Gadfly Bites 5/1/26—How about providing some tough answers instead?

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1. Several members of the appointed board of Cleveland Metropolitan School District seem suddenly interested in upending one of the basic tenets of the Cleveland Plan, that sweeping revitalization effort signed into law by Gov. Kasich in 2012 and updated in 2021. As they wrestle with a giant budget deficit, some board members this week expressed interest in ending their support of the charter schools with which they have partnered for years. Specifically, in ending their role as sponsor for three charters in the city—which would require them to find a new sponsor or close up shop—and to stop sharing millions in local levy funding with several other “partner” schools. As bad as it may sound, my opinion is that members are simply giving lip service to these suggestions as a distraction from the public uproar over long-overdue cuts in other areas, and that the status quo will ultimately be maintained. Why? As district CEO Warren Morgan explains, ending sponsorship and partnership would mean that charter student achievement would no longer be counted in CMSD’s stats (a loss for the district) and a portion of previously-voted funding for the district (as part of the Plan) would also likely cease (another loss for the district). As I explain it: The best they can hope for from this scheme is that one or two competitors might eventually disappear, but the district stands to lose far more than it could possibly gain. Despite the low probability of fruition, Morgan fanned the public flames anyway by adding: “I think it’s something we need to continue to assess and look at and keep asking the tough questions.” Sorry, boss. It will always be a lose-lose for you. You would all be better off to start finding answers to your own problems rather than asking more ridiculous questions of others. (Signal Cleveland, 4/29/26)
   
   

2. Meanwhile, two elementary schools in the Catholic Diocese of Toledo are joining a partnership to improve education for their students. Rosary Cathedral and Queen of Apostles elementary schools are joining up with Partnership Schools, the large and growing non-profit Catholic school management organization looking to boost the capacity and quality of member schools. “They will come in with a professional development approach with the teachers and administrators, giving them best practices looking at the curriculum,” explains Kyle Kubik, senior director of the department of Catholic education in Toledo. “The partnership’s approach is they have this organization that takes the business side of the schools off the plate of the principal so the principal can focus on academics, student testing and needs. Then they do intensive professional development for teachers before the school year and throughout the year to help them improve on their practices.” Great stuff. Kudos to all involved! (Toledo Blade, 4/30/26)
   
   

3. Finally this week: Apologies for clipping a press release, but I fear that the Statehouse press corps is so distracted by other news that it may be a long time before they can respond to this actual big deal unfolding right in front of them. Congratulations to the Center for Christian Virtue for establishing a new, nationwide scholarship granting organization (SGO) in response to the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit program. Beginning in January 2027, individuals will be able to contribute up to $1,700 to the Christian Education Network’s SGO and receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit. Those funds will then be distributed as scholarships to help families afford private school tuition. The effort expands an existing, Ohio-only SGO nationwide to leverage the new federal effort. Here’s hoping that more education stakeholders—yes, that includes traditional district and charter school advocates—follow the same path. This is an incredible opportunity to help families access the best educational fit for their children. It should not be wasted. (Center for Christian Virtue press release, 4/29/26)

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