- Our own Chad Aldis often plows his own furrow (so to speak) when it comes to certain aspects of education policy in Ohio, sometimes confounding those trying to define the narrative around those issues. Yet another case in point occurred this week in the wake of testimony on the topic of charter sponsor evaluations contained in the state budget bill. The title of this Gongwer piece is “Some Charter Advocates Unsatisfied With House Changes To Sponsor Evaluations”. Chad is quoted on the topic, but he is not among those “unsatisfied advocates” touted in the headline. In fact, he is the only voice quoted in support of some of those frankly pretty important-sounding changes. Going against the grain, if I may mix my metaphors. (Gongwer Ohio, 5/17/17) Testimony continued in that committee yesterday, this time primarily on the topic of school funding provisions in the state budget bill. (Gongwer Ohio, 5/18/17)
- Stepstone Academy this week became the fifth charter school in Cleveland whose teachers voted to unionize. Congrats. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 5/17/17) Here is a glimpse into Stepstone’s possible future: cordial negotiations leading to big raises! (What did you think I was going to say?) Toledo City Schools and the local teachers union agreed to a new contract last week, which district supe Romules Durant says shows just how the district is going to recruit and retain “rock star educators”. District treasurer Ryan Stechschulte is certain the district can afford the $12 million in raises and bonuses…just as long as all the upcoming levy requests pass. But no pressure, Glass City taxpayers. (Toledo Blade, 5/19/17)
- What would you say if I told you there was a pile of public money available for needy families but few takers? The money would allow those families to access an educational option that they likely could not afford (or would not access) on their own. Ohio history tells us that if I was talking about, say, a voucher program for student to leave their district school to attend a private school, the loud and repeated reaction would be an order to shut the program down because it’s clearly not needed. But all my loyal Gadfly Bites subscribers know that I love that sort of bait-and-switch intro and both of them are waiting with bated breath as to what program I’m really talking about today. It is Dayton’s Preschool Promise program, for whose 1600 slots only 100 people have so far applied. And what, then, is the reaction to this apparent lack of interest? Double down on advertising of course! (Dayton Daily News, 5/18/17)
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