Gadfly Bites 4/13/20 – Fare well

1. Actual schooling seems like a nebulous afterthought in the pandemic response plans of the Mason and Cincinnati school districts, as shared voluntarily with the Enquirer. But it is enough for the reporter to declare that those two districts “prepped”. Cool. (Cincinnati Enquirer, 4/12/20) The bar seems a lot higher for charter and private schools in Cleveland for some reason, where we discuss the actual schooling—and only the actual schooling—offered to students in several Catholic schools and charter networks during mandated building closures. If only they too could have their efforts graded primarily on creating plans for handwashing jingles and posters. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 4/10/20) You would think that students in Ohio’s career tech centers would be particularly hard hit by the extended closure of their school buildings. While there are some hiccups and unanswered questions vexing the students interviewed for this piece, nearly all of them seem to be able to continue their “previously-hands-on” learning virtually. I’m sure it’s much harder for the construction folks, not interviewed here, because we all know that virtual bricklaying is just Minecraft. And no one’s getting a diploma for that. Or are they…? (Columbus Dispatch, 4/12/20) Meanwhile, the editorial board of the Blade is giving kudos to Toledo City Schools for deploying its WiFi-enabled school buses around the community to help students reach the internet to do work. Or Minecraft. Or whatever. (Toledo Blade, 4/13/20)
   
   

2. Many of these “how are the children faring?” stories are focused on high school seniors. Especially their ability to graduate in the face of school building closures and inconsistent education provision therefollowing. Across the river from Ohio, editors at the Intelligencer have the same topic on their minds…and are looking over the border and envying our decision on the matter. (Wheeling Intelligencer, 4/11/20) Is this what they’re envying, do you think? Youngstown City Schools CEO Justin Jennings, with absolutely no explanation or support other than the flexibility granted to him by the state, told Vindy.com that he expects all of the district’s seniors to graduate this year. Suburban schools in the Mahoning Valley are slightly less “hundo p!” about the topic. Wonder why? (Vindy.com, 4/13/20)
    
3. The folks at the Say Yes for Education scholarship program in Cleveland are concerned about this year’s college freshmen as well as this year’s high school seniors. Members of both groups are vulnerable to derailing from their course, say officials, due to the massive disruption of closed campuses. And that would be bad for the kids and the fledgling Say Yes CLE brand. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 4/11/20)
    
4. Let’s end the day talking about our very favorite subject here at the Bites: money. While the treasurers at Trotwood-Madison and Springboro City Schools are expecting some budget savings due to enforced building closures (to wit: “material and supply costs, contracted services, plus staff training and conferences”; “substitute teacher costs, field trip costs, utility costs…and fuel costs for buses.”), many other Miami Valley school districts report spending as much or more than usual. And they’ll be looking for more. (Dayton Daily News, 4/13/20) Count Akron City Schools among the “as much or more” spenders, per this report on the most recent school board meeting there. Although the supe thinks that this level of spending is somehow not sustainable. (Akron Beacon Journal, 4/10/20)
   

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