Statewide Education News
- Bill to delay school start until after Labor Day draws educators’ objections (Dispatch)
A bill that would change how Ohio schools calculate class time came under fire from both state and local school officials yesterday. But supporters say it would not only keep students in school longer, but also help the state’s tourism industry. Representatives of the Ohio School Boards Association, the Ohio Association of School Business Officials and a local school district testified before the House Education Committee in opposition to a bill that proposes a minimum school year based on the number of hours students spend in school, rather than days. Read More…
Local Issues
- Groveport Madison to ask: ‘What can you live without?’ (Dispatch)
Sports programs, high-school busing or all-day kindergarten could be gone this fall, as Groveport Madison school officials consider $4 million in budget cuts for the 2012-13 school year. But before district leaders come up with a plan to make those reductions, they want to hear from parents and community members about what they think is off-limits and what they are willing to live without. The district will play host to the first of two forums to discuss the issue at 7 p.m. Thursday at Groveport Madison High School. Read More…
- Board OKs phys ed opt-outs (Tribune Chronicle)
WARREN - Students of the city school district who participate in athletics and various other activities will now have the option to forego the physical education classes required for graduation. At a special Wednesday afternoon meeting, Warren City Board of Education members Regina Patterson, president, Robert Faulkner and Patricia Limperos approved the second and final reading of the new physical education waiver policy. Board members Andre Coleman and Rhonda Baldwin-Amorganos, who each initially voted against the opt-out policy, were absent. Read More…
- Unique Curriculum at Holmes Middle School Pays Off (WKRC 12 CBS)
Imagine kids who want to go to school... who look forward to learning in colorful rooms, where they sometimes break into a dance. That unique teaching method at the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, has been adopted locally by Covington Independent Schools. Local 12 News Reporter Deborah Dixon takes us to Holmes Middle School, where attendance and grades are up, and discipline problems are down. Students start the day in Ms. Wolf's Language Arts Class. "We are going to brainstorm the traits of a hero." Read More…
- Two companies sue over bus garage (News-Sun)
SPRINGFIELD — Two companies are suing entities involved in building the Springfield City School District’s bus garage, according to documents filed in the common pleas court. But the city schools and the Community Improvement Corporation of Springfield and Clark County are not responsible for the payments the companies are seeking, according to the parties involved. “It’s really a dispute between a contractor and a sub-(contractor),” said Jim Peifer, a local attorney who represent CIC, an economic development nonprofit organization. Read More…
- Lakota board agrees to get ready for $9M in cutbacks (Enquirer)
LIBERTY TWP. – Before Lakota Schools can tackle its looming budget shortfall, all officials need to be on the same page – especially administrators and the governing board, said Superintendent Karen Mantia. Mantia, at Wednesday’s board meeting, asked for clarification as to whether its five members agree that cutting $9 million to balance next school year’s budget is the way to go. The unusual request was brought about in part by an extensive and lengthy public discussion during last month’s board meeting that saw Mantia fielding a series of questions, primarily from veteran board member Joan Powell. Read More…
- No raises for Westerville schools support staff (Dispatch)
Support-staff workers in Westerville schools will receive no pay raises for the next two years under a deal unanimously approved yesterday by the Board of Education. But those provisions and a concession on health-care costs will take effect only if the district’s three other unions also take on more of their health-care costs. If the other unions don’t agree, the Westerville Educational Support Staff Association and district will revisit the contract extension. Read More…
Editorial
- Claymont Junior High School scores with e-reader funds (Times-Reporter)
On Jan. 14, 2012, I was listening to my police scanner when I heard a call for a possible fire at the Lincoln high-rise apartments. When the first officer arrived, he reported the Fire Department needed to step it up, because there was a fully engaged fire. As officers arrived, they entered the building and went to the 4th, 5th and 6th floors. We applaud the initiative shown at Claymont Junior High School, which this week began using Kindle e-readers in seventh- and eighth-grade language arts classes. Read More…
