- Some hot takes rolling in as folks accept—or not, as the case may be—the reality shifts ahead based on the recently-passed state budget. Interestingly, the editorial board of the Blade actually seems pretty cool with voucher expansion per the final budget bill, but I do get some “we’re watchin’ you” vibes from their official statement about it. (Toledo Blade, 7/9/23) Actually samesies here regarding voucher expansion. Gotta say I didn’t expect it. However, editors at the Trib aren’t nearly as enamored of the revamp of K-12 governance under the executive branch. And their reasoning on that issue may surprise you. (Tribune-Chronicle, 7/9/23) Not so sanguine is state board member and former legislator Teresa Fedor. She is Groucher-in-Chief in this piece, complaining about voucher expansion, education funding and policy overall, and most especially about the governance issue which will directly affect the body on which she serves. Love the bit where she tries to pressgang the media into assisting with her grouching. (Sandusky Register, 7/10/23) Also grouchy, despite their budget “win” on third grade retention, is the Ohio Education Association. I don’t know if this piece is using old information (pre-budget-passage) or if those guys are just always looking at the storm clouds inside the silver lining. But either way, every union member quoted here sounds really gloomy. (Public News Service, 7/10/23)
- I was remiss in not clipping the second part of Signal’s farewell interview with CMSD’s Eric Gordon. Here it is for you now—a bit more hard-hitting than part one, especially the voucher/school choice discussion. Although I will say that some of his statements about district parents raised my eyebrows in a different way. (Signal Cleveland, 6/30/23)
- It is probably not a surprise—after the roller coaster of leadership change/no change/change that Dayton City Schools has unexpectedly experienced over the last few months—that the elected school board there decided to search for an interim supe in the short term. Probably prudent since it’s like a month until school starts. (Dayton 24/7 News Now, 7/9/23)
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