Education News for 03-19-2013

State Education News

• State tests require computers some schools can't afford (Cincinnati Enquirer)

Ohio public schools appear to be far short of having enough computers to have all their students take new state-mandated tests within a four-week period beginning in the 2014- 15 school year…Read more…

• Chardon High School shooter T.J. Lane faces sentencing in 3 student murders (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

The teenager who killed three students at a Northeast Ohio high school in a shooting rampage just over a year ago could face life in prison at his sentencing....Read more…

• Longtime Johnstown bus driver receiving award in England (Newark Advocate)

Larry Warner will be getting a ride Tuesday instead of giving one to the Johnstown-Monroe students he usually drives to school....Read more…

Local Education News

• Some third-graders won’t be promoted (Springfield News-Sun)

Clark, Champaign schools handle reading guarantee differently this year. Next year, students who don’t pass portion of state test cannot move to fourth grade....Read more…

• Teachers approve tentative contract (Warren Tribune Chronicle)

The teaching union for Austintown School District approved a tentative contract Monday after nearly a year of negotiations....Read more…

• Strongsville teachers' strike hits week 3 with high school trips canceled (WEWS)

As the Strongsville teachers' strike entered its third week Monday, the school district canceled two student trips due to a lack of chaperones....Read more…

• Applicants for Akron School Board announced (Akron Beacon Journal)

Round one of interviews for the Akron School Board is complete after the board met with potential candidates Monday night....Read more…

• Deputies plan daily visits to Butler schools (Cincinnati Enquirer)

Butler County sheriff’s deputies will be stopping by county schools every day beginning today through a new initiative being launched this week to help make schools safer....Read more…

• District energy makeover on schedule (Cincinnati Enquirer)

The Northwest Local School District has been able to save energy and taxpayer dollars thanks to a law that lets districts pay for capital improvements with the energy savings they generate....Read more…

• State agency plans review of schools (Findlay Courier)

As part of Fostoria School District's improvement plan, state Department of Education personnel will spend four days in the district next month to talk with staff and observe classroom activities…...Read more…

• Bluffton opposes voucher expansion (Findlay Courier)

The Bluffton school board sent a strong message to Gov. John Kasich opposing his proposed expansions of the Education Choice Scholarship Program during its meeting Monday night....Read more…

• Beaver students walk out, briefly (Lisbon Morning Journal)

A group of students at Beaver Local High School staged a walkout Monday morning in support of their teachers, whose union has reached an impasse in contract negotiations with the school board....Read more…

• Fenwick teacher, coach firing ‘in the best interest of the students’ (Middletown Journal)

A Bishop Fenwick High School teacher, who once was recognized for fostering self esteem in students, was terminated by the school Friday, said Principal Trevor Block....Read more…

• Radio station carries on tradition in Struthers (Youngstown Vindicator)

By spinning records every Saturday, Dennis Spisak is keeping a local tradition from fading away....Read more…

Education News for 02-26-2013

State Education News

• Head Start could see cuts (Canton Repository)

If a budget compromise among lawmakers in Washington D.C. remains elusive, spending cuts totaling $85 billion will begin Friday…Read more...

• Attendance 'scrubbing' study continues (Cincinnati Enquirer)

The Ohio Department of Education has officially opened its investigation into the nine school districts, including Cincinnati and Winton Woods, cited this month by the Ohio auditor for evidence of “scrubbing…Read more...

• High-school dropouts costly, report says (Columbus Dispatch)

High-school dropouts are costing about $1.8 billion in lost tax revenue every year, education advocates said in a report released yesterday…Read more...

• Panel selects 4 state superintendent finalists (Columbus Dispatch)

A State Board of Education subcommittee yesterday named four finalists for state school superintendent…Read more...

• Bills seek to remove stigma from workforce development centers (Hamilton Journal-News)

Workforce One Butler County provided job assistance to nearly 20,600 last year and could probably have helped thousands more, officials said. But the Fairfield agency’s services…Read more...

Local Education News

• Chillicothe board approves $640,000 in cuts, closure of sixth-grade building (Chillicothe Gazette)

Chillicothe’s current crop of fifth-graders will be staying put this fall. The Board of Education on Monday approved more than $640,000 in budget reductions that include the closure of the Western…Read more...

• Clear Fork schools ponder drug test policy (Mansfield News Journal)

The Clear Fork Board of Education plans to consider drug testing of student-athletes and drivers at its next meeting…Read more...

• Licking Valley High School teen creates anti-bullying blog (Newark Advocate)

Haley Smith knows what it feels like to be bullied. When she was in elementary school, kids used to tease her about her red hair and freckles and even stole her glasse…Read more...

• Some districts on ballot show spending hikes (Springfield News-Sun)

Eighteen area school districts have levies on the ballot May 7, and all of them have made budget cuts of some type in the past few years…Read more...

• Latest round of negotiations ends with no settlement as Strongsville teachers prepare for strike (Sun Newspapers)

With a potential teacher strike less than a week away, a four-and-a-half -our negotiation session between the Strongsville teachers union and the school district…Read more...

• Sylvania council votes to terminate director of food service (Toledo Blade)

The Sylvania City Schools Board of Education voted unanimously Monday night to terminate the district's director of food service for allegedly misreporting the number of free or reduced meals…Read more...

• Austintown teachers reach tentative deal with board (Warren Tribune Chronicle)

A tentative deal was reached late Monday between a teachers union and the Austintown school administration…Read more...

Editorial

• Adequacy gap (Akron Beacon Journal)

When John Kasich met with superintendents the day he unveiled his new funding plan for public schools, he hardly could have been more emphatic. He declared: “If you’re poor, you’re going to get more. If you are richer, you’re going to get less…Read more...

• Youngstown schools cannot afford to lose superintendent (Youngstown Vindicator)

When the restructuring plan for the Youngstown City School District is unveiled to the public March 6, the community will realize how important it is to have the right person in charge to ensure a successful transformation…Read more...

Education News for 02-15-2013

Local Education News

• James tackles Akron, state issues in ‘State of the Schools’ speech (Akron Beacon Journal)

Akron Public Schools Superintendent David James gave his fifth annual “State of the Schools” address Thursday, detailing challenges stemming…Read more...

• Normal school security routine returns Monday (Chillicothe Gazette)

The atmosphere at Chillicothe Middle and High School is expected to regain a sense of normalcy on Monday after a week of boosted police presence at the campus…Read more...

• Findlay evaluations will look for gifted students (Findlay Courier)

Findlay City Schools Gifted Services is arranging evaluations of students in kindergarten through 12th grade to determine if they are gifted in the visual and performing arts areas of dance, drama, music and visual arts…Read more...

• New internal assessments elicit cautious optimism for Toledo Public Schools (Toledo Blade)

As Toledo Public Schools found itself mired in public turmoil in recent months, with a search for a new superintendent, a state investigation that criticized attendance…Read more...

• McDonald officials reject arming teachers (Youngstown Vindicator)

McDonald schools have hired local off-duty police officers who will rotate for an eight-hour shift daily to provide additional security at the schools…Read more...

Editorial

• Question of adequacy (Akron Beacon Journal)

For more than 20 years two concepts have dominated the school-funding debate in Ohio: adequacy and equity. Equity points to a distribution issue…Read more...

Education News for 02-12-2013

State Education News

• Divided state school board won’t oust Terhar over Facebook post (Columbus Dispatch)

A divided State Board of Education refused to remove President Debe Terhar yesterday after an uproar over her Adolf Hitler Facebook post. The board voted 10-6 against removing the Cincinnati Republican as board president after she apologized…Read more...

• 'Jesus' painting on school-board agenda tonight (Columbus Dispatch)

Jackson school officials are confident that public support is on their side in endorsing the continued display in a middle school of a painting that depicts Jesus. Now, they must decide if the law is on their side.…Read more...

• Auditor: Four more school districts rigged student data (Columbus Dispatch)

Four more Ohio school districts manipulated their student data, and the findings are being turned over to federal officials, State Auditor Dave Yost announced yesterday as he released the results of his statewide attendance investigation.…Read more...

• Plan upsets Wolf Creek superintendent (Marietta Times)

Wolf Creek Local Superintendent Bob Caldwell said Monday he believes Ohio Gov. John Kasich "didn't follow through" with the school-funding plan he recently outlined for school administrators.…Read more...

Local Education News

• Chief scolds mom who engaged in fight at Withrow (Cincinnati Enquirer)

The mother and daughter, according to police, assaulted a 15-year-old girl, striking her with fists, feet and a combination lock. Teacher Kim Kilby suffered a black eye in the scuffle.…Read more...

• New Cleveland school plan topic of forum at Idea Center Monday night (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

About 250 people, who were engaged and interested, heard all about the new Cleveland Plan for Transforming Schools at a forum Monday at The Idea Center at Playhouse Square."I want Cleveland to be known for education," said Mayor Frank Jackson…Read more...

• Westerville school board selects superintendent (Columbus Dispatch)

A top administrator in the South-Western school district has been named the next superintendent of Westerville schools. John R. Kellogg, 50, will take over in Westerville next school year, replacing Dan Good…Read more...

• Springboro board denies complaint made by teachers union (Dayton Daily News)

The Springboro school board wants the State Employee Relations Board to “immediately dismiss” an unfair labor practice complaint brought against them by the state teachers union.…Read more...

• School board rehires Wittwer for 1 year (Findlay Courier)

Findlay school board unanimously voted Monday to rehire the district's superintendent after he retires at the end of the school year.…Read more...

• JVS academic services director sues board, alleges discrimination, harassment (Lorain Morning Journal)

Cathy Pugh, the director of academic services for the Lorain County Joint Vocational School District Board of Education, has filed a lawsuit against the JVS for continuous discriminatory and harassing behavior…Read more...

• 'State of the Schools': Superintendent has plans to reform Lorain's district (Lorain Morning Journal)

After six months on the job, Lorain City Schools Superintendent Tom Tucker has put the beginning of his plans to reform the district in to motion.…Read more...

• Making math matter (Marion Star)

On a recent winter night at Elgin West Elementary School, more than 100 adults and students turned out to do math.…Read more...

• Monroe schools, city council broach topic of shared services (Middletown Journal)

A partnership for shared technology services is underway between local government and school agencies in Monroe. Monroe school board members met Monday evening in a joint work session with Monroe city council members to discuss ideas for sharing services…Read more...

• Safe Routes plan ready for approval (Warren Tribune Chronicle)

A revised Safe Routes to School Plan aimed at increasing the number of students walking or biking to Howland Middle School is in its final stages before being sent to the state for funding.…Read more...

Education News for 12-11-2012

State Education News

• Program to help Ohio schools teach historic texts (Dayton Daily News)

COLUMBUS — An educational program unveiled last week by the Ohio Historical Society is meant to help schools comply with a new state law requiring students in grades 4-12 to study the texts of the U.S. and state constitutions…Read more...

• Ohio Board Of Education Takes First Step Toward Statewide Restraint, Seclusion Room Policy (WBNS)

COLUMBUS, Ohio - School officials discussed plans for what would be the first statewide policy regarding restraint and seclusion rooms in school.…Read more...

• Ohio Senate Panel Vote Set On School Letter Grades (WCMH-TV)

A bill bestowing familiar-looking A through F grades on Ohio school districts, buildings and specialty programs is headed to likely passage in the Ohio Senate. The Senate Education Committee is scheduled to vote on the bill …Read more...

Local Education News

• Unioto to provide more feedback on quarterly tests (Chillicothe Gazette)

Parents of Union-Scioto students can expect more feedback on how their kids are performing on quarterly assessments, if they want it. The district plans to make available, by request, summary reports…Read more...

• Mayor Frank Jackson names members of schools' advice panel, a 1st step in districtwide overhaul (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

A key part of Mayor Frank Jackson's broader plan to boost academic performance in 
Cleveland took hold Monday when he named an advisory panel that will help set standards for charter schools in the city.…Read more...

• Cleveland Metropolitan School District to auction its headquarters building (Crains Cleveland Business)

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District plans to auction off its headquarters building at 1380 E. Sixth St. In downtown Cleveland.…Read more...

• Superintendent announces retirement (Findlay Courier )

Findlay Superintendent Dean Wittwer held back tears Monday as he announced his plan to retire at the end of the school year.…Read more...

• Carey voters likely to see school proposal on ballot (Findlay Courier)

Carey Superintendent Mark Vehre said Monday the school board will be asked next month to act on resolutions to place a tax package for a new school building before voters in May.…Read more...

• School board votes to close Washington Intermediate (Findlay Courier)

Tensions ran high as Findlay school board unanimously voted Monday to close Washington Intermediate School at the end of this school year. More than 20 Washington staff, students and parents filled Findlay High School's library Monday…Read more...

• Tri-Rivers invites students, parents to explore school (Marion Star)

Tri-Rivers Career Center is talking careers and credits as it encourages sophomores to consider attending the vocational school next year. The career center recently had its Exploring Career Days for sophomores followed by an open house for their parents.…Read more...

• River Valley board interviews school chief candidates (Marion Star)

MARION — The River Valley Local Schools Board of Education has started interviewing superintendent candidates as the district invites the community to say farewell to 14-year Superintendent Tom Shade.…Read more...

• Grant to aid area school districts (Youngstown Vindicator)

Eastern Ohio P-16 Partnership for Education, a Cincinnati-based initiative, and the Mahoning County Educational Service Center have secured a $100,000 grant from the Local Government Innovative Fund.…Read more...

Editorial

• Poverty and a brain that is able to learn (Akron Beacon Journal)

Except for some massaging, Ohio lawmakers are all but done writing a new law that changes how the state will measure and tell the public how well or poorly its schools are performing.…Read more...

Education News for 11-06-2012

State Education News

• Finding new head of schools a challenge (Columbus Dispatch)

For the third time in less than five years, Ohio has a job opening for state superintendent of public instruction. Attracting good candidates could be a challenge…Read more...

• Health care costs rising by $700K in some districts (Hamilton Journal-News)

All Butler County schools enrolled in a countywide health care consortium are facing a 12 percent hike in insurance premiums…Read more...

• Common questions voters have on schools (WKYC)

Every election, voters ask why there are school levies on the ballot when the Ohio Lottery and casinos help fund the schools?…Read more...

Local Education News

• Somber Canton BOE names Allison to replace late Chris Smith (Canton Repository)

A somber Board of Education met Monday evening to grieve its loss of Superintendent Chris Smith and name a successor to continue Smith’s vision for the City Schools…Read more...

• Rossford schools to consult voters on upgrades (Toledo Blade)

The Rossford schools could come to the voters next November with a levy request, but this would happen only after a community survey…Read more...

• Boxing Legend Pushes CMSD Levy Passage (WJW)

Legendary boxing promoter and Cleveland native Don King was in the city Monday, going door to door and pressing the flesh, pushing for the passage of the controversial school levy…Read more...