Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding
To secure high quality educational opportunities for all Ohio school children without diminishing opportunities for students who reside in high capacity districts.
MAY 20: 50 MYTHS AND LIES THAT THREATEN AMERICA’S PUBLIC SCHOOLS: THE REAL CRISIS IN EDUCATION BY DAVID C. BERLINER, GENE GLASS AND ASSOCIATES
The American common school system has been under serious attack for four decades—since the defective 1983 Nation at Risk report. Myths and lies have been the ammunition used by privatizers to whack the common school system imposed by the education provisions of the Constitutions of each of the 50 states.
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MAY 19: SCHOOL VOUCHERS LOOMED LARGE IN THE MARCH 1988 REPORT ON PRESIDENT REAGAN’S COMMISSION ON PRIVATIZATION
On September 3, 1987, President Reagan announced his intention to appoint a Commission on Privatization. One of his charges to the Commission was to consider the “use of vouchers to provide services to the public through the private sector.”
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MAY 18: OKLAHOMA’S DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS TO PARENTS FOR SCHOOL SUPPLIES IS AN OMEN FOR HB290—THE UNIVERSAL VOUCHER BILL
HB290 would essentially distribute public tax funds to all parents for the purpose of purchasing education. Recent experience in Oklahoma should be a warning to lawmakers in Ohio.
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MAY 17: EDCHOICE VOUCHER SCHEME DOES NOT ALIGN WITH THE INTENTIONS OF THE DELEGATES OF OHIO’S 1850/1851 AND 1873/1874 CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS REGARDING THE PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM—PART 3*
The first segment of Part 3 showed that the 1850/1851 Constitutional Convention delegates diligently protected the constitutional language which forbids religious or other sects from controlling any part of the common school funds. This section of Part 3 refers to debates during the 1874/1875 Constitutional Convention regarding the same matter.
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MAY 16: EDCHOICE VOUCHER SCHEME DOES NOT ALIGN WITH THE INTENTIONS OF THE DELEGATES OF OHIO’S 1850/1851 AND 1873/1874 CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS REGARDING THE PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM—PART 3*
Part 3: The Use of Public Common School Funds for Sectarian EducationThe vision of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1850-1851 was clear, very clear, and so was the intent to separate the common school system from any religious affiliation.
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MAY 13: EDCHOICE VOUCHER SCHEME DOES NOT ALIGN WITH THE INTENTIONS OF THE DELEGATES OF OHIO’S 1850/1851 AND 1873/1874 CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS REGARDING THE PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM—PART 2*
Part 2: Thorough and Efficient System of Common Schools. The intent of the constitutional framers is clear. The “thorough and efficient” clause was adopted without issue at the 1850/1851 Constitutional Convention.
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MAY 12: EDCHOICE VOUCHER SCHEME DOES NOT ALIGN WITH THE INTENTIONS OF THE DELEGATES OF OHIO’S 1850/1851 AND 1873/1874 CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS REGARDING THE PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM—PART 1*
The EdChoice voucher scheme is contrary to the intention of the Delegates’ vision of the state system of common schools.
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MAY 11: STEVE DYER: ON THE AVERAGE CHARTER SCHOOLS SPEND TWICE THE PERCENTAGE OF THEIR REVENUE ON ADMINISTRATION THAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Attached is Steve Dyer’s May 6, 10th PERIOD. Dyer found that some charters spend more than half of their money on administration.
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MAY 10: OSU ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR VLADIMIR KOGAN: LOCALLY ELECTED SCHOOL BOARDS ARE FAILING
A recent article by Associate Professor Kogan is in sync with a bevy of voices challenging the efficacy of democratic control of school districts by elected boards of education
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MAY 9: BEWARE OF THE BUCKEYE BLUEPRINT CAMPAIGN, A GRASSROOTS INITIATIVE OF THE KOCH BROTHERS’ AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY (AFP)
The Buckeye Blueprint campaign is active in some Ohio school communities, attempting to stop Boards of Education from joining the EdChoice voucher litigation.
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MAY 6: NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS (NAPCS) CITATION: GOVERNOR MIKE DEWINE IS A TRUE CHAMPION OF PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS
Governor DeWine recently received the 2022 Champion for Charter Schools award from NAPCS. Ohio is being recognized for charter school advancement. The voucher crowd will no doubt award one or more state officials in Ohio for the advancement of vouchers since both charters and vouchers are both being proliferated in Ohio.
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MAY 5: TAX FUNDED VOUCHERS ALLOW STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES TO WAIVE THEIR FEDERAL AND STATE RIGHTS TO A FREE AND APPROPRIATE EDUCATION
A few months ago the Equity and Adequacy Coalition received a reminder from Ian Robinson and Sarah Robinson that voucher students with disabilities give up rights guaranteed by federal and state law when they opt into a private school setting.
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MAY 4: JAN RESSEGER: OHIO CHARTER SCHOOL SECTOR EPITOMIZES ALL THE REASONS WHY THE FEDERAL CHARTER SCHOOLS PROGRAM MUST BE REFORMED
In an April 24 blog Ohio’s Jan Resseger uses the Ohio charter school dismal track record as reason for reform of the federal charter school program fund.
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MAY 3: DIANE RAVITCH IN NEW YORK DAILY NEWS: FIX THIS WASTEFUL FEDERAL CHARTER SCHOOL FUND
In this New York Daily News article Diane Ravitch identifies some of the fraud, corruption and profiteering associated with charter operatives that have received federal Charter School Program funds (CSP).
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MAY 2: FORDHAM INSTITUTE IN A 4-22-22 ARTICLE LAMENTS THE LEGISLATION PASSED THAT ALLOWS YOUNGSTOWN, LORAIN AND EAST CLEVELAND TO REGAIN LOCAL CONTROL
Fordham Institute seems to support every policy that penalizes constitutionally-mandated public schools and every policy that provides tax-support for private schools and other private education ventures.
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APRIL 29: THE GOAL OF SCHOOL CHOICE PROMOTERS IS NOT IMPROVEMENT OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH COMPETITION WITH AUTHENTIC PUBLIC SCHOOLS
School choicers have no desire to compete. Their goal is to eliminate authentic public education and de-regulate education.
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APRIL 28: VOUCHER CREATORS AND THEIR DISCIPLES USE MAGICIANS’ TOOLS TO PROMOTE THEIR CAUSE
Magicians use lies (deceit), distractions, sleight of hand, and planning ahead to trick and entertain folks. The original voucher promoters, Economist Milton Friedman and his fellow-travelers in the 1950’s, were promoting the political ideology that various governmental functions should be privatized; thus, subject to market forces.
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APRIL 27: DON’T THINK PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE UNDER SIEGE? READ THOMAS ULTICAN’S 4/22/2022 ARTICLE ON THE CITY FUND
The City Fund (TCF) is an ultra-wealthy organization bankrolled by a couple billionaires who have the goal of privatizing the education programs of 40 large cities by 2028—just 6 years from now. Thomas Ultican explains this dark plot.
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APRIL 26: MESSAGE FROM US REPRESENTATIVE ROSA L. DELAURO TO CHARTER SCHOOL BULLIES REGARDING OPPOSITION TO PROPOSED FEDERAL REGULATION ON THE USE OF FEDERAL CHARTER SCHOOL PROGRAM (CSP) FUNDS: BACK OFF
Research by the Network for Public Education (NPE) has revealed tremendous misuse of the annual $440 million CSP funds. The federal administration is proposing the new regulations to curb the fraud and profiteering connected with the program.
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APRIL 25: 18 GOVERNORS, AS LACKEYS FOR THE CHARTER SCHOOL LORDS, OPPOSE ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY IN THE USE OF FEDERAL CHARTER SCHOOL PROGRAM (CSP) FUNDS
The charter school industry, which represents possibly 6 percent of the student population, has an outsized impact on education policy.
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APRIL 22: NETWORK FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION (NPE) REPORT: OHIO NEAR LAST PLACE IN THE NATION IN THE STATE’S COMMITMENT TO THE DEMOCRATICALLY-GOVERNED SCHOOLS (THE COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM)
The NPE analysis of a state’s resistance to the privatization of public education puts Ohio third from the last among states and Washington, D.C.; only Florida and Arizona has a greater appetite for privatizing public education than Ohio.
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APRIL 21: CHARTER INDUSTRY: UNDER-REGULATED AND THUS OVER-THE-TOP CORRUPT—YET CURRENT CHARTER ADVOCATES RESIST ALL ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY RULES
The charter school initiators a couple decades ago convinced unsuspecting state officials throughout the nation that charters could outperform the traditional public school system on less tax money if transparency and accountability would be greatly diminished.
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APRIL 20: HB290—UNIVERSAL VOUCHER BILL NOT ABOUT IMPROVING EDUCATION
When school choice-friendly state officials or school choice advocates are asked why they support alternatives to authentic public education, many if not most will say something like—“to improve education”.
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APRIL 19: SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR TO FORBES MAGAZINE SUGGESTS THAT PROPOSED FEDERAL REGULATIONS FOR CHARTER SCHOOL GRANTS RAISE A FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION ABOUT CHARTERS
In an April 6 article Peter Greene, senior contributor to Forbes, says that proposed new federal regulations on the federal Charter Schools Program (CSP) raise a fundamental question about the nature of charter schools.
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APRIL 18: FORDHAM INSTITUTE WRITER IN AN APRIL 7, 2022 ARTICLE CONNECTS THE PROPOSED REGULATIONS FOR THE USE OF FEDERAL CHARTER SCHOOL PROGRAM (CSP) FUNDS TO TEACHERS UNION AGENDA
Fordham, a charter school advocate and sponsor of charters, rants against any attempts to regulate the charter industry.
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APRIL 15: CITIZENS MUST HONOR, RESPECT AND APPLAUD THE FIRST AMENDMENT
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; …”
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APRIL 14: CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE NOT PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Student “A” attends a school operated by the district community via an elected board of education. Student “B” attends a charter school operated by a private corporation with no elected board member.
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APRIL 13: SCHOOL CHOICE: WHAT IT IS NOT ABOUT AND WHAT IT IS ABOUT
School choice is not about:
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APRIL 12: VOUCHER EXPANSION REJECTED BY THE GEORGIA SENATE IN A BIPARTISAN VOTE
The voucher tsunami creating chaos across the nation is being turned back in some states by legislation and in other states by litigation. A March 25, 2022 report from Public Funds Public Schools describes the Georgia Senate’s rejection of voucher expansion in the peach state.
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APRIL 11: FORDHAM INSTITUTE’S MARCH 28 ARTICLE—OHIO’S BAD HABIT OF SIDESTEPPING ACCOUNTABILITY—FORDHAM’S WRONG AGAIN
Fordham is typically on the wrong side of most education issues. In the March 28 article, the Fordham author supports the harmful third grade guarantee, more difficult graduation requirements and state takeover of school districts.
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APRIL 8: FORDHAM INSTITUTE’S MARCH 25 FLYPAPER ARTICLE OPPOSES PROPOSED COMMON-SENSE RULES FOR FEDERAL MONEY FLOWING TO THE CHARTER SCHOOL INDUSTRY. PUBLIC SCHOOL ADVOCATES SHOULD SUPPORT THE PROPOSED RULES.
Studies have shown that multiplied millions of federal Charter School Program (CSP) funds have been wasted and have enriched charter school management companies.
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APRIL 7: LIBERTARIAN JEREMY KAUFMAN: “VOUCHERS ARE JUST A STEPPINGSTONE TOWARD REDUCING OR ELIMINATING [GOVERNMENT] INVOLVEMENT IN SCHOOLS.”
In a Libertarian Institute podcast, Jeremy Kaufman clarified the endgame of Libertarians: end government support for education (Kaufman, 2021, 29:13).
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APRIL 6: OUR SCHOOLS: FORMER TEACHERS AND BOARD MEMBERS SAY CHARTERS RUN BY ACCEL SCHOOLS ARE DESIGNED TO FAIL
A March 23 article written by Jeff Bryant reveals some startling information about Accel Schools.
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APRIL 5: MISUSE OF PUBLIC TAX DOLLARS BY MENLO PARK ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL
Charter schools are beginning to unionize. The March 25 article by Dr. Tanisha Pruitt provides information about the misuse of public tax dollars by the management of the Menlo Park Academy charter school.
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APRIL 4: WEST VIRGINIA VOUCHER PROGRAM BEING CHALLENGED IN COURT
West Virginia came late to the voucher party, but went hog wild. The WV voucher program is the broadest in the U.S. When fully implemented, it will subsidize the private education of all private school and homeschooled students.
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APRIL 1: WHY DO CHARTER SCHOOL OPERATORS AND ADVOCATES RESIST REGULATIONS THAT EXPAND TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY?
In Ohio and throughout the nation, charter advocates and operators resist regulations for their enterprise. Typically, they are successful in stopping proposals that make charters more accountable and transparent.
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MARCH 31: OHIO EDUCATION POLICY INSTITUTE: THE CENTRAL IMPORTANCE OF THE DEROLPH RULINGS TO SCHOOL FUNDING IN OHIO—BY HOWARD FLEETER
In a very excellent article, Howard Fleeter reviews the actions the state has taken in regard to school funding as a result of the 5 major DeRolph rulings by the Ohio Supreme Court.
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MARCH 30: LETTER TO THE EDITOR EXTOLLING THE VIRTUES OF PUBLIC EDUCATION BY PROMINENT CENTRAL OHIO REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER, ROBERT WEILER
The attached LTE was published in March 25 Columbus Dispatch. Mr. Weiler’s letter warrants wide circulation.
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MARCH 29: AVAILABILITY OF A PUBLIC FUNDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS WEBINAR ON STUDENT-CENTERED FUNDING (MONEY FOLLOWS THE STUDENT, BACKPACK FUNDING) APRIL 7 AT 3:00 PM EST
The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has circulated model backpack legislation to states throughout the nation. The Universal Voucher Bill, HB290 in Ohio, is in line with the ALEC model.
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MARCH 28: THE CHARTER SCHOOL BUSINESS IN OHIO AND ACROSS THE NATION IS FRAUGHT WITH CORRUPTION
The Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow (ECOT) in Ohio may be in the top 10 charter frauds in the nation. At least ECOT is a poster child for corruption in Charterville.
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MARCH 25: THOSE WHO CONTROL THE STATE’S BUSINESS IN THE STATEHOUSE SEEM TO HAVE NO ALLEGIANCE TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE OHIO CONSTITUTION REGARDING EDUCATION
Public officials in the state of Ohio take an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Ohio as they enter into their respective state duties. It would seem imperative that public officials have a firm grasp of the provisions of the Ohio Constitution and that they enact legislation that fits within the parameters of all those constitutional provisions.
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MARCH 24 PM: FEBRUARY/MARCH ISSUE OF OEA’S OHIO SCHOOLS WEIGHS IN ON THE DEROLPH SCHOOL FUNDING CASE
The 25th anniversary of the Ohio Supreme Court’s decision has attracted some well-deserved attention. The Ohio Schools article adds some features to the narrative that are not reported in other venues.
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MARCH 24: TODAY IS THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEROLPH SCHOOL FUNDING RULING
Some Ohioans, especially those engaged in public education, will recall the newspaper headlines, “Unconstitutional” on this day or the next day, a quarter century ago.
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MARCH 23, 2022: WILLIE SUTTON, THE NOTORIOUS ROBBER, WAS ASKED WHY HE ROBBED BANKS. HIS REPORTED RESPONSE: THAT IS WHERE THE MONEY IS
Why do some entrepreneurs make education their business? Simple, that’s where the money is.
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MARCH 22, 2022: SCHOOL DISTRICT LEADERS AND PERSONNEL AND ALL OTHER PUBLIC SCHOOL ADVOCATES MUST SUPPORT THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER LITIGATION AND THE FULL-IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CUPP/PATTERSON FAIR SCHOOL FUNDING PLAN
It would be ruinous to school district students if the Cupp/Patterson Fair School Funding Plan is scrapped or only partially funded. Also it would be a travesty if the plan would be fully implemented, but then the funding tank is drained by an expanded or universal voucher system.
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MARCH 21, 2022: CENTERBURG SUPERINTENDENT MIKE HEBENTHAL: HERE’S THE PROBLEM WITH VOUCHERS
Superintendent Mike Hebenthal is a passionate advocate of the public common school system, and thus, opposes the privatization of the system. Attached is his thoughtful and compelling Letter to the Editor published in the Knox Pages.
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MARCH 18, 2022: FORDHAM INSTITUTE WRITER SUGGESTS THE SKY IS FALLING IF THE PLAINTIFFS PREVAIL IN THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER LITIGATION
In a March 14 article in Fordham’s Ohio Gadfly Daily, a Fordham writer predicts dreadful consequences if the EdChoice voucher program is ruled unconstitutional. Students will be damaged, school districts will be flooded with students, and other voucher programs will be successfully challenged, the writer says.
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MARCH 17, 2022: FORUM ON THE HISTORY OF SCHOOL FUNDING AND THE SOLUTION IN THE CONTEXT OF THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1997 OHIO SUPREME COURT RULING THAT THE SYSTEM IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL
State officials have an opportunity to fix school funding with the Cupp/Patterson Fair School Funding Plan. The public needs to demand a fix. Join the conversation!
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MARCH 16, 2022: CATHOLIC SCHOOL FAMILY APPLICANTS HAVE FILED A MOTION TO INTERVENE AS DEFENDANTS IN THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER LAWSUIT
The State of Ohio is the Defendant in the Coalition’s challenge to the constitutionality of the EdChoice voucher scheme. The case was filed January 4. The Ohio Attorney General will, of course, represent the State Defendants.
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MARCH 15, 2022: A FEW DAYS FROM NOW—MARCH 24—WILL MARK THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE OHIO SUPREME COURT’S DECISION IN THE DEROLPH SCHOOL FUNDING CASE
On March 25, 1997 the newspaper headlines screamed, “UNCONSTITUTIONAL”. The March 24 Decision was a surprise and shock to most of those in power at the Statehouse.
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MARCH 14, 2022: ADDENDUM TO MARCH 11 POST
In the March 11 post, some legislators in the 1970’s and 1980’s were referred to as “Champions of Public Education”.
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MARCH 14, 2022: FORDHAM INSTITUTE: THE HYPOCRISY OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS SAYING THEY ARE “OPEN TO ALL”
In a February 24 Flypaper article, a Fordham writer puts together a multitude of words and a couple tables that are irrelevant to the issue. Basically, the writer argues that if all districts are not subject to open enrollment, the public school system is not “open to all.”
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MARCH 11, 2022: CHAMPIONS OF PUBLIC EDUCATION IN THE 134TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY—NOT ENOUGH
This message will not resonate with any Statehouse observers less than 60 or 70 years of age.Back in the day, champions of the public common schools were prevalent in the legislative offices of the Ohio Statehouse—
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MARCH 10, 2022: HEARING ON THE INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE’S BID TO INTERVENE IN THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER LAWSUIT
Soon after the EdChoice voucher lawsuit was filed on January 4, the Institute for Justice, based in Virginia, acting on behalf of some Ohio families, filed a motion to intervene. Neither the Institute for Justice, nor the families being represented are parties to the lawsuit the plaintiffs filed.
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MARCH 9, 2022: JANUARY 2022 US GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE (GAO) REPORT REVEALS SERIOUS ACADEMIC PROBLEMS, STUDENT ATTENDANCE MONITORING ISSUES AND FINANCIAL RISKS IN VIRTUAL SCHOOLS, PARTICULARLY CHARTER VIRTUAL SCHOOLS
Some of what the GAO study revealed in the January 2022 Report:
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MARCH 8, 2022: VOUCHERS INCREASE SEGREGATION
A Lima News analysis of data provided by the Ohio Department of Education shows that in Lima, Ohio the EdChoice Voucher scheme segregates!
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MARCH 7, 2022: FORDHAM INSTITUTE RHETORIC: “…NO ONE ‘SYSTEM’ HAS ANY INHERENT RIGHT TO EDUCATE STUDENTS.”
An interesting statement in Fordham’s February 14 Ohio Gadfly Daily—Ohio’s Enrollment Slump and What That Means for Policymakers—is: “State policymakers should value and respect the decisions of Ohio’s parents, remembering that, contrary to anti-choice rhetoric, no one ‘system’ has an inherent right to educate students.”
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MARCH 4, 2022: TRANSFERRING PUBLIC FUNCTIONS INTO PRIVATE HANDS IS HOSTILE TO THE COMMON GOOD
Privatization of public functions such as highways, public safety services (fire and police), prisons, and education leads to unequal treatment of citizens, particularly the poor.
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MARCH 3, 2022: ECONOMIST MILTON FRIEDMAN WAS WRONG ON HIS NOTION THAT VOUCHERS WOULD IMPROVE EDUCATION
In 1955 Friedman wrote a paper—The Role of Government in Education—in which he advocated that the only role government should have in education is to provide some money for parents to buy some kind of private education.
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MARCH 2, 2022: JAN RESSEGER: FIVE REASONS WHY THE LAWSUIT FILED BY OVER 100 SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO END EDCHOICE VOUCHERS IS SO URGENTLY IMPORTANT.
Jan Resseger blogs about various contemporary issues, especially about education. Her insights are always enlightening.
Rea the full email here.
MARCH 1, 2022: THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: GOP SETS SIGHTS ON PUBLIC EDUCATION
On balance, the GOP initiatives on public education are more troublesome than helpful.
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FEBRUARY 28, 2022: PURSUANT TO THE STATE BUDGET BILL (HB110), ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS NOW PAY FOR VOUCHERS
Previous to HB110, only districts with voucher students were financially affected by voucher deductions. Now all districts are financially affected by the EdChoice voucher program.
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FEBRUARY 25, 2022: 5 REASONS WHY THE EDCHOICE PROGRAM VIOLATES OHIO’S CONSTITUTION
The EdChoice Program violates a strict interpretation of the Ohio Constitution.
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FEBRUARY 24, 2022: PRIVATIZING EDUCATOR TRAINING TO END PUBLIC EDUCATION BY THOMAS ULTICAN
The crowd that is bent on privatizing public education continues to attack the public common school system in multiple ways and advances private alternatives using unconventional, untested approaches.
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FEBRUARY 23, 2022: SPONSORS OF HB290 (THE UNIVERSAL VOUCHER BILL), LONG ON FEEL-GOOD RHETORIC, BUT SHORT ON CONSTITUTIONAL VALIDATION
HB290 was heard in the House Finance Committee on February 15. One sponsor declared HB 290 is not an attack of the public school system, while the other sponsor asserted a litany of flaws in the public school system; thus, the implication: vouchers are necessary.
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FEBRUARY 22, 2022: FORDHAM HAS IT WRONG ON THE EFFECT OF VOUCHERS ON SEGREGATION
EdChoice vouchers segregate students. Fordham disputes that claim in a January 28 article in Ohio Gadfly—The Anti-Voucher Lawsuit Misleads When It Comes to Segregation. In a 10th Period post Steve Dyer debunks the kind of argument Fordham spews out.
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FEBRUARY 21, 2022: SCHOOL VOUCHER ADVOCATES AND RECIPIENTS ARE BEING DUPED BY SOME WEALTHY LIBERTARIANS WHOSE ULTIMATE AGENDA IS TO REQUIRE PARENTS TO PAY FOR THE EDUCATION OF THEIR CHILDREN.
The ultimate goal of voucher puppeteers is to require parents to pay for the education of their children.
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FEBRUARY 18, 2022: OHIO LAWMAKERS ADMONISHED TO DEFEND THE PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM IN A FEBRUARY 12 LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
The LTE by Chip Santer is timely and most appropriate in the context of the constitutional challenge of the EdChoice voucher scheme.
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FEBRUARY 17, 2022: THE STATE BUDGET BILL (HB110) GREATLY EXPANDED THE FUNDING OF AND ELIGIBILITY FOR EDCHOICE VOUCHERS—MORE EXPANSION IS ALREADY IN THE WORKS
The 134th General Assembly seems to have an insatiable appetite for vouchers.
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FEBRUARY 16, 2022: THE TALE OF TWO SCHOOL FUNDING SPIGOTS—ONE FOR THE SYSTEM, ONE FOR THE INDIVIDUALS
The Ohio Constitution requires the State, by taxation, to secure a thorough and efficient system of common schools (Article VI, section 2). Also, the Ohio Constitution requires the State to provide, by law, for the organization, administration and control of the public school system supported by public funds (Article VI, section 3). Contrary to the intent and words of the framers of the Ohio Constitution, the legislature has established additional tax-supported arrangements for education—charter schools and vouchers.
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FEBRUARY 15, 2022: BETSY DEVOS CAMPAIGNING FOR AND HELPING TO FUND AN END-RUN AROUND THE MICHIGAN GOVERNOR AND MICHIGAN CONSTITUTION
When Ms. DeVos served as US Secretary of Education, she demonstrated no respect for state constitutional provisions for K-12 education. Her laser-focused agenda was to privatize public education as required by all State Constitutions. In her private life, she is continuing her privatization campaign
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FEBRUARY 14, 2022: OHIO IS PAYING SCHOOLS THAT BASICALLY DISCRIMINATE
Attached is an article published in the Columbus Dispatch Saturday, February 12.
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FEBRUARY 11, 2022: GUEST COLUMN BY DENIS SMITH: SCHOOL VOUCHERS TAKE PUBLIC FUNDS; THEY GIVE NEITHER ‘CHOICE, JUSTICE’
In a February 7 Columbus Dispatch column, Denis Smith, a retired school administrator and former consultant in the Ohio Department of Education charter school office, provides insight into who bankrolls part of the voucher movement…
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FEBRUARY 10, 2022: STATE AUDITOR OF OKLAHOMA REGARDING EPIC CHARTER SCHOOLS: “THE LARGEST AMOUNT OF REPORTED ABUSE OF TAXPAYER FUNDS IN THE HISTORY OF THIS STATE”
The State Auditor of Oklahoma said she believes that the charter school in question was intentionally established to “’milk for profits—as the Enron of public education’.” The auditor’s statement is right on target.
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FEBRUARY 9, 2022: ALABAMA STATE LEGISLATORS PROPOSE A BILL THAT RIVALS HB290 IN OHIO
House Bill 290, pending in the Ohio Legislature, would provide a voucher for every student which, could be used in a variety of private entities, as well as the public system. The bill proposed in Alabama would have the same effect.
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February 8, 2022: Jocelyn Rhynard, Dayton School Board Vice-President and Coalition Steering Committee Member, Has Compelling Article Published in Dayton Daily News
Ms. Rhynard’s thoughtful article counters one published earlier in Dayton Daily News. It supports the challenge to the constitutionality of the EdChoice voucher program.
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February 7, 2022: Ohio Becoming More Charter-School-Friendly According to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (NAPCS)
NAPCS issues an annual report which rates states on how they measure-up to a model they developed. Ohio jumped from 24th to 12th place in the state ratings.
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February 4, 2022: APPROXIMATELY 500 NON-TAX NON-CHARTERED SCHOOLS OPERATE IN OHIO—WHO MINDS THE STORE?
The State is responsible for securing (protecting) a thorough and efficient system of common schools. There are about 500 non-tax non-chartered schools operating in Ohio that are essentially unregulated.
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February 3, 2022: PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL EDUCATION IS A STATE RESPONSIBILITY: THE STATE WASHES THEIR HANDS OF ANY RESPONSIBILITY WHEN ISSUING VOUCHERS
The Ohio Constitution is very unequivocal about State responsibility
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February 2, 2022: THE CHARTER SCHOOL AND VOUCHER WARS CONTINUE: A TALE OF TWO CITIES, OR MAYBE THREE
Denis Smith, retired school administrator and ODE Charter School Office consultant, discusses school privatization in 3 C’s—Columbus, Charleston and Concord.
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February 1, 2022: “A SEAT AT THE TABLE”
A lobbyist, who represents several school districts, during the State budget process prior to June 30, 2021, advised his client school districts to stay out of the EdChoice Voucher litigation so they could have a “seat at the table.”
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January 31, 2022: PARENTS SUE WV TO STOP VOUCHERS
The pushback against vouchers is spreading. Citizens are awakening to the harm their public officials are causing public school children.
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January 28, 2022: SCHOOL PRIVATIZATION CHAMPION, FORDHAM INSTITUTE, WEIGHS-IN AGAINST THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGE
In two January 18 posts, two Fordham folks argue that the lawsuit misses its mark in its constitutional arguments and that the lawsuit twists the truth about school funding.
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January 27, 2022: A THOROUGH AND EFFICIENT SYSTEM OF COMMON SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE STATE—PERIOD!
The State has NOT perfected a thorough and efficient system of common schools as required by the Ohio Constitution.
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January 26, 2022: OHIO’S EDCHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM HAS FAILED: DAN HEINTZ
Dan Heintz, a teacher, school Board member, and member of the Equity and Adequacy Coalition steering committee, sets the record straight on the failed EdChoice Voucher scheme.
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January 25, 2022: A PUBLIC FORUM: ARE SCHOOL VOUCHERS LEGAL—FEBRUARY 23, 7-8:45 PM (VIA ZOOM)—SPONSORED BY THE HEIGHTS COALITION
Attached is information regarding the Forum. Zoom attendance is limited; sign-up early.
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January 24, 2022: FAIRBORN CITY COUNCILWOMAN, DONNA WILSON, IDENTIFIES THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF SCHOOL VOUCHERS ON MUNICIPALITIES
Vouchers hurt voucher students, district students, school districts, other political subdivisions, public retirement systems, and school district employees. Fairborn Councilwoman Wilson shows how vouchers affect municipalities.
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January 21, 2022: THE DEPTH OF CORRUPTION IN THE CHARTER SCHOOL WORLD IS BEYOND FRIGHTENING—CAROL BURRIS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NETWORK FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION (NPE) UNCOVERS A SEWAGE PIT IN AN OHIO CHARTER OPERATION
An investigation of one charter—Buckeye Preparatory Academy—uncovers a tangled web of fraud, corruption and pillage of tax revenue that illustrates the idiocy of Ohio’s charter school law.
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January 20, 2022: THE PRINT-VERSION OF MAUREEN REEDY’S COLUMBUS DISPATCH LTE—ANTI-VOUCHER LAWSUIT A “COURAGEOUS” SUPPORTED ACT
Reedy praises the school districts that have joined the Coalition’s challenge to the constitutionality of the EdChoice voucher scheme.
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January 19, 2022: JANUARY 11 LETTER TO DISPATCH EDITOR BY JEANNE MELVIN, PRESIDENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION PARTNERS: VOUCHER PROGRAM VIOLATES CONSTITUTIONAL CALL FOR ONE SYSTEM OF COMMON SCHOOLS
The Ohio Constitution is very clear; the state is responsible for securing (protecting) a (ie.) one system of common schools. Jeanne Melvin provides context for that truth in the LTE.
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January 18, 2022: OHIO TAXPAYER GENEROSITY TOWARD PRIVATE SCHOOLING
Ohio Department of Education is fining some school districts for not transporting private school kids. Not enough bus drivers, but districts are expected to transport private schoolers, even if it means leaving district students left in the cold.
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January 17, 2022: DR. SARAH M. STITZLEIN’S ARGUMENT FOR WHY SCHOOL VOUCHERS HARM AMERICAN CIVIC LIFE
Vouchers work against the public good and the path to productive citizenship. Dr. Sarah Stitzlein, in a January 5 Washington Post article addresses these matters.
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January 14, 2022: ARGUMENTS EDCHOICE VOUCHER ADVOCATES MAKE ARE SHORT ON LOGIC AND LONG ON PERSONAL ATTACKS
Voucher advocates puppet emotional clichés that are unrelated to the issues that are relevant to the voucher debate.
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January 13, 2022: NATIONWIDE PRO-VOUCHER ADVOCATE ORGANIZATION, INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE, HAS ALREADY FILED TO INTERVENE IN EDCHOICE VOUCHER CASE
The voucher supporters will line-up in attempt to intervene in the Coalition’s/VHO’s challenge to the constitutionality of the EdChoice voucher scheme. We will, of course, oppose those efforts.
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January 12, 2022: THE MEANING OF KEY WORDS IN ARTICLE VI, SECTION 2 OF THE OHIO CONSTITUTION
The 1851 constitutional provision for education—“The General Assembly…shall secure a thorough and efficient system of common schools throughout the state…” is a straight-forward statement that is clear and without ambiguity; nevertheless, a definition of key words will further elucidate the State’s responsibility inherent in this provision.
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January 11, 2022: FORDHAM INSTITUTE, BUCKEYE INSTITUTE, SCHOOL CHOICE OHIO, SENATE PRESIDENT, AND AARON BAER OPPOSE EDCHOICE VOUCHER SUIT
The usual anti-public school crowd came forward with guns blazing against the EdChoice Voucher litigation.
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January 10, 2022: THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER LEGAL CHALLENGE SETS FORTH AN ORIGINALIST-VIEW OF CONSTITUTIONAL INTERPRETATION
The Coalition’s lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the EdChoice voucher scheme is most assuredly not asking the Court to “legislate from the bench.” The Complaint filed puts a spotlight on the wording and intent of Ohio’s constitutional requirements for a high-quality system of common schools and how the EdChoice voucher system is a cancer that has the potential to kill off the common school.
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January 7, 2022: PRESS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCING THE FILING OF THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER LITIGATION RESULTED IN STATEWIDE COVERAGE
Attached is a list of links to various news articles.
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January 6, 2022: DENIS SMITH IN THE CHARLESTON GAZETTE: USE THE INJUNCTION TO RETHINK CHARTER DISASTER
Denis Smith, former school administrator in West Virginia and Ohio and former consultant in the Ohio Department of Education charter school office, gave some sage advice to the residents in West Virginia. His opinion piece provides substantial insight into the broader context of the charter world.
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January 5, 2022: LIMA’S LEO ACADEMY CLOSES, LEAVING 150 STUDENTS STRANDED
The attached Lima News article tells yet another story of disruption in education.
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January 4, 2022: AN AP ARTICLE IN THE JANUARY 2 DISPATCH LINKS MUSLIM CLERIC FETHULLAH GULEN WITH POLITICAL UNREST IN TURKEY
Fethullah Gulen’s Muslim religious/political movement operates in the range of 200 tax-funded charter schools in the United States.
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January 3, 2022: VOUCHERS DO NOT FIT THE MOLD OF THE COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM REQUIRED BY THE OHIO CONSTITUTION.
Article VI, sections 2 and 3 set forth state responsibility for education. Section 2, adopted in 1851 specifies that the state shall secure, by taxation, a thorough and efficient system of common schools. Section 2 also provides that: “…but that no religious or other sect, or sects, shall ever have any exclusive right to, or control of, any part of the school funds of the state.” Section 3, adopted in 1912 specifies that provision shall be made by law for the organization, administration and control of the public school system supported by public funds; hence, the state has the responsibility to secure, fund, organize, administer and control the public school system.
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December 22, 2021: STORIES ABOUT BISHOP SYCAMORE “SCHOOL” IN THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH AND THE NEW YORK TIMES POINT TO OHIO’S NEGLECT TO REGULATE “SCHOOLS” THAT ARE NOT A PART OF THE CONSTITUTIONALLY- REQUIRED PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL.
The so-called Bishop Sycamore “School” has been headlined in various newspapers, including the Columbus Dispatch and New York Times in recent weeks. The organizers/operators of the school have come under intense scrutiny, including being investigated by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE).
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December 21, 2021: THE ABSURDITY OF PARENTS BEING ENTITLED TO TAX-FUNDED VOUCHERS FOR EDUCATION.
The HB290 universal voucher advocates—the backpackers—pontificate parental empowerment and education freedom. They argue that parents are entitled to choice, at public expense, at whatever education establishment is available to them.
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December 20, 2021: THE RHETORIC—FUND STUDENTS NOT THE SYSTEM– IS CONSPICUOUS BY ITS OUTRAGEOUS IGNORANCE.
The universal voucher zealots puppet the expression “fund students, not the system”. They either are showing their ignorance of the Ohio Constitution or their utter contempt for it.
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December 17, 2021: WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE FROM CURRENT AND RETIRED PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATORS AND ADMINISTRATORS ABOUT THE IMPACT UNIVERSAL VOUCHERS (HB290) WILL HAVE ON THE PUBLIC RETIREMENT SYSTEMS?
Private school educators, of course, don’t pay into public retirement systems.
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December 16, 2021: THE HB290 BACKTRACK BILL PROMOTERS ISSUE ANOTHER DISINGENUOUS ATTACK AGAINST THE PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL
An ongoing campaign to blast the public school system seems to be the way the HB290 campaigners hope to achieve their objective of universal vouchers. A December 15 Cleveland Plain Dealer article by Guest Columnist Troy McIntosh, a voucher zealot, is an example.
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December 15, 2021: EDCHOICE VOUCHERS—ANTITHETICAL TO THE PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM REQUIRED BY THE OHIO CONSTITUTION
The EdChoice voucher program in Ohio has nothing in common with the public common school system
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December 14, 2021: PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOLS POST HB290—(THE UNIVERSAL VOUCHER BILL)
HB290 would entitle all school-age students in Ohio eligible for vouchers—home-schoolers, current voucher students, private school students whose tuition is already covered privately, and those who are not enrolled in any program.
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December 13, 2021: THE US SUPREME COURT HEARD ARGUMENTS DECEMBER 8 ON WHETHER PARENTS MAY USE STATE EDUCATION MONEY FOR SECTARIAN SCHOOLS
The State of Maine provides subsidies to parents for education in rural districts that don’t have their own high schools. Parents are allowed to use the subsidy to enroll their children in other public or private schools—but not religious schools. The Maine Supreme Court upheld the State’s decision to prohibit the use of the subsidies in religious schools. The matter is now before the US Supreme Court.
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December 10, 2021: CHARTER SCHOOL OPERATOR—RON PACKARD—WITH A HUGE CHARTER SCHOOL PRESENCE IN OHIO EXPANDS INTO THE WEST VIRGINIA CHARTER MARKET
Charter business operator Ron Packard crossed the Ohio River to fill his pockets with money from the WV treasury.
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December 9, 2021: THOMAS ULTICAN’S ARTICLE ON THE CURRENT ATTACK ON PUBLIC EDUCATION
Many public school administrators, teachers, and advocates still don’t believe public school districts are under attack. Thomas Ultican’s article should be a wake-up call.
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December 8, 2021: BLOOMBERG BOOSTS THE FAILED PARASITICAL CHARTER SCHOOL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE WITH AN INFUSION OF $750 MILLION
A plethora of billionaires and multiple charter sector support groups are propping up the charter school business
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December 7, 2021: THE ANTI-PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL ORGANIZATION—FORDHAM INSTITUTE: REFORM-MINDED SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS SHOULD PUSH FOR CHOICE…
The Fordham folks seem to be salivating over the recent election of a lot of board members that are not “school establishment” individuals. Apparently, they prefer “grassroots contenders running on culture-war issues”.
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December 6, 2021: US SUPREME COURT CONTINUES TO EXPAND THE BOUNDARIES OF WHAT TAX AID IS ALLOWED FOR STUDENTS ENROLLED IN RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS
University of Dayton Professor Charles Russo provides insight into the direction of the Court regarding church/state issues.
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December 3, 2021: A POLITICAL CANDIDATE’S GUEST COLUMN IN THE DECEMBER 2 COLUMBUS DISPATCH—ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GROUP MUST COME TO END IS RIGHT ON TARGET
Congressman Jim Renacci, a candidate for governor, hit the nail on the head in a December 2 Dispatch column. (This is not an endorsement of the candidate in any way, shape or form.) He provides evidence that former Governor Kasich’s privatization of the state’s Economic Development Department has been a tax-sucking boondoggle.
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December 2, 2021: UNIVERSAL VOUCHER BILL (HB290) WILL COST SCHOOL DISTRICTS A HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY
HB290 would remove nearly $1 billion for students that are currently homeschooled and those who are currently enrolled on private tuition.
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December 1, 2021: RESOLUTIONS OF OPPOSITION TO HB290 ARE NEEDED: THE GOSHEN LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION CAN BE USED AS A TEMPLATE
Boards of Education and public common school advocacy organizations and agencies should be adopting resolutions in opposition to HB290.
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November 30, 2021: THE INITIATOR AND CAMPAIGNER GROUP FOR HB290—UNIVERSAL VOUCHER BILL—HAS 16 EMPLOYEES AND A HUGE BUDGET
The group supporting the Universal Voucher Bill plans to achieve the passage of the bill in 2022, according to an article in the November 29 Columbus Dispatch. The group purchased a building across from the Statehouse for $1.25 million, has a budget of over $1.2 million per year, and has 16 employees.
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November 23, 2021: BETHEL-TATE BOARD Of EDUCATION PASSES RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION TO HB290
Each board of education in Ohio should adopt a resolution in opposition to HB290—the Universal Voucher Bill.
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November 22, 2021: US COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT RULES AGAINST PLAINTIFFS’ CHALLENGE OF A CHARTER SCHOOL DRESS CODE
The Court ruled that the Charter Day School is not a state actor, thus, it is a private operation. The Court reasoned that, although the school is funded with public money and is labeled as a public school, it is a private operation and thus, the court will not invalidate the dress code.
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November 19, 2021: ELIDA BOARD OF EDUCATION RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION TO HB290, THE UNIVERSAL VOUCHER BILL
Joel Parker, CPA., Treasurer of Elida Local School sent along the HB290 opposition Resolution adopted by the Elida Board. The Resolution provides a template for other boards and organizations to adopt.
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November 18, 2021: PUBLIC FUNDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS (PFPS) URGES THE US SUPREME COURT TO SUPPORT THE STATE OF MAINE’S CONSTITUTIONAL PROHIBITION OF FUNDING RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS
PFPS has supported challenges to the constitutionality of vouchers in various states in the past. Now PFPS, in an amicus curiae brief, is asking the US Supreme Court to uphold Maine’s longstanding program allowing districts with no public schools of their own to pay tuition to private schools that agree to provide secular education.
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November 17, 2021: OHIO’S CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS CALL FOR A SYSTEM OF PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL EDUCATION WITH NO HINT OF FUNDING PRIVATE EDUCATION
The Universal Voucher Bill (HB290) and the existing publicly-funded vouchers insult and offend the Ohio Constitution. Article VI, sections 2 and 3 require the state to secure, fund, organize, administer, and control a system of public common schools.
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November 16, 2021: THE STATE, IN CONTRAST TO DISTRIBUTIONS MADE IN THE STATE BUDGET BILL (HB110) MUST GIVE THE HIGHEST PRIORITY TO THE CONSTITUTIONALLY-REQUIRED COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM
School choice programs, especially vouchers, were given a very high priority in the Budget. This misguided priority mocks the Ohio Constitution.
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November 15, 2021: SCHOOL FUNDING SHOWDOWN IN NORTH CAROLINA
The NC Supreme Court in 2004 ruled that NC children have the fundamental right to the “opportunity to receive a sound, basic education.” The NC Legislature ignored the court.
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November 12, 2021: RON PACKARD’S ACCEL FOR-PROFIT CHARTER SCHOOL OPERATION MAY RUN HALF OF WEST VIRGINIA’S FIRST CHARTER SCHOOLS
The Ohio D-ranked Accel charter school operator is in line to run half of West Virginia’s first charter schools.
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November 11, 2021: THE DEROLPH SCHOOL FUNDING CASE MIGHT BE A DIM MEMORY FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND THIS GENERATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICT PERSONNEL, BUT IT IS STILL RELEVANT
Thirty-three years ago in 1988, the Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools (CORAS) was formed as a council of governments. CORAS, three years later, initiated another council of governments—the Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding (E&A Coalition)—for the purpose of challenging the constitutionality of the school funding system.
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November 10, 2021: PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS TYPICALLY HAVE THE DETERMINATION TO APPROPRIATELY SERVE ALL CHILDREN
Another example of the extent to which public school districts will go to serve students with disabilities is symbolized in a November 3 USA Today Network article.
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November 9, 2021: RESPONSE TO A COMMUNICATION REGARDING HB290—UNIVERSAL VOUCHER BILL—FROM MIDVIEW SUPERINTENDENT BRUCE WILLINGHAM
His view may be representative of superintendent colleagues across Ohio (and the nation). It is critical that the public education community come together to preserve public education.
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November 8, 2021: STATE REPORT CARD: CHARTER SCHOOLS NOT EVEN A CLOSE SECOND TO REAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The original promise of charter and voucher advocates: Charters will out-place school districts. The data show a different outcome.
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November 5, 2021: THERE ARE COMPELLING FUNDAMENTAL REASONS FOR RELIGIOUS FELLOWSHIPS TO FUND THEIR FAITH AND THE GOVERNMENT TO FUND SECULAR FUNCTIONS: THE WALL OF SEPARATION SHOULD BE REBUILT
Government funds in Ohio have been used to subsidize the religious functions of faith groups for at least five decades. (Private schools are one of the functions of some religious groups).The funding (direct payments and vouchers) for parochial schools is rapidly escalating year by year.
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November 4, 2021: CANTON MCKINLEY MARCHING BAND INCLUDES FOUR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES (HEARING-IMPAIRED; BLIND; AND PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED)
Education privatizers puppet the phrase “one-size-does-not-fit-all” as the rationale for snatching public school tax funds to support charters and private schools. Public schools do not fit the label of one-size-fits-all.
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November 3, 2021: WEST VIRGINIA COMES IN LATE TO THE CHARTER SCHOOL BUSINESS, BUT WITH THE SAME SENSELESS RATIONALE
The WV Governor, pursuant to recently passed law in the state, appointed five members to the West Virginia Professional Charter School Board.
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November 2, 2021: OHIO, VIA VOUCHERS, IS FUNDING RESEGREGATION OF URBAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF RACE, RELIGION AND DISABILITY STATUS
Private schools choose students. No student receives a voucher and then demands entry to a private school of their choice. Voucher students must be enrolled before receipt of vouchers. This fact alone guarantees that urban districts will be re-segregated and various forms of discrimination will transpire.
November 1, 2021: A CHALLENGE TO THE VOUCHER ADVOCATES: PERMIT THE RESIDENTS OF EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT AND/OR THE RESIDENTS OF THE STATE VOTE ON THE ISSUE
No statewide proposal to fund vouchers in any state has ever passed. That is one reason that voucher advocates use euphemisms like backpack bill, scholarships, education savings accounts, and tuition tax credit, instead of vouchers.
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October 29, 2021: PETER GREENE, SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR TO FORBES, REVIEWS A NEW BOOK ON THE WAYS CHARTERS CHOOSE STUDENTS
Charters game the system in several ways. One significant way is to choose students (it is called choice). Charter advocates talk about the efficacy of competition, but charter operators tip the scales by choosing students.
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October 28, 2021: COLUMBUS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: “I BELIEVE PUBLIC REVENUES SHOULD HAVE CHECKS AND BALANCES WITH SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE.”
A private group has been successful in getting a “green energy” issue on the ballot, that if passed, would divert $87 million from the city of Columbus to a private operation.
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October 27, 2021: PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES LOSE PROTECTION
We must publicize and fix the fact that Ohio’s special needs voucher programs are promoting and financing educational segregation at public expense.
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October 25, 2021: STATE REGULATIONS FOR K-12 EDUCATION ARE NECESSARY
Charter and private schools operate in a largely deregulated environment. Traditional public schools are highly regulated. Public school officials sometimes resent state regulations, but sometimes ask for state regulations to take the “heat” off of them locally.
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