- We’ll start today’s clips with what might seem at first to be a bit of a shocker: Current CEO Justin Jennings has been chosen by the elected school board as the superintendent of Youngstown City Schools. If all goes according to plan, he will transition to his
same exact rolenew title on August 1. The only thing different in his already “interesting” life is hinted at in the title of today’s clips. Fun fact: This makes a trifecta of CEO-to-supe transitions in Ohio. As I know all five of my loyal Gadfly Bites subscribers will recall, the state of Ohio promised to continue paying the salaries of any CEOs who were hired on as superintendents. So, not so much of a shocker as it might seem, I reckon. A five year contract is being considered for Jennings, but that seems to be subject to change based on the comments in this piece. (Vindy.com, 2/23/22)
- While it is described as a “very preliminary” idea,
more than 750 words are spentdiscussions are apparently being held regarding the possibility of a new I Promise High School in Akron. Several possibilities arise for me in this piece to explain the early flotation of this idea: A district facilities levy coming up in the future for which a new I Promise building might provide a ballot box boost and/or concern over where the oldest current I Promise kids—moving on to eighth grade next year—might choose to go for high school without a default destination. Recall that Akron City Schools is now all-choice with regard to its career-focused high schools. I’m sure we’ll find out the explanation soon enough. (Akron Beacon Journal, 2/24/22) - Here’s a school that’s actually on the grow right now: Marburn Academy. The venerable institution has been serving students with dyslexia, ADHD, autism, and executive function difficulties since 1981 and has just opened a new branch in central Columbus to help reach even more students. Kudos! This awesome clip also comes with a bonus riddle: When is a private school that accepts state-funded vouchers not a private school that accepts state-funded vouchers? When it is “an independent, tuition-based school at which 95 percent of students are on some kind of financial aid.” Don’t you just love wordplay? I know I do! (Columbus Dispatch, 2/24/22)
- From tiny little Lima, Ohio, to the entire rest of the world. How cool! Middle and high school students in Lima City Schools got to experience a Zoom presentation by and ask questions of two career civil servants in the U.S. State Department. The presenters talked about their long careers which included several ambassadorships between them. How did this amazing opportunity come about? Lima native and current local coffee house owner Dr. Carlton McLellan also happens to be founder and senior associate of the Global Ties organization whose mission is to make international connections just like this. (Lima News, 2/23/22)
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