said budget from around the state. The Dispatch focuses on the governor’s assertion that school districts which have lost students should get less money from the state. (Columbus Dispatch, 1/31/17) Coverage from Dayton focuses quite a bit on Kasich’s idea to require school boards to have 3 ex-officio members from the local business community. (Dayton Daily News, 1/30/17) The DDN is so interested in this particular part of the budget bill that they published a separate piece covering reactions of some area school board members to the proposal. (Dayton Daily News, 1/30/17). As is its wont to do, the PD took a “wait and see” approach on the education budget but laid out all the details known so far. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 1/30/17) Ditto for Gongwer, who led with the declining enrollment piece but generally just laid out the facts. Kudos to them for also mentioning the Straight-A Innovation Fund, which is continued and funded at $50 million over the biennium. (Gongwer Ohio, 1/30/17) Our own Chad Aldis commends the continuation of the Straight-A Fund among other comments in Gongwer’s round up of initial responses to the governor’s proposed education budget. (Gongwer Ohio, 1/30/17)
- And what of other legislative education priorities for the 132nd General Assembly? We got a preview of those this week from newly-reappointed Senate Education Committee Chair Peggy Lehner. (Dayton Daily News, 1/30/17)
- Finally today: it’s The School Choice Corner. The PD today began a series of profiles on high schools of choice in Cleveland. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 2/1/17) First in the series is the School of Science and Health, a combo STEM/career-centric high school co-created by CMSD and MetroHealth Medical Center. It is a new option this school year and includes a blended learning component, mentoring, and inside access to any and all hospital-related careers. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 2/1/17) Speaking of science-y stuff, a visit by former astronaut Mae Jemison was the basis for this profile of the awesomeness that is Metro Early College High School in Columbus. Although it is entirely possible that your humble clip compiler is the teensiest bit biased in favor of this particular slice of school choice. Possibly. (Columbus Dispatch, 1/30/17) Speaking of your humble clip compiler’s possible biases, tomorrow is the annual Clintonville school choice fair for elementary and middle school students in Columbus. It is likely one of a very few such events anywhere that is community-sponsored and includes district, charter, and a variety of private school options all together in one room without brickbats being tossed. It’s an awesome thing. Just sayin’. (ThisWeek News/Clintonville Booster, 1/30/17) And just to cover all the options, here is a fascinating tale of two cities whose school districts have offered open enrollment for many years. It was the best of times for Hubbard ($1 million net “winner” through open enrollment) and it was the worst of times for Coventry ($1 million net “loser” through open enrollment). Is it just me or does this analysis seem to rankle the dude from Coventry who is interviewed here? (The Suburbanite, 1/30/17)
