- Here is an interesting profile of Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb’s new chief of youth and family success. While not directly connected to the mayor’s oversight of district schools, it sounds like Sonya Pryor-Jones’ work will likely intersect with the formal education sector a lot. Which is great because she tells Cleveland.com that ample opportunities are what is required to set kids up for success. “That’s part of optimal well-being: that you have all these possibilities and you get to make the choice,” she says. “But far too often, from my perspective, possibilities are taken away.” Her life, education, and career trajectories seem to indicate she comes to this perspective via deep experience. Especially the experiences not covered in this profile. (Cleveland.com, 4/7/22)
- Tiny Troy City Schools has two elementary buildings (K-5) that are located less than a mile apart. To boost efficiency and save the district $400,000 a year, officials have decided to make one of those buildings K-2 and the other 3-5 starting next year. Despite all the positives involved in the change—which the supe says includes more teacher collaboration, more balanced class sizes, and better services for gifted and special needs students—officials are braced for outcry and pushback. Can’t wait to hear what those rallying cries might be. (Dayton Daily News, 4/6/22)
- “An extraordinary time that requires extraordinary measures.” That’s how Akron City Schools’ Assistant Superintendent describes the huge amount of chronic absenteeism in her district this school year. I’ll refrain from direct comment because this is important stuff, but I will ask you to read the piece in full and see if you agree that her assessment of both the problem and the proposed solution as “extraordinary” is fully accurate. (Akron Beacon Journal, 4/8/22)
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