- This piece about a group of high-performing charter schools pushing for a higher level of state funding is leading the Bites for today because the research and analysis of our own Aaron Churchill is quoted throughout. But even if it weren’t for that, this opening paragraph is pretty eye-catching too: “Charter schools in Ohio have long wanted more money from the state, but a history of well-publicized scandals, mismanagement and poor report card grades have made it hard to justify giving them any more tax dollars.” Whose assessment is being expressed there exactly? (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 3/3/19)
- The Alexander Local Schools in Athens County have long wanted more money from local voters, but a history of poor academic performance and other factors have clearly made it hard for those voters to justify giving them any more tax dollars. Hmmm… That sounds familiar. The district has failed at the ballot box five times in less than three years. A sixth ask is on the ballot this May, and despite over 1,600 words dedicated to trying to make the case for both their rising success without any new money (the academic portion glossed over in a paragraph; half the piece about medical services and cafeteria changes) and for their “desperation” for repatriation of staffers after “cutting to the bone”, I don’t think they have made their case very well at all. “We suffer in the janitorial department” is, in my assessment, not a compelling get out the vote message. We’ll see in May if anyone else agrees. (Athens News, 3/3/19)
- The first ever strike of charter school teachers in Ohio ended Friday. Everyone interviewed for this piece seems very happy over the process and the result. No one from the school management could be reached for comment. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 3/1/19)
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