The above is a quote from John Pennycuff of Cincinnati, former president of the Ohio School Boards Association, in response to how school funding could be improved. Mr. Pennycuff grew up in Indiana, where school levies do not exist. Can you imagine? No school levy campaigns! It is possible. However, that is not necessarily on the radar for Ohio at this time.
Barbara Mattei-Smith, a veteran of the school funding conundrum since before the DeRolph case (http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=2055), gathered with eighteen members of the Ohio School Board Association board of trustees from all across the state this morning in Columbus to discuss possibilities in regard to school funding. Mattei-Smith defined the overarching goal as "Preparing children so they leave their k-12 education ready for the next stage of life - be that post-secondary educaion, a career, etc." She named three principles which will be followed in reaching that goal: 1) Student-centered, recognizing different needs (ESL, special ed, gifted, etc.) 2) Resources must get to classroom (classroom is broadly defined) 3) Resources must recognize multiple systems of delivery (traditional, online, charter, ESC, voc ed, etc.)
Top Ten Key Issues raised in response, by various members of the Board:
1) Early childhood education is key. It is not enough to have k-12 education. Even extreme fiscal conservatives note that research demonstrates a cost-savings - when money is invested into very young children, much more money is saved later.
2) Unfunded mandates need to be severely limited. These are difficult for school districts.
3) There is a sense of partisan politics wreaking havoc on education from all sides.
4) Competition results in winners and losers - and do we want any of our children to be losers? (this is a quote from Diane Ravitch)
5) Labor unions have made concessions in order to balance education budgets (via Bob Vasquez, with Toledo public)
6) Local schools are funded for students who then go to charter or private schools, and the local schools end up paying more than what they are given from the state, resulting in a net loss for the district.
7) Inflationary growth should be added into the model.
8) The model will not be perfect, and should include a mechanism for continued monitoring regardless of which political party is in control in Columbus - continuity is key.
9) Foreign language should be taught in elementary school.
10) Schools should have longer days, and more days in school. This is what is happening in other countries.
This is plenty of food for thought for now. Ms. Mattei-Smith agreed to take the ideas of the Board under consideration, and return with a model for school funding. I will keep working and keep everyone posted. And as always, comments and questions are welcomed and encouraged.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Thoughts Between Meetings
The April meeting was held later than usual due to the National School Boards Association conference; the May meeting is a few weeks away. I thought I would offer up some current information in relation to the ESC and to OSBA (Ohio School Boards Association).
First of all, a name change is coming. It was planned for this summer, but because we do not yet know what our new role will be and what statute will require under Gov. Kasich, we are postponing it until January. The planned name was the ESC of Lake Erie West, to better express our services across the region. We will see if this is the final name, or if it needs to be amended.
Secondly, I learned a great deal at the NSBA conference, as always ~ one topic we covered was "School Board Self-Assessment." While our board functions well (I was naively shocked at some of the horror stories I heard from other boards), having this protocol in place would protect against future issues. I have been tasked with looking into possibilities for self-assessment, and will report back at the May meeting.
At the state level, there is of course a brouhaha over SB-5. As a Board, the ESC passed a resolution against SB-5, (4-0, with Joe Rutherford absent). While the OSBA has offered proponent testimony, the outcry from school board members, including officers and the Board of Trustees, was significant. OSBA is not supportive on SB-5 as it is currently written.
This weekend I will attend the Board Leadership Institute in Columbus, where more information will be gathered. There is much more going on, but these are some salient highpoints as we head into the summer of 2011. As always, questions, comments, and ideas are welcomed. Meeting dates are listed on the ESC website at the following link: http://www.lucas.k12.oh.us/index.php?section=125
The public is invited to attend.
First of all, a name change is coming. It was planned for this summer, but because we do not yet know what our new role will be and what statute will require under Gov. Kasich, we are postponing it until January. The planned name was the ESC of Lake Erie West, to better express our services across the region. We will see if this is the final name, or if it needs to be amended.
Secondly, I learned a great deal at the NSBA conference, as always ~ one topic we covered was "School Board Self-Assessment." While our board functions well (I was naively shocked at some of the horror stories I heard from other boards), having this protocol in place would protect against future issues. I have been tasked with looking into possibilities for self-assessment, and will report back at the May meeting.
At the state level, there is of course a brouhaha over SB-5. As a Board, the ESC passed a resolution against SB-5, (4-0, with Joe Rutherford absent). While the OSBA has offered proponent testimony, the outcry from school board members, including officers and the Board of Trustees, was significant. OSBA is not supportive on SB-5 as it is currently written.
This weekend I will attend the Board Leadership Institute in Columbus, where more information will be gathered. There is much more going on, but these are some salient highpoints as we head into the summer of 2011. As always, questions, comments, and ideas are welcomed. Meeting dates are listed on the ESC website at the following link: http://www.lucas.k12.oh.us/index.php?section=125
The public is invited to attend.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
New President to take helm; Meeting dates set for 2011
On January 18th, we conducted our organizational meeting and the first regular meeting of the year ~ a week later than originally planned, due to imclement weather. At the organizational meeting, officers were elected: Karen Krause, President, and Michael Dansack, Vice-President. Additionally, we set the meeting dates and times through August, all of which will take place at the Collingwood Center, 2275 Collingwood in the new conference room. The dates and times follow: 2/8, 5:30 PM; 3/8, 5:30 PM; 4/19, 5 PM; 5/10, 5 PM; 6/14, 5 PM; 7/12, 5 PM; and 8/9, 5 PM. This information will be posted on the website, to keep the public informed ~ as always, the public is always welcome at these meetings, and there is an opportunity for the public to speak and ask questions or offer insights.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Wrapping up 2010, and putting a bow on it
Last night at 5 PM was the final meeting of the LCESC board for 2010. We recognized outstanding educator Maria Braknis, and learned more about the teacher residency program... teachers in Ohio will, as of January 1st, move to a four-tiered progressive licensing system: Resident Educator, Professional Educator, Senior Professional Educator, and Lead Professional Educator. More information can be found at this link, on the Ohio Department of Education website: http://www.ode.state.oh.us/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDetail.aspx?page=3&TopicRelationID=513&ContentID=15511&Content=95038
The discussion turned to our regional organization, which is planning a spring conference on March 10th at the Apollo Career Center. We plan to coordinate a region-wide food drive as a part of this conference. I will serve as regional president this year, and in keeping with our focus from last year when we sponsored "Lifting up Lake," we will continue to develop a humanitarian approach to our organization, seeking to be servant leaders.
We approved the acceptance of two grants, both of which have increased from 2010 levels: Early Childhood Special Education/IDEA, in the amount of $68,803.33, and Motorcycle Safety, in the amount of $138,791.17.
Although our fiscal year won't be over until June 30th, we continue to operate in the black, and anticipate that because of careful budgeting and resource management, this will continue through the end of the fiscal year.
Our organizational meeting for 2011 will be held at 5 PM at the Collingwood Center; we will elect our officers for 2011 and set our meeting dates. Those dates will be published here, and as we will be launching a new website in mid-2011, the dates will appear on the website as well. As always, we welcome and encourage any and all participation at our meetings, and any and all questions and comments here on the blog (or feel free to email me privately). Have a blessed holiday season and a Happy New Year!
The discussion turned to our regional organization, which is planning a spring conference on March 10th at the Apollo Career Center. We plan to coordinate a region-wide food drive as a part of this conference. I will serve as regional president this year, and in keeping with our focus from last year when we sponsored "Lifting up Lake," we will continue to develop a humanitarian approach to our organization, seeking to be servant leaders.
We approved the acceptance of two grants, both of which have increased from 2010 levels: Early Childhood Special Education/IDEA, in the amount of $68,803.33, and Motorcycle Safety, in the amount of $138,791.17.
Although our fiscal year won't be over until June 30th, we continue to operate in the black, and anticipate that because of careful budgeting and resource management, this will continue through the end of the fiscal year.
Our organizational meeting for 2011 will be held at 5 PM at the Collingwood Center; we will elect our officers for 2011 and set our meeting dates. Those dates will be published here, and as we will be launching a new website in mid-2011, the dates will appear on the website as well. As always, we welcome and encourage any and all participation at our meetings, and any and all questions and comments here on the blog (or feel free to email me privately). Have a blessed holiday season and a Happy New Year!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Question from audience: how do you build a positive bi-partisan climate to make this budget happen?
Sykes: open meetings will help a lot. Important decisions should be made in a public forum. The governor should offer the minority to have input into the process, but I see rep Carey laughing here, so I will ask how he can offer more opportunities
Carey: the last budget became very difficult for everyone - people become very passionate during this process - there are arguments in the caucus - when people have limited resources...people should be allowed to have their say and be respectful;no one will get their way 100%. I think the minority should be respected and included - probably every member of my caucus has been mad at me more than once... but that is why we're here, we have to talk about the issues and be respectful, learn what is important to my colleagues...
Pari Sabety: HB 119 was the Strickland budget that passed with only one dissenting vote...everyone has a different view... views are not right or wrong, they are views...that is why we live in a democracy. The budget sometimes becomes arms in an ideological battle and that does not foster progress, but impedes it. The next successful facet to bipartisan governing - all three branches - we are brought here to serve our public and our public expects us to deliberate together with common sense and come forth with a solution that may be painful for some, less painful for others, but moves us forward in a positive direction. They do not expect us to assassinate each others' characters or fiddle while Rome burns and the economy is in a state of collapse.
AND ALL AGREE THAT THE BUDGET WILL BE FINISHED EARLIER THIS YEAR THAN LAST.
Carey: the last budget became very difficult for everyone - people become very passionate during this process - there are arguments in the caucus - when people have limited resources...people should be allowed to have their say and be respectful;no one will get their way 100%. I think the minority should be respected and included - probably every member of my caucus has been mad at me more than once... but that is why we're here, we have to talk about the issues and be respectful, learn what is important to my colleagues...
Pari Sabety: HB 119 was the Strickland budget that passed with only one dissenting vote...everyone has a different view... views are not right or wrong, they are views...that is why we live in a democracy. The budget sometimes becomes arms in an ideological battle and that does not foster progress, but impedes it. The next successful facet to bipartisan governing - all three branches - we are brought here to serve our public and our public expects us to deliberate together with common sense and come forth with a solution that may be painful for some, less painful for others, but moves us forward in a positive direction. They do not expect us to assassinate each others' characters or fiddle while Rome burns and the economy is in a state of collapse.
AND ALL AGREE THAT THE BUDGET WILL BE FINISHED EARLIER THIS YEAR THAN LAST.
Questions
Rep Ron Amstutz: 90% of taxpayer money goes to health and human services, education, prison... and spending outpaces revenue by 10%, how do you want to balance the budget?
J. Pari: we have to make hard choices... I don't think people understand how dependent they are on the state government
c $1 out of every $6 spent on healthcare in this state is spent by the state of Ohio. It is a devil's choice you must make as you walk through the budget process.
Casino question: What effect does this have?
Sykes: We don't have an estimate of how much money will be generated.
J. Pari: there are as many estimates of the size of the budget hole as there are people in the room. The size of the hole depends on your assumptions - what matters, what you want to invest it, and how you are going to live within your means. This will be decided in the next two months. The message from my presentation is to say that the risks we were dealing with in HB1 - those risks, those shifting sands are gone. The new budget will be built while the economy is growing, not in freefall.
J. Pari: we have to make hard choices... I don't think people understand how dependent they are on the state government
c $1 out of every $6 spent on healthcare in this state is spent by the state of Ohio. It is a devil's choice you must make as you walk through the budget process.
Casino question: What effect does this have?
Sykes: We don't have an estimate of how much money will be generated.
J. Pari: there are as many estimates of the size of the budget hole as there are people in the room. The size of the hole depends on your assumptions - what matters, what you want to invest it, and how you are going to live within your means. This will be decided in the next two months. The message from my presentation is to say that the risks we were dealing with in HB1 - those risks, those shifting sands are gone. The new budget will be built while the economy is growing, not in freefall.
And here we go...
...back to the budget.
John Carey (R-94th district): We are going to have to make cuts, but we need to decide what sacrifices are the least painful. As a result of this election we have a mandate to cut - Schools need to prepare for a 10-15% cut...
J. Pary Sabety (Director Ohio Office of Budget Management): We are on a sound fiscal course - to end the suspense, let me tell you where we are today: over the biennium we are absolutely on track and our economy is making progress. There are no secrets. When we began this administration (Strickland and two years ago) we had a mix of bad (red) yellow (caution) and green (good). Now we are all green with one yellow... our revenue is on track. We have been doing well since September 2010, solid. We are moving out of the recession which we were in 2008-2009... started to improve in January 2010. We are turning over an economy and tax system that is starting to perform well. Pink slips aren't flying the way they were. Ohio unemployment down 6 mos. in a row, one of only 8 states that can say that.
In January of 2011 jobs should start to pick up. This will, however, be at a slow pace. Traffic growth on turnpike has been 5.6%... meaning more trucks are on the road. Moody bond rating said that After months of recession, Ohio is back on path to recovery. This administration is handing over a stronger economy to this new administration.
Vernon Sykes (D-44th district): Chair House Finance and Appropriations Committee
I am proud of what we did ~ we only wanted to prop up the budget for a short term with one-time money to make sure that all had access to the services they need. And I am glad to say this is working. We are above expected revenues and below expected expenses. It is unfortunate, though, that this was not fast enough for the election. I teach at Kent State University - usually an election is a report card on how we are doing - but I am proud of our accomplishments. I am hopeful that before the end of this month we can make some recommendations to the new general assembly. Now you know, people trust us to govern - but we shouldn't misuse that trust by keeping them out of the process. I sponsored the open meeting legislation - but now we are going back to closed meetings. We need transparency. I am hopeful that in this coming session we will have media advocacy to open up the finance committee. Some of my colleagues feel it is impossible to make some decisions with public scrutiny, and it is difficult, but I am hoping that we can have that transparency.
John Carey (R-94th district): We are going to have to make cuts, but we need to decide what sacrifices are the least painful. As a result of this election we have a mandate to cut - Schools need to prepare for a 10-15% cut...
J. Pary Sabety (Director Ohio Office of Budget Management): We are on a sound fiscal course - to end the suspense, let me tell you where we are today: over the biennium we are absolutely on track and our economy is making progress. There are no secrets. When we began this administration (Strickland and two years ago) we had a mix of bad (red) yellow (caution) and green (good). Now we are all green with one yellow... our revenue is on track. We have been doing well since September 2010, solid. We are moving out of the recession which we were in 2008-2009... started to improve in January 2010. We are turning over an economy and tax system that is starting to perform well. Pink slips aren't flying the way they were. Ohio unemployment down 6 mos. in a row, one of only 8 states that can say that.
In January of 2011 jobs should start to pick up. This will, however, be at a slow pace. Traffic growth on turnpike has been 5.6%... meaning more trucks are on the road. Moody bond rating said that After months of recession, Ohio is back on path to recovery. This administration is handing over a stronger economy to this new administration.
Vernon Sykes (D-44th district): Chair House Finance and Appropriations Committee
I am proud of what we did ~ we only wanted to prop up the budget for a short term with one-time money to make sure that all had access to the services they need. And I am glad to say this is working. We are above expected revenues and below expected expenses. It is unfortunate, though, that this was not fast enough for the election. I teach at Kent State University - usually an election is a report card on how we are doing - but I am proud of our accomplishments. I am hopeful that before the end of this month we can make some recommendations to the new general assembly. Now you know, people trust us to govern - but we shouldn't misuse that trust by keeping them out of the process. I sponsored the open meeting legislation - but now we are going back to closed meetings. We need transparency. I am hopeful that in this coming session we will have media advocacy to open up the finance committee. Some of my colleagues feel it is impossible to make some decisions with public scrutiny, and it is difficult, but I am hoping that we can have that transparency.
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