Gadfly Bites 5/29/26—Show your strength

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1. While the state teachers union is said to be in an “adversarial” relationship with the Ohio legislature—with various pieces of legislation their spokesperson doesn’t like provided as evidence—it seems the union has a far better relationship with Fordham’s national research team at the moment. Why? Because our latest report indicates that the Buckeye State ranks 17th in the nation for union strength. Which probably explains at least part of the flexing going on in this piece. But don’t worry: We’ve been on their nice list before. It never lasts. (WVXU-FM, Cincinnati, 5/29/26)
   
   

2. Here’s a new piece of legislation that I’m sure the Ohio Federation of Teachers does like. How can you tell? By the excessive number of words Cleveland.com uses to describe it. Oh, and because union flacks were in the room when it was rolled out. (Cleveland.com, 5/27/26)
   
   

3. Meanwhile, back in the real world, the City of Cleveland is leading an end run around the spirit of Ohio law by spearheading an aggressive drive to immediately sell off 12 of the CMSD school buildings that are closing forever this week. Because they were being used for school purposes up to the end, apparently it’s going to be OK to sell them to developers (literally any developer) without allowing charter or private schools right of first refusal on them, per the law. And don’t forget, the appointed school board has already approved immediate demolition for all of them on “potential eyesore” grounds, so any that remain on the books after the city’s dubious fire sale will be bulldozed with dispatch. To summarize: All of these buildings were safe for students and staff yesterday, they are ripe for our favored renovation/reuse plans today, but they will be deteriorating to perdition by Monday. All of this to make sure the competition can’t get them, as state law intends. (Signal Cleveland, 5/26/26)
   
   

4. Wow. Sorry, y’all, about my meltdown in that previous clip. I’ve heard that counting might help me regain my composure; I should definitely give it a try. One awesome private school expanding in Ohio… (Cincinnati Enquirer, 5/28/26) …a second awesome private school expanding in Ohio… (Columbus Dispatch, 5/27/26) Ahhh… That does feel better.
   
   

5. Here’s a nice look at Toledo Junior Achievement’s Fifth Year program—intended to give high school grads without a clear next step exposure to “real-world learning experiences and early professional development” to help them identify their passions and get on the path to a career. Generally sounds good to me (and kudos to the University of Toledo for rescuing the program when its original high ed supporter closed), but mainly because I looked them up to make sure that non-district students were welcome too…and it seems that several charter school grads have participated in the past. So it’s good. But it would be just that little bit better if they would play up that “open to all” part more prominently. Just sayin’. (Toledo Blade, 5/27/26)

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