Last night's meeting, at 5 PM at the Collingwood Center, included a number of significant highlights: first, we dedicated the pool at the Collingwood Center to retiring Board Member Judy Hansen. Judy has served for twelve years, in a number of capacities, and she has overseen advancement in the LSESC, including the growth of the Challenger Center; it was fitting, then, that we enjoyed a presentation about the Challenger Center by Reed Steele (if you aren't aware of the Challenger Center, check out this link: http://www.lucas.k12.oh.us/index.php?section=107)
With Judy's term ending, we have an opening on the board. In order to qualify, an individual must reside in the Anthony Wayne, Ottawa Hills, Springfield or Washington Local school districts. An appointment can be made no EARLIER than Jan. 11 and no later than Jan. 30th. If you are interested, please send a letter of interest and a current resume to LSESC, 2275 Collingwood Blvd., Toledo, OH 43620, Attn: Joe Rutherford, Board President. If you would like to further discuss this opportunity, feel free to contact me directly at angelaz@bgsu.edu.
We will be holding a *special meeting* at 11:30 on Friday, December 18th at the Collingwood Center, so if you are interested in finding out more about how the organization operates, feel free to attend.
We are proud that one of our gifted teachers, Laura Amburgey from the Anthony Wayne district, received the Ohio Gifted Teacher of the Year award. This is an impressive honor and we are lucky to have such qualified professionals working at the ESC.
We continue to work on improving and monitoring the progress of our charter schools. Last night we moved to send a notice of intention to suspend New City School in Dayton, Ohio. We will wait to hear back from them (they have 5 business days to submit a corrective action plan). We will deal with their response at the special meeting on Dec. 18.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Superintendent Deb Delisle Goes to the Moon; 94 Students Graduate w/GREs;Thanksgiving to be Celebrated at ALCC
State Superintendent Deb Delisle visited Lucas County ESC today; her first visit to an ESC, and she had the opportunity to visit the Collingwood Center which hosts the State Support Team for Region 1, as well as the Shuer Center... where Dr. Delisle traveled to the moon on our Challenger simulator. Lunch was served, and Superintendent Delisle was joined by the superintendents from our member districts, as well as the LCESC administrative staff and the board of the ESC. She spoke eloquently about the Race to the Top in education, and the big plans that the federal and state governments have in mind. She explained that Ohio was anticipating about 165 million in federal funds, but it looks as though we will be the recipients of somewhere between 200-400 million... good news.
In other news, we had our board meeting tonight at the ALCC, where we honored over fifty students from local districts, and it was announced that 94 students recently graduated from our GRE program. The ALCC will be host of their annual Thanksgiving dinner, prepared and served by the students on Wednesday, November 25th. I attended last year and it was a delicious meal complete with delightful company - the students did a great job.
The next regular board meeting is December 8th. The December date will be the last board meeting for Judy Hansen, who has served for twelve years, and opted not to run for re-election this year. The other two incumbants, Joseph Rutherford (current president) and Joan Kuchcinski, were re-elected. The remaining vacant seat will be filled by the board in January.
In other news, we had our board meeting tonight at the ALCC, where we honored over fifty students from local districts, and it was announced that 94 students recently graduated from our GRE program. The ALCC will be host of their annual Thanksgiving dinner, prepared and served by the students on Wednesday, November 25th. I attended last year and it was a delicious meal complete with delightful company - the students did a great job.
The next regular board meeting is December 8th. The December date will be the last board meeting for Judy Hansen, who has served for twelve years, and opted not to run for re-election this year. The other two incumbants, Joseph Rutherford (current president) and Joan Kuchcinski, were re-elected. The remaining vacant seat will be filled by the board in January.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
State Superintendent to visit, Toledo charter school closing
Last night at the regular monthly meeting of the LCESC board, several items of real interest were raised: first of all, Deb DeLisle, Ohio Superintendent of Schools, will be spending the entire day with the LCESC staff - this is a wonderful opportunity for a member of the state administration to see what an ESC "really does" - and, like most people who aren't immersed in the world of the ESC, she might be pleasantly surprised at the diversity and strength of the programs here in Lucas County.
In other news, as a result of new legislation, Englewood Peace Academy (http://englewoodpeace.org/Site/EPA.html) will close its doors at the end of this school year. Two years of academic emergency put this k-8 charter school under fire from the state, and as a sponsor we are obligated to comply.
Overall, the community schools we sponsor have increased in performance over the past year: 11% are Excellent, 6% are Effective, 35% rate Continuous Improvement (the same category at Toledo Public Schools), 10% are Academic Watch, and 30% are Academic Emergency. As a sponsor, we comply with legislation from the state and will not hesitate to follow the protocol to close schools which don't meet the new minimum state standards, which can be found here: http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/3314.35.
October 1, 2009, is the date of the Northwest Region fall conference for school boards - this year it will be held at Penta County, with tours of the new facility provided, along with a dinner presented by Penta's culinary students.
November 8-11 is the Ohio School Board Association annual conference in Columbus.
I will attend both of these events and report back on interesting developments.
I hope to hear from readers, publicly or privately - I am here to serve you, and I thank you for that opportunity!
In other news, as a result of new legislation, Englewood Peace Academy (http://englewoodpeace.org/Site/EPA.html) will close its doors at the end of this school year. Two years of academic emergency put this k-8 charter school under fire from the state, and as a sponsor we are obligated to comply.
Overall, the community schools we sponsor have increased in performance over the past year: 11% are Excellent, 6% are Effective, 35% rate Continuous Improvement (the same category at Toledo Public Schools), 10% are Academic Watch, and 30% are Academic Emergency. As a sponsor, we comply with legislation from the state and will not hesitate to follow the protocol to close schools which don't meet the new minimum state standards, which can be found here: http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/3314.35.
October 1, 2009, is the date of the Northwest Region fall conference for school boards - this year it will be held at Penta County, with tours of the new facility provided, along with a dinner presented by Penta's culinary students.
November 8-11 is the Ohio School Board Association annual conference in Columbus.
I will attend both of these events and report back on interesting developments.
I hope to hear from readers, publicly or privately - I am here to serve you, and I thank you for that opportunity!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
The Impact of the State Budget on Public Education
"I made the extremely difficult decision to cut many worthy programs in order to protect direct aid to our local schools..." Governor Ted Strickland.
Indeed, this is the case. Those of us involved in education (parents, kids, educators, staff) can be thankful that in these difficult economic times, we have been spared the worst ramifications.
Yesterday we gathered in Columbus and heard from Richard Levin, tax commissioner of Ohio, as well as Paolo DeMaria, the vice-chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents, Richard Lewis, executive director of the Ohio School Boards Association, and several others, detailing the impact of the new state budget on our schools, as well as the myriad other alterations to the Ohio education system which we will encounter in the coming years. While there isn't time or space to go into extensive detail here, I can re-direct you to a complete link (http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_HB_1) and provide some bulleted highlights:
* State budgets MUST be balanced
* Our state budget faced a 3.2 billion deficit (even AFTER stimulus dollars)
* In order to balance, 2.4 billion in spending cuts were made; around 1 billion in income from Video Lottery Machines is hoped for (realistically, based on figures)
* What about the stimulus dollars? What will we do after this one-time money is gone?
- Several ways to think about this: this "one-time" money is actually replacing money which we normally do have, and likely will have again, in tax income once the recession is over (and there are signs that it is ending); also, in the state of Ohio, we have been dealing with a five-year tax cut plan, and the last cut is now taking place, so income from taxes will stabilize
* School funding has been reformed. Income to districts will be based on three components: college attainment (bachelor's degree) of the adults (over 25) in the district; district wealth per pupil; district poverty concentration. This is called the "Ohio Evidence Based Model," or OEBM
* The Ohio Graduation Test will disappear, and be replaced by a test such as the ACT, a senior project, and course-end exams.
* ESCs (like the Lucas County ESC) will receive the same funding for the next two years. A council has been formed to re-examine the role of ESCs and how to evaluate the services provided.
* The Ohio Department of Education has been charged to develop curricular changes which will include financial literacy, increased foreign language education, increased fine arts education, education in entrepreneurship and enhanced computer literacy (beginning with grade K).
* All day kindergarten everywhere across the state, with funding from the state.
* Charter schools will have increased oversight by the ODE, but the funding mechanism remains the same. This was not the Governor's intention, but the Senate made the change.
There are numerous other changes, but these are some highlights. I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks for the opportunity to serve!
Indeed, this is the case. Those of us involved in education (parents, kids, educators, staff) can be thankful that in these difficult economic times, we have been spared the worst ramifications.
Yesterday we gathered in Columbus and heard from Richard Levin, tax commissioner of Ohio, as well as Paolo DeMaria, the vice-chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents, Richard Lewis, executive director of the Ohio School Boards Association, and several others, detailing the impact of the new state budget on our schools, as well as the myriad other alterations to the Ohio education system which we will encounter in the coming years. While there isn't time or space to go into extensive detail here, I can re-direct you to a complete link (http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_HB_1) and provide some bulleted highlights:
* State budgets MUST be balanced
* Our state budget faced a 3.2 billion deficit (even AFTER stimulus dollars)
* In order to balance, 2.4 billion in spending cuts were made; around 1 billion in income from Video Lottery Machines is hoped for (realistically, based on figures)
* What about the stimulus dollars? What will we do after this one-time money is gone?
- Several ways to think about this: this "one-time" money is actually replacing money which we normally do have, and likely will have again, in tax income once the recession is over (and there are signs that it is ending); also, in the state of Ohio, we have been dealing with a five-year tax cut plan, and the last cut is now taking place, so income from taxes will stabilize
* School funding has been reformed. Income to districts will be based on three components: college attainment (bachelor's degree) of the adults (over 25) in the district; district wealth per pupil; district poverty concentration. This is called the "Ohio Evidence Based Model," or OEBM
* The Ohio Graduation Test will disappear, and be replaced by a test such as the ACT, a senior project, and course-end exams.
* ESCs (like the Lucas County ESC) will receive the same funding for the next two years. A council has been formed to re-examine the role of ESCs and how to evaluate the services provided.
* The Ohio Department of Education has been charged to develop curricular changes which will include financial literacy, increased foreign language education, increased fine arts education, education in entrepreneurship and enhanced computer literacy (beginning with grade K).
* All day kindergarten everywhere across the state, with funding from the state.
* Charter schools will have increased oversight by the ODE, but the funding mechanism remains the same. This was not the Governor's intention, but the Senate made the change.
There are numerous other changes, but these are some highlights. I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks for the opportunity to serve!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Board Votes to Close Charter School, Seek out Bids for HVAC & Collingwood Renovation
Two of the largest items on the agenda on Tuesday, July 14th, at the regular board meeting included the closing of Pace Career Central and the approval to seek bids for renovating the ailing HVAC system at the Collingwood Center.
First, the charter school situation: Pace Career Central, also known as Main Street Automotive, located in Dayton, Ohio, has been suspended and did not open for the 2008-09 schoolyear. At the meeting, it was voted to permanently close the school for failure to meet standards of accountability. This means that the school cannot re-open with another sponsor; when we, as a sponsor, pull that sponsorship, the school is finished. Thankfully, Dayton has a number of other schools where these students, who were mostly involved in drop-out recovery, can continue their education. Closing charter schools is no easy task, and certain specific legal protocols must be followed in order to be fair to all parties involved. While closing this school is a drop in the bucket, and we yet maintain sponsorship of 70 schools, it serves as a warning and an example: levels of accountability must be maintained, for this board is determined to serve its constituents with integrity and the highest standard of professionalism.
On the same topic of integrity and professionalism, it has come to the attention of the Building and Grounds Committee (chaired by Judy Hansen) that significant renovations are needed in the ailing heating/venting/air conditioning system at the Collingwood Center. While costly in the short run, the time to take action is now, as we are in the midst of a renovation project already, which will require a portion of the building to acquire an HVAC system. Additionally, we are receiving over $100,000 in funding for the building renovations (not the HVAC), since the area will be used by the State Support Team - Region 1, located in our building. At the meeting, we voted to allow bids to be pursued for this project.
On another note, please remember that if you are interested in running for a seat on the board, your time is growing short... there are three seats up for grabs this time around, and two in two years (2011 election year).
I encourage you to message me or post comments - I always learn a great deal from my audience - thanks for taking the time to visit the blog!
First, the charter school situation: Pace Career Central, also known as Main Street Automotive, located in Dayton, Ohio, has been suspended and did not open for the 2008-09 schoolyear. At the meeting, it was voted to permanently close the school for failure to meet standards of accountability. This means that the school cannot re-open with another sponsor; when we, as a sponsor, pull that sponsorship, the school is finished. Thankfully, Dayton has a number of other schools where these students, who were mostly involved in drop-out recovery, can continue their education. Closing charter schools is no easy task, and certain specific legal protocols must be followed in order to be fair to all parties involved. While closing this school is a drop in the bucket, and we yet maintain sponsorship of 70 schools, it serves as a warning and an example: levels of accountability must be maintained, for this board is determined to serve its constituents with integrity and the highest standard of professionalism.
On the same topic of integrity and professionalism, it has come to the attention of the Building and Grounds Committee (chaired by Judy Hansen) that significant renovations are needed in the ailing heating/venting/air conditioning system at the Collingwood Center. While costly in the short run, the time to take action is now, as we are in the midst of a renovation project already, which will require a portion of the building to acquire an HVAC system. Additionally, we are receiving over $100,000 in funding for the building renovations (not the HVAC), since the area will be used by the State Support Team - Region 1, located in our building. At the meeting, we voted to allow bids to be pursued for this project.
On another note, please remember that if you are interested in running for a seat on the board, your time is growing short... there are three seats up for grabs this time around, and two in two years (2011 election year).
I encourage you to message me or post comments - I always learn a great deal from my audience - thanks for taking the time to visit the blog!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
June Meeting: The Roof Goes On; Superintendent and Treasurer Reviewed; Delegate to OSBA Chosen
** THERE ARE THREE SEATS ON THE BOARD UP FOR ELECTION THIS NOVEMBER. I ENCOURAGE ANY RESIDENTS OF ANTHONY WAYNE, OTTAWA HILLS, WASHINGTON LOCAL, OR SPRINGFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH AN INTEREST TO CONSIDER A RUN. IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE IN FIGURING OUT HOW TO FILL OUT THE PAPERWORK AND WHAT NECESSARY STEPS TO TAKE, LET ME KNOW AND I WILL BE GLAD TO ASSIST YOU!** THE FILING DEADLINE IS COMING UP IN JULY!!
The regular June board meeting for the ESC was held on June 23rd at 5 PM, with all board members in attendance.
The following were meeting highlights:
The board voted to approve the contract with Nordmann Roofing to re-roof the Shuer Center (where Challenger Learning is held). The bid came in at just under $400,000 - the best bid for what we had decided was the optimal system for us at this place and time. This is to start shortly - so watch for a new and improved Shuer Center by the time the leaves change color in the fall.
We reviewed the performance of the Superintendent, Sandra Frisch, and Treasurer, Richard Cox. Both were found to be meeting or exceeding expectations in every category. It was noted that Mary Taylor, State Auditor, had paid a visit to Mr. Cox with very high praise for his work at the ESC.
The board elected President Joe Rutherford to be the delegate at the annual OSBA business meeting in Columbus in November (Nov. 8-11). I was elected as alternate.
It was noted that The Highlighter, our quarterly newsletter, is now an online publication; this saves considerable cost for our organization. Due to its infrequent publication schedule, sometimes the information in the highlighter is somewhat dated, and this difficulty was discussed.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 14 at 5 PM at the Collingwood Center (2275 Collingwood - come and visit!).
The regular June board meeting for the ESC was held on June 23rd at 5 PM, with all board members in attendance.
The following were meeting highlights:
The board voted to approve the contract with Nordmann Roofing to re-roof the Shuer Center (where Challenger Learning is held). The bid came in at just under $400,000 - the best bid for what we had decided was the optimal system for us at this place and time. This is to start shortly - so watch for a new and improved Shuer Center by the time the leaves change color in the fall.
We reviewed the performance of the Superintendent, Sandra Frisch, and Treasurer, Richard Cox. Both were found to be meeting or exceeding expectations in every category. It was noted that Mary Taylor, State Auditor, had paid a visit to Mr. Cox with very high praise for his work at the ESC.
The board elected President Joe Rutherford to be the delegate at the annual OSBA business meeting in Columbus in November (Nov. 8-11). I was elected as alternate.
It was noted that The Highlighter, our quarterly newsletter, is now an online publication; this saves considerable cost for our organization. Due to its infrequent publication schedule, sometimes the information in the highlighter is somewhat dated, and this difficulty was discussed.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 14 at 5 PM at the Collingwood Center (2275 Collingwood - come and visit!).
Thursday, May 14, 2009
And So Our Hands Are Tied...
Today I will focus on an issue which brings the LCESC into the public eye - if you are tuned in, you might have heard of Glass City Academy...
At our regular board meeting on Tuesday, May 12th, we were glad to have citizen participation from a group of Old Orchard residents. Their concern - which you may have heard about already, and if not, you probably will - can be seen here: http://www.foxtoledo.com/dpp/news/wupw_Dispute_over_West_Toledo_school_05132009
While our board listened closely to their concerns, our opinions can't matter: legally, we can do nothing about the location that one of our schools chooses... here is the official statement from Lucas County ESC:
As a community school sponsor, Lucas County Educational Service Center (LCESC) has no legal authority over where (within the legal parameters as defined by the Ohio Revised Code) a community school chooses to purchase or lease a facility. The Lucas County Educational Service Center does have the responsibility to provide technical assistance and assure compliance with state laws and regulations for all its schools.
Ohio law requires a sponsor of Ohio community schools to provide written assurances to the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) of the following: proof of ownership or lease of a school facility, liability insurance, a certificate of occupancy, satisfactory health, safety, and fire inspections, as well as a pre-opening site visit. Ohio law does not require or encourage a sponsor to select a facility for an Ohio community school; rather, that decision rests with the governing authority of the community school. Consequently, it is not appropriate for an educational service center to interfere in the proceedings of, or substitute its judgment for, a city planning commission or any laws concerning land use.
I do welcome comments and ideas here - I have a few of my own, but in my post I am sticking pretty closely to the facts of the situation.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Sign Your Kid Up!/Update from NSBA in San Diego/"I Make A Difference"/The Ongoing Saga of the Shuer Roof
First off, an invitation to sign your children up for camp! My kids are attending the World Of Words... if you live out in Springfield township, and your kids need a ride, let me know. I've got plenty of room!
World of Words: This foreign language summer camp is for students in grades 1-3 and 4-6 who want to learn Spanish or Russian. July 20-24, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. $175
Challenger Learning Center: Explore robotics, astronomy, aviation, rocketry and space flight simulation! Week long camps from June through August. Kindergarten through adult, $80-$195. 419-698-1501/www.challengeric.org
B.A.S.E. Summer Camps: Connect fun and learning with this camp from June through August for ages 5-12. Monday - Friday, 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. at Holland Elementary School and Ottawa Hills Elementary School. 419-246-3111/419-725-2060.
The LCESC meeting was held on Tuesday, April 21st, a week later than usual due to Spring Break scheduling. At the meeting, a number of items were discussed: it was noted that three of our board members traveled to San Diego earlier in the month to attend the National School Board Association meeting where U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan sp0ke with us - he explained that never before in the history of our country has so much federal money been apportioned specifically for public education: these are exciting times to be involved with improving the schools for our young people. Changes are afoot, across the board: here in Ohio, House Bill 1 is being modified and when with its alterations it makes its way to the desk of the Governor, I think we will see differences in our schools... nothing set in stone yet, but keep watching for more days in the classroom, more services during those days, and a plan to make Ohio education stronger. As an ESC, we are proud to partner with our public schools and help this happen.
Speaking of partnering with public schools, this morning I was at the "I Make A Difference" breakfast, sponsored by the LCESC, held at the Toledo Club, for Valedictorians and Salutatorians from the public schools which we serve in the county (and Perrysburg and Rossford, as well). These students honored a significant teacher who had made a difference in their lives - it was in impressive showing and I was pleased to see that a large number of our best and brightest students plan to stay in Ohio, and several plan to attend two of our fine local institutions, UT and BGSU.
Finally, the roof on the Shuer center will be re-bid, with slightly different specifications. We were not prepared to spend half-a-million dollars on this project in our struggling economic times, so we are working to walk the fine line between demanding quality and seeking affordability. Several studies indicating the life of a new roof with various specifications have led us to send the bid out again, with hopes of more promising results.
Please, drop me a line - here or privately - I thank you again for the opportunity to serve!
World of Words: This foreign language summer camp is for students in grades 1-3 and 4-6 who want to learn Spanish or Russian. July 20-24, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. $175
Challenger Learning Center: Explore robotics, astronomy, aviation, rocketry and space flight simulation! Week long camps from June through August. Kindergarten through adult, $80-$195. 419-698-1501/www.challengeric.org
B.A.S.E. Summer Camps: Connect fun and learning with this camp from June through August for ages 5-12. Monday - Friday, 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. at Holland Elementary School and Ottawa Hills Elementary School. 419-246-3111/419-725-2060.
The LCESC meeting was held on Tuesday, April 21st, a week later than usual due to Spring Break scheduling. At the meeting, a number of items were discussed: it was noted that three of our board members traveled to San Diego earlier in the month to attend the National School Board Association meeting where U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan sp0ke with us - he explained that never before in the history of our country has so much federal money been apportioned specifically for public education: these are exciting times to be involved with improving the schools for our young people. Changes are afoot, across the board: here in Ohio, House Bill 1 is being modified and when with its alterations it makes its way to the desk of the Governor, I think we will see differences in our schools... nothing set in stone yet, but keep watching for more days in the classroom, more services during those days, and a plan to make Ohio education stronger. As an ESC, we are proud to partner with our public schools and help this happen.
Speaking of partnering with public schools, this morning I was at the "I Make A Difference" breakfast, sponsored by the LCESC, held at the Toledo Club, for Valedictorians and Salutatorians from the public schools which we serve in the county (and Perrysburg and Rossford, as well). These students honored a significant teacher who had made a difference in their lives - it was in impressive showing and I was pleased to see that a large number of our best and brightest students plan to stay in Ohio, and several plan to attend two of our fine local institutions, UT and BGSU.
Finally, the roof on the Shuer center will be re-bid, with slightly different specifications. We were not prepared to spend half-a-million dollars on this project in our struggling economic times, so we are working to walk the fine line between demanding quality and seeking affordability. Several studies indicating the life of a new roof with various specifications have led us to send the bid out again, with hopes of more promising results.
Please, drop me a line - here or privately - I thank you again for the opportunity to serve!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
LCESC Receives Perfect Score as Charter Sponsor; 24 Charters Sent Notice of Intent to Suspend; Foreign Lang. Camp Dates; General Operating Fund Up
Let me begin this evening by once again reminding my faithful readers that in no way does the LCESC or any of its employees bear any responsibility for this blog; it is merely my opinion and observation, as a member of the board. I try to be fair and balanced, but I speak only for myself and only from my personal point of view.
Charter Schools
The official statement:
The LCESC is taking the necessary steps to investigate and correct any financial instabilities in the Summit Academy Management Company, force oversight of SAM by the Summit Academy governing authorities, and ensure continuity of the schools' academic programs for its children with disabilities.
At the board meeting tonight, it was unanimously voted to serve twenty-four charter schools with a notice of "Intent to Suspend." These twenty-four schools are all under the auspices of Summit Academy Management (SAM). This intent to suspend is not a reflection upon the performance of the schools, but rather an indictment of the management company whose CEO has been placed on leave. Here is a link to the article: http://www.ohio.com/news/40698517.html
What happens next? The schools have five business days after receiving the letter to come up with a plan of action, which will then be reviewed by members of our board and a decision reached as to whether these action plans are acceptable or not. Keep checking the blog for updates.
On a positive note, the LCESC voluntarily underwent a sponsor evaluation - a detailed procedure in which schools we sponsor evaluate us, and the Ohio Department of Education randomly evalutes a number of the charters we sponsor. Our score was perfect, on both counts. This is an example of how, whether we agree or disagree with the concept of charter schools, the LCESC strives for transparency and accountability for these charter schools under our watch.
Foreign Language Camp Dates Set
My kids will be there: July 20-24 at 2275 Collingwood, and the subjects will be Russian and Spanish. Open to grades 1-6 (divided into two levels), this camp is the beginning of a dedicated movement to offer foreign language instruction at the elementary level. The camp teachers are foreign language educators who are receiving special training in how to work with elementary-aged children. The cost is $175. Details will be forthcoming and if you want your child to attend, let me know - I can make sure you get the necessary forms!
General Operating Fund Peaks
Fiscal conservatism has resulted in the highest operating fund balance in three years, at just over 2.5 million dollars, even in the face of difficult economic times. We continue to be watchdogs, spending what needs to be spent to provide top-quality educational opportunities to our community, while cutting every possible corner (and I do mean every possible corner - even to the point of saving postage stamps).
Charter Schools
The official statement:
The LCESC is taking the necessary steps to investigate and correct any financial instabilities in the Summit Academy Management Company, force oversight of SAM by the Summit Academy governing authorities, and ensure continuity of the schools' academic programs for its children with disabilities.
At the board meeting tonight, it was unanimously voted to serve twenty-four charter schools with a notice of "Intent to Suspend." These twenty-four schools are all under the auspices of Summit Academy Management (SAM). This intent to suspend is not a reflection upon the performance of the schools, but rather an indictment of the management company whose CEO has been placed on leave. Here is a link to the article: http://www.ohio.com/news/40698517.html
What happens next? The schools have five business days after receiving the letter to come up with a plan of action, which will then be reviewed by members of our board and a decision reached as to whether these action plans are acceptable or not. Keep checking the blog for updates.
On a positive note, the LCESC voluntarily underwent a sponsor evaluation - a detailed procedure in which schools we sponsor evaluate us, and the Ohio Department of Education randomly evalutes a number of the charters we sponsor. Our score was perfect, on both counts. This is an example of how, whether we agree or disagree with the concept of charter schools, the LCESC strives for transparency and accountability for these charter schools under our watch.
Foreign Language Camp Dates Set
My kids will be there: July 20-24 at 2275 Collingwood, and the subjects will be Russian and Spanish. Open to grades 1-6 (divided into two levels), this camp is the beginning of a dedicated movement to offer foreign language instruction at the elementary level. The camp teachers are foreign language educators who are receiving special training in how to work with elementary-aged children. The cost is $175. Details will be forthcoming and if you want your child to attend, let me know - I can make sure you get the necessary forms!
General Operating Fund Peaks
Fiscal conservatism has resulted in the highest operating fund balance in three years, at just over 2.5 million dollars, even in the face of difficult economic times. We continue to be watchdogs, spending what needs to be spent to provide top-quality educational opportunities to our community, while cutting every possible corner (and I do mean every possible corner - even to the point of saving postage stamps).
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
What We Do with 35 Million Dollars; Eight Charter Schools on Probation; Please Join Me! to Hear State Superintendent Speak
Last night at the regularly scheduled board meeting of the LCESC, the treasurer, Richard Cox, noted that our budget is currently $35 million dollars (down from $38 million a few years ago). The natural follow-up question asked by constituents: What do you do with that money?
Here are just a few of the services the LCESC provides to the school districts in the community:
Here are just a few of the services the LCESC provides to the school districts in the community:
- Special Education Services: occupational, physical, speech therapy, audiology and vision services; school psychologists; cooperative classrooms for students with multiple disabilities, emotional disabilities and autism
- Student Programs: gifted and talented, preschool and Headstart, Alternative schools, dual credit to seniors
- Cooperative Endeavors: insurance and purchasing consortia, assistance in search for administrators (currently involved with helping Anthony Wayne find a superintendent), state and federal grants
- Professional Development: first-year teacher programs, leadership development, curriculum assessment and improvement sessions
- Implementation of Federal and State regulations: licensure renewals, background checks, home-schooling, school attendance, child abuse awareness and prevention, education management information system
- Community Partnerships - Challenger Center, ALCC
Each of these components contains many other programs and opportunities. Last night we honored dozens of outstanding students from our eight member districts. Next Tuesday we will host the Lucas County Spelling Bee. The list goes on and on. If your child attends a school in Lucas County -public or private - there is a good chance that s/he has been the recipient of the services of the LCESC.
In other news, eight of our charter schools are on probation for academic issues: seven are not local, but Victory Academy in Toledo is one of the local charters on probation. This is a k-8 school which enrolls about 100 students. Updates will be forthcoming as the situation progresses. Accountability from the charter schools with which we are involved is of paramount importance.
The State Superintendent, Deb DeLisle, will speak at the Spring Conference of the NWO region of the OSBA on Thursday, March 12th, at Bowling Green State University. Tickets are $30 and include a wonderful meal and entertainment by the Otsego Swing Choir! Joe Rutherford, current president of the LCESC, will be honored for his many years as a member of the NWO executive committee. I am attending this event - the public is welcome! If you want tickets, let me know - this is your State Superintendent and your opportunity to meet her!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
New Year, New Officers, New Opportunities for the Community
Last night the LCESC board had two back-to-back meetings; the first is the mandatory organizational meeting at which we elect officers for the year and set our meeting times. Our new officers are Joe Rutherford, President, and myself as Vice-President. Committee assignments for 2009 will be made at the February meeting. Our meeting times will remain the same: 5 PM on Tuesdays, except when we meet at the ALCC to give out awards - then, the meetings are at 5:30 PM. Our next meeting is Tuesday, February 10th at 5:30 PM at the Alternate Learning Center on Wrenwood. As always, the meetings are open to the public.
The second meeting followed immediately, and we accomplished the necessary business. The monthes and years ahead will be difficult for the LCESC and for all educational entities as we struggle to survive on greatly diminished funds. The LCESC has been "ahead of the curve," striving to be fiscally responsible and seeing the "writing on the wall" for funding cuts. Nonetheless, we have a budget of over 16 million dollars.
The rest of the business of the board was pro forma- approving resignations and replacements, accepting donations, congratulating our member districts on their accomplishments (Springfield High School JROTC drill team placed first in the competition at UT in December), and planning for upcoming events (we sponsor the Lucas County Spelling Bee to be held on Feb. 17, and plans are underway for the Foreign Language Institute to be held this summer).
I have been appointed to the Executive Committee of the Northwest Ohio Region for the OSBA. I plan to keep you updated on that - my first meeting is Feb. 8th!
The second meeting followed immediately, and we accomplished the necessary business. The monthes and years ahead will be difficult for the LCESC and for all educational entities as we struggle to survive on greatly diminished funds. The LCESC has been "ahead of the curve," striving to be fiscally responsible and seeing the "writing on the wall" for funding cuts. Nonetheless, we have a budget of over 16 million dollars.
The rest of the business of the board was pro forma- approving resignations and replacements, accepting donations, congratulating our member districts on their accomplishments (Springfield High School JROTC drill team placed first in the competition at UT in December), and planning for upcoming events (we sponsor the Lucas County Spelling Bee to be held on Feb. 17, and plans are underway for the Foreign Language Institute to be held this summer).
I have been appointed to the Executive Committee of the Northwest Ohio Region for the OSBA. I plan to keep you updated on that - my first meeting is Feb. 8th!
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