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Budget analysis
The new state budget went to effect on July 1, with numerous education policy provisions in its 900+ pages. Here are two important early analyses for your edification: One from the Fordham Institute’s Aaron Churchill, focusing on overall funding issues (including a mixed bag for equitable charter funding efforts); and one from Dayton Daily News’s Eileen McClory, focusing more on traditional district concerns in her city, including one that will have an impact on local charters (see below for more).
The state of student transportation in Dayton
Included in the state budget was a provision that stops school districts from paying to transport any students via public buses if their route requires transferring at a central hub. While this may impact other districts, its intent was specifically to stop Dayton City Schools from continuing to pay for such travel for high schoolers. Just before the bill’s enactment, Dayton school leaders were blasting the provision, blaming charter and private school transportation requirements for limiting their busing options and making them a target of legislative action. For his part, State Rep. Phil Plummer said that Dayton’s transportation infrastructure “is an antiquated system that needs changed.” And in the process of change, he added, Dayton City Schools should ask why half of district-resident students choose other schools in the first place. No definitive plan for busing high school students has yet been offered by district officials following passage of the bill, but superintendent David Lawrence sadly (and predictably) led off his short list of possible responses with curtailing school choices for students, including open enrollment within the district.
Ending the blame game at last?
The chief communications officer of Cleveland Metropolitan School District was a guest at a Ward 7 constituents meeting at the end of June. From him, attendees learned that CMSD’s enrollment has decreased by a whopping 50 percent over the last 25 years, and that the district has no choice but to close underutilized buildings and to consolidate students in order to cut wasteful spending and ensure that advanced academics and extracurricular activities are available to everyone. This is all plain-talking truth, but of a type we have not heard from officials before, despite similar situations in many districts across the state. Even better, when asked whether charter school growth was to blame for the enrollment declines, he said, “Not as much as you would think,” instead focusing on the baby bust and other adverse population dynamics in northeast Ohio. Amazing admissions that bode well for the future direction of education in our state.
Media attention
Here’s a nice profile of Springfield Sports Academy, a charter school founded by former Ohio State and NFL player Braxton Miller. He even recruited his favorite teacher from his own suburban school days to come out of retirement and lead the new school. “Ms. Fugate was one of those rare teachers who made every student feel seen and heard,” Miller said. “She always had high expectations, but she paired them with encouragement and kindness. I remember her always pushing us to think bigger and dig deeper — not just in academics, but in who we wanted to become as people.” SSA’s model combines academics, character education, mental wellness, and competitive athletics every day. Nice! And, briefly, we learn in this piece that Horizon Science Academy is on the grow again in central Ohio, purchasing a former Hondros College facility in suburban Westerville for expansion. Not a lot of charters located in Columbus’ suburbs right now, which probably helps explain the low percentage of families opting for non-district schools as seen in this Dispatch analysis, but who knows what the future holds as more and more charter and private (and STEM) schools open and expand further afield?
Help wanted on the Fordham Sponsorship Team
The Thomas B. Fordham Foundation, the charter school sponsorship arm of the Fordham Institute, is looking to grow its ranks with two part-time positions now open. They are looking for a School Quality Analyst in the Cincinnati area—to help conduct site visits at sponsored schools in the region and to support the staff, families, and school communities; and a Finance and Data Support Specialist—to assist the Controller in collecting and compiling data related to school operations and maintaining electronic compliance reporting. More information and application information can be found at the links above.
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