Jeff Murray
5.27.2015
  1. Editors in Youngstown once again beg the state to intervene in their school district. “While the adults play their games, the children of the city suffer.” Wow. (Youngstown Vindicator, 5/27/15)
     
  2. Meanwhile in Cleveland, where a takeover model exists that the Vindy editors probably envy at this moment, CEO Eric Gordon received unanimous approval for a 4-year contract extension. Things are looking up in CLE, although there’s still a long way to go. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 5/27/15)
     
  3. On Ohio’s other coast, public radio in Missouri is taking a look at Oyler Community Learning Center in Cincinnati, one of a number of schools in the Queen City to experiment with a wide array of wraparound services and community outreach efforts to better connect education and families. Data, where it is mentioned, seems inconclusive. (KBIA-FM, Missouri, 5/26/15)
     
  4. Not to neglect the capital city, Columbus City Schools is complaining again – with the help of a dear old friend – about Ohio’s “cap and guarantee” system of state funding for schools. Honestly, dudes, we’ve been trying to get rid of this thing in favor of a realistic allocation of state funds for years. It distorts everything. Just let it go. If “adjustments” need to be made based on need or population, they should just be part of the formula. And don’t get me started on the whole “charters don’t have caps” stuff. (Columbus Dispatch, 5/27/15)
     
  5. Meanwhile, in Toledo, funding levels are looking rosier than ever, thanks to state funding increases and a recent levy win. First up on the to-do list? “Contract reopeners” on teacher salaries. (Toledo Blade, 5/27/15)
     
  6. Finally, kudos to Fairborn City Schools, whose financial outlook has improved so much that it has been released from “fiscal caution” designation by the state, a status it has held for two and a half years. How’d they do it? Millions of dollars in cuts (including personnel and classroom material) and “revenue enhancements” from the state. About 43 percent of Fairborn’s budget is from state, according to this story. (Dayton Daily News, 5/26/15)

Jeff Murray is a lifelong resident of central Ohio. He previously worked at School Choice Ohio and the Greater Columbus Arts Council. He has two degrees from the Ohio State University and lives in the Clintonville neighborhood with his wife and twin daughters. He is proud every day to support the Fordham mission to help make excellent education options…

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