- Here’s a tale of two districts for you. High-flying Amherst Schools is pretty bent out of shape over the D grade they received in their very first K-3 Literacy Improvement Measure report. Meanwhile, Lorain Schools – currently being overseen by an Academic Distress Commission – is thrilled with their grade of C on the same measure. (Northern Ohio Morning Journal, 5/10/15)
- Just to up the ante, here’s a tale of THREE districts. A subdivision of 23 homes in central Ohio is geographically situated in Columbus, but due to fallout from the 1970s annexing boom around here, the school district assignment zone for them is not the local district but South-Western City Schools. There are 10 school age children currently in the neighborhood. None of them attend South-Western, but the district treasurer knows just how much property tax these houses generate for his district. That is, exactly how much property tax his district would lose if residents are successful in their efforts to get themselves rezoned for tony Upper Arlington City Schools. Which, one assumes, they WILL attend if they are successful. The residents appear to have the support of the State Board of Education in their efforts although South-Western can appeal the decision to transfer if they want. (Columbus Dispatch, 5/13/15)
- To end on an up-note, here’s a short piece about an upcoming dance performance. The work includes 900 students from two Franklin County school districts and two Fordham-sponsored charter schools – United Preparatory Academy and KIPP Columbus. Sounds like an awesome production and it’s also nice to know that the arts are still being used to bridge divides. (Columbus Dispatch, 5/13/15)
