NOVEMBER 18:  NOVEMBER 7 COLUMBUS DISPATCH:  WORTHINGTON POOL LEVY PASSES
Worthington, Ohio voters passed a .94mill levy for 20 years to fund the replacement of the public pool. Some Worthington residents will not use the public pool, choosing rather to build and maintain their own pool or pay membership at a private Swim Club.
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 15:  VOTERS IN THREE STATEWIDE ELECTIONS REJECT VOUCHERS
The voters in Colorado, Kentucky, and Nebraska turned down school vouchers. Although vouchers in previous elections have been on statewide ballots in several states, none have ever passed.
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 14:  AN OPINION ARTICLE IN OPPOSITION TO THE KENTUCKY PROPOSAL TO ALLOW TAX FUNDS TO SUPPORT VOUCHERS, WRITTEN BY LIAM AMICK, A SENIOR ENROLLED IN TRINITY HIGH SCHOOL.
(Note that the Kentucky voucher proposal failed)
Some of the most outspoken opponents of school vouchers and direct tax support of private schools are those who opt for private schooling.  The opinion article attached is an example from a private school senior.
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 13:  THE ECOT SCANDAL HAS DIMMED OVER THE YEARS DUE TO THE PASSAGE OF TIME. THE STATE HAS NOT YET COLLECTED A DIME FROM THE ECOT MAN BILL LAGER FOR THE FRAUD ON THE PUBLIC HE INFLICTED, BUT WHY?
It was mid-January 2018 that ECOT, as a result of Bill Lager’s fraud on the public, closed.  Nearly six years later, the state has not collected a dime from Lager, even though litigation against Lager is pending. A September 2, 2018, article in the Columbus Dispatch identified four state office holders that shared in the responsibility for allowing Lager’s fraud to happen.  All four of those politicians still hold state offices.
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 12:  ALL OHIO SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN HAVE THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO ATTEND THE PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOLS IN THEIR DISTRICT OF RESIDENCE AT TAXPAYERS’ EXPENSE. PERIOD! TAXPAYERS’ SUPPORT FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS IS NOT PERMITTED.
A main talking point by the education privatization crowd is that parents have the right to choose where their children attend school at taxpayers’ expense.  A dogmatic Ohio Senator justifying school vouchers for wealthy parents said something to the effect that it is about time these high-income individuals get some of their taxes back for private school education.
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 11:  OCTOBER 31, 2024, 3NEWS INVESTIGATES:  OHIO TAXPAYER FUNDS BEING INVESTED IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS WITH RELIGIOUS TIES.
3News Investigates checked out Ohio’s inaugural journey into the unconstitutional, uncultivated sector of funding facilities for religious private schools.
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 8:  VOUCHERS FOR FOLKS WHO CHOOSE TO USE PRIVATE PARKS INSTEAD OF PUBLIC PARKS.
Yellowstone National Park, primarily located in Wyoming, no doubt gets crowded at times.  It is available to all citizens and other folks at the nominal cost of park entry.
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 7:  THE SORDID BEGINNING OF THE VOUCHER SCHEME CONTINUES WITH ITS SAME DARK PAST.
The Plaintiffs in the Ohio EdChoice voucher lawsuit will demonstrate to the Court that vouchers segregate.
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 6:  JOSH COWEN’S OCTOBER 30 NEWSLETTER ON SCHOOL VOUCHERS IN THE COURTS AND ON STATEWIDE BALLOTS.
Dr. Cowen is a nationally acclaimed expert on private school, tax-supported vouchers. (Dr. Cowen is working with the Plaintiffs’ attorneys in the Ohio EdChoice voucher lawsuit and author of the recently published book, The Privateers: How Billionaires Created a Culture War and Sold School Vouchers.) His most recent Newsletter published by Public Funds Public Schools (a project of the New Jersey Education Law Center) provides a plethora of information about voucher court cases and statewide voucher ballot issues.
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 5:  PROPUBLICA:  IN A STATE WITH SCHOOL VOUCHERS FOR ALL, LOW-INCOME FAMILIES ARE NOT CHOOSING THEM.
The article by Eli Hagar and Lucas Waldron regarding the distribution of vouchers among economic groups is not unlike Ohio’s experience with the universal EdChoice voucher expansion scheme.  Most of school year 2023-2024 expansion vouchers went to the more affluent sector.
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 4:  JAN RESSEGER’S OCTOBER 29, 2024, BLOG:  VOUCHER EXPLOSION THREATENS FUNDING FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT SERVE 90% OF OHIO STUDENTS
Jan Resseger is an impassionate advocate of public education and a very talented blogger. Her October 29 blog provides an excellent review of how outrageous voucher expansion in Ohio threatens school district funding.
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 1:  PUBLIC FUNDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS (PFPS):  PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHERS ON THE BALLOT ON ELECTION DAY.
The October 25 issue of Public Funds Public Schools reviews the voucher issues on the ballot in Nebraska, Kentucky and Colorado.  The outcome of these ballot issues will have a substantial bearing on the short term, possibly even the long-term voucher movement.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 31:  SCHOOL CHOICE (I.E.) SCHOOL PRIVATIZATION CREATES AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH MANY STUDENTS ARE LEFT BEHIND AND MANY MORE WILL BE LEFT BEHIND AS PRIVATIZATION ESCALATES, SOME WILL LANGUISH IN THE MARKET SCRAPHEAP.
The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) misguided federal initiative of a quarter century ago was and is still a catalyst for school privatization.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 30:  BILLIONAIRES WHO FUND TAX-SUPPORTED SCHOOL VOUCHER ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD REPURPOSE THEIR ELEPHANTINE WEALTH TO FUND VOUCHERS FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO ATTEND PRIVATE SCHOOL.
Multi-billionaire Jeffrey Yass will be donating $900,000 to cover the cost of the vouchers the South Carolina Supreme Court declared unconstitutional.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 29:  OHIO TAXPAYERS SHELLED OUT $1 BILLION TO PAY FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHERS IN FISCAL YEAR 2024
In fiscal year 2023 Ohio taxpayers paid about $610.2 million for vouchers because some Ohioans chose to send their children to private schools.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 28: ELEVATOR SPEECH EXPLAINING THE NECESSITY OF CHALLENGING THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER SCHEME.
The Ohio General Assembly is constitutionally responsible to secure a thorough and efficient system of common schools but has historically refused to do so. This is a constitutional mandate to the General Assembly. Period!
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 25: PUBLIC SCHOOL ADVOCATES AND OTHERS WHO OPPOSE TAX MONEY BEING ALLOCATED TO RELIGIOUS PRIVATE SCHOOLS SHOULD RAISE THEIR VOICES (AND PENS) IN OPPOSITION TO THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM IN OHIO.
The EdChoice voucher lawsuit filed by the Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding is moving forward remarkably well. But efforts to win in the court of public opinion must be ramped up.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 24: SELECTED QUOTES BY JAMES MADISON ABOUT THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE: SCHOOL VOUCHER ADVOCATES SHOULD RE-EVALUATE THEIR POSITION ON VOUCHERS.
“The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe with blood for centuries.”
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 23: STATE OFFICIALS VIA ALLOCATING TAX FUNDS TO EDUCATION PRIVATIZATION VENTURES ARE REVERSING MORE THAN A CENTURY OF POLICY AND PRACTICE THAT EMPOWERED THE EDUCATION SYSTEM TO BE MORE FINANCIALLY EFFICIENT AND EDUCATIONALLY EFFECTIVE.
The State’s current education endeavors are becoming more ineffective and inefficient.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 22: COALITION/VOUCHERS HURT OHIO LOOKING FORWARD TO THE OHIO SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION (OSBA) CAPITAL CONFERENCE, NOVEMBER 10-12, 2024.
OSBA Capital Conference and Trade Show is a stellar annual event for Ohio school board members, administrators, and other public school personnel.  This year there will be 418 speakers, 178 sessions, 66 student groups, and 357 exhibitors.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 21: VOUCHERS HURT OHIO, INCLUDING THE TEACHERS (STRS)
There is a lot of angst among retired teachers regarding the lack of a permanent cost of living adjustment (COLA).
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 18: OHIO TAXPAYERS SHOULD BE ARTICULATING OPPOSITION TO LEGISLATION THAT INCREASES THE DEMAND FOR EDCHOICE VOUCHERS—PRIVATE SCHOOL FACILITY FUNDING IN THE RECENT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS LEGISLATION SHOULD INSPIRE OHIOANS TO SPEAK OUT IN OPPOSITION.
First it was a few vouchers in Cleveland.  Then it was vouchers for poor kids in high poverty school districts.  Then it was vouchers for low-income folks.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 17: NETWORK FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION (NPE) STUDY—DOOMED TO FAIL: AN ANALYSIS OF CHARTER SCHOOL CLOSURES FROM 1998-2022.
NPE’s study of charter school closures in the U.S. indicates that one in four charters close by the five-year mark.  At the twenty-year mark, over one-half of the charters have closed.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 16:  A MARRIED COUPLE POCKETS $600,000 IN COMPENSATION FOR LEADING A NEWARK NJ CHARTER SCHOOL OF 569 STUDENTS.
The couple serving as superintendent and financial officer of a Newark, N.J. charter school of 569 students actually reside in Florida.  The charter school industry is rife with shady deals.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 15:  TAX VOUCHERS FOR OPERATION OF PRIVATE CARS—AS LOGICAL AS TAX VOUCHERS FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) is asking voters to pass a new tax levy.  I will vote for it because it will be good for Franklin County Ohio residents.  Everyone will benefit in a variety of ways by this tax to improve this community service.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 14:  LAURA HANCOCK’S CLEVELAND.COM ARTICLE ON THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE STATE FUNDING PRIVATE SCHOOL FACILITIES PROJECTS.
In the Cleveland.com October 8 article, Laura Hancock reports that the Washington-based Americans United for Separation of Church and State is investigating state tax funding of capital projects for private schools.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 11:  OCTOBER 24, 3:00 PM WEBINAR SPONSORED BY PUBLIC FUNDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS (PFPS) WILL FEATURE DR. JOSH COWEN, AUTHOR OF THE PRIVATEERS:  HOW BILLIONAIRES CREATED A CULTURE WAR AND SOLD SCHOOL VOUCHERS. (DR. COWEN IS AN EXPERT CONSULTANT IN THE COALITION/VHO EDCHOICE VOUCHER LAWSUIT.)
The attached announcement of the PFPS Webinar will be of interest to public school advocates who wish to become better equipped to push back on the voucher explosion in Ohio and elsewhere.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 10:  VOUCHER RHETORIC IS WEIRD.
Voucher enthusiasts are skillful in the use of rhetoric that is deceptive and often just weird such as:
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 9: “PUBLIC EDUCATION DOLLARS SHOULD FOLLOW THE STUDENT, NOT THE SYSTEM” SAY THE ANTI-PUBLIC EDUCATION DIE-HARDS.
The Constitution of every state in the union has a distinct provision for public education. Why?
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 8:  THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF OHIO IN A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE COLUMBUS BOARD OF EDUCATION AND A SEPTEMBER 6 ARTICLE BY FORDHAM INSTITUTE INDICATE A LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF THE LOGISTICS OF TRANSPORTING STUDENTS TO VOUCHER AND CHARTER SCHOOLS.
Some realities of student transportation in large city school districts
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 7: TAX-FUNDED EDUCATION PRIVATIZATION SCHEMES—VOUCHERS, INCLUDING TUITION TAX CREDITS AND EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS—AND CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE ECONOMICALLY INEFFICIENT AND DIMINISH HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR MANY STUDENTS.
Ohio reorganized school districts from about 3000 into 617 districts from 1913 to 1976.  The 10,000 Ohio one-room school buildings in the early 1900’s were reduced to a couple buildings located on Lake Erie islands in 1976.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 4:  THE DELAY IN THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER TRIAL IS NOT A PROBLEM FOR THE PLAINTIFFS.
It is all good! Some supporters of the EdChoice voucher litigation may be wondering if the trial delay is a bad omen. It is not!
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 3:  THE OHIO LEGISLATURE IS OUT OF CONTROL WITH REGARD TO SPENDING FOR SCHOOL PRIVATIZATION.
Do some legislators not know that when they took the oath of office they are swearing to or affirming to support the Ohio Constitution?  Do they not know that it is the General Assembly’s responsibility to secure a thorough and efficient system of common schools?
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 2: PUBLIC OFFICIALS MUST SERVE THE CONSTITUTION, THUS THE PEOPLE.  OHIO POLITICIANS WHO ARE IN CONTROL OF STATE GOVERNMENT IGNORE THE OHIO CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION THAT REQUIRES THE STATE TO SECURE A THOROUGH AND EFFICIENT SYSTEM OF COMMON SCHOOLS IN THEIR ENDEAVOR TO DIVERT TAX FUNDS TO VOUCHER SCHOOLS.
The Senate President was heard to say, “We kind of do what we want.”  The implication being that with or without the constitutional authority to do so, those controlling state legislation will work their own will, regardless.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 1: “IRRIGATION OF ‘VOUCHER DESERTS’” IN RURAL OHIO HAS BEEN STARTED BY THE SENATE PRESIDENT.
Voucher zealots are not satisfied to merely subsidize the tuition of existing private schools.  Their goal is to expand voucher demand by providing tax incentives to establish new private schools.
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 30:  STATE REPORT CARDS HAVE BEEN ISSUED RECENTLY IN OHIO.  BUT WHAT DO THEY MEASURE?
Alfie Kohn has a response:
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 27:  SB311 WOULD OPEN A NEW FLOODGATE TO FLOW MORE TAX MONEY INTO THE HANDS OF PRIVATE SCHOOL PROVIDERS—ANOTHER LEECH PROPOSITION.
The voucher crowd is never satisfied.
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 26:  CONSTITUTIONS, COURTS, AND ELECTIONS REGARDING SCHOOL VOUCHERS
Taxpayer-funded school voucher proposals have failed in every state when subjected to a statewide vote. State constitutions require states to fund a system of public schools, not privatization schemes.
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 25:  PRIVATE SCHOOLS THAT RECEIVE TAX FUNDS (VOUCHERS, AUXILIARY SERVICES, NONPUBLIC ADMINISTRATIVE COST REIMBURSEMENT, STUDENT TRANSPORTATION FROM PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS) SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS, OHIO’S SUNSHINE LAW, AND STATE AUDITS.
All schools that accept tax funds should be required to follow the same rules regarding public records requests, public audits, and all other open government laws
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 24:  CHRISTOPHER RUFO, A CELEBRATED SCHOOL PRIVATIZER: “TO GET UNIVERSAL SCHOOL CHOICE, YOU REALLY NEED TO OPERATE FROM A PLACE OF UNIVERSAL PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRUST.”
Rufo stated out loud what the voucher militants have covertly done since the Reagan years:  undermined public confidence in the public common school.
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 23:  SOUTH CAROLINA SUPREME COURT RULES VOUCHERS IN SOUTH CAROLINA UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
The South Carolina ruling is straightforward and compelling:
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 20:  PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS HAVE POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON STUDENTS
As reported earlier, the names of 874 teachers were posted on a board at the Coalition booth at the 2024 Ohio State Fair.  These teachers were identified as a “favorite teacher” of fairgoers that visited the booth.
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 19 PM:  CLARIFICATION REGARDING SEPTEMBER 19 POST: TAX-FUNDED TRANSPORTATION OF PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENTS IS LARGELY HIDDEN FROM THE PUBLIC.
The responsibility of school districts is to provide transportation for private school students as follows:
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 19:  TAX-FUNDED TRANSPORTATION OF PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENTS IS LARGELY HIDDEN FROM THE PUBLIC.
Ohio taxpayers are burdened with private school student transportation costs.
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 18:  PROPUBLICA:  IN AN UNPRECEDENTED MOVE, OHIO IS FUNDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF PRIVATE RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS.
A September 17 ProPublica article by Eli Hager reveals that Ohio public officials have opened the floodgates of taxpayer-funded private school facilities via the Capital Improvements Bill. Possibly some legislators didn’t know those private school capital funds were in the bill.
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 17:  SEPTEMBER 5 INDYSTAR ARTICLE–UNRAVELING FISCAL IMPACT OF SCHOOL CHOICE PROGRAM ON EDUCATION IN INDIANA—IDENTIFIES NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES THAT ARE REFLECTED IN OHIO.
The IndyStar article reports voucher situations and repercussions in Indiana that mirror those in Ohio.  Vouchers in Ohio, like in Indiana, shortchange public schools in state funds and drive-up property tax.
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 16:  JESUS: “RENDER UNTO CAESAR THAT WHICH IS CAESAR’S; RENDER UNTO GOD THAT WHICH IS GOD’S.” FIRST AMENDMENT: “CONGRESS SHALL MAKE NO LAW RESPECTING AN ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION OR PROHIBITING THE FREE EXERCISE THEREOF.” THE WORDS OF JESUS AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT HAVE MUCH IN COMMON.
Some opponents of Jesus approached him with a question about taxation—Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar?
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 13:  ATTORNEY STEVE DYER, A FORMER STATE LEGISLATOR, CALCULATED THE DISTRICT-BY-DISTRICT SHORTFALL OF SCHOOL FOUNDATION FUNDING AS A RESULT OF THE STATE NOT FULLY FUNDING THE STATE-ADOPTED CUPP/PATTERSON FAIR SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA.
The attached spreadsheet compares what each district receives in state funding with what the district should be receiving under the new state formula.
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 12:  CHOICE, I.E., PRIVATIZATION, OF PUBLIC SERVICES.  DUMB. REAL DUMB.
Public services are necessary.
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 11:  THE UNIVERSAL EDCHOICE VOUCHER CAUCUS HAS CHOSEN TO USE TAX MONEY INEFFICIENTLY IN ITS CRAZE TO PRIORITIZE VOUCHER PRIVATIZATION FUNDING OVER ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR THE PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM.
Multiple systems of tax funded education are financially inefficient.  The Ohio Constitution requires the General Assembly to secure a thorough and efficient system of public common schools.
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 10:  AUGUST 29 ARTICLE IN SIGNAL CLEVELAND BY MICHAEL INDRIOLO:  CLEVELAND SCHOOLS REMAIN ON THE SIDELINE OF OHIO’S EDCHOICE SCHOOL VOUCHER LAWSUIT.
It is possible that Cleveland schools will join nearly 300 other districts in Ohio in support of the Coalition’s challenge to the constitutionality of the EdChoice voucher scheme.
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 9:  LAURIE ROBERTS, IN THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC:  A STATE BOARD HAS REJECTED THE RIDICULOUS NOTION OF ARIZONA TAXPAYERS SHELLING OUT FOR DUNE BUGGIES IN THE STATE’S EMPOWERMENT SCHOLARSHIP ACCOUNT PROGRAM.  BUT HOW DID IT GET THIS FAR?
Arizona is a state in which state officials venerate privatization of public schools.  The Ohio voucher/anti-public-school CAUCUS seems to follow the Arizona playbook.
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 6:  WHEN CHURCH AND STATE BECOME COZY, THE CHURCH LOSES.
Some religious leaders in Ohio and across the nation are lining up for government handouts that will help subsidize their religious schools.  In Ohio some religious school leaders are requiring their private school parents to secure tax money via the universal voucher scheme.
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 5:  THE AMAZING OHIO COMPETITION IN THE OHIO K-12 EDUCATION MARKETPLACE.
The education privatizers in Ohio are wild-eyed enthusiasts about the need for competition in K-12 education.  They bellow that competition is the key to improvement.
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 4:  AUGUST 4 AKRON BEACON JOURNAL EDITORIAL:  VOUCHERS UNDERMINE OHIO PUBLIC EDUCATION
Recently Akron Board of Education passed a resolution of joinder in support of the EdChoice voucher litigation.  This action seemed to have provoked some community discussion, including the attached Beacon editorial.
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 3:  A FORMER OHIO POLITICIAN WAS SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR ORCHESTRATING THE FIRST ENERGY $60 MILLION SCANDAL.  A FORMER CHARTER SCHOOL OWNER-OPERATOR IS, AS OF YET, OFF SCOT-FREE FOR A $100 MILLION SCANDAL. (THE ACTUAL AMOUNT MAY HAVE BEEN AS MUCH AS $500 MILLION.)
It is a matter of fact that some folks are punished for criminal activities while others dodge punishment.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 30:  SEVEN DECADES AGO, SUBSEQUENT TO THE BROWN DECISION AND THE FRIEDMAN VOUCHER PLAN, SOME STATES USED VOUCHERS TO CONTINUE SEGREGATION IN SCHOOLS—IN OHIO THE UNIVERSAL VOUCHER SCHEME EXPANDS SEGREGATION.
The voucher promoters are noticeably sly and disingenuous as they pontificate that the universal voucher scheme is the contemporary civil rights movement and that it is a driver of social justice.  In contrast, the Ohio universal voucher scheme segregates students along racial, economic, and social lines.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 29:  IN THE AUGUST 26 PEPPERSPECTIVE, DAVID PEPPER SKETCHES THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE OHIO COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM AND SHOWS THEN HOW SOME POLITICIANS HAVE SPLIT STATE SCHOOL FUNDING INTO THREE BROKEN SYSTEMS.
The education legacy of the Ohio General Assemblies for the first quarter of the 21^st century will be how they deconstructed the constitutionally required common school system.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 28:  THE UNIVERSAL EDCHOICE VOUCHER ANTI-PUBLIC-SCHOOL CAUCUS IN THE OHIO GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS SHIFTED TAX MONEY TO THE WEALTHY TO SUBSIDIZE THEIR PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION PAYMENTS.
Ohioans are becoming aware that their tax money is being funneled to wealthy folks to subsidize the tuition they pay to private schools.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 27:  AUGUST 25 LTE BY MIKE HALAIKO:  NO NEW SCHOOL LEVIES UNLESS VOUCHER LAWSUIT JOINED.
Pickerington resident, Mike Halaiko raises an interesting point that a growing number of Ohioans are pondering—do school officials have a responsibility to protect property taxpayers from levies required by the state’s failure to secure a thorough and efficient system?
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 26:  OHIO POLITICIANS HAVE, OUT OF SYNC WITH THE OHIO CONSTITUTION, DEVELOPED MULTIPLE SYSTEMS OF EDUCATION TO THE DETRIMENT OF THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN AND RESPECT FOR THE TAXPAYERS.  HOW INEFFICIENT AND INEFFECTIVE!
It is well documented and generally understood that Ohio’s constitutionally required common school system is still unconstitutional. Instead of addressing the constitutional defects of the state common school system, state officials have initiated various alternative systems
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 22:  DAVID PEPPER:  VOUCHER OUTRAGE CONTINUES; WE MUST DEMAND AUDITS
David Pepper appropriately calls for auditing of the private school voucher scheme.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 21:  AUGUST 12 OHIO CAPITAL JOURNAL:  OHIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPER JOBS OHIO LOANS $2 MILLION TO COMPANY HEADED BY INSIDER.
It should be no surprise to those who were paying attention to public policy development when Jobs Ohio was initiated by the Kasich administration.  Jobs Ohio was created as a publicly-funded private corporation to do a big chunk of the work of the Department of Development.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 20:  AUGUST 15 LETTER TO THE EDITOR IN THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH:  HAS YOUR DISTRICT JOINED VOUCHERS HURT OHIO LAWSUIT?
Susan Miller’s LTE suggests school districts not now involved in the Vouchers Hurt Ohio (VHO) constitutional challenge of the EdChoice voucher program should do so.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 19:  PRIVATE SCHOOLS HAVE MULTIPLE SOURCES OF TAX MONEY: TUITION TAX CREDITS IS A NEW TAXPAYER DONATION TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
Some Ohioans may not be aware that private schools have several taxpayer revenue streams which flow into their coffers (the State Auditor does not audit private schools), in addition to tax-funded vouchers.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 16:  AUGUST 13 CLEVELAND.COM—PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHERS:  SCHOLARSHIPS LAST SCHOOL YEAR COST OHIO $966.2 MILLION—AND COUNTING.
The voucher expenditure data in the Cleveland.com article that should alarm Ohio taxpayers.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 15:  EDCHOICE VOUCHERS IN OHIO DISPROPORTIONATELY GOING TO THE HIGH-INCOME FOLKS
Remember the disingenuous pleas the voucher schemers made ostensibly on behalf of the poor children in Cleveland back in the mid 1990’s?
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 14:  JUNE 1 NEWS REPORT ON NEWS4 TUCSON:  FIGHT OVER SCHOOL VOUCHERS IN ARIZONA COULD GO ANOTHER ROUND.
Some state officials in Ohio seem to be competing with Arizona in the voucher race to destroy public education.  A community organizer in Arizona is fighting back.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 13:  CORRECTION: RESPONSES FROM STATE FAIR GOERS REGARDING THEIR FAVORITE TEACHERS SPEAK TO THE EFFICACY, STRENGTH, AND STAYING POWER OF THE PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM.
The Coalition /VHO had a booth at the Ohio State Fair to inform folks about the voucher scheme. In the process, individuals were asked to write their favorite teacher on a Post-It note and put it on the “hero wall” hanging at the back of the booth.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 12:  IN AN AUGUST 8 BLOG, JAN RESSEGER WRITES ABOUT THE VOUCHER ILLUSION OF EQUITY AND THE COURT CHALLENGE OF OHIO’S UNIVERSAL EDCHOICE VOUCHER SCHEME.
Jan Resseger’s article provides her perspective on how Vouchers Hurt Ohio.  It is brief but compelling.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 9:  U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR AND PENSION REPORT—BY THE WEALTHY, FOR THE WEALTHY:  THE COORDINATED ATTACKS ON PUBLIC EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES.
The June 2024 June report from the U.S. Senate Committee mentioned in the title presents a sobering, solemn account of the nationwide attack on public education in America.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 8:  THE COALITION BOOTH AT THE STATE FAIR COLLECTED THE NAMES OF FAVORITE TEACHERS AND HELPED FAIR GOERS UNDERSTAND HOW VOUCHERS HURT OHIO.
The 12-day run at the State Fair was a very successful venture for the Coalition/Vouchers Hurt Ohio (VHO) litigation. 874 current and former K-12 students posted the name of their favorite teacher(s) on a board provided.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 7:  FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY OF PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS DOES NOT INCLUDE PROTECTING THE INTERESTS OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
Some super wealthy private voucher supporting organizations have minions in Ohio that are lobbying school board members to bolster-up tax-supported alternatives to the public common school system required by the Ohio Constitution
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 6:  EDCHOICE VOUCHERS GO ON TRIAL NOVEMBER 4
The litigation challenging the constitutionality of the EdChoice vouchers is in full swing.  The trial begins in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas on November 4.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 5:  REPRESENTATIVE JOE MILLER RESPONDED TO SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE CHAIR BRENNER’S PROPOSAL TO CLOSE “INEFFECTIVE PUBLIC SCHOOLS”.The August 2 post on this site reported State Senator Brenner’s proposal that “ineffective public schools be closed” during a panel discussion at the Council of State Government’s Midwest Legislative Conference.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 2:  STATE SENATOR ANDY BRENNER PROPOSES CLOSING INEFFECTIVE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
When you think you have heard the ultimate in doltish, witless, education policy proposals, tune into State Senator Brenner’s performance at the recent Council of State Government’s Midwestern Legislative Conference.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 1:  THE EGREGIOUS UNIVERSAL EDCHOICE VOUCHER SCHEME GOES ON TRIAL NOVEMBER 4, 2024—MARK YOUR CALENDAR.
The EdChoice universal voucher scheme was inserted into the most recent state budget bill by some clever politicians led by the Senate President when Ohioans were resting and getting prepared for the next day of work.
Read the full email here.

JULY 31:  THE PRESENCE OF THE VOUCHERS HURT OHIO BOOTH AT THE OHIO STATE FAIR IS HELPING OHIOANS UNDERSTAND THEIR TAX DOLLARS HAVE BEEN MISAPPROPRIATED TO THE PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHER PROGRAM.
Hundreds and hundreds of Ohioans are stopping at the Coalition/Vouchers Hurt Ohio booth each day learning that their tax dollars are unconstitutionally being used to subsidize religion via the private school EdChoice voucher program.
Read the full email here.

JULY 30:  SCHOOL CHOICE OHIO (THE ANTI-PUBLIC SCHOOL ADVOCACY FOLKS) RECENTLY PUBLISHED A PIE CHART SHOWING THE PERCENTAGES OF THE K-12 SCHOOL FUNDS GOING TO VARIOUS SECTORS (K-12 DISTRICTS, JVSD’S, CHARTERS, VOUCHERS, ETC.)
The accompanying note regarding the pie chart states that the biggest share goes for public education (74.7%) and that only 3.8% goes for EdChoice expansion. EdChoice and EdChoice expansion, according to their chart, total 6.4%. Note that joint vocational (career/tech) schools receive 4.5%.
Read the full email here.

JULY 29:  MORE SCHOOL VOUCHER MISCHIEF:  SB304
The legislators who control the House and Senate in Ohio have an insatiable appetite for vouchers and their ilk. 
Read the full email here.

JULY 26:  THE OHIO SUPREME COURT VOTED 4 TO 3 TO HEAR THE SENATE PRESIDENT’S APPEAL TO REMAIN SILENT ON VOUCHERS IN THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER LITIGATION.
The visionary, designer, architect, fabricator, builder, chief advocate, expeditor, and champion of the universal EdChoice voucher scheme is spending tens of thousands of dollars of tax money to avoid answering any question regarding his role in developing the billion dollar per year EdChoice voucher program. He cites legislative privilege in his court appeals.
Read the full email here.

JULY 25:  JULY 16 PROPUBLICA:  ARIZONA’S UNIVERSAL VOUCHER SCHEME BLEW A MASSIVE HOLE IN THE ARIZONA STATE BUDGET.
Ohio’s controlling politicians followed Arizona’s lead in the universal voucher fiasco. Arizona’s voucher explosion will, without a doubt, cause budget cuts in other state programs, starting with public education.
Read the full email here.

JULY 24:  A TANGLED WEB OF A COLORADO/TEXAS CHARTER SCHOOL OPERATION FRAUD.
Charter schools throughout the nation operate without the benefit of many of the laws and regulations that help school districts avoid the fraud, corruption, and shameless profits that pervade the charter industry.
Read the full email here.

JULY 23:  STEVE DYER, IN HIS JULY 15, 2024 10^TH PERIOD UNVEILS THE SAD TRUTH THAT THE OHIO CHARTER INDUSTRY IS A COSTLY ($17 BILLION) FAILURE.
Steve Dyer shows that Ohio has 23 high performing charters (out of 269 non dropout recovery charters) that score about the same as the typical urban school district.
Read the full email here.

JULY 22:  ROSEMARY TOLLIVER WEIGHS-IN ON SCHOOL VOUCHERS AND THE HIJACKING OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
In a July 11 LTE to the Columbus Dispatch, Rosemary Tolliver, as a retired educator, school administrator and daughter of the 56^th Governor of Ohio, Thomas J. Herbert, expresses concern about the direction of some critical education policies.
Read the full email here.

JULY 19:  A LESSON FROM A JULY 1 ARTICLE IN THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE ATLANTIC AND PROPUBLICA:  RURAL OHIO LEGISLATORS SHOULD FOLLOW THE LEAD OF RURAL LEGISLATORS IN OTHER STATES REGARDING THE VOUCHER SCAM.
Rural legislators in other states are stopping the plague of vouchers at the border of the rural communities. The referenced article discloses how lawmakers in rural areas of other states have stopped the spread of vouchers to the rural areas.
Read the full email here.

JULY 18:  CONSEQUENCES OF UNIVERSAL VOUCHERS THAT SHOULD ALARM TAXPAYERS.
The state policy of giving a voucher to everyone who wants one (and to those who don’t necessarily want one but are pressured by their private school leadership to take one) hurts Ohio—taxpayers, public school students, public school employees, school districts, voucher students, private schools.
Read the full email here.

JULY 17:  ANOTHER FRAUD IN THE CHARTER SCHOOL INDUSTRY—FRAUD IS COMMON IN THE CHARTER SECTOR BECAUSE IT IS UNDER-REGULATED AND THERE ARE NO EDUCATION CREDENTIALS REQUIRED TO FORM AND OPERATE A CHARTER SCHOOL.
A recent article in the Columbus Dispatch details how a charter school founder/operator committed fraud on the public. He used tax funds for personal gain.
Read the full email here.

JULY 16:  LEGISLATURE DENIES THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION NECESSARY FUNDS TO OPERATE THE K-12 EDUCATOR LICENSURE OFFICE.
First the General Assembly took the unconstitutional action of transferring a major portion of the duties of the State Board of Education to the Governor’s office.  One of the few duties left with the State Board of Education is educator licensure.
Read the full email here.

JULY 15:  STEVE DYER’S JULY 1, 10^TH PERIOD—VOUCHERS, LIKE THEIR ADVOCATES, MOVE TO THE ‘BURBS.
Steve Dyer concludes his July 10^th Period: “This voucher thing has never been about the kids. It’s always ever been — and always will be — about the adults who want you to subsidize their private school tuition bill.”
Read the full email here.

JULY 12:  OHIO SENATOR ANDREW BRENNER IN RESPONSE TO CONCERNS EXPRESSED ABOUT WEALTHY PEOPLE GETTING PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHERS: “YES. PEOPLE WHO PAY HIGH PROPERTY TAXES ARE FINALLY GETTING MONEY TO PAY FOR THEIR CHILDREN’S EDUCATION.  GOOD FOR THEM.”
Senator Brenner seems to be revealing the rationale for universal vouchers—give tax money back to wealthy folks who pay high property taxes.
Read the full email here.

JULY 11:  JUNE 28 LIMA NEWS–OHIO FUNDS PRIVATE SCHOOL EXPANSIONS
The private school facilities’ foot-in-the-door funding scheme was incubated in the new Capital Improvement Budget Bill.
Read the full email here.

JULY 10:  OHIO LAW PROVIDES MULTIPLE LAYERS OF TAX FUNDING FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS
State officials since the mid-1960’s have been overly generous to private schools. Public transportation for private school students started the tax-supported gravy train for the privates in the 1960’s.
Read the full email here.

JULY 9:  $5 BILLION OF TAXPAYER FUNDS NOT AUDITED.
The state has given $5 billion of voucher money to private schools since 1997.  Not one dime of that tax money has been subjected to a state audit
Read the full email here.

JULY 8:  MORE NEW EDCHOICE EXPANSION VOUCHERS ARE GOING TO PARENTS WITH AN ANNUAL INCOME OVER $150,000 THAN THOSE WITH AN INCOME LESS THAN $120,000.
What happened to the voucher sales pitch that vouchers are essential to rescue poverty kids from poverty-stricken school districts?
Read the full email here.

JULY 5:  UNIVERSAL VOUCHER SCHEMES IN OTHER STATES, AS IS THE CASE IN OHIO, SUBSIDIZE PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION FOR THOSE ALREADY ENROLLED.
State Policy regarding vouchers has evolved from the rhetoric of helping poor kids escape from underperforming public school districts to the subsidization of tuition affluent families are paying to private schools.
Read the full email here.

JULY 3:  RIGHT-WING FORDHAM INSTITUTE TAKES A SHOT AT UPPER ARLINGTON FOR JOINING THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER LITIGATION.
The school privatization Fordham folks are in a tizzy about Upper Arlington joining the Coalition/VHO litigation challenging the constitutionality of the EdChoice voucher scheme. A June 19 article, “Shame on Upper Arlington Schools” in Fordham’s Ohio Gadfly Daily takes the cake for poppycock rhetoric.
Read the full email here.

JULY 2:  $740 MILLION—THE ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF MONEY THE STATE HAS FAILED TO FUND FOR ITS NEW FAIR SCHOOL FUNDING PLAN; $742 MILLION—THE ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF MONEY GOING TO ALL EDCHOICE VOUCHERS IN 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR.
Some state officials indicated that funds were not available to fully fund the Cupp/Patterson Fair School Funding Plan.  However, in the last moments of the state budget deliberations, the universal voucher scheme was inserted into the State Budget without regard to the cost.
Read the full email here.

JULY 1:  30^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRIAL COURT DECISION IN THE DEROLPH SCHOOL FUNDING CASE—JULY 1, 2024—PART 6.
30 years ago today, Perry County Common Pleas Judge Linton Lewis, Jr. ruled Ohio’s school funding system unconstitutional. The Ohio Supreme Court agreed in 4 decisions.
Read the full email here.

JUNE 28:  30^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRIAL COURT DECISION IN THE DEROLPH SCHOOL FUNDING CASE—JULY 1, 2024—PART 5. A former Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court, Paul Pfeifer, in a statement before the Education Committee of the Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission a few years ago said that the DeRolph School Funding case was THE CASE of the 20^th century.
Read the full email here.

JUNE 27:  JUNE 25 PODCAST, TODAY IN OHIO, CLEVELAND.COM—HE’S DOING THE PEOPLE’S BUSINESS, SO WHY DOES MATT HUFFMAN THINK HE CAN SHROUD HIS WORK IN SECRECY?
The Senate President is bent on not answering any questions regarding his role in his billion-dollar EdChoice voucher project.
Read the full email here.

JUNE 26:  AKRON JOINS THE CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGE TO THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER SCHEME.
Taxpayers are subsidizing private school tuition to the tune of an estimated $22 million for 3940 voucher students living in school districts in Summit County in school year 2023-2024.
Read the full email here.

JUNE 25:  VOUCHER IMPACT LOGIC BY A SCHOOL DISTRICT’S OFFICIAL IS PUZZLING
District Situation
Read the full email here.

JUNE 24:  STEVE DYER’S JUNE 5 10^TH PERIOD IS A TIMELY REMINDER THAT THE CHARTER SCHOOL INDUSTRY AS WELL AS THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER SCHEME ARE RIPPING OFF TAXPAYERS.
Please take time to read Steve Dyer’s June 5 post.
Read the full email here.

JUNE 21:  THE VOUCHER ZEALOTS ARE CAMPAIGNING TO INCREASE THE DEMAND FOR VOUCHERS
The voucher zealots want more than universal eligibility for private school vouchers. Groups like School Choice Ohio and the Buckeye Institute want taxpayers to fund private school buildings in areas where private schools are scarce or non-existent. Their mission is to deplete student enrollment in the public common school.
Read the full email here.

JUNE 20:  30^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRIAL COURT DECISION IN THE DEROLPH SCHOOL FUNDING CASE—JULY 1, 2024—PART 4.
The first three segments of the narrative of the DeRolph School Funding litigation focused on the actions and events that led up to the filing of the lawsuit.
Read the full email here.

JUNE 19:  MARILOU JOHANEK’S JUNE 18 OHIO CAPITAL JOURNAL ARTICLE PUTS THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER IN VALID, ACTUAL PERSPECTIVE.
In the article, Johanek identifies some of the “bosses” that dictate Ohio’s policy agenda with emphasis on the voucher fiasco. She notes crisply:
Read the full email here.

JUNE 18:  30^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRIAL COURT DECISION IN THE DEROLPH SCHOOL FUNDING CASE, JULY 1, 2024—PART 3
CORAS member school district leaders were frustrated with the response of state officials to their plea for additional state resources for public education.
Read the full email here.

JUNE 17:  30^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRIAL COURT DECISION IN THE DEROLPH SCHOOL FUNDING CASE, JULY 1, 2024—PART 2
The genesis of the DeRolph School Funding case can be traced back to 1986 during a meeting of the school superintendents in Perry County Ohio.
Read the full email here.

JUNE 14:  U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION IN NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA V. VULLO WOULD SUGGEST THAT THE SENATE PRESIDENT AND AUDITOR OF STATE WERE IN ERROR WHEN THEY ATTEMPTED TO BULLY SCHOOL DISTRICTS REGARDING SUPPORT OF THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER LITIGATION.
The opinion of the Court in NRA v. Vullo.
Read the full email here.

JUNE 13:  THE OHIO LEGISLATURE HAS ENACTED LAW THAT GIVES PARENTS THE RIGHT TO TAX MONEY TO PURCHASE SOME KIND OF EDUCATION; SOMEWHERE, SOMEHOW.  THAT ARRANGEMENT WILL NOT END WELL.
Delegates to the 1850/1851 Ohio Constitutional Convention pursued the idea that government, yes government, must ensure that every child in Ohio has the entitlement of education via the public common school.  Every child.
Read the full email here.

JUNE 12:  VOUCHERS DASH TO THE SUBURBAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN SCHOOL YEAR 2024.  MORE TO COME IN SCHOOL YEAR 2024-2025.
16 of the top 18 EdChoice voucher districts in 2023-2024 are NOT urban districts.
Read the full email here.

JUNE 11:  THE JUNE 4 WASHINGTON POST:  BILLIONS IN TAXPAYER DOLLARS NOW GO TO RELIGIOUS SCHOOL VIA VOUCHERS.
Much of the Washington Post article focuses on the Ohio voucher scheme.  Although some folks involved in the EdChoice lawsuit were contacted by the author of the article, those quoted in the article are mostly from the pro-voucher crowd.
Read the full email here.

JUNE 10:  PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL ADVOCATES:  MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR NETWORK FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION (NPE) CONFERENCE, APRIL 5-6, 2025.
The NPE Conference is coming to Columbus, April 5-6, 2025
Read the full email here.

JUNE 7:  30^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PERRY COUNTY (OHIO) COMMON PLEAS COURT DECISION IS LESS THAN A MONTH AWAY (JULY 1, 2024).
It is mind-boggling that Perry County Common Pleas Court Judge Linton Lewis ruled Ohio’s school funding system unconstitutional 3 decades ago, but that state officials have not yet responded sufficiently to this landmark decision even though the Ohio Supreme upheld the trial court decision four times. 
Read the full email here.

JUNE 6:  FORMER LEGISLATOR STEVE DYER: SMALLEST SHARE OF STATE’S BUDGET ALLOTTED TO EDUCATE PUBLIC SCHOOL KIDS IN THE LAST 50 YEARS.
Steve Dyer’s May 28th 10th Period provides shocking data about the state budget’s low priority for educating public school district students –lowest in 50 years.
Read the full email here.

JUNE 5:  PRIVATIZATION OF EDUCATION WILL “DUMB-DOWN” AMERICA.
Private schools are not transparent to the public; neither are they accountable to the taxpayers.  Compared to school districts, private schools are unregulated and charter schools are grossly under-regulated.
Read the full email here.

June 4:  Analysis of Ohio school voucher data by Andrew Wilson shows that enrollment in each type of voucher program has increased since fiscal year 2021.
Ohio has 5 types of voucher programs—EdChoice, EdChoice Expansion, Autism, Jon Peterson, and Cleveland. With one exception (Cleveland for one year), voucher enrollment has increased each year in all 5 voucher program types since fiscal year 2021 as indicated by the table provided.
Read the full email here.

JUNE 3:  Universal EdChoice vouchers escalated markedly, particularly in suburban districts, in 2023-2024 from the three previous fiscal years.
Thanks to Andrew Wilson, former Board of Education member of Fairborn City School District, for mining voucher data from the Department of Education and Workforce Development. There are 14 districts that experienced over 2000% increase in voucher students from FY2023-FY2024; 28 districts that experienced an increase between 1000% and 1999%; and 32 districts that experienced an increase between 500% and 999%:
Read the full email here.

MAY 31:  77% OF THE EDCHOICE EXPANSION VOUCHER STUDENTS ARE FROM 285 OHIO SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
EdChoice expansion voucher students are spread very unevenly among the 612 Ohio school districts.
Read the full email here.

MAY 30:  RED LOBSTER IS LATEST US DINING ICON TO FADE—COLUMBUS DISPATCH, MAY 24, 2024.
Why is Red Lobster closings referenced here?  Because that is the way markets operate. 
Read the full email here.

MAY 29:  TAX-SUPPORTED PRIVATE SCHOOLS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO SOW SOCIAL DISCORD—THE PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOLS SOW SOCIAL HARMONY.
Tax-supported private schools fracture the social order by the very nature of being private, in contrast to the unifying hallmark of the public common school.
Read the full email here.

MAY 28:  THE STATE OF OHIO HAS REVERSED ITS LONGSTANDING POLICY TO CONSOLIDATE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND DISTRICTS INTO LARGER, MORE EFFICIENT, AND EFFECTIVE OPERATING UNITS.
The state mandate for a thorough and efficient system of common schools became a part of the revised Ohio Constitution adopted in 1851.
Read the full email here.

MAY 24:  PRIVATE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL ENCOURAGING HIGH INCOME CONSTITUENTS TO APPLY FOR EDCHOICE VOUCHERS: “WHO CAN’T USE AN EXTRA $600 IN THEIR POCKET…, AND EXTRA VACATION…?”
The full quote of the principal in the April 19, 2024, Lima News: “Who can’t use an extra $600 in their pocket?  Maybe you can have an extra vacation or maybe you can use it to purchase something that you’ve been looking forward to or making some improvements on your house.”
Read the full email here.

MAY 23:  PRIVATE SCHOOLS ARE GOING ALL OUT TO COLLECT TAX FUNDS TO HELP ACCOMPLISH THEIR MISSION—A SAMPLE “COLLECT TAX DOLLARS” FLYER IS ATTACHED.
State officials—a plethora of them—have opened the floodgates of the public treasury to private schools of all stripes.
Read the full email here.

MAY 22:  PODCAST ON THE OHIO VOUCHER SCENE—WILLIAM L. PHILLIS INTERVIEWED BY DAVID PEPPER.
The voucher scheme has evolved from “rescue a few poor kids from poverty-stricken school districts” to “tax gifts to anyone who applies.”
Read the full email here.

MAY 21:  PRIVATE RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS THAT ACCEPT VOUCHERS HAVE A FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM THAT CAN’T BE SOLVED BY VOUCHERS AND VOUCHERS WILL CREATE MORE PROBLEMS FOR THEM.
Operators of religious private schools are on the horns of dilemma; but may not know it.
Read the full email here.

MAY 20:  HB407, AS INTRODUCED, WOULD REQUIRE NEW REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR CHARTERED, NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT ENROLL VOUCHER STUDENTS.
The voices for regulating private schools are expanding.
Read the full email here.

MAY 17:  THE CUPP/PATTERSON FAIR SCHOOL FUNDING PLAN BROUGHT THE STATE OF OHIO TO A PARAMOUNT MOMENT IN OHIO HISTORY—ON THE CUSP OF FULFILLING THE 1851 CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION FOR A THOROUGH AND EFFICIENT SYSTEM OF COMMON SCHOOLS—BUT…
The Cupp/Patterson Fair School Funding Plan is a result of knowledgeable, highly effective superintendents and treasurers being brought together by two highly competent legislators committed to Ohio’s constitutional provision to secure a thorough and efficient system of common schools. 
Read the full email here.

MAY 16:  “…BUT NO RELIGIOUS OR OTHER SECT, OR SECTS, SHALL EVER HAVE ANY EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO, OR CONTROL OF, ANY PART OF SCHOOL FUNDS OF THIS STATE.”
Most voucher students attend religion-based private schools.  The budget of some of those private schools is comprised of up to 75% tax revenue in the form of vouchers.
Read the full email here.

MAY 15:  THE OHIO AND ARIZONA UNIVERSAL VOUCHER SCHEMES BOTH FAVOR THE WEALTHY.
According to a May 7 research report from Brookings Institution, the universal voucher scheme in Arizona indicates that families in the poorest communities are least likely to receive voucher funds.  That same trend is playing out in Ohio.
Read the full email here.

MAY 14:  SENATE BILL 261:  AUDIT CHARTERED NON-PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
When the current Ohio Attorney General was Auditor of State, he said he would follow a tax dollar wherever it goes.  That is an auditor’s job.
Read the full email here.

MAY 13:  THE OHIO CONSTITUTION AND VARIOUS COURT DECISIONS PROTECT THE RIGHT OF ALL YOUTH TO A HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION (VIA THE PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM), BUT THE OHIO UNIVERSAL VOUCHER LAW GIVES A SELECTED CLASS OF FOLKS A TAX-SUPPORTED PRIVATE CHOICE WITH NO RIGHTS GUARANTEED BY LAW.
As the voucher scheme policy has evolved from the state’s mandated Cleveland Voucher Program (rescue the poor kids!) in the mid-1990’s to Senate President Huffman’s universal voucher program in 2024, the poor kids have been lost in the shuffle. The affluent are the beneficiaries of the current voucher policy.
Read the full email here.

MAY 10:  THOSE WHO BELIEVE EDCHOICE VOUCHERS, EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, AND TUITION TAX CREDITS CAN CO-EXIST WITH THE PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM ARE NOT ACQUAINTED WITH THE ACTUAL MOTIVATION AND CURRENT ACTIONS OF THOSE WHO CONTROL THE VOUCHER AGENDA AND MOVEMENT.
Some public school allies and advocates, even some engaged directly in the management and operation of the public common school system, have concluded that school vouchers and other forms of tax-supported privatization can co-exist with the public common school system.  An examination of the motivations and actions of those driving the school choice movement indicates otherwise.
Read the full email here.

MAY 9:  TURNS OUT THAT LOWER INCOME FOLKS ARE SUBSIDIZING THE PRIVATE EDUCATION PROGRAMS OF THE HIGHER INCOME FOLKS IN OHIO.
Private schools have always been populated by those that can afford private school tuition.  The voucher zealots initially sold the tax-funded voucher program by a disingenuous sales pitch—give poor kids in high poverty districts the opportunity for a private school education.
Read the full email here.

MAY 8:  A CONTRAST BETWEEN THE ORIGINAL PITCH FOR VOUCHERS AND THE CURRENT VOUCHER SCHEME.
The voucher advocates’ ploy of using disadvantaged students to gain a foothold in education policy took place in Ohio in the mid-1990’s.  The disingenuous, lamentable cry on behalf of the poor kids for voucher eligibility still echoes down the haunts of so-called education reform.
Read the full email here.

MAY 7:  THE EFFECT OF THE HB33 UNIVERSAL VOUCHER PROGRAM ON SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT ARE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPACTED.
The attached table displays the percentage increase in voucher students (by district), year over year since FY2021 for the top 25 districts most substantially impacted.
Read the full email here.

MAY 6:  THE UNIVERSAL VOUCHER CAMPAIGN AND THE INCESSANT ATTACKS ON THE PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM ARE COMPANION PROJECTS.
The voucher movement and the campaign to eliminate the public common school system are fundamentally ONE.
Read the full email here.

MAY 3:  LT. GOVERNOR HUSTED’S JANUARY 10, 2022 “SPIN” ABOUT VOUCHERS AFTER THE VOUCHER LITIGATION WAS FILED ON JANUARY 4, 2022—EFFECTIVE FOR WHAT IS THE QUESTION.
After the constitutional challenge to the EdChoice voucher program was filed in Franklin County Common Pleas Court on January 4, 2022, Lt. Governor Husted told the Statehouse News Bureau that “the EdChoice voucher program began as a way to help students in struggling school districts and the program is still effective.”
Read the full email here.

MAY 2:  ARTICLE I, SECTION 2 OF THE OHIO CONSTITUTION OPENS WITH: “ALL POLITICAL POWER IS INHERENT IN THE PEOPLE”—OHIOANS SHOULD NOT TOLERATE POLITICIANS WHO DISREGARD THE CONSTITUTION AND AS ONE POLITICIAN RECENTLY SAID, “WE KIND OF DO WHAT WE WANT.”
The Senate President says, “We kind of do what we want.”  Some state officials have used their power and influence to implement and expand the EdChoice voucher program, continue the gerrymandered legislative district boundaries, and transfer the functions of the State Board of Education to the Governor’s office, each of which violate the Ohio Constitution.
Read the full email here.

MAY 1:  TACTICS BEING USED BY SOME STATE OFFICIALS AGAINST THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER LITIGATION ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE USED AGAINST THE DEROLPH SCHOOL FUNDING LITIGATION.
State officials in the 1990’s attempted to thwart the DeRolph School Funding litigation by the following tactics:
Read the full email here.

APRIL 30:  SUSAN TEBBEN’S APRIL 29 ARTICLE IN THE OHIO CAPITAL JOURNAL HIGHLIGHTS THE SENATE PRESIDENT’S ONGOING ATTEMPT TO AVOID ANSWERING A FEW QUESTIONS ABOUT VOUCHERS.
The Senate President has spent in the range of two decades as a legislator in a crusade to force tax-funded vouchers on Ohio taxpayers.  His crowning achievement came to pass in June 2023 when he was successful in stuffing universal vouchers into the state budget bill (HB33).  His notorious public statement—”we kind of do what we want”—is consistent with his position that he doesn’t have to explain his legislative conduct to the plaintiffs in the EdChoice voucher lawsuit.
Read the full email here.

APRIL 29:  WHY IS THE SENATE PRESIDENT GOING ALL THE WAY TO THE OHIO SUPREME COURT TO AVOID ANSWERING 20 QUESTIONS REGARDING THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM?
The Senate President has been on a rampage to put a taxpayer funded voucher in the hands of every Ohio student for several years.  Via trial court decision, he merely is required to answer up to 20 questions about the voucher plan.
Read the full email.

APRIL 26:  APRIL 19 LIMA NEWS:  VOUCHER USE EXPLODES WITH EDCHOICE EXPANSION.
The April 19 Lima News article—Voucher use explodes with EdChoice expansion—mirrors the pattern of private school EdChoice voucher expansion in other areas of the state.  The public school enrollment is somewhat stable but the voucher usage is increasing substantially.
Read the full email here.

APRIL 25:  THE COMPOSITION OF THE 135^TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND FUTURE GENERAL ASSEMBLIES ELECTED IN THE CURRENT GERRYMANDERED DISTRICTS WILL CONTINUE THE EXPANSION OF THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER SCHEME AND ADD NEW PRIVATIZATION SCHEMES THAT DIMINISH SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
The current Senate President, when named the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Legislator of the Week in 2017 stated:  “I am extremely proud of my work on House Bill 136 in the 129^th General Assembly, which led to the establishment of the income-based school voucher program in 2013…that legislation is an important step in my overarching goal of providing true choice for every student in Ohio, including smooth transferability of funds and a robust set of options regardless of geography and family situation.”
Read the full email here.

APRIL 24:  UNIVERSAL VOUCHER BILL DEFEATED IN TENNESSEE, BUT THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE LEADERS SIGNAL THAT THEY WILL CONTINUE THE BATTLE FOR VOUCHERS NEXT SESSION.
For now, the Tennessee legislature has rejected a universal voucher scheme; however, the Governor and Tennessee legislature leaders are bent on passing the scheme in the future.
Read the full email here.

APRIL 23:  WHY NOT REQUIRE SCIENCE OF READING AS A CONDITION FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS TO RECEIVE TAXPAYER FUNDING FOR VOUCHERS, NONPUBLIC ADMINISTRATIVE COST REIMBURSEMENT, AUXILIARY SERVICES, AND STUDENT TRANSPORTATION?
The DeWine administration is on a mission to force public schools to implement the Science of Reading.  If the Governor is sincerely convinced that the Science of Reading is the silver bullet for the teaching of reading, he should require all private school students to participate—at least private school voucher students.
Read the full email here.

APRIL 22:  THE PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM IS GEOGRAPHICALLY BASED.
The Land Ordinance of 1785 (before Ohio statehood) set aside the 16^th section of each township for the support of schools.  Townships were surveyed into 6-mile squares.  Each township was divided into 36 sections. 
Read the full email here.

APRIL 19:  WILL THE SCIENCE OF READING BE MANDATED FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENTS?
The Governor and his education assistant have been moving about the state selling the Science of Reading thing. 
Read the full email here.

APRIL 18:  274 SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE BEEN PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR THE COALITION/VOUCHERS HURT OHIO LITIGATION THUS FAR.  WHAT ARE THE SCHOOL OFFICIALS IN THE OTHER OHIO SCHOOL DISTRICTS THINKING?
The leadership of the Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding/Vouchers Hurt Ohio is grateful for the combined support of 274 school districts for the voucher litigation.  Other school districts need to get involved.
Read the full email here.

APRIL 17:  THE $1 BILLION UNIVERSAL PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHER PROGRAM DIVERTS $1 BILLION AWAY FROM PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS ANNUALLY, THUS, IN THE RANGE OF $200,000,000 WILL BE LOST TO THE STATE TEACHERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM (STRS).
School districts pay 14% of teachers’ salaries into STRS and teachers, likewise, pay 14% of their salaries into STRS. STRS has, in recent months, signaled that the current percentage of salaries from school boards and teachers paid into STRS is insufficient.  The universal voucher law will exacerbate this problem for STRS.
Read the full email here.

APRIL 16:  BOARDS OF EDUCATION AND THE UNIVERSAL PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHER ARRANGEMENT.
At the state level, the responsibility of the state is clear—to secure, by taxation, a thorough and efficient system of common schools. (State officials for more than 26 years have not perfected a thorough and efficient system of common schools even though the Ohio Supreme Court ruled the system unconstitutional on March 24, 1997.)
Read the full email here.

APRIL 15:  ANOTHER REFORMY PIPE DREAM: ELIMINATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICT BOUNDARIES.
A Coalition to end residency requirements for public schools has been newly minted. 
Read the full email here.

APRIL 12:  PETER GREENE:  VOUCHERS ARE ABOUT ABANDONING PUBLIC EDUCATION, NOT FREEING PARENTS.
Peter Greene, now retired, taught in the public school system for four decades.  He began his career in Ohio.  A gifted writer, his blog—Curmudgucation—is always spot on.
Read the full email here.

APRIL 11:  THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE UNIVERSAL SCHOOL VOUCHER SCHEME SEEPING OUT.
The consequences of the universal EdChoice voucher proposal tucked into the state biennial budget last June are finally getting the attention of the media and thus Ohioans.
Read the full email here.

APRIL 10:  UNIVERSAL EDCHOICE VOUCHER SCHEME (SCAM):  AFFLUENT FAMILIES ARE WELL-SERVED.
A couple scenarios:
Read the full email here.

APRIL 9:  DAVID PEPPER’S PERSPECTIVE ON THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER LAWSUIT.
David Pepper was a panelist during a public meeting in Upper Arlington, Ohio on April 3.  His April 5 Pepperspectives reflects the tenor of the meeting.
Read the full email here.

APRIL 8:  WKYC CHANNEL 3, OHIO HAS ISSUES EXPLORES THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM.
The media in Ohio is beginning to probe the consequences of the Ohio universal voucher program.
Read the full email here.

APRIL 5:  SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE IS THE RIGHT PATH TO RELIGIOUS FREEDOM—POSSIBLY THE ONLY PATH.
A critical lesson from history is the utter reality that religious freedom is typically suppressed when there is no “wall of separation” between church and state.
Read the full email here.

APRIL 4:  NETWORK FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION (NPE) TESTIFIES ON CHARTER SCHOOLS BEFORE THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND THE WORKFORCE
On March 6, 2024, NPE founding board member and scholar Julian Vasquez Heilig gave testimony to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Julian carefully explained the flaws and fallacies associated with the contemporary charter school movement. You can watch Julian’s testimony below.
Read the full email here.

APRIL 3:  AN APRIL 2 COLUMN IN THE OHIO CAPITAL JOURNAL—OHIO LAWMAKERS ARE GIVING MORE THAN $1 BILLION TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS WHILE PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUFFER—SOUNDS A WARNING TO OHIO TAXPAYERS.
Ohio Capital Journal columnist Marilou Jahanek alerts readers of not only the $1 billion annual voucher bill issued to taxpayers for private school choices, but that more tax fleecing is on the legislative table.
Read the full email here.

APRIL 2:  STATE LEGISLATORS WHO TAKE A STRONG STAND FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE BEING THREATENED AT THE BALLOT BOX BY MILITANT VOUCHER TYCOONS.
Nashville News Channel 5 investigates how Tennessee lawmakers are facing pressure to send tax dollars to the state’s private schools.
Read the full email here.

APRIL 1:  JAN RESSEGER’S MARCH 28 BLOG:  WILL UNTENABLE VOUCHER EXPANSION THREATEN PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING IN OHIO?
Jan Resseger’s March 28 blog pulls together various news articles that point to the threat of the runaway EdChoice voucher scheme to the public common school system.
Read the full email here.

MARCH 29:  THE SENATE PRESIDENT IN HIS DE FACTO ROLE AS CHIEF ENABLER OF THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER SCHEME HAS ANNOUNCED HIS INTENTION TO SECURE TAX FUNDS FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL FACILITIES. 
The Senate President’s public pronouncement about the quest for tax funds for private school facilities is an appropriate time to provide information about Ohio’s progress in assisting school districts in building facilities.
Read the full email here.

MARCH 28:  THOMAS PAINE: “IN AMERICA THE LAW IS KING. FOR AS IN ABSOLUTE GOVERNMENTS THE KING IS LAW, SO IN FREE COUNTRIES THE LAW OUGHT TO BE KING; AND THERE OUGHT TO BE NO OTHER.”
Thomas Paine’s words seem prophetic in the way Ohio government operates. The disconnect between Ohio political leadership and the folks of Ohio is clear-cut and graphic.  The Senate President said as much when he stated, “We kind of do what we want.”
Read the full email here.

MARCH 27:  PUBLIC DOLLARS (VOUCHERS) + UNREGULATED PROVIDERS (PRIVATE SCHOOLS) WILL ATTRACT BOGUS “SCHOOLING” START-UPS.
No doubt there are a myriad of individuals and groups plotting to capitalize on the universal voucher scheme.
Read the full email here.

MARCH 26:  MARCH 21 OHIO CAPITAL JOURNAL:  MORE THAN 91,000 HAVE APPLIED FOR OHIO PRIVATE SCHOOL EXPANSION.
Ohio Capital Journal reporter, Megan Henry details the huge number of voucher applicants this year compared to 2022 and 2023.  The 2024 applicants greatly exceed the number of applicants voucher-supporting politicians told the public they anticipated.
Read the full email here.

MARCH 25:  SENATE PRESIDENT, IN REFERENCING PUBLIC SCHOOLS, IN THE 74 ARTICLE BY PATRICK O’DONNELL:  THEY’RE NOT HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
Patrick O’Donnell, in the March 18 issue of The 74, reviews the explosive growth in vouchers. The Senate President’s quotes in the article should move the public education community into unified support for the Ed Choice voucher litigation.
Read the full email here.

MARCH 22:  STARVING THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
First, the leadership of the 135^th General Assembly via the state budget bill (HB33) wiped out the 1953 constitutional amendment that established the State Board of Education by inserting the transfer of the board’s primary duties to the governor’s office.
Read the full email here.

MARCH 21:  DAVID PEPPER WEIGHS-IN ON THE INSANE VOUCHER EXPANSION
The universal EdChoice voucher scheme has been flying mostly under the radar of Ohio’s citizens.  One probable reason that citizens are not fully aware of the outrageous voucher expansion is that the voucher scheme has been expanded by 11^th hour insertion in budget bills: no debate, just stuffing voucher elements into state budgets.
Read the full email here.

MARCH 20:  REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS IN VARIOUS STATES INCLUDING TEXAS, TENNESSEE, AND OHIO WHO STAND TALL FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND RESIST VOUCHERS ARE BEING TARGETED IN PRIMARY ELECTIONS.
It is no secret that groups such as Betsy DeVos’ Federation for Children and Americans for Prosperity, along with their benefactors and their subsidiaries, are targeting Republican lawmakers in primary elections for their single transgression–supporting public education in opposition to the unconstitutional private school voucher scheme.
Read the full email here.

MARCH 19:  DO OHIOANS REALLY WANT TO RETURN TO THE 1950’S IN EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND STUDENT RIGHTS?
When my teaching career began in 1958, public school expenditures were quite low.  Educational opportunities were limited.  Educator salaries were dismal. (High school dropouts who worked in factories often made twice as much annually as teachers in many communities.)
Read the full email here.

MARCH 18:  CLEVELAND.COM:  HOUSE BILL 339 WOULD POSSIBLY COST OHIO TAXPAYERS $239 MILLION PER YEAR.
Reporter Laura Hancock, in a March 5 article, indicates that HB339 would likely cost Ohio taxpayers $239 million.  HB339 would provide tax money to parents who send their kids to non-chartered, non-public schools.
Read the full email here.

MARCH 15:  CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER EDITORIAL:  THE FACTS ARE IN.  INSTEAD OF PROMOTING CHOICE, MUCH OF THE NEARLY $400 MILLION FOR EXPANDED OHIO SCHOOL VOUCHERS WENT TO THOSE ALREADY ATTENDING PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
The Plain Dealer Editorial concludes that: “The data suggest it [Ohio’s EdChoice Expansion] became just a big taxpayer subsidy for those students already in private schools.”
Read the full email here.

MARCH 14:  TWO MARCH 7 DIANE RAVITCH BLOGS ABOUT THE EVILS OF A TEXAS CHARTER CHAIN AND THE TEXAS VOUCHER FIGHT SHOULD SOUND A WARNING TO OHIOANS.
The Texas IDEA Charter chain scandal rivals the ECOT rip-off in Ohio.  Both charter narratives demonstrate how pay-to-play politics result in crimes against taxpayers, students, and public schools.
Read the full email here.

MARCH 13:  A LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH ON MARCH 7 MAY BE A PERSPECTIVE OF A MULTITUDE OF FOLKS THAT ARE EXASPERATED BY OHIO POLITICS.
The LTE reflects what a host of Ohioan’s are saying about how the politicians in control are self-serving, while oblivious to the concerns of mainstream Ohioans.
Read the full email here.

MARCH 12:  JAN RESSEGER’S MARCH 5 BLOG PROVIDES A REVIEW OF THE VOUCHER ESCALATION BY CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER’S LAURA HANCOCK.Jan Resseger’s March 5 blog reviews Laura Hancock’s March 3 article, while adding additional information and context.
Read the full email here.

MARCH 11:  POWERPOINT CHARTS FROM LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS’ FEBRUARY 28 ONLINE PROGRAM (WITH SPECIAL GUEST STEVE DYER) REGARDING INFORMATION AND CONSEQUENCES OF OHIO’S EDCHOICE VOUCHER ESCALATION.
The attached set of charts provides a concise and extremely useful treasure trove of data and information regarding the real-life consequences of the state’s extreme escalation of the Ed Choice voucher scheme.
Read the full email here.

MARCH 8:  MARCH 4 UPDATED CLEVELAND.COM: FLEEING TROUBLED PUBLIC SCHOOLS? OHIO VOUCHER DATA SHOWS MANY FAMILIES ALREADY ENROLLED IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
Reporter Laura Hancock provides data showing that the Cuyahoga County school districts are generally not experiencing a loss of students, but voucher students from most of the districts skyrocketed between school year 2023-2024 and the previous year.
Read the full email here.

MARCH 7:  THE UNIVERSAL VOUCHER SCHEME AND THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL TRANSFER OF THE STATE EDUCATION AGENCY FROM THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE ARE LINKED TO THE SAME PLOT:  THE DESTRUCTION OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.
In 1953, Ohioans adopted a constitutional amendment that transferred the state education agency from the governor’s office to the State Board of Education.
Read the full email here.

MARCH 6:  JAN RESSEGER’S FEBRUARY 27 BLOG:  HOW COMMITTED ARE EACH STATE’S LEADERS TO DEMOCRATICALLY GOVERNED PUBLIC SCHOOLS?
The Network for Public Education (NPE) recently released a 45 page report on the state of public schooling across the states.  Jan Resseger’s February 27 blog sums up the indispensable NPE report on the state of public schools in the current climate of being undermined by privatizers.
Read the full email here.

MARCH 5:  THE UNIVERSAL EDCHOICE VOUCHER SCHEME:  OHIO CITIZENS, CONTRARY TO THE OHIO CONSTITUTION, ARE BEING FORCED TO SUPPORT RELIGIOUS VIEWS WITH WHICH THEY MAY NOT AGREE.
The EdChoice voucher works this way.  Ninety percent of the private schools in Ohio are operated by religious institutions.  Current law provides tax funds to provide school vouchers. 
Read the full email here.

MARCH 4:  FEBRUARY 28 WOSU 89.7 FM RADIO INDICATES THAT PUPIL ENROLLMENT IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS IS NOT DROPPING BUT THE NUMBER OF VOUCHERS TAKEN HAS INCREASED EXPONENTIALLY IN SEVERAL FRANKLIN COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
30 Olentangy students were taking vouchers in the 2022-2023 school year, but 713 took vouchers this school year.
Read the full email here.

MARCH 1:  FEBRUARY 27 OHIO CAPITAL JOURNAL ARTICLE:  OHIO SENATE PRESIDENT SEEKS TO AVOID QUESTIONING IN THE PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHER LAWSUIT.
Ohio Capital Journal’s Susan Tebben explains, in the February 27 article, the issues involved in the Senate President’s refusal to answer questions regarding the voucher legislation.  Possibly the president should not talk to the press or make any public statements about the matter.
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 29:  UNIVERSAL VOUCHER SCHEME SPARKS AN INCREASE IN THE PRIVATE SCHOOL CHARTER APPLICATIONS.
A year ago, the Department of Education granted 18 charters for private schools.  In the 2023-2024 school year, the Department received 60 applicants.
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 28:  OHIO’S EDCHOICE VOUCHER SCHEME SUPPORTS ECONOMIC AND RACIAL SEGREGATION WITH TAX REVENUE.
Economic and racial segregation is being expanded by tax revenue being used to fund the EdChoice voucher scheme.
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 27:  PRIVATIZERS ARE DETERMINED TO TURN PUBLIC SERVICES INTO PRIVATE PROFIT OPERATIONS.
Privatizers, like the mafia, show up where there is a pool of money.  The public purse is an attractive pool of funds for them. 
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 26:  ONE BILLION TAX DOLLARS PER YEAR WILL BE GOING TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS WITH NO PUBLIC AUDIT.
In addition to non-public administrative cost reimbursement, auxiliary services, and student transportation services, the state will be providing a billion dollars per year for private school vouchers.
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 23: A TUTORIAL FOR STATE OFFICIALS REGARDING STATE RESPONSIBILITY FOR EDUCATION.
State officials should print a copy of Article VI, sections 2, 3, and 4 of the Ohio Constitution and place it on their desks for recurring viewing. 
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 22:  BY WHAT AUTHORITY DOES THE STATE GIVE TAX MONEY TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS VIA DIRECT PAYMENTS AND VOUCHERS?
State government in Ohio is directed by the Ohio Constitution to secure, by taxation, a thorough and efficient system of common schools. (Article VI, section 2) Pursuant to this mandate, private schools had no part, nor lot in tax funding for more than 110 years after Article VI, section 2 became a part of the Constitution adopted by Ohioans in 1851.
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 21:  A BILL WAS SIGNED INTO LAW AUGUST 10, 1965, THAT DEPARTED FROM THE 1851 CONSTITUTION REQUIRING THE STATE OF OHIO TO SECURE A THOROUGH AND EFFICIENT SYSTEM OF COMMON SCHOOLS.
Pursuant to the 1851 constitutional requirement that the General Assembly secure a thorough and efficient system of common schools, state officials directed K-12 education funds exclusively to school districts for more than 100 years.
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 20:  A LARGE FLOCK OF PEOPLE IN SUPPORT OF HB339 WANT TAX MONEY FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS THAT ESCHEW ALL GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS, TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND OVERSIGHT.
A large contingent of folks showed up at the Statehouse on February 13 to support HB339—a bill that authorizes tax revenue to be used to pay tuition to a category of private schools that currently operate without a state-issued charter.
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 19:  STATE SENATOR BILL DEMORA:  SHOULD STATE ALLOCATE EVEN MORE PUBLIC FUNDS FOR UNREGULATED PRIVATE SCHOOLS?  O-H-I-NO
State Senator Bill DeMora, in a Guest Column in the Columbus Dispatch, calls public attention to the January 16 Buckeye Institute policy brief that proposes a tax-supported facilities program for private schools and the privately-operated charter school industry.
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 16:  JAN RESSEGER PROVIDES A MUST-READ HISTORY LESSON ON HOW THE EXTREMELY FLAWED 1983 NATION AT RISK REPORT HAS ERODED PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOLS OF AMERICA.
Jan Resseger, in a February 13 blog traces the nefarious actions of some few individuals that erroneously manipulated the content of the 1983 Nation at Risk report with the intention of disparaging public schools.
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 15:  PUBLIC FUNDING OF PRIVATE SCHOOL FACILITIES COULD BE TUCKED IN HB2 (ONE TIME STRATEGIC COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUND SPENDING BILL), THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BILL, OR IN SOME OTHER LEGISLATION.
HB2, passed the House on February 7, is a mix of capital improvement funding and cash spending (the State’s Capital Improvements Bill will be considered later in the Spring).
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 14:  LACK OF REGULATIONS CONTRIBUTES TO CHARTER SCHOOL INDUSTRY FRAUD AND CORRUPTION.  TIME TO REGULATE.
The charter school industry is rife with fraud and corruption primarily due to lack of regulations regarding accountability and transparency. 
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 13: FEBRUARY 8 COLUMBUS DISPATCH:  VOUCHERS SURGE WITH CHANGES IN OHIO LAW.
The Dispatch headline—Vouchers surge with change in Ohio law—is not really a new revelation for most Ohioans.  However, many of the details are shocking in the article.
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 12:  LAURA HANCOCK, CLEVELAND.COM:  APPLICATIONS FOR OHIO-FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS HAS MORE THAN TRIPLED THIS SCHOOL YEAR OVER LAST.
The data provided in Laura Hancock’s article should alarm every taxpayer, every public school advocate, every school employee who will benefit from the pension system in which enrolled, and every parent and student that will continue public school enrollment.
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 9:  A CANDIDATE FOR US SENATE SAYS THAT HIS WORK TO CUT TAXES AND SUPPORT SCHOOL CHOICE (PRIVATIZATION) ARE PROOF OF HIS CONSERVATISM.
An article in the February 6 Columbus Dispatch provides a profile of a candidate running in the US Senate primary election.  The article indicates that the candidate confirmed his conservative credentials, stating that his work in the legislature to cut taxes and expand school choice is more than enough proof of his conservative credentials.
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 8:  PRIVATE SCHOOLS, PUBLIC MONEY:  SCHOOL LEADERS ARE PUSHING PARENTS TO EXPLOIT VOUCHER PROGRAM—PROPUBLICA.
ProPublica’s Alec MacGillis was in Ohio a few weeks ago to investigate how some private schools are pushing constituents to take vouchers.  The attached article is a result of his investigation.
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 7:  THE STATE’S ATTEMPT TO COLLECT $117 MILLION FROM WILLIAM LAGER AND HIS DEFUNCT ECOT SEEMS TO BE GOING NOWHERE.
The ECOT counterfeit education online school was paid hundreds of millions for students not served.  After about 15 years of stealing funds from Ohio school districts (while state officials fiddled), ECOT was found guilty of cooking the enrollment books and was required to repay stolen tax funds.
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 6 (PM):  SCIENCE OF READING LAWSUIT SET FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION HEARING ON APRIL 22, 9:30 AM.
The State Budget Bill (HB33) mandated that the “Science of Reading” methodology must be used in Ohio schools.
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 6:  VOUCHER STUDENTS DO LESS WELL IN ACADEMICS THAN THEIR PEERS IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN WHICH THEY RESIDE.
Michigan State University professor Josh Cowen*, a decades-long voucher researcher has concluded that vouchers take a bigger toll on academic learning than the COVID-19 pandemic.  He cites four independent evaluations of tax-funded vouchers in Washington, D.C., Indiana, Louisiana, and Ohio as evidence.
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 5:  A TALE OF TWO FEDERAL GRANT PROGRAMS AND A TALE OF TWO TYPES OF SCHOOLS—ONE THE AUTHENTIC PUBLIC SCHOOL AND ONE A PRIVATELY-OPERATED CHARTER SCHOOL.
The US Department of Education has separate grant programs that appear to be in conflict in terms of intended outcomes. One is for charter schools (in Ohio called Community Schools), and one is for real community (public common) schools.
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 2:  SWANTON LOCAL SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT LAKE’S JANUARY 22 COLUMN IN THE NORTHWEST SIGNAL INFORMS READERS ABOUT THE OHIO VOUCHER SCHEME.
Swanton Superintendent Christopher Lake had an informative column published in the January 22 Northwest Signal. His column provides a plethora of information regarding the flow of tax funds to unaccountable private schools via vouchers.
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 1:  HB339 WOULD GIVE PARENTS FUNDS FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO ATTEND NON-CHARTERED, NON-TAX SCHOOLS (ALSO CALLED 08 SCHOOLS) THAT LOATHE GOVERNMENT REGULATION.
While serving as superintendent eons ago (1960’s and 1970’s), I attempted to enforce the compulsory attendance laws.  That was before homeschooling (1989) and non-chartered, non-tax supported schools (also called 08 schools) were authorized (1983).
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 31:  DAVID PEPPER’S VIEW OF THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL TRANSFER OF POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE, THE ECOT SCANDAL, THE UNIVERSAL VOUCHER SCHEME, AND THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE POLITICAL DEBATE OVER SCHOOL CURRICULUM.
David Pepper’s recent Pepperspective reviews the politics that created the ECOT scandal, the universal voucher fiasco, the demise of the State Board of Education, and the emerging politicalization of school curriculum.
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 30:  A LAWMAKER TRYING TO JUSTIFY STATE TAX FUNDS FOR EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS FOR USE AT UNREGULATED, NON-CHARTERED, NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS (HB 339): THIS MEANS THAT THEIR PARENTS CONTINUE TO PAY TWICE FOR EDUCATION; ONCE THROUGH TAXATION AND A SECOND TIME THROUGH TUITION.
As a taxpayer I support (through my taxes) public schools whether or not I use them. Public education is a public good. Public education is good for communities, the state, and the nation—economically, socially, and politically. Public education and democracy have a synergism that is essential for both. All citizens have a stake in ensuring high quality educational opportunities for all.
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 29:  OHIO SUPREME COURT RULES THAT THE STATE CAN FREEZE THE ASSETS OF FORMER PUCO REGULATOR ACCUSED OF ACCEPTING A BRIBE–WHY HAS THE COURT NOT YET RULED ON FREEZING THE ASSETS OF THE ECOT MAN, BILL LAGER?
Former Public Utilities Chair Sam Randazzo accepted a bribe of $4.3 million before he was appointed as Public Utilities of Ohio Chair by the Governor. A couple years ago, the state sued Randazzo to freeze his assets.
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 26:  GOVERNOR’S RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK DATED JANUARY 21– BETTER IDENTIFIED AS NATIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOL PRIVATIZATION WEEK.
The Governor’s recognition of National School Choice Week–better identified as National Public School Privatization Week–celebrates a litany of Ohio’s prominence in school privatization, while the constitutionally required common school system is still mired down in unconstitutionality.
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 25:  STATE CONSTITUTION VS DIRECTOR OF DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
 Ohio Constitution regarding State responsibility for education; Statement by the Director of Department of Education and Workforce Development.
Read the full email here:

JANUARY 24:  OHIO’S UNIVERSAL VOUCHER SCHEME IS WELFARE FOR THE WEALTHY.
In the mid 1990’s, certain Ohio politicians touted vouchers as a lifeboat rescuing students from the troubled Cleveland School District. In 2024, Ohio’s universal voucher system is a yacht, in some cases, an additional yacht for the wealthy.
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 23:  EXCERPTS FROM THE NOVEMBER 9, 2023, TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY AND ENRICHMENT SELECT COMMITTEE PROVIDES INSIGHTS ON THE EGREGIOUS NATURE OF VOUCHERS.
The Governor of Texas called 4 special sessions of the legislature in an unsuccessful attempt to force school vouchers on the citizens of Texas. An Instagram reel provides an exchange between Texas Representative James Talarico and a Texas Education Agency official regarding the fact that under the proposal, the wealthy families, not the poor families, would be the primary beneficiaries.
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 22:  MIAMI UNIVERSITY DOCTORAL STUDENTS ALONG WITH PROFESSOR THOMAS POETTER, AS A CLASS PROJECT, WROTE THE BOOK–VOUCH FOR THIS! DEFUNDING PRIVATE INTERESTS, DEFENDING PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
In the summer of 2023, 15 doctoral students in the educational leadership program at Miami University along with their professor Thomas S. Poetter, studied the issues surrounding the voucher and charter movements.  The result of their study and work was a new volume of scholarship about the problems being created in these two areas, along with the larger issues in society as privatization takes hold in the public sphere.
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 19:  FORMER ODE CHARTER SCHOOL OFFICE CONSULTANT DENIS SMITH, IN A COMMENTARY IN THE OHIO CAPITAL JOURNAL EXPLAINS HOW AND WHY OHIO CHARTER SCHOOLS WERE LABELED “COMMUNITY SCHOOLS” IN OHIO LAW.
Charter schools are charter schools, not community schools. Charter schools operate by a state-issued charter, which exempts them from many of the rules, regulations, standards, and responsibilities associated with geographic community-based, community-operated, constitutionally authorized public common schools. In most cases, Ohio charter schools are the antithesis of community schools. So how and why did Ohio charter schools get labeled as community schools? Denis Smith explains.
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 18:  PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHERS IN IDAHO ARE ESPECIALLY HARMFUL TO RURAL COMMUNITIES AND CAN LEAD TO INCREASED TAXES AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.
New Jersey based-Public Funds Public Schools and Idaho Center for Fiscal Policy issued a report this month that states clearly the dangers vouchers pose to students, schools, and communities, especially rural communities.
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 17:  OHIO SENATE CUT STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION BUDGET IN HB33 AND THE GOVERNOR’S ADMINISTRATION IS PROPOSING TO MOVE THE STATE BOARD OPERATION TO THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FACILITY IN REYNOLDSBURG. THIS ADDS INSULT TO INJURY.
State officials via HB33, contrary to the 1953 constitutional amendment, transferred most of the State Board of Education’s powers and duties to the Governor’s office. Now they are in the process of defunding it and moving the Board office out of Columbus.
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 16: THOMAS ULTICAN REBUKES THE HOOVER INSTITUTION’S GLORIFICATION OF THE 40TH YEAR OF THE NATION AT RISK REPORT.
The deeply, deeply flawed Nation at Risk report released by the Reagan administration four decades ago set in motion an erroneous, unfounded, unwarranted, and misguided school reform effort that continues to plague K-12 education in America. Reagan and his successor, Bush 41, in the spirit of Libertarian Economist Milton Friedman, were consummate advocates of school vouchers and everything private in education.
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 15:  HB 305:  A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR OHIO STUDENTS–A THOUGHTFUL REVIEW OF THE DEROLPH SCHOOL FUNDING DECISION AND HOW THE CUPP-PATTERSON FAIR FUNDING PLAN RESPONDS BY JACOB DAVIS.
Then law student, now attorney Jacob Davis published a law review article which reviews the DeRolph School Funding Decisions and then traces efforts by the State to respond to the Court.
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 12:  PERCENTAGE OF STATE GRF BUDGET ALLOTTED TO K-12 EDUCATION DRIVEN UP BY COURT DECISIONS IN DEROLPH, BUT VOUCHERS AND CHARTERS SKIM OFF THE INCREASE THAT RIGHTFULLY BELONGS TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
In 1975, 45% of Ohio’s General Revenue Budget was allotted to K-12 public education. By fiscal year 1991, that percentage had decreased to 34.5% the same year the DeRolph school funding litigation was filed in Perry County Court of Common Pleas.
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 11:  TAXPAYER FUNDS APPROPRIATED TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS FROM 1997-2025 NOT INCLUDING VOUCHERS: $5,558,392,326.
Included in this piece is a table of State appropriations for auxiliary services and non-public administrative cost reimbursement funds.
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 10:  COURT ALLOWED SENATE PRESIDENT TO DODGE DEPOSITION BUT RULED THAT HE MUST ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THE COALITION’S LAWYERS.
The Senate President engaged private counsel to avoid a deposition in the EdChoice voucher lawsuit.
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 9:  ECONOMIST MILTON FRIEDMAN IN A 2002 INTERVIEW: “AND THAT IN THE IDEAL SOCIETY, PARENTS WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SCHOOLING THEIR CHILDREN, JUST AS THEY’RE RESPONSIBLE FOR FEEDING THEM.”
Economist Milton Friedman is considered by many as the father of private school vouchers. During the 1950s, Friedman began advocating that government get out of the function of education, except for providing a private school voucher for each student. During an interview with Pearl Rock Kane (Teachers College, Columbia University) in 2002, however, Friedman indicated that in his opinion schooling should be the responsibility of parents.
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 8:  THE PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHER SCHEME WAS INITIATED UNDER THE PRETENSE OF RESCUING POOR CHILDREN FROM HIGH POVERTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
Private school vouchers have never been supported by a majority of citizens; therefore, the disingenuous rhetoric–rescue POOR kids from “failing” school districts by providing “scholarships” –was used to set the voucher scheme in motion.
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 5:  THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS ATTEMPTING TO FREEZE THE ECOT MAN’S ASSETS.
William Lager, the ECOT man, collected hundreds of millions in public school funds for students not being served.
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 4:  A CALL FOR A STUDY TO DETERMINE THE COST OF TRANSPORTING CHARTER SCHOOL AND PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHER STUDENTS.
58 years ago, Ohio enacted the “Fair Bus Bill” which required school districts to provide transportation for private school students.
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 3:  PROFESSOR JOSH COWEN (MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY)—THE YEAR IN REVIEW:  DARK MONEY VOUCHERS ARE HAVING A MOMENT
Professor Cowen, a renowned scholar, has researched the voucher movement for several years.  His article, The Year in Review:  Dark Money Vouchers are Having a Moment, is a must read for those interested in this voucher movement.
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 2:  YEAR-END MESSAGE FROM THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TO THE EDUCATION COMMUNITY HAS A MAJOR DEFICIENCY AND A MISFIRE.
A message from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Development indicates that every child has a fundamental right to a quality education. Amen, this is absolutely right!
Read the full email here.

DECEMBER 22:  $20 BILLION LEFT OHIO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS, GOING TO PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHERS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS FROM FISCAL YEAR 1999 THROUGH FISCAL YEAR 2023.
In fiscal year 1999, voucher funding was $5.7 million and charter funding was $10.8 million—a somewhat modest beginning. In fiscal year 2023, charter funding exceeded $1 billion and voucher funding exceeded $610 million
Read the full email here.

DECEMBER 21:  WHY PRIVATE SCHOOL EDCHOICE VOUCHERS ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL IN OHIO.
The Ohio Constitution is straightforward regarding state responsibility for education–secure a thorough and efficient system of common schools and prohibit religious or other sects from controlling any part of the school funds of the state. (Article VI, Section 2)
Read the full email here.

DECEMBER 20:  MAYORS ALLIANCE CALLS FOR MORE SCHOOL FUNDING FROM THE STATE.
According to a recent Gongwer Report, many Ohio Mayors called for more state funding for public schools during their December 14th annual meeting.
Read the full email here.

DECEMBER 19:  OHIO IS GIVING NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS $73 MILLION THIS SCHOOL YEAR FOR NONPUBLIC ADMINISTRATIVE COST REIMBURSEMENT:  HOW DO NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS DETERMINE THEIR ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS TO BE REIMBURSED?
About four decades ago, some lobbyists and state officials figured out how to give private schools some tax money without alarming the public. They seemed to have reasoned that it costs non-public schools money to do business in Ohio, and Ohio taxpayers should bear the administrative costs of doing business.
Read the full email here.

DECEMBER 18:  THE GOAL OF THE VOUCHER PUPPETEERS IS TO ELIMINATE GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT IN EDUCATION—A MOVEMENT TO RETURN TO 18TH CENTURY AMERICA.
The father of the voucher invention in the U.S. was the Libertarian economist Milton Friedman. His pronouncement in the 1950s was that government should get out of education, except for providing a voucher for students.
Read the full email here.

DECEMBER 15:  KENTUCKY COURT DECLARES CHARTER SCHOOL FUNDING UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
Kentucky dived into the charter school waste pit late in the game. In 2022, the Kentucky Legislature enacted HB9, which provides public funding to “private entities known as charter schools”.
Read the full email here.

DECEMBER 14:  HB339 AS INTRODUCED WOULD ESTABLISH THE NON-CHARTERED EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT PROGRAM TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE STATE TREASURER’S OFFICE.
A great number of legislators in Ohio have an insatiable appetite for privatization of public education. Universal vouchers at a cost that Ohioans might not be able to fund is not enough for them.
Read the full email here.

DECEMBER 13:  CINCINNATI CLASSICAL ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL IN THE NEWS–CINCINNATI ENQUIRER–DUE TO ALLEGED GROSSLY FALSE AND MISLEADING STATEMENTS ON AN APPLICATION THAT GENERATED A $2 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT.
Cincinnati Classical Academy, a charter school associated with Hillsdale College in Michigan, claims to be serving predominantly economically disadvantaged students. Not true!  And then there was the boldfaced lie of inflated test scores.
Read the full email here.

DECEMBER 12:  CENTER ON BUDGET AND POLICY PRIORITIES (CBPP):  STATE LAWMAKERS ARE DRAINING PUBLIC REVENUES WITH SCHOOL VOUCHERS.
CBPP is a nonpartisan research and policy institute with a focus on reducing poverty and inequality. Some describe it as nonpartisan progressive. The June 12, 2023 policy brief provides specific information about voucher programs in six states.
Read the full email here.

DECEMBER 11:  HOMESCHOOLING AT PRIVATE EXPENSE MAY BE APPROPRIATE FOR SOME CHILDREN, BUT THE STATE HAS AN OBLIGATION TO PROTECT CHILDREN BEING HOMESCHOOLED FOR THE PURPOSE OF HIDING ABUSE AND NEGLECT. IN OHIO, LACK OF REGULATIONS COULD IN SOME CASES HIDE ABUSE AND NEGLECT.
Those who conscientiously and capably homeschool their children are worthy of admiration. Those who homeschool their children to hide abuse and neglect should be prosecuted.
Read the full email here.

DECEMBER 8:  ACCOUNTABILITY FOR PUBLIC FUNDS FOR EDUCATION SHOULD BE CONSISTENT.
School districts are held accountable to the public for not only public funds received and spent, but also for extra-curricular funds collected. The public should expect the state to regulate the accountability of public funds received and spent by all education entities.
Read the full email here.

DECEMBER 7:  STATE POLITICAL OFFICIALS SUPPORTED ONLY THE COMMON SCHOOL FROM 1821 UNTIL THE SO-CALLED FAIR BUS BILL IN 1968.
In 1819 the Ohio legislature appointed a Common School Committee which began to lay the groundwork for a common school system.  Legislation was enacted in 1821 which initiated the development of the common school system.  Three years later, legislation was enacted that required communities to develop, govern, and support school districts. 
Read the full email here.

DECEMBER 6:  STEVE DYER’S NOVEMBER 29 10^TH PERIOD—OHIO’S DISASTROUS VOUCHER EXPLOSION—REVEALS HOW THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER SCHEME SEGREGATES EDUCATION AND GIVES PREFERENCE TO WEALTHY FAMILIES.
Former Ohio legislator Steve Dyer in his latest 10^th Period presents data which demonstrates that wealthy white parents gain the most from Ohio’s universal voucher system.  So much for the original big lie voucher advocates used to sell vouchers.
Read the full email here.

DECEMBER 5:  THE CALL FOR SCHOOL VOUCHERS FOR “THE POOR” WAS THE PLOY EARLY-ON TO JUMP START THE ORIGINAL GOAL OF UNIVERSAL VOUCHERS.
Few poor students can afford the difference between the amount of the voucher and private school tuition.
Read the full email here.

DECEMBER 4:  DAVID PEPPER REVIEWS THE SORDID ECOT STORY.
William Lager’s rags to riches ECOT narrative is one of the most outrageous and disgraceful ones in the history of Ohio politics.  State officials in Ohio, some of which are still in power, enabled Lager to enrich himself by refusing to hold him accountable.
Read the full email here.

DECEMBER 1:  SOME BASIC INFORMATION OHIOANS NEED TO CONSIDER REGARDING OHIO’S EDCHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM.
Each Ohio family with school age children is eligible for the EdChoice voucher program regardless of income.  Some basic information to consider:
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 30:  HOUSTON CHRONICLE EDITORIAL BOARD REBUKES TEXAS GOVERNOR REGARDING HIS DOGGED ATTEMPT TO CON RURAL LEGISLATORS INTO SUPPORT OF VOUCHERS.
Rural legislators in Texas stood up to their bully governor to defeat a voucher program. A voucher scheme was defeated in regular session of the legislature and in four special sessions called by the Governor to force vouchers on the state.
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 29:  THE TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DURING REGULAR SESSION AND 4 SPECIAL SESSIONS CALLED BY THE GOVERNOR TO APPROVE SCHOOL VOUCHERS VOTED TO DEFEAT THE VOUCHER PROPOSAL.
Rural Republican representatives were key in defeating the voucher proposal which went down 84-63.
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 28:  THE ECOT MAN, BILL LAGER, OWES THE STATE, THEREFORE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, $117 MILLION.  A COURT MAGISTRATE RECOMMENDS THAT THE STATE’S REQUEST TO FREEZE LAGER’S ASSETS BE GRANTED.
The ECOT Man, thanks to his wildly generous campaign contributions, escaped public scrutiny of pupil enrollment audits for almost 2 decades and thus swindled the state in the amount of hundreds of millions. 
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 27:  THE TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DURING REGULAR SESSION AND 4 SPECIAL SESSIONS CALLED BY THE GOVERNOR TO APPROVE SCHOOL VOUCHERS VOTED TO DEFEAT THE VOUCHER PROPOSAL.
Rural Republican representatives were key in defeating the voucher proposal which went down 84-63.
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 22:  RESISTANCE TO SCHOOL PRIVATIZATION SCHEMES CROP UP IN ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN.
The face of school privatization includes vouchers and charter schools.  The Wisconsin privatization scheme in the form of charter schools and vouchers is being challenged in court. 
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 21:  ZACHARY SMITH, CLEVELAND.COM:  OHIO RANKS NEAR TOP OF STATES FOR SCHOOL VOUCHER SPENDING.
The Cleveland.com article published November 12 quotes a national pro-school voucher group spokesman as saying:  “Other states are seeing a sea of change in how we look at education and how we fund it going forward, and Ohio is on the tip of the spear for that.”
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 20 (PM):  TRANSFER OF STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION FUNCTIONS TO THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE MUST BE REVERSED.
The 1953 constitutional amendment which established the State Board of Education and Superintendent of Public Instruction was trampled underfoot by the legislature and Governor when HB33 (State Budget Bill) was signed into law in July. 
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 20:  THE PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN LIVING IN POVERTY AND THOSE WITH DISABILITIES AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS IS ON THE UPWARD TREND.
Department of Education data indicate that the percentage of children with disabilities, those living in poverty and English language learners have increased substantially since 2011.
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 17:  PRESENTATION GIVEN AT THE OSBA CAPITAL CONFERENCE REGARDING THE OHIO VOUCHER SCHEME.
A form of this presentation was given by William L. Phillis at the OSBA Capital Conference on November 15, 2023.
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 16:  WHEN THE PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM FALLS INTO THE HANDS OF THE RICH AND POWERFUL, WHAT NEXT “COMMONS” WILL FALL?
What other public institutions—shared natural resources, parks, water, public lands, air, society, etc., will fall to those with vast wealth?
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 15:  THE AURA OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS CONTROLLED BY PARTISAN POLITICS WHEN K12 EDUCATION IS EMBEDDED IN A GOVERNOR’S OFFICE.
From 1976 to 1992 I was an assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction during the time that the State Board of Education was an all-elected 4th branch of state government. 
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 14:  PLAINTIFFS FILED OBJECTIONS TO THE MAGISTRATE JUDGE’S DECISION TO ALLOW THE GOVERNOR TO TAKE OVER THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
Attached are a news release and the Plaintiff’s objection to a Magistrate Judge’s Decision on denying the Motion for a preliminary injunction. 
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 13:  UNIVERSAL VOUCHERS IN OHIO TRIGGER INCREASE IN PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION.
It is no secret that tuition costs in private schools are increasing in response to the universal voucher enactment.  Parents who were paying tuition can now receive a tax subsidy (voucher) which incentivizes private schools to increase tuition. 
Read the email here.

NOVEMBER 10:  FORT WORTH (TEXAS) AREA CLERGY AND ADVOCATES FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION SPEAK OUT AGAINST VOUCHERS AND FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION.
The attached opinion by some religious leaders in Texas is relevant to the EdChoice voucher litigation in Ohio. 
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 9:  A PUBLIC POLICY POLLING POLL SHOWS ONLY 13% SUPPORT FOR MOVING THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE.
A poll commissioned by David Pepper shows extremely low public support for the Governor’s office taking over the state functions for education.  In a statement to the Coalition, Pepper wrote:
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 8:  THE BIG LIE IN 1983 THAT PUT K12 EDUCATION POLICY ON A TRAJECTORY ENDING IN TOTAL CHAOS 40 YEARS LATER—THE NATION AT RISK REPORT.  JAMES HARVEY, A STAFFER FOR THE COMMISSION THAT PRODUCED THE REPORT REVEALS THE CHICANERY INVOLVED IN THAT SPECIOUS REPORT.
Background to Nation at Risk
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 7:  SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING PUBLIC FUNDS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, CHALLENGE THE VOUCHER PROGRAM IN SOUTH CAROLINA SUPREME COURT.
As the voucher fanaticism spreads across the nation, so do the lawsuits challenging them.  The October 26, 2023 report from Public Funds Public Schools—Public School Parents and Civil Rights and Educator Organizations Sue to Stop Unconstitutional Private School Voucher Program provides the litigation.
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 6:  WHAT’S WITH STATE OFFICIALS AND NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS ENDORSING SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES?
The first common school legislation in Ohio in the early 1820’s provided for the election of school directors (board members).  The concept was that local school communities would, on a nonpartisan basis, elect persons to manage public education affairs.
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 3:  PETER GREENE:  VOUCHERS ARE NOT RESCUING POOR STUDENTS FROM FAILING PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Peter Greene gets to the heart of the voucher scam.  Vouchers subsidize private school costs for families that were already in private schools.
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 2:  BEWARE OF THE 1776 PROJECT PAC
A mailer from the 1776 Project PAC endorsing certain board member candidates hit by home mailbox a few days ago.  This group is running hundreds of individuals for school boards across the nation.
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 1:  NETFLIX’S REED HASTINGS:  “GET RID OF ELECTED SCHOOL BOARDS”
Reed Hastings is not the first enemy of public school boards of education.  President Reagan was fond of stating that government is the problem.  His solution for education was vouchers.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 31:  VOUCHER EXPANSIONISTS TYPICALLY PROJECT LOWER COST ESTIMATES FOR VOUCHER EXPANSION THAN THE ACTUAL COST.
Voucher expansionists are either faulty estimators, or guilty of subterfuge.  This is the narrative in nearly every state in which vouchers are initiated or expanded.  
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 30:  JUDGE RULES THAT STATE LEVEL GOVERNANCE OF EDUCATION CAN RETURN TO THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE, NOTWITHSTANDING THAT OHIOANS, IN 1953, TRANSFERRED EDUCATION GOVERNANCE FROM THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION VIA A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
Article VI, section 4 was added to the Constitution in 1953 by the citizens of Ohio.  At that time, the governance of education was embedded in the governor’s office.  Ohioans passed a constitutional amendment to have education governed with the same model as used at the local level—citizens elected on a non-partisan basis to govern school districts.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 27:  SOME PRIVATE SCHOOL PARENTS RESIST THEIR SCHOOL’S REQUIREMENT THAT PARENTS ENROLL THEIR CHILDREN IN THE OHIO UNIVERSAL VOUCHER SCHEME.
Some private school parents have disclosed that they are openly resisting their private school’s policy that requires parents to use vouchers.  One such response is included below.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 26:  JEANNE MELVIN, PRESIDENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION PARTNERS DEVASTATES ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR OF THE STATE TAKEOVER OF STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION FUNCTIONS.
Jeanne Melvin gave permission to use the article. It was published by the Columbus Dispatch on October 22.  In the article, Ms. Melvin correctly points out that governors and legislators are subject to control by lobbyists who have much to gain by their influence peddling.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 25:  OCTOBER 19 COLUMBUS DISPATCH:  OHIO RETIREMENT SYSTEMS SEEKING A BOOST
The three largest Retirement Systems are eyeing the possibility of increasing the employer contribution from 14% to 18%.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 24: “SCIENCE OF READING” REQUIREMENT CHALLENGED IN COURT
The Governor recommended in his budget proposal that schools implement the “science of reading”.  The legislature included the recommendation in the state budget bill (HB33).  This legislation is being challenged in Franklin county Court of Common Pleas by The Reading Recovery Council of North America.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 23:  WHY WAS IT NECESSARY FOR THE STATE TO ENACT COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS?
The delegates to the 1850/1851 constitutional convention determined that the state must provide a thorough and efficient system of common schools but did not specify the length of the school year or establish compulsory attendance.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 20:  HB33 ELIMINATED REGULATIONS FOR HOMESCHOOLING, EVEN AS SCANT AS THEY WERE.
Homeschooling was legislated in Ohio about a quarter century ago with scant regulations.  Just as many conscientious homeschool parents have done an admirable job of educating their progeny, many others have merely gotten their children excused from compulsory school attendance.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 19:  ARIZONA GOVERNOR APPEALS TO OTHER STATE LEADERS TO BRING TO AN END THE “WASTEFUL, RUNAWAY SPENDING ON VOUCHERS.”
Arizona has been a hotbed all things private in K-12 education.  Arizona public officials, in cahoots with their school privatization comrades, are expanding school privatization to the point that some state officials opine that the state will become bankrupt.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 18:  FIVE YEARS AFTER THE ECOT CHARTER SCHOOL WAS FORCED TO CLOSE DUE TO GROSS FRAUD AND CORRUPTION, THE ECOT MAN, BILL LAGER, HAS NOT REPAID ONE CENT AND IS STILL RUNNING FREE.
The state has been trying to collect over one hundred million dollars from the ECOT Man for several years.  The state was able to document that he stole $60 million in one year.  But that is only one chapter in the ECOT book.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 17:  EDUCATION PRIVATIZERS CLEVERLY CHOOSE WORDS THAT MASK THEIR AGENDA
The education provisions in the Constitutions of the fifty states have faithfully led to the establishments of common school systems throughout the nation.  The combination of state and local funding has typically not been adequately and equitably sufficient to satisfy the requirement of the respective Constitutions. (The school funding system in at least 45 states has been litigated and often more than once.)
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 16:  A MESSAGE ABOUT VOUCHERS FROM A RURAL WOMAN IN MISSOURI
The Senate President in Ohio recently stated that he would be working toward public funds being provided for private school capital projects.  His interest, as stated, is to expand vouchers in rural areas where private schools are scarce. 
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 13:  JAN RESSEGER:  VOUCHER PROGRAM IS ALREADY EXCEEDING THE BUDGET.
Legislatures in states across the nation have enacted school voucher schemes even though such use of tax funds is unpopular among citizens.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 12:  TEXAS STATE LEGISLATOR DEBUNKS THE VOUCHER SCHEME.
The Texas Governor and Texas Senate have been attempting to pass a voucher scheme for several years.  The Texas House of Representatives, particularly the rural legislators, have been pushing back.  Representative James Talarico (District 50) provides a short, concise discourse that debunks the voucher scheme.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 11:  OHIO SENATE LAUNCHES AN ONLINE NEWSROOM TITLED:  ON THE RECORD—THE VIEWS THE NEWS EXCLUDES.
Senate GOP has initiated its own media according to a September 26 article in Cleveland.com.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 10:  BARRY ALCOCK, AN EDUCATION SERVICE CENTER (ESC) BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBER:  EXPONENTIAL GROWTH OF UNIVERSAL VOUCHERS WILL DRIVE PROPERTY TAX SKY HIGH.
Barry Alcock sent a letter to the Coalition with permission to use it.  A version of the letter was published in the September 24 Columbus Dispatch.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 9:  HB136 IN 2011, A GIGANTIC VOUCHER BILL INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MATT HUFFMAN, WOULD HAVE COST $849,958,076.
A December 1, 2011 report by the Education Tax Policy Institute indicated that the net cost of the Huffman bill 2011 would have been $849,958,076.  At that time, there was massive resistance to such assault on the public common school system. 
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 6:  APRIL 26, 1999 TIME MAGAZINE (PAGE 36):  A REPORT CARD ON VOUCHERS—IN CLEVELAND THE CONTROVERSIAL PROGRAM GETS MIXED REVIEWS.
The Cleveland voucher program was supposed to be a pilot project to determine if a program of tax-supported vouchers is good public policy.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 5:  FR. BOB:  “EXPANSION OF EDCHOICE IS A REMARKABLE GIFT TO ALL OF US HERE AT ST. BRENDAN…”
Ohio taxpayers are providing a “remarkable gift” to all the private schools of Ohio, both secular and religious.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 4:  PASTORS FOR TEXAS CHILDREN:  “…ALL GENUINE FAITH IS VOLUNTARY AND CANNOT BE PROPERLY ENDORSED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE.”
The Texas House of Representatives, due to strong opposition from rural legislators, has resisted vouchers for decades.  The Governor has appealed to religious leaders to use the pulpit on Sunday, October 15 to push vouchers; however, Pastors for Texas Children, as indicated in the September 19 Press Release stands in strong opposition to vouchers. 
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 3:  THE UNIVERSAL EDCHOICE VOUCHER SCHEME HURTS TAXPAYERS, SCHOOL CHILDREN, SCHOOL COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
he Ohio legislature in 1819 appointed the Common School Commission to study how schools supported by taxes should be set-up.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 2:  THE RESPONSE OF THE OHIO SENATE REGARDING THE SUIT TO STOP THE TRANSFER OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION FUNCTIONS TO THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE SUGGESTS THE JUDICIARY IS NOT RELEVANT.
A statement made by the President of the Senate published in the September 21 Columbus Dispatch dismisses the role of the judiciary in policy matters:  “They should know that the General Assembly and the Governor set policy, not them.  (It’s) another example of folks believing that courts, and not elected representatives of the people, should direct policy.”
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 29:  NO OHIO CITIZEN VIA TAXES PAID SHOULD BE FORCED TO SUPPORT RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS.
The 1802 Ohio Constitution in Article VIII, section 3 protects the right to worship according to the dictates of one’s conscience.  It also prevents one from being compelled to support or maintain any ministry against one’s consent.
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 28:  THE TRUE COST OF PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHER PROGRAMS—A FACT SHEET BY PUBLIC FUNDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Universal voucher programs start with a small enrollment and cost and then morph to unmanageable costs. 
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 27:  “IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU REGISTER FOR EDCHOICE FOR EACH OF YOUR STUDENTS”—PRINCIPAL OF HOLY FAMILY PAROCHIAL SCHOOL.
Reports on the ground indicate that private schools are pressuring families to sign-up for the EdChoice voucher scheme.  Attached is a letter to parents from a private school principal.  The tone of the letter is:  Sign-up now!
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 26:  WHY THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER SCHEME IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL–PART 3
Vouchers segregate the social order into enclaves of various economic, racial, ethnic, religious, social, political, and cultural groups.
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 25:  WHY THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER SCHEME IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL—PART 2
The legislature is mandated by the Constitution to secure a thorough and efficient system of common schools.
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 22:  WHY THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER SCHEME IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL—PART 1
In 1851, the people of Ohio gave the legislature the profound and majestic duty to secure, by taxation, a thorough and efficient system of common schools.  That duty has never been repealed or altered.
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 21:  IT REQUIRES A LOT OF ENERGY AND BIAS TO MISCONSTRUE THE DIRECTIVE OF ARTICLE VI, SECTION 2 OF THE OHIO CONSTITUTION.
Several Delegates to the 1850/1851 Constitutional Convention expressed consternation regarding the legislature’s neglect of the common school.  Thus, they composed language that was intended to force the state to secure, by taxation, a high-quality system of education throughout the state, and excluded tax funding for “religious or other sect, or sects”.
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 20:  MYTHS VS REALITIES REGARDING THE UNIVERSAL VOUCHER SCHEME
MYTH:  Vouchers are for poor children that need to be rescued from low-performing school districts.
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 19:  PRIVATE SCHOOLS RECEIVE VOUCHER FUNDS DIRECTLY FROM THE STATE
Remember when voucher money went to parents, and parents, in turn, turned the money over to the private schools?  That ruse was a foot-in-the-door tactic to lessen taxpayer resistance to vouchers. 
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 18:  SENATE PRESIDENT TO THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH REGARDING EXPANSION OF VOUCHERS:  “THIS PROGRAM WILL GROW; I THINK IT WILL GROW EXPONENTIALLY.”
The Senate President envisions exponential growth of the voucher program. 
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 15:  MISSISSIPPI’S INFRASTRUCTURE GRANTS TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS BEING CHALLENGED IN COURT
The President of the Ohio Senate recently made a public statement that he will be advocating for tax funding to help private schools build buildings.  
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 14:  UNIVERSAL VOUCHERS IS MERELY THE BEGINNING OF A FULL ASSAULT ON THE OHIO PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM.
The voucher schemers won the battle to make every student eligible for a voucher.  Many tax paying citizens may think that is the endgame of the school privatization crowd.  Not so.
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 13:  VOUCHER APPLICATIONS SURGE IN WAKE OF UNIVERSAL VOUCHERS IN OHIO
As of September 8, the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) reports that 70,487 EdChoice voucher applications have been submitted. ODE indicates that about 1000 applications are arriving every day. 
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 12:  HERE IS THE PROBLEM WITH THE UNIVERSAL VOUCHER NARRATIVE—EVERYONE LOSES.
The voucher extremists have hit their target—universal vouchers. 
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 11:  AMERICAN LEGISLATIVE EXCHANGE COUNCIL (ALEC), A “BILL MILL” WHICH PRODUCES “MODEL” ANTI-PUBLIC EDUCATION LEGISLATION FOR STATE LEGISLATURES THROUGHOUT THE NATION.
ALEC is a non-profit organization of conservative state legislators and private sector corporate representatives.  Hundreds and hundreds of corporations are involved in ALEC.Much of the privatization of public services legislation has ALEC’s fingerprints.
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 8:  MEDIA COVERAGE FROM THE COALITION’S SEPTEMBER 5 NEWS CONFERENCE
The Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding held a press conference September 5 to inform the public that the constitutional challenge to the EdChoice voucher program is going forward with full determination and expectation of winning in court, in spite of the bullying and intimidation tactics of some state political leaders.
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 7:  MAUREEN REEDY:  WITH UNIVERSAL VOUCHERS COMES UNIVERSAL BUSSING COSTS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
Maureen Reedy, former Ohio Teacher of the Year and member of the Public Education Partners (PEP) board had a letter to the editor published in the Columbus Dispatch on September 1. 
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 6:  CARDINAL INSTITUTE FOR WEST VIRGINIA:  PASSING UNIVERSAL EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS IS THE BASE CAMP.  DON’T MISTAKE IT FOR THE PEAK. (EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS = VOUCHERS)
Now that some states have authorized universal vouchers (and other states soon to follow), the voucher zealots have gone public with their originally-unstated purpose—replace the public common school with private schools funded by the taxpayers. 
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 5:  WHAT IS THE STATE’S PLAN TO MONITOR THE OFF-BEAT PRIVATE SCHOOLS THAT WILL BE STARTED IN THE WAKE OF UNIVERSAL VOUCHERS?
Money attracts some folks.  School vouchers in the hands of all parents of school age children will be happy hunting ground for speculators, organizations and corporations that want to make a buck or have a doctrinal, political or off-beat philosophical view to peddle. 
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 1:  BUSINESS AS USUAL IN THE CHARTER INDUSTRY:  FINDING FOR RECOVERY IN THE AMOUNT OF $543,478 ISSUED AGAINST A FORMER CHARTER SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT.
The charter school industry in Ohio has a dismal record of fraud and corruption.  ECOT has served as the north star of fraud and corruption in the Ohio charter industry; but rip-off of taxpayers, with students being the victims, is common place in charterville.  
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 31:  VOUCHER PROPOSAL MOVING IN UTAH LEGISLATURE EVEN THOUGH UTAH VOTERS REJECTED A 2007 VOUCHER LAW BY REFERENDUM.
Voucher zealots care not that a majority of citizens oppose the use of tax money for private education purposes.  They peddle their wares in Statehouses across the nation.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 30:  THE PURPOSE OF THE FIRST UNIVERSAL VOUCHER PROGRAM IN THE USA WAS TO STOP INTEGRATION OF BLACK AND WHITE STUDENTS AFTER THE US SUPREME COURT DECISION IN BROWN.
On June 26, 1959, Prince Edward County (Virginia) closed public schools to avoid desegregation.  The Prince Edward County Board of Education refused to fund public schools, which refusal continued for five years.
Read the full email here.

August 29:  National Alliance of Public Charter Schools (NAPCS) President and CEO:  The one common thing in the charter school movement is this notion that we wanted to reimagine public education and make it better.
In a recent interview with Education Week, Nina Reeves, President and CEO of NAPCS clearly argued that charter schools are public schools and that charters outperform traditional public schools.  Ms. Reeves must not be familiar with the Ohio charter industry.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 28:  THE MOVE TO UNIVERSAL VOUCHERS IN FLORIDA AND ARIZONA CAUSED HUGE EXPANSION.  OHIO SHOULD BE ON ALERT.
The universal voucher program in Florida increased voucher recipients 44% in one year—from 264,400 in 2022-23 to 382,000 in 2023-2024. In one Catholic school in Coral Gables, the vouchers increased from 160 to 560 in one year.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 25:  DIANE RAVITCH AUGUST 20 BLOG:  HOW VOUCHERS UNDERMINE DEMOCRACY
In her August 20 blog, Diane Ravitch passed on a quote from “Retired Teacher” that should gain the attention of Ohioans. 
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 24:  UNIVERSAL VOUCHERS:  LIKE THE ECOT FIASCO, COULD RESULT IN FRAUD AND IN BILLIONS OF PUBLIC DOLLARS BEING SPENT WITH NO ACCOUNTABILITY TO THOSE WHO FOOT THE BILL—OHIO TAXPAYERS.
The ECOT Man, William Lager stole at least a half billion from Ohio taxpayers.  He did this because he could. 
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 23:  A CONSEQUENCE OF UNIVERSAL VOUCHERS:  MOST PRIVATE SCHOOLS WILL SOLICIT EVERY DIME THAT CAN BE EXTRACTED FROM TAXPAYERS.
Fundraising from private sources is typically taxing; however, state officials have made tax funding effortless. 
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 22:  LEADERS OF RELIGIOUS PRIVATE SCHOOLS SEEKING (DEMANDING) PUBLIC FUNDS SHOULD REFLECT ON THE NARRATIVE OF JACOB AND ESAU IN THE OLD TESTAMENT.
Esau came back from a hunting trip very hungry.  
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 21:  WILL THE STATE VALIDATE THE LEVEL OF INCOME FOR THOSE WHO RECEIVE THE FULL VOUCHER AMOUNT?
Ohio’s universal voucher scheme provides a sliding scale of voucher funding for those whose family income is greater than 450% of the federal poverty level.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 18:  TAXPAYERS BEWARE!  IF THE FAMILIES OF BILL GATES, LES WEXNER, WARREN BUFFETT AND ALL THE BILLIONAIRES IN THE USA LIVED IN OHIO, THEY WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR OHIO TAX-FUNDED VOUCHERS.
Ohio taxpayers should be outraged with the Senate President-owned universal voucher scheme in Ohio.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 17:  HANNAH NEWS: INTEREST RUNS HIGH AS STATE PREPARES FOR UNIVERSAL EDCHOICE VOUCHERS.
A recent Hannah News article quotes an Ohio Department of Education official who indicates that interest in EdChoice vouchers has escalated. 
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 16:  EDUCATION LAW CENTER (ELC) IN NEW JERSEY AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS SUING OKLAHOMA TO STOP THE NATION’S FIRST RELIGIOUS CHARTER SCHOOL.
A church in Oklahoma secured approval from the state’s charter school authorizing organization to operate a charter school.  ELC, in partnership with three other organizations, will file suit against this authorization.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 15:  ISSUE 1, LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT BOUNDARIES, SCHOOL PRIVATIZATION AT TAXPAYERS’ EXPENSE, AND TRANSFER OF THE STATE EDUCATION AGENCY TO THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE ALL ORIGINATE FROM A PARTICULAR PHILOSOPHY OF GOVERNANCE WHICH IS MOST LIKELY CONTRARY TO A MAJORITY OF OHIOANS.
Some folks believe in democracy, fairness, justice, impartiality, and thus in the public good; others believe in privileged class, injustice, favoritism, and thus in private benefits to the point of diminishing the public good. 
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 14:  VOUCHER ADVOCATES/RECIPIENTS SEEK THEIR OWN ADVANTAGE; BY DOING SO THEY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE TAXPAYERS AND DETRACT FROM THE PUBLIC GOOD.
Those who seek their own advantage should do so by their own volition and expense.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 11:  STEVE DYER WEIGHS-IN ON THE ISSUE 1 DEFEAT.
Steve’s perspective on policy issues is always factual and persuasive.  His views regarding the defeat of Issue 1 provides a context.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 10:  OHIO’S SELF-ANOINTED RULING CLASS FAILED TO SLIP DAYLIGHT PAST THE ROOSTER WITH ISSUE 1.
Ohio’s gerrymandered legislative districts ensure there is no balance of power in the Ohio Statehouse.  Controlling State officials trample underfoot the Ohio Constitution.  
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 9:  FIRST ENERGY PAID (BRIBED) AN INDIVIDUAL IN THE AMOUNT OF $4.3 MILLION AND THEN SET THE STAGE FOR THAT INDIVIDUAL TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR TO HEAD THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF OHIO.  COULD THIS KIND OF FRAUDULENCE HAPPEN IN EDUCATION NOW THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS TRANSFERRED THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION FUNCTIONS TO THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE?
It is a fact of life that special interest groups can successfully lobby to secure government positions for their cronies who will, in turn, do their bidding.  First Energy’s $4.3 million bribe to an individual that the company would control is but one example.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 8:  WHAT WE LEARNED FROM FOLKS WHO ENGAGED US AT THE STATE FAIR BOOTH
The 12 day-run at the State Fair was revealing.  Folks from all walks of life attend the State Fair. 
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 7:  A CONSEQUENCE OF UNIVERSAL VOUCHERS IN ARIZONA:  NEW PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
We have previously predicted that universal vouchers in Ohio would attract a bevy of new private schools.  This is already happening in Arizona, Diane Ravitch’s August 2 Blog reports.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 4:  LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST APPROVAL OF OKLAHOMA’S FIRST RELIGIOUS CHARTER SCHOOLS
A religious group in Oklahoma received approval by the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board to operate a charter school.  This is being challenged in the Oklahoma County District Court. 
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 3:  REALLY?  A VOUCHER ADVOCATE SAID HE DIDN’T WANT VOUCHER MONEY BEING USED TO SUPPORT PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The voucher lobby (voucher supporters and their legislator lackeys) have been successful in completely confusing folks regarding state responsibility for public education.  Some folks pay little or no attention to state education policy issues and state responsibility for education; hence, they are susceptible to the propaganda of the privatization lobby.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 2:  OHIO’S SELF-ANOINTED AUTOCRAT IS OUT OF TOUCH WITH OHIOANS.
Those familiar with the political scene in Ohio know the name and position of the autocrat. He and the state officials he controls:
Read the full email here.

JULY 31:  COALITION/VOUCHERS HURT OHIO HAS A PRESENCE AT THE OHIO STATE FAIR
The Coalition/Vouchers Hurt Ohio has a booth in aisle 4000 in the Bricker building marketplace.  Those staffing the booth are providing the facts about how the voucher system is already hurting the public common school system.
Read the full email here.

JULY 28:  PRIVATE SCHOOLS THAT RECEIVE TAX SUPPORT FOR AUXILIARY SERVICES, NON-PUBLIC ADMINISTRATIVE COST REIMBURSEMENT AND VOUCHERS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW THE SAME RULES AS PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
During the past five decades, private schools have gone from no tax support to a significant dependence on tax support in terms of direct payments, transportation, and vouchers; and it appears there is more to come.
Read the full email here.

JULY 27:  AUDITOR OF STATE (AOS) SHOULD FOLLOW EVERY PUBLIC TAX DOLLAR WHEREVER IT GOES.
A former AOS said something to the effect he would follow every tax dollar wherever it went.  That is a great strategy for the AOS.
Read the full email here.

JULY 26:  SENATE PRESIDENT PULLING OUT ALL THE STOPS TO AVOID BEING DEPOSED IN THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER CASE.
The Senate President seems disturbed and even worried about the EdChoice voucher litigation.  During the state budget process, he told the media that the suit was filed merely as an attempt to influence the state budget.  Later, he was issued a subpoena issued by the Plaintiffs to sit for a deposition. 
Read the full email here.

JULY 25:  EDCHOICE VOUCHERS ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL BECAUSE RELIGIOUS SECTS VIA VOUCHERS CONTROL SCHOOL FUNDS.
Vouchers are funded from the state budget line-item appropriations assigned to education; hence, vouchers are unconstitutional. 
Read the full email here.

JULY 24:  MULTIPLE TAX-SUPPORTED EDUCATION ENTITIES MAKES K-12 EDUCATION GROSSLY FINANCIALLY-INEFFICIENT AND DIMINISHES QUALITY.
State funds are available to charter schools, private schools, homeschooling environments, and tutoring venues.
Read the full email here.

JULY 21:  UNIVERSAL VOUCHERS NOT ENOUGH FOR THE SENATE PRESIDENT.  HE WANTS TO PROVIDE STATE ASSISTANCE TO BUILD NEW BUILDINGS FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
A July 18 Columbus Dispatch article indicates that the Senate President is mulling over a plan to provide tax assistance to private schools for buildings. 
Read the full email here.

JULY 20:  UNIVERSAL VOUCHERS PUT SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN A NO-WIN SITUATION
The universal voucher system in Ohio was incubated in Cleveland, Ohio by some clever politicians and political campaign funders. 
Read the full email here.

JULY 19:  SENATE PRESIDENT IS REFERENCED IN THE JULY 17 GONGWER AS SAYING THAT THE STATE BUDGET (HB33) MAKES THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER SUIT MOOT. THAT IS POLITICAL BLATHER.
A few months ago the Senate President made a pronouncement that the only reason the plaintiffs filed the EdChoice voucher lawsuit was to influence the budget process. This, of course, was wishful thinking on the part of the Senate President. 
Read the full email here.

JULY 18:  STEVE DYERS’ JULY 10 10TH PERIOD–TAXPAYERS TO SUBSIDIZE PRIVATIZE SCHOOL TUITIONS AT GREATER RATE THAN URBAN PUBLIC SCHOOL CHILDREN.
Steve Dyer, a former legislator, was the prime architect of the Evidence-Based School Funding model during the Strickland administration.  
Read the full email here.

JULY 17:  STATE BUDGET POLICY TOUGH ON DISTRICTS THAT HAVE PROBLEMS IN TRANSPORTING STUDENTS TO CHARTER AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS
Never mind the complexities of student transportation routing.  Never mind the difficulties in hiring bus drivers.  Never mind the transportation needs of school district students.  The state will be imposing gargantuan fines on school districts that are unable to meet specified time limits. 
Read the full email here.

JULY 14:  POLICY MATTERS OHIO JULY 5 PRESS RELEASE REGARDING THE STATE BUDGET:  LEGISLATORS SQUANDER GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY.
The State budget for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 favors the private sector over the public sector (the folks).  The plunder of the commons seems to be the trend.
Read the full email here.

JULY 13:  JAN RESSEGER:  OPPORTUNITY HOARDING IN THE OHIO BUDGET…WITH PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING THE MOST IMPORTANT EXCEPTION.
Jan Resseger relates the new Ohio budget for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 to a chapter in Princeton University sociologist, Matthew Desmond’s new book, Poverty, by America.  She quotes from the chapter, “How We Buy Opportunity”: 
Read the full email here.

JULY 12:  THE TRANSFER OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION FUNCTIONS TO THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.  THIS ILLEGAL ACT WILL TRANSFORM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION INTO A POLITICAL BODY WHEREIN PROFESSIONALISM IS TRUMPED BY POLITICAL FAVORITISM.
The following excerpt is from the 1989 publication—Milestones:  A History of the State Board of Education of Ohio, 1956-1989 (page 1): 
Read the full email here.

JULY 11:  HB33 STRIPS THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF ITS PRIMARY POWERS AND DUTIES, CONTRARY TO ARTICLE VI SECTION 4 OF THE OHIO CONSTITUTION.
The transfer of the State Board of Education functions is unconstitutional.  Additionally, the 135^th General Assembly and Governor violated the single purpose clause (One-Subject) provision of the Ohio Constitution. 
Read the full email here.

JULY 10:  EDCHOICE VOUCHER FUNDING INCREASED BY 76.7% IN THE STATE BUDGET (HB33)
The expanded eligibility for private school vouchers and the increase in voucher amount will require $826 million in state funds over the next two fiscal years.  The ubiquitous voucher eligibility scheme, along with an increase in voucher dollar amount to $8407 for high school students and $6165 for K-8 students, will extract a boatload of money traditionally reserved for public school students. 
Read the full email here.

JULY 7:  CHARTER SCHOOL EQUITY SUPPLEMENT INCREASED TO $650 PER PUPIL AND CHARTER SCHOOL FACILITIES PAYMENTS INCREASED TO $1000 IN HB33.  THESE PROVISIONS WILL ENRICH THE CHARTER FOR-PROFIT OPERATORS.
The charter school lobby has been successful in expanding basic per pupil funding.  Additionally, charter schools will receive $650 per pupil per year in “equity supplement”.   
Read the full email here.

JULY 6:  THE NEW OHIO UNIVERSAL VOUCHER SCHEME WILL HEAP HARM ON THE PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL IMMEDIATELY AND EVENTUALLY ON THE PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
The public common school system is the choice the state is required to fund pursuant to the Ohio Constitution. The universal vouchers scheme is the choice of the Senate President, his comrades in high places, and his fellow congregants who share his passion for the use of public tax dollars for religious instruction in private schools. 
Read the full email here.

JULY 5:  VOUCHERS FOR GHOST STUDENTS IN THE PUBLICLY-FUNDED PRIVATE VOUCHER SCHOOLS WILL INFEST THE UNIVERSAL VOUCHER SCENE.
Ghost students are a part of the largely unregulated charter school industry. In a report dated 10/31/2008 by Scripps Howard News Service, Ohio taxpayers were paying millions of dollars every month to serve tens of thousands of charter school students who rarely or never showed up for classes. 
Read the full email here.

JULY 3:  TEACH FOR AMERICA (TFA) STILL RECEIVING $4 MILLION IN STATE BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS IN SPITE OF DWINDLING NUMBERS OF “TEACHERS”, HUGE ASSETS AND THEIR REBRANDING EFFORTS.
TFA is a darling of the corporate world that supports so-called education reform efforts. Teach for America, in 2019, had $460,149,310 in total assets. 
Read the full email here.

JUNE 30:  IF THE SENATE PRESIDENT HAD A NEED FOR INFORMATION/DATA ABOUT SCHOOL DISTRICT EXPENDITURES FOR THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER LITIGATION, THE LEGISLATIVE SERVICE COMMISSION, NOT THE AUDITOR OF STATE SHOULD HAVE BEEN REQUESTED TO SEEK THE INFORMATION/DATA.
“The Legislative Service Commission (LSC) is a nonpartisan agency providing the Ohio General Assembly with drafting, research, budget and fiscal analysis, training, and other services. LSC was created in 1953, primarily to conduct studies of legislative issues during the interim periods between legislative sessions.”
Read the full email here.

JUNE 29:  JUDGE DENIES THE BOGGS INTERVENORS’ MOTION TO QUASH THE SUBPOENAS THE COALITION ISSUED TO 42 PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
Coalition attorneys issued subpoenas to 42 private schools seeking information relevant to the EdChoice voucher case. 
Read the full email here.

JUNE 28:  AUDITOR OF STATE (AOS) VIA THE ILLEGAL AND OBNOXIOUS TRANSPARENCY OF THE USE OF PUBLIC RESOURCES SURVEY HAS CAUSED SOME SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFICIALS ANGST REGARDING LITIGATION EXPENDITURES.
That a school district can spend funds to sue the state individually or as a group is a no-brainer. Districts, individually and collectively, have done so on a regular basis.
Read the full email here.

JUNE 27:  SUSAN KAESER:  OHIO SENATE’S ‘AFFORDABLE’ EDUCATION APPROACH MEANT BOLSTERING PRIVATE SCHOOL AID WHILE HINDERING PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The June 25 Guest Column in the Cleveland Plain Dealer by Susan Kaeser uniquely describes how the Senate version of the State Budget shifts state funds to private school vouchers, hence increasing the property tax burden of school district residents. 
Read the full email here.

JUNE 26:  AUDITOR OF STATE WEAPONIZES THE OFFICE TO HARASS AND INTIMIDATE SCHOOL TREASURERS REGARDING THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER LAWSUIT.
The President of the Ohio Senate and the Auditor of State teamed-up to harass and intimidate school treasurers.  First, the State Auditor sent a “survey” to all Ohio school treasurers to request information on payments made to the Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding/Vouchers Hurt Ohio.  (The data is available at the Coalition treasurer’s office on spreadsheets.)  
Read the full email here.

JUNE 23:  AUDITOR OF STATE REPORTS TO THE OHIO SENATE REGARDING THE TRANSPARENCY OF THE USE OF PUBLIC RESOURCES SURVEY (HARASSMENT OF SCHOOL TREASURERS AND INTIMIDATION OF MEMBERS OF THE E&A COALITION/VOUCHERS HURT OHIO)
State Auditor Faber, in a June 16 report (attached) to members of the Ohio Senate, indicated the results of the “survey”. 
Read the full email here.

JUNE 22:  THE FUNDING PROJECTIONS FOR OHIO UNIVERSAL VOUCHERS WILL TURN OUT TO BE A HOAX
Once upon a time in the last decade of the 20^th century, two Ohio voucher zealots—a governor and an Akron industrialist—wanted each Ohio child to become eligible for a private school voucher. 
Read the full email here.

JUNE 21:  JAN RESSEGER’S 10 REASONS WHY THE HUFFMAN VOUCHER EXPLOSION IS SO DANGEROUS
Jan Resseger’s June 15 blog sounds 10 alarms regarding the Huffman voucher frenzy.  As one considers these alarms, one is alerted that the very fabric of Ohio communities and the state will be ripped apart.  The endgame is tribalism.
Read the full email here.

JUNE 20:  OHIO SENATE PRESIDENT AND AUDITOR OF STATE (AOS) OUT OF CONTROL. 
School districts have the right to litigate. The Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding has the right to litigate. The DeRolph school funding case, as well as hundreds of other cases, is clear proof that school districts have legal authority to challenge the state in the state court system.
Read the full email here.

JUNE 19:  UPDATE ON THE HARASSMENT AND ATTEMPTED INTIMIDATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICT TREASURERS BY THE AUDITOR OF STATE (AOS)
On May 22 the AOS sent a “survey” to school districts regarding the funds they have spent in the EdChoice voucher lawsuit.  The AOS asked the districts to reply by June 4.  Those districts that didn’t reply received a follow-up request dated June 6. 
Read the full email here.

JUNE 16:  THE SENATE VERSION OF THE STATE BUDGET SHOWS CONTEMPT FOR THE PEOPLE’S GOVERNING DOCUMENT.
Universal vouchers, in violation of Article VI, Section2 of the Ohio Constitution, and transfer of the core duties and responsibilities of the State Board of Education to the Governor’s office, in violation of the 1953 constitutional amendment to establish a State Board of Education (Article VI, Section4, are prime examples of the Senate’s disregard for the will of a majority of Ohioans.
Read the full email here.

JUNE 15:  THE SCHOOL PRIVATIZERS OFTEN HAVE NO GRASP OF THE EFFICACY OF THE PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL AND ARE PUSHING STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS TO SCRAP THE PUBLIC GOOD CREATED BY THE PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL.
In the 18^th and 19^th centuries, citizens of the nation struggled with the political decision of how best to educate youth for the fulfillment of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and the preservation of democracy.  
Read the full email here.

JUNE 14:  WHAT OHIOANS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SCHOOL FUNDING AND TAX FUNDS GOING TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS BY WAY OF DIRECT PAYMENTS AND SCHOOL VOUCHERS.
The Ohio Supreme Court, 26 years ago (March 24, 1997) declared the Ohio school funding system unconstitutional.
Read the full email here.

JUNE 13:  SUSAN KAESER, EDUCATION SPECIALIST, LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, PROVIDES DATA THAT SHOW HOW VOUCHERS HURT RURAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
Susan Kaeser, in an exhaustive data collection and study, reviewed statewide enrollment data in public, charter, and private schools.  She concludes that under the current voucher funding arrangements, rural students in public schools are the biggest losers. 
Read the full email here.

JUNE 12:  DARREL ROWLAND, ABC6 (WSYX6) AND FOX28 NEWS TWEETS ABOUT VOUCHERS
Darrel Rowland, a former Columbus Dispatch reporter, public affairs editor and senior editor, gleaning data from Howard Fleeter’s  June 2023 Policy Brief on Vouchers in Ohio, in a series of Tweets, sheds light on the trend in income level of voucher users. 
Read the full email here.

JUNE 9:  JAN RESSEGER’S JUNE 6 BLOG:  WHAT WILL IT MEAN IF THE OHIO LEGISLATURE SACRIFICES THE FAIR SCHOOL FUNDING PLAN FOR A MASSIVE EXPANSION OF PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHERS?
Jan Resseger suggests a startling response to the question posed in her June 6 blog title.  Near the end of the blog she quotes from Benjamin Barber’s 2007 book, Consumed:  How Markets Corrupt Children, Infantilize Adults and Swallow Citizens Whole:  “Privatization is a kind of reverse social contract: it dissolves the bonds that tie us together into free communities and democratic republics.” 
Read the full email here.

JUNE 8:  THE “TRANSPARENCY” PROBE OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS SUPPORTING THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER LAWSUIT BY THE AUDITOR OF STATE (AOS) IS HARASSMENT IN VIOLATION OF SECTION 2921.03 ORC.  THE AOS SHOULD BE CONSISTENT AND PROBE HOW PRIVATE SCHOOLS HAVE RECEIVED NEARLY $1.7 BILLION IN DIRECT STATE PAYMENTS AND VOUCHERS.
The Senate President requested the AOS to “survey” school districts to determine the amount that each district has paid the Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding for the EdChoice voucher litigation.  (That would be for fiscal years 2021, 2022, and 2023)
Read the full email here.

JUNE 7:  VOUCHERS FAIL IN THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE.  RURAL REPUBLICANS AND URBAN DEMOCRATS DERAILED THE TEXAS VOUCHER TRAIN—A LESSON FOR OHIO
Dianne Ravitch’s May 28 blog provides commentary on how the universal voucher legislation was defeated in Texas. Ohio needs a similar plan.
Read the full email here.

JUNE 6:  OHIO FEDERATION OF TEACHERS (OFT) CHALLENGES AUDITOR OF STATE (AOS) FOR “INVESTIGATING” SCHOOL DISTRICTS REGARDING THEIR FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER LAWSUIT AND REQUESTS THE AOS TO INVESTIGATE THE USE OF PUBLIC MONEY BY KIPP (COLUMBUS) CHARTER SCHOOL IN UNION-BUSTING ACTIVITIES.
The attached press release indicates OFT’s support for member school districts’ use of funds to help with the EdChoice voucher litigation and decries the State Auditor’s investigation of school districts for participating in the litigation. 
Read the full email here.

JUNE 5:  JAN RESSEGER:  OHIO PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING LOOKS PRECARIOUSLY INSECURE AS OHIO SENATE DEBATES THE STATE BUDGET
Jan Resseger’s May 30 blog sets forth a trail of actions and statements by some Senate leaders that indicate their reticence to embrace the Cupp/Patterson Fair School Funding Plan.  They will use any excuse for not supporting the plan. Jan states:
Read the full email here.

JUNE 2:  SENATE PRESIDENT SAYS SENATE VERSION OF THE STATE BUDGET WILL PROVIDE A PREDICTABLE AND MORE SUSTAINABLE FRAMEWORK FOR SCHOOL FUNDING THAN THE CUPP/PATTERSON FAIR SCHOOL FUNDING PLAN.
A report in a recent Hannah News indicates the Senate President’s skepticism of the Cupp/Patterson Fair School Funding Plan.  The Senate President told Hannah News, “We are drafting a school funding plan that I believe will be sustainable and predictable and fully fund the operations for all the K-12 education in the state of Ohio…”
Read the full email here.

JUNE 1:  COLUMBUS DISPATCH COLUMNIST THOMAS SUDDES WEIGHS IN ON THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER LITIGATION MATTER.
In his May 28 Dispatch column, Suddes contrasts the Cleveland Metropolitan School District voucher program included in the 1995-1997 state budget with the scope and amount of the current voucher scheme.  He points to the Ohio Constitution’s stance on public money going to religious private schools:
Read the full email here.

MAY 31:  COALITION/VOUCHERS HURT OHIO ATTORNEY:  STATE AUDITOR’S “SURVEY” TO COLLECT DATA ON LITIGATION EXPENSES IS CONTEMPTUOUS AND CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR.
The Senate President requested the Auditor of State to survey school districts to gather and report on the use of public funds in support of the EdChoice voucher lawsuit.  THAT DATA CAN BE FOUND ON THE VHO WEBSITE. 
Read the full email here.

MAY 30:  CHARTER SCHOOL ZEALOTS WERE SUCCESSFUL IN SECURING LOCAL PROPERTY TAX FUNDS FOR CHARTERS IN INDIANA.  WILL OHIO BE NEXT?
At first, charter school militants just wanted an opportunity to demonstrate creativity, innovation, and better education at low cost.  Charters have failed on all counts.
Read the full email here.

MAY 26:  STATE OFFICIALS COULD BE IN BIG TROUBLE OVER THE STATE AUDITOR’S SURVEY “TO GATHER INFORMATION AND PROVIDE GREATER TRANSPARENCY.”
Some state officials seem to be extremely agitated regarding the EdChoice voucher litigation and may have recently dove into a pool loaded with legal liabilities as they attempt to defeat the case outside the court room.
Read the full email here.

MAY 25:  AUDITOR OF STATE CONDUCTING A SURVEY OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO DETERMINE AMOUNT PAID FOR EDCHOICE VOUCHER LITIGATION—INTIMIDATION!—WHICH IS ILLEGAL ACCORDING TO ORC SECTION 2921.03
The Auditor’s survey to school treasurers indicated that the General Assembly requested it.  It turns out that the request was from the Senate President, period. 
Read the full email here.

MAY 24:  CAUSALITY OF THE MAY 17, 1954 U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION IN BROWN, ECONOMIST MILTON FRIEDMAN’S SCHOOL VOUCHER PLAN, SEGREGATION AND THE CURRENT POLITICAL VOUCHER FERVOR.
Sixty-nine years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court in the landmark decision, Brown v Board of Education, ruled segregation of races in public schools denies minority children the equal protection of law guaranteed by the 14^th Amendment; hence de jure (legally allowable) segregation had to be eliminated. 
Read the full email here.

MAY 23:  THE OHIO CONSTITUTION IS BECOMING A DEAD LETTER TO RECENT OHIO GOVERNORS AND LEGISLATURES.
Political leaders in Ohio are becoming like China’s political leaders regarding the Constitution. China’s Constitution is a dead letter. 
Read the full email here.

MAY 22:  OHIO SENATE MOVING TOWARD A UNIVERSAL VOUCHERS SCHEME WITH A MEANS TESTING PROVISION.
Means testing:  process of assessing the financial eligibility of individuals applying to receive public funds.
Read the full email here.

MAY 19:  VOUCHERS:  OUR TAX MONEY OR THEIR (VOUCHER PARENTS’) MONEY?  OUR TAX MONEY IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A REBATE TO INDIVIDUALS FOR VOUCHERS. 
The voucher champions proffer talking points such as:
Read the full email here.

MAY 18:  SENATE PRESIDENT’S RESPONSE TO 43 URBAN DISTRICTS’ LETTER ASKING THE LEGISLATURE TO GIVE PRIORITY TO FUNDING PUBLIC SCHOOLS OVER PRIVATES.
A May 10 article in Cleveland.com by Laura Hancock points to a letter written by 43 urban school districts requesting the legislature to give priority to funding for public schools and calling for accountability requirements for private schools.  The response of the Senate President is included in the article.
Read the full email here.

MAY 17:  1850/1851 OHIO CONSTITUTION PROVIDED THE MANDATE FOR THE THOROUGH AND EFFICIENT COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM—2023 LEGISLATION UNRAVELS THIS CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION.
The Ohio Constitution requires the State to secure a thorough and efficient system of common schools (Article VI, section 2).
Read the full email here.

MAY 16:  SCHOOL VOUCHERS FOUGHT OVER IN OHIO LEGISLATURE, COURTS BY TOM JACKSON
A lengthy article by Tom Jackson of Ogden Ohio Newspapers provides a perspective on the voucher debate. 
Read the full email here.

MAY 15:  SOME STATEMENTS A REPRESENTATIVE OF AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY (AFP) MADE DURING A HEARING IN THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE AS REPORTED IN THE MAY 5 GONGWER NEWS SERVICE—SOME INTERESTING; SOME DOLTISH; SOME ANTI-E PLURIBUS UNUM.
Universal eligibility is not intended to benefit just the disadvantaged:  This statement is antithetical to the original voucher advocacy plea, “rescue poor kids from low performing districts.”
Read the full email here.

MAY 12:  AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY FLOODING MAILBOXES WITH VOUCHER PROMOTION PROPAGANDA.
Americans for Prosperity, a fiery voucher crusader is mailing multiple slick flyers full of nonsense designed to undermine public confidence in the public common school system. 
Read the full email here.

MAY 11:  SENATE PRESIDENT RESISTS BEING DEPOSED IN THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER LAWSUIT
The Ohio Attorney General has filed a Motion to Quash a subpoena issued to the Senate President by the plaintiffs in the EdChoice voucher lawsuit. 
Read the full email here.

MAY 10:  SENATE PRESIDENT:  THE TRANSFER OF THE PRIMARY DUTIES OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE AND EXPANSION OF VOUCHERS MAY END UP IN THE STATE BUDGET BILL (HB33)
An article in the April 27 Gongwer News Service indicates that Senate President Huffman declared that inclusion of SB1 (a reversal of the will of the people in the 1953 Constitutional amendment) in the State Budget (HB33) is “a real possibility.”
Read the full email here.

MAY 9:  A KOCH FAMILY BANKROLLED GROUP—AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY-OH—IS MAILING A VOUCHER PROMOTIONAL FLYER TO OHIOANS.
The super wealthy Koch family has a long history of initiating and bankrolling organizations and campaigns devoted to the privatization of government services, particularly education. Americans for Prosperity is among those groups the Koch family bankroll.
Read the full email here.

MAY 8:  PRIVATE SCHOOLS THAT ACCEPT PUBLIC MONEY SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO ALL THE REGULATIONS IMPOSED ON TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Private school leaders that believe they are entitled to and accept increasing allocations of public funds without being subject to expanded public transparency and accountability measures are being somewhat naive. 
Read the full email here.

MAY 5:  DENIS SMITH:  VOUCHERS AREN’T ABOUT EDUCATION AND FREEDOM, BUT THEY ARE ABOUT DISUNION.
Denis Smith, retired educator/administrator/consultant in ODE’s charter school office often writes about education issues.  On May 1 the Ohio Capital Journal published his article regarding how the voucher scheme unravels the fabric of the social order. 
Read the full email here.

MAY 4:  SENATOR SANDRA O’BRIEN’S APRIL 10 GUEST COLUMN IN SUPPORT OF THE UNIVERSAL VOUCHER BILL (SB11) PUBLISHED IN THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH IS LONG ON ORATORY, BUT AMAZINGLY SHORT ON LEGAL AND LOGICAL SUBSTANCE.
The column consists of many of the current talking points of national and state-level pro-voucher militants.  Possibly the Senator is unaware that the goal of the voucher militants is to privatize the whole public common school system.
Read the full email here.

MAY 3:  RESPONSE TO AN APRIL 5 COLUMBUS DISPATCH GUEST COLUMN BY A STATE REPRESENTATIVE SUPPORTING THE TRANSFER OF THE POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE.
This response provides information that can be used to resist the misinformation some state officials spread in support of House Bill 12 and Senate Bill 1.
Read the full email here.

MAY 2:  OPPOSITION TO VOUCHERS TESTIMONY BY DAN HEINTZ, BOARD MEMBER AND TEACHER
The attached testimony was presented to the House Education Committee by Dan Heintz on April 25.  The emphasis of his testimony is on transparency, accountability and outcomes.
Read the full email here.

MAY 1:  DIANE RAVITCH’S APRIL 21 BLOG FEATURING A TIME MAGAZINE ARTICLE:  HOW VOUCHER PROGRAMS HURT STUDENTS.
State legislatures across the nation are enacting school voucher programs at the expense of public common schools in spite of the research that show the failure of such programs.
Read the full email here.

APRIL 28:  THE SCHOOL PRIVATIZERS ARE TAKING STATE FUNDS FROM PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS—NOW THEY WANT LOCAL TAX DOLLARS.
The Columbus Dispatch article (for subscribers online),  “Universal School Vouchers: Can Ohio Afford the Cost Without Using Local Property Taxes?” refers to comments made by school privatizers who say that local tax dollars might be necessary for the long-term fiscal health of the state if lawmakers are serious about universal vouchers. 
Read the full email here.

APRIL 27:  UNIVERSAL VOUCHER PROGRAMS BEING ENACTED IN OTHER STATES WITHOUT A CLUE AS TO THE COST.  WILL OHIO BE NEXT?
Florida and Arizona have universal voucher programs.  Analyses of the cost vary widely in each state.  The Legislative Service Commission in Ohio estimates the initial cost of a universal voucher system in Ohio to be $1.13 billion. 
Read the full email here.

APRIL 26:  A UNIVERSAL VOUCHER SYSTEM WILL DEVASTATE THE REPUTABLE PRIVATE SCHOOLS AS WELL AS THE CONSTITUTIONALLY-REQUIRED PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM.
The eligibility to collect a wad of public tax money for some kind of schooling will be appealing to both the folks who have a penchant toward private education and those who are enticed by the thought of receiving a pot of tax money.
Read the full email here.

APRIL 25:  DIANE RAVITCH’S APRIL 19 BLOG—SECRETARY CARDONA, NAEP PROFICIENT IS NOT GRADE LEVEL!
The attached blog is worthy of reading and further distribution.
Read the full email here.

APRIL 24:  JAN RESSEGER, IN HER APRIL 18 BLOG IDENTIFIES FOUR CURRENT RESOURCES THAT WILL BE HELPFUL IN RESISTING VOUCHERS
The resources cited by Jan Resseger are compelling.  Those willing to engage state officials in a discussion of the voucher issue need to be well-informed. 
Read the full email here.

APRIL 21:  THE CURRENT HOUSE VERSION OF THE STATE BUDGET PROPOSAL (HB33) OUTDOES THE GOVERNOR’S RECOMMENDATION FOR VOUCHER EXPANSION.
The Governor recommended in his state budget proposal that voucher income eligibility be raised from 250% of federal poverty level to 400%. 
Read the full email here.

APRIL 20:  THE HISTORY OF EDUCATION IN OHIO SUPPORTS THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER LITIGATION
Ohio has a rich public education history which bolsters the claims that are being put forward in the EdChoice voucher lawsuit.
Read the full email here.

APRIL 19:  PUBLIC FUNDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS (PFPS) APRIL 20, 2:00 PM WEBINAR ON “THE FISCAL CONSEQUENCES OF PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHERS”
Voucher advocates often argue that school districts don’t sustain a financial loss when district students take vouchers. 
Read the full email here.

APRIL 18:  PRESIDENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION PARTNERS (PEP) JEANNE MELVIN: STATE BUDGET FOCUS ON CHARTER SCHOOLS HURTS PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The attached article by Jeanne Melvin was published in a major newspaper; however, she sent her article to us with permission to publish. Her exposure of the fraudulent, for-profit charter school industry is quite appalling.
Read the full email here.

APRIL 17:  AN OHIO SENATOR, “BUT FOR THOSE PARENTS WHO WANT THEIR TAX DOLLARS TO FOLLOW THEIR CHILDREN, LET’S GIVE THEM THE FREEDOM TO DO SO.”  IS A NEW THEORY OF TAXATION EMERGING?
General taxation is a compulsory levy on an individual or a taxable entity for government expenditures.  Major forms of taxation are collected for the welfare of taxpayers as a whole.  The individual taxpayer liability is independent of any benefit received.
Read the full email here.

APRIL 14:  THE SENATE BILL 11 (THE UNIVERSAL VOUCHER BILL) SPONSOR EXTOLLS THE VIRTUES OF TAKING FUNDS AWAY FROM THE PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM TO FUND VOUCHERS.
In a Guest Column published in an online version of The Columbus Dispatch, the sponsor of SB11 supports the perception that parents and students deserve the choice of a private education at public expense. 
Read the full email here.

APRIL 13:  PETER GREENE’S “VOUCHERS RESTORE DISCRIMINATION AND SEGREGATION” ARTICLE VIA DIANE RAVITCH’S APRIL 11 BLOG.
EdChoice vouchers in Ohio advance segregation. 
Read the full email here.

APRIL 12:  WHO WILL BENEFIT MOST FROM A UNIVERSAL VOUCHER SYSTEM?  NOT LOW INCOME PEOPLE. NOT PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS.
The big winners in the universal voucher game will be high income folks, particularly those who are already paying tuition to private schools. 
Read the full email here.

APRIL 11:  APRIL-MAY 2023 EDITION OF OHIO SCHOOLS MAGAZINE FEATURES DAN HEINTZ’ INVOLVEMENT IN PUBLIC EDUCATION ADVOCACY AND THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER CASE
Dan Heintz is a history teacher in Chardon Local School District and a board member in Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District.  He serves on the Steering Committee of the Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding.  As an enthusiastic education professional and advocate, he was interviewed for a feature article in the April-May 2023 OEA Ohio Schools magazine. 
Read the full email here.

APRIL 10:  DAN HEINTZ (TEACHER IN ONE DISTRICT AND BOARD MEMBER IN ANOTHER DISTRICT):  TWO GENERATIONS NEGLECTED BY OHIO’S GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Dan Heintz sent his article—Two Generations Neglected by Ohio’s State Legislature—with his permission to publish it in this post. 
Read the full email here.

APRIL 7:  CHARTER SCHOOLS AND VOUCHERS ARE OBVIOUSLY NOT THE SOLUTION TO THE UNDERFUNDED COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM.
In 1997 the Ohio Supreme Court ruled Ohio’s elementary and secondary schools are neither thorough nor efficient; hence, unconstitutional. 
Read the full email here.

APRIL 6:  RURAL GEORGIA REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS DOOM VOUCHER BILL
Rural Georgia Republican legislators are protecting their rural public schools.  They warded-off lobbying by the Governor and pro-voucher groups, voting down a voucher bill, as indicated in the attached article.
Read the full email here.

APRIL 5:  THE RIPPLE EFFECT IN OHIO POLITICS RESULT IN EDUCATION POLICIES OUT OF SYNC WITH A MAJORITY OF OHIOANS.
Vouchers don’t poll well in any state.  Recently a poll in Oklahoma indicated that 74% were not in favor of vouchers.  In no state has a voucher scheme passed in a statewide election.  Notwithstanding, legislatures across the nation are cramming vouchers down the throats of folks.
Read the full email here.

APRIL 4:  JAN RESSEGER:  OHIO’S PROPOSED INCOME TAX CUT FOR THE RICH WOULD IMPOSE A $929 MILLION PROPERTY TAX INCREASE ON OHIO’S HOMEOWNERS AND FARMERS.
Relying heavily on data provided by Ohio’s school finance guru Howard Fleeter, Jan Resseger shows how HB1 will increase property tax by nearly one billion dollars. 
Read the full email here.

APRIL 3:  IN THE WORLD OF UNIVERSAL VOUCHERS, WHO PAYS FOR EDUCATION AND WHO CONTROLS THE FUNDS?
The battle cry of universal voucherists is that students should be funded directly by the state to shop for education.  They contend that parents/students are entitled to tax funds for private choice of education.
Read the full email here.

MARCH 31:  MATT ZALAZNICK:  ARE STUDENTS SUCCEEDING WHEN THEY CHOOSE VOUCHERS TO LEAVE PUBLIC SCHOOL?
Zalaznick shows via recent research in Ohio and two other states that voucher students are served less well than public school students.
Read the full email here.

MARCH 30:  FORMER OHIO TEACHER OF THE YEAR MAUREEN REEDY:  THE “PUBLIC” MUST BE PUT BACK INTO PUBLIC EDUCATION.
Maureen Reedy is a passionate advocate of public education.  She taught in a suburban school district for 30 years.  Her appeal is for all to support the voucher litigation. 
Read the full email here.

MARCH 29:  SCHOOL PRIVATIZATION ADVOCATES ARE REDEFINING PUBLIC EDUCATION AS ANY EDUCATION PROGRAM THAT RECEIVES TAX MONEY.
All states in the nation have constitutional provisions requiring their respective legislatures to establish and support a system of public education open to all students.  In Ohio, the state is responsible to secure a thorough and efficient system of common schools. 
Read the full email here.

MARCH 28:  OHIO SEEMS TO BE ON THE CUSP OF ADOPTING A UNIVERSAL VOUCHER SCHEME—JOINING FOUR OTHER STATES WITH THE SAME ANTI-PUBLIC EDUCATION GAME PLAN.
Many Ohio politicians are drinking the Kool-Aid of the universal voucher scheme. 
Read the full email here.

MARCH 27:  OHIO EDUCATOR AND ADMINISTRATOR, T.J. GLASSMEYER:  FULLY FUND THE FAIR SCHOOL FUNDING PROGRAM, FUND VOUCHERS FROM ANOTHER POT OF MONEY, AND HOLD PRIVATE SCHOOLS TO THE STANDARDS APPLIED TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Mr. Glassmeyer sent this article to the E&A Coalition with permission to use it as one of our daily emails.
Read the full email here.

MARCH 24:  THE PROPONENTS OF SB1 (TRANSFER OF STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION POWERS AND FUNCTIONS TO THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE) HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL PROBLEM.
From 1913 to 1953 the superintendent of public instruction and thus the state education agency was a department in the governor’s office.
Read the full email here.

MARCH 23:  BENJAMIN C. HELTON, PH.D. SPEAKS OUT BOLDLY AND THOUGHTFULLY REGARDING THE SUDDEN URGENCY FOR VOUCHER SUPPORTERS TO PASS VOUCHER LEGISLATION ACROSS THE NATION.
Dr. Helton explains that vouchers do not work as advertised and advocates of public school privatization know it. 
Read the full email here.

MARCH 22:  LONG TIME HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL COACH VINCE MARSALA REGARDING VOUCHERS:  THE DOUBLE STANDARD BY THE LEGISLATURE IN BUILDING THIS SEPARATE AND UNEQUAL SYSTEM IS RIDICULOUS.
Vince Marsala, a teacher and football coach speaks out on the voucher scheme.  He says, “However with Ohio pushing an almost universal voucher program, we are no longer ‘playing the same game’.”
Read the full email here.

MARCH 21:  MARILOU JOHANEK:  OHIO REPUBLICANS HELLBENT ON TURNING STATE’S PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM INTO POLITICAL RUBBER STAMP
The March 7 Ohio Capital Journal commentary by Marilou Johanek is spot-on regarding the legislation that transfers the functions of the State Board of Education to the governor’s office.  The issue is control, not improvement of educational opportunities for students.
Read the full email here.

MARCH 20:  OHIO LEGISLATIVE SERVICE COMMISSION (LSC) ESTIMATES THAT SENATE BILL 11 WILL COST THE STATE UP TO $1,056,000,000 IN FISCAL YEARS 2024 AND 2025
LSC is an agency of the legislature.  This office drafts legislation and prepares fiscal analyses and local impact statements of bills introduced. LSC has determined that SB11 will cost $1,056,000,000 during the next two-year budget cycle.  
Read the full email here.

MARCH 17:  THE HOSTILE TAKEOVER OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION BILL (SB1) IS MOVING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE AT A RAPID PACE.
SB1 was referred to the Senate Education Committee on January 17.  It was passed by the Senate Education Committee on March 1 and also passed by the Senate the same day.
Read the full email here.

MARCH 16:  VOUCHER POLL IN OKLAHOMA:  74% OPPOSE VOUCHERS
Polls were conducted March 3 and December 1, 2022 in Oklahoma to gauge public support for school vouchers for private schools. 
Read the full email here.

MARCH 15:  JAN RESSEGER:  COURT SAYS PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL FUNDING IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL. WILL PENNSYLVANIA GET A NEW FORMULA?
Jan Resseger’s February 16 blog shows that the current school funding litigation situation in Pennsylvania is now quite like that of Ohio in the 1990’s. 
Read the full email here.

MARCH 14:  OHIO CONSTITUTION REQUIRES A SINGLE SYSTEM OF COMMON SCHOOL.
The very idea of a tax-supported system of common schools is invigorating to those that seek the public good and wish to fortify communities, the state and the nation against despotic powers. 
Read the full email here.

MARCH 13:  AN ARTICLE BY PATRICK WALL, COVID EXODUS:  WHERE DID 1 MILLION PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS GO?  NEW DATA SHEDS SOME LIGHT, IDENTIFIES A PROBLEM.
A combination of COVID exodus and a host of private alternatives to the public school system may require a monumental effort to ensure that compulsory attendance laws are enforced. 
Read the full email here.

MARCH 10:  CHESTER E. FINN, JR., ONE OF AMERICA’S MOST ENTHUSIASTIC AND INFLUENTIAL SCHOOL CHOICE (PRIVATIZATION) ADVOCATES, IN A FEBRUARY 16 FORDHAM INSTITUTE FLYPAPER ARTICLE WARNS AGAINST FLAWS IN UNIVERSAL EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS (ESA)
ESA’s, vouchers on steroids, provide public funds to parents via government-authorized savings accounts. 
Read the full email here.

MARCH 9:  REPORT ON OHIO VOUCHERS OVERSTATES BENEFITS AND DOWNPLAYS NEGATIVES.
The Fordham Institute hired a couple OSU professors to conduct a study of the impact of Ohio’s EdChoice voucher program on school district enrollments, finances, and academics.  Fordham staff wrote the forward to the report, which may not have accurately reflected the findings in the research report. 
Read the full email here.

MARCH 8:  THE VOUCHER ADVOCACY CONTINUUM:  RESCUE OF POOR CHILDREN FROM LOW-PERFORMING SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO EVERY STUDENT HAS A RIGHT TO VOUCHERS
A couple State of Ohio legislators during the 1980’s started to talk about vouchers. 
Read the full email here.

MARCH 7:  HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERSHIP AGREE THAT THE UNIVERSAL VOUCHER SCHEME IS A PRIORITY.  SO WHAT NEXT?
Vouchers for all takers will fall like manna from heaven very soon. 
Read the full email here.

MARCH 6:  THE ORIGINAL RATIONALE FOR VOUCHERS—“RESCUE SOME STUDENTS FROM ‘LOW PERFORMING SCHOOL DISTRICTS’” INDICATED INDIFFERENCE AND DISPASSION FOR THOSE STUDENTS THAT WOULD BE LEFT BEHIND.
In the beginning of voucher advocacy, if voucher advocates had been seriously interested in improving education opportunities for children
Read the full email here.

MARCH 3:  VOUCHERS FOR POOL CHOICE
Government jurisdictions often operate swimming pools for the benefit of the general public.  The construction and operation of the pools are funded by tax revenue.
Read the full email here.

MARCH 2:  THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER SCHEME IS AN ENTITLEMENT FOR AN INDIVIDUAL TO RECEIVE TAX MONEY FOR A PRIVATE PURPOSE
Taxes are imposed to be used by governments to pay for public purposes. 
Read the full email here.

MARCH 1:  MARCH 8 WEBINAR—LITIGATING AGAINST PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHERS
This is a timely Webinar in that the EdChoice voucher program in Ohio is being challenged
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 28:  THE FIRST AND SECOND PARAGRAPHS OF MILESTONES:  A HISTORY OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF OHIO 1956-1989 PROVIDES ONE MORE REASON WHY THE FUNCTIONS OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SHOULD NOT BE TRANSFERRED TO THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE:  POLITICS.
Decisions by the State Board of Education (Department of Education staff, superintendent of public instruction and the board, itself) should be as free of politics as possible. 
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 27:  TESTIMONY IN OPPOSITION TO SB1—GOVERNOR TAKEOVER OF STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION BILL—PRESENTED TO THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE ON FEBRUARY 21.
The Senate Education Committee heard SB1 testimony on February 21. 
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 24:  TESTIMONY IN OPPOSITION TO SB1—THE TAKEOVER OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION BY THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE BILL—BY JEANNE MELVIN, PRESIDENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION PARTNERS (PEP)
Jeanne Melvin’s SB1 opposition testimony stresses some points not made by other opponents of SB1.  Her reference to the HB70 state take-over of three Ohio school districts is compelling as an argument against the transfer of State Board functions to the Governor’s office.
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 23:  PART 4:  REASONS/ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR OF TRANSFER OF STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION FUNCTIONS TO THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE DO NOT COMPUTE.
Some folks recently testified before the Senate Education Committee that SB1 is necessary to allow the state to give greater emphasis on career/technical education. 
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 22:  PART 3:  REASONS/ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR OF TRANSFER OF STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION FUNCTIONS TO THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE DO NOT COMPUTE.
Some proponents of HB1 (transfer of duties and responsibilities of the State Board of Education to the Governor’s office) argue that the existence of the State Board of Education complicates state governance of education. 
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 21:  PART 2:  REASONS/ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR OF TRANSFER OF STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION FUNCTIONS TO THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE DO NOT COMPUTE.
Some proponents of SB1 (transfer of the functions of the State Board of Education to the Governor’s office) opine that the State Board of Education is dysfunctional, and thus should be stripped of its assigned duties and responsibilities. 
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 20:  REASONS/ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR OF TRANSFER OF STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION FUNCTIONS TO THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE DO NOT COMPUTE.
Low student performance has been given as a reason to give State Board of Education duties and responsibilities to the Governor.  Let us unpack that one. 
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 16:  AS STATE REVENUES HAVE INCREASED TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF VOUCHER AND CHARTER EXPANSION, SCHOOL DISTRICTS’ DEPENDENCE ON LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES WILL CONTINUE TO ESCALATE.
State officials have turned a deaf ear to the Supreme Court’s mandate to reduce dependence on property tax; they have not yet developed a constitutional thorough and efficient system of common schools.
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 15:  MOHAWK LOCAL SCHOOLS HOSTS A CO-SPONSOR OF THE BACKPACK BILL (UNIVERSAL VOUCHERS INTRODUCED IN THE 134^TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY)
On January 27 the Superintendent and Treasurer of Mohawk Local School District gave a tour of some Mohawk school district programs and discussed with a co-sponsor of  the Backpack Bill the impact vouchers will have on the school district. 
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 14:  VOUCHER PROPONENTS ARE WINNING IN THE LEGISLATURES (INCLUDING IN OHIO) ACROSS THE NATION, THAT IS WHY LITIGATION IS ESSENTIAL.
A listing of the winning record of voucher zealots is provided by Steve Nuzum.
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 13:  JAN RESSEGER LISTS THREE PRIORITIES FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION ADVOCATES.
Support the Cupp/Patterson Fair School Funding Plan, oppose SB11 and oppose SB1. 
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 10:  THE MASTER PLAN FOR THE PRIVATIZATION OF PUBLIC EDUCATION UTILIZES DIFFERENT TOOLS AND DEVICES BUT EACH HAS A LASER FOCUS ON THE PLAN’S PRIVATIZATION OBJECTIVE.  THE TOOLS AND DEVICES HAVE SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES.
Education privatizers recognize that the great American common school system is supported by a vast majority of the citizens; hence they are engaging various wordsmithing tactics and nefarious actions to denigrate the public system as a tactic to accomplish the transfer of education funds from the public to the private domain. 
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 9:  SCHOOL VOUCHERS BY ANY OTHER NAME ARE STILL VOUCHERS.
Vouchers don’t poll well for voucher advocates. So, they call vouchers scholarships. 
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 8:  RESIDUAL BUDGETING ON TOP OF RESIDUAL BUDGETING FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS IS ATROCIOUS.
Beginning in the mid-1980’s the General Assembly established several committees to study school finance.  Each committee issued a report.  One such committee was established by SB140 of the 118th General Assembly. 
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 7:  THE ADVENT OF THE HATEMONGERING, NEO-NAZI HOME SCHOOL GROUP IN NORTHWEST OHIO SHOULD SOUND A WARNING TO STATE OFFICIALS WHO PROMOTE PRIVATE SCHOOL CHOICE AT PUBLIC EXPENSE WITH SCANT TRANSPARENCY OR ACCOUNTABILITY.
Public money available to the charter school industry attracted entrepreneurs like the ECOT man, Bill Lager who fleeced the public for two decades. Public money available for universal vouchers, tuition tax credits and education savings accounts will attract a whole new private school industry, part of which will, on the public’s dime, indoctrinate youth in a great variety of isms, rituals, cults, folklore, etc.
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 6:  THE GOVERNOR’S STATE BUDGET:  HEAVY ON PRIVATE SCHOOL AND PRIVATELY-OPERATED CHARTER SCHOOL FUNDING—POSSIBLY LIGHT ON THE CONSTITUTIONALLY-REQUIRED PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The Governor said in his State of the State that his budget “reflects the moral imperative we have to see that Ohioans are fully educated…”
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 3 PM:  DAVID DEWITT:  OHIO CHEATS TAXPAYERS AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS BY FUNNELING MONEY TO UNACCOUNTABLE PRIVATE INTERESTS.
David DeWitt in his February 2 article provides insight on how the Governor’s budget proposal heaps tax money on the privatized school industry at the expense of the public system.
Read the full email here.

February 3:  A.J. Calderone, Superintendent of Labrae Schools and member of the E&A Steering Committee explains the necessity of the EdChoice voucher litigation in a guest column in the Warren Tribune Chronicle and the Youngstown Vindicator.
Superintendent Calderone raises a series of questions that citizens of Ohio should seriously ponder regarding the ongoing flow of tax revenue to private schools. 
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 2:  JAN RESSEGER’S JANUARY 26 BLOG:  EXPANSION OF VOUCHERS IS BEING DRIVEN BY AN IDEOLOGICAL CORPORATE CAMPAIGN, NOT BY VOTERS.
In her January 26 Blog, Jan Resseger explains that the real drivers of school vouchers are not the voters. 
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 1:  A TEACHER POSED INTERESTING QUESTIONS REGARDING TUITION TAX CREDITS (A TWIN OF THE VOUCHER SCHEME).
A teacher, whose name will not be included in this message, poses some pertinent questions.  To gain a sense of his frustration, please read his entire letter.
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 31:  A REALLY UNINFORMED STATEMENT BY A VOUCHER ADVOCATE AS REPORTED IN THE JANUARY 24 GONGWER.
A voucher advocate said, with regard to the Senate Bill 11—the Senate’s universal voucher bill,–”The freedom this type of policy provides has the additional benefit of holding public schools accountable by allowing families to take their state education funding with them to the school of their choice.”
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 30:  OHIO LEGISLATIVE SERVICE COMMISSION (LSC) FISCAL NOTE REGARDING STATE EXPENDITURE INCREASE REQUIRED BY SENATE BILL 11: $527.6 MILLION IN FISCAL YEAR 2024 AND $527.9 MILLION IN FISCAL YEAR 2025 AND FOLLOWING YEARS.
SB11, (SB368 of the 134^th General Assembly), the Ohio Senate version of a universal voucher scheme, according to the Ohio Legislative Service Commission, will cost the state $527.9 million annually. 
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 27:  SCHOOL VOUCHERS HURT OHIO ON MANY FRONTS.
Why the lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the EdChoice voucher scheme? Simply because vouchers are unconstitutional and damage the public good. 
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 26:  LEGISLATORS IN VARIOUS STATES IGNORE THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY CAN.
The Ohio Senate is poised to pass SB1—transfer the powers and functions of the State Board of Education to the Governor, even though the transfer is a blatant violation of the 1953 amendment that established the State Board.  Why?  Because they can. 
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 25:  UNBELIEVABLE—SENATE BILL 1, THE BILL TO RENDER INEFFECTIVE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION VIOLATES THE 1953 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WHICH ESTABLISHED THE BOARD.
The Department of Education in Ohio is comprised of the State Board of Education, the superintendent of Public Instruction and the staff. Prior to the 1953 amendment, the education department, including the Superintendent of Public Instruction and staff (state education agency), constituted an administrative arm of the Governor’s office. 
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 24:  SENATE BILL 1, THE PROPOSAL TO NEUTER THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION THAT THE SOVEREIGN PEOPLE OF OHIO PUT INTO THE CONSTITUTION OF OHIO IN 1953 IS CONTRARY TO THE CONSTITUTION.
“All political power is inherent in the people.”
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 23:  SENATE BILL 11 IS THE ULTIMATE IN LEGISLATIVE MISCHIEF TO PRIVATIZE THE PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL
The SB11 moniker Parent Education Freedom Act is a joke, but it is not amusing; it is a devastating threat to the very existence of the public common school system. 
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 20:  A BILL IN THE NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE WOULD LET VOTERS DECIDE IF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE—THE OHIO LEGISLATURE SHOULD LET VOTERS DECIDE.
A bill introduced in the Nebraska Legislature to transfer the functions of the State Board of Education to the Governor’s office is a bad idea for Nebraska.  The same is true for Ohio.
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 19:  JANUARY 16 CLEVELAND.COM ARTICLE REGARDING THE OHIO SENATE’S PENCHANT TO RETURN THE STATE EDUCATION AGENCY TO THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE AS WAS THE CASE PRIOR TO THE 1953 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO REMOVE IT FROM THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
The January 16 Cleveland.com article by Laura Hancock identifies some of the bogus arguments given by state officials for raiding the State Board, such as:
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 18:  RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STATE, AND LOCAL BOARDS OF EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS WHO OPT OUT OF THE COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM USING TAX-SUPPORTED VOUCHERS.
Credible research is clear:  voucher students do not perform as well in a private school setting as their peers enrolled in resident district school. 
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 17:  “ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL” RHETORIC POINTED TO THE PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM ACTUALLY FITS THE PRIVATE SCHOOL MOLD
Private schools fit the “one-size-fits-all” label much more so than the public common school system.
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 16:  OHIO SENATE MAJORITY AND THE 45 MEMBER OPPOSITION CAUCUS TO HOUSE SPEAKER ARE WITHIN A HALF DOZEN VOTES OF LEGISLATING TWIN EDUCATION EVILS
The universal voucher scheme and control of the state education agency by the Governor are evil fraternal twins that will sink the public common school system into a swamp filled with quicksand.
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 13:  NEW SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE HAS A CHALLENGE IN DEALING WITH A PACK OF 45 FELLOW REPUBLICANS WHO ARE BENT ON PUSHING UNIVERSAL VOUCHERS.
The Ohio House group of 45 House Republicans is plotting to outmaneuver the Speaker of the House.  According to news reports, this caucus of 45 is bent on making every K-12 student eligible for an EdChoice voucher. 
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 12:  TO THE GOVERNOR:  DEVELOPING A THOROUGH AND EFFICIENT SYSTEM OF COMMON SCHOOLS SHOULD BE ON YOU PRIORITY LIST
The January 10 Columbus Dispatch coverage of your inaugural address didn’t mention the development of a constitutional system of public common schools as one of your priorities; yet in the waning days of the 134^th General Assembly in the context of the Ohio Senate’s proposal to transfer the powers and duties to your office you said you would welcome that move. 
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 11:  STATE OFFICIALS IN OHIO SHOULD UNDERSTAND THE HISTORY OF THE STATE AGENCY FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION AND RESPECT THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS FOR IT.
In the waning days of the 134^th General Assembly, the President of the Ohio Senate ramrod the legislature a bill that would transfer the substantive powers and duties of the Ohio Department of Education (State Board of Education, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Department of Education staff) to the Governor’s office.  This effort was thwarted by certain members of the House of Representatives.
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 10:  NOTICE TO THE SENATE PRESIDENT:  THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER LAWSUIT IS NOT A “NEGOTIATING TACTIC WITH THE LEGISLATURE”—IT IS A DEAD SERIOUS CHALLENGE TO THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER SCHEME.
In a January 7 Lima News article, the Senate President said that the lawsuit is a “negotiating tactic” meant to deter lawmakers from expanding EdChoice vouchers and similar programs. 
Read the full email here.

]JANUARY 9:  OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN DIANE RAVITCH AND JOSH COWEN TO LEARN THE FACTS ABOUT VOUCHERS
Attached is a Diane Ravitch January 4 blog with information about the January 11 video conference.
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 6:  AN ARTICLE IN THE JANUARY 4 GONGWER NEWS SERVICE REVEALS SOME OF THE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES OF THE SENATE PRESIDENT FOR THE 135^TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Comments by the Senate President as reported in the January 4 Gongwer would not be encouraging to public education leaders, personnel and advocates:
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 5:  THE HEADLINE IN THE DECEMBER 25 METRO SECTION OF THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH—SCHOOL VOUCHER STUDY REFUTES FOE’S CLAIMS—DOESN’T MATCH THE CONTENT OF THE ARTICLE.
The headline should have said, “The school voucher study claims to refute foe’s claims.”  The article provides some content that refutes the Fordham Institute bankrolled, non-peer reviewed “study.
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 4:  DIANE RAVITCH—KENTUCKY:  REACTIONS TO SUPREME COURT RULING AGAINST VOUCHERS
Today is the anniversary of the Coalition’s filing of the voucher case in Ohio.
Read the full email here.

JANUARY 3:  A PICTURE OF EDUCATION IF THE INDIVIDUAL IS FUNDED AND NOT THE SYSTEM:  GROSS INEQUITIES AND ABSURD INADEQUACIES.
EdChoice voucher is a placeholder for the complete, privatization of the public common school system. 
Read the full email here.

DECEMBER 22:  DIANE RAVITCH’S DECEMBER 9 BLOG—NEW HAMPSHIRE:  LAWSUIT CLAIMS THAT VOUCHER FUNDING VIOLATES STATE CONSTITUTION.
The voucher contagion has spread across the nation. 
Read the full email here.

DECEMBER 21:  RECENT CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER EDITORIAL REGARDING THE LEGISLATURE’S STAMPEDE TO REMOVE THE OPERATION OF THE STATE EDUCATION AGENCY TO THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE.
Ohioans in 1953 removed the State Education agency from the Governor’s office to a State Board of Education via a constitutional amendment.  This 134^th General Assembly in a matter of hours has attempted to trample on the Constitution by passing SB178 in a lame duck session. 
Read the full email here.

DECEMBER 20:  PAPERS (MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION) OF THE OHIO COALITION FOR EQUITY AND ADEQUACY OF SCHOOL FUNDING REGARDING ITS WORK ON THE DEROLPH SCHOOL FUNDING CASE ON FILE IN THE MAHN CENTER AT OHIO UNIVERSITY.
Attached is a blog by OU Archives Assistant, Lizzy Daly regarding the Coalition papers.  Former OU Education Dean, Dr. Renee Middleton paved the way for these papers to be archived in the university library system.  The attached blog gives a thumbnail sketch of the DeRolph school funding efforts as well as Lizzy’s observations during the current era.
Read the full email here.

DECEMBER 19:  IF OHIOANS PERMIT THE LEGISLATURE TO MOVE THE POWERS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND AUTHORITY OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE, THE NEXT TARGET OF POWER-HUNGRY LEGISLATORS COULD BE THE LOCAL BOARDS OF EDUCATION.
The Ohio Senate, the upper chamber of the veto-proof legislature, voted to transfer the state education agency to the governor’s office; that way the legislature, contrary to the 1953 amendment to the Ohio Constitution, can have absolute control of state education policy. 
Read the full email here.

DECEMBER 16:  THE SAME ORGANIZATIONS THAT LOBBY FOR PRIVATIZATION OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS VIA VOUCHERS, TUITION TAX CREDITS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE LOBBYING TO NEUTER THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION:  BUCKEYE INSTITUTE IS AN EXAMPLE.
The Buckeye Institute, in a December 8 Columbus Dispatch guest column, expressed the views of the privatizers regarding the legislative proposal to neuter the constitutionally-based State Board of Education.  
Read the full email here.

DECEMBER 15:  SENATORS SUPPORTING SB178 CHARACTERIZED PUBLIC EDUCATION AS AN ABJECT FAILURE AS THEY SPOKE IN FAVOR OF THE BILL ON THE SENATE FLOOR.
If senators believe public education is failing, they should:
Read the full email here.

DECEMBER 14:  THOUGHTFUL TESTIMONY AGAINST SB178 BY MELANIE ELSLEY, REPRESENTING THE CHRISTIAN HOME EDUCATORS OF OHIO.
Melanie Elsey testified against SB178, the bill to ditch the State Board of Education.  Elsey attended every State Board of Education meeting for 20 years beginning in 1992; in recent years by various means including livestreaming, she has observed the State Board of Education closely.
Read the full email here.

DECEMBER 13:  GOOD GOVERNMENT PROCESS?  SENATE PRESIDENT ANNOUNCED PASSAGE OF SB178 BEFORE THE HEARINGS ON THE BILL WERE HELD
SB178 is a weighty, far reaching bill that seriously overrules the will of the people. 
Read the full email here.

DECEMBER 12:  SB368 STILL ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO ESTABLISH A UNIVERSAL VOUCHER SCHEME
The super majority Ohio Legislature is relentless in the goal of universal vouchers and thus defunding the public school system by appropriating education funds to individuals.
Read the full email here.

DECEMBER 9: PRIVATE RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FLYER: WANT TO CHOOSE WHAT YOUR STATE TAXES SUPPORT? NOW YOU CAN.
The State Budget Bill (HB110) enacted a policy that a Cleveland religious private school is using to enhance its coffers. 
Read the full email here.

DECEMBER 8:  STEPHEN DYER AND MAUREEN REEDY SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON VOUCHERS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS IN THE COLUMBUS BAR LAWYERS QUARTERLY FALL 2022 ISSUE.
Attorney Steve Dyer, former legislator and Maureen Reedy, former Teacher of the Year and co-founder of Public Education Partners (PEP) expose the charter school and voucher debacle in the Fall 2022 issue of the Columbus Bar Lawyers Quarterly. 
Read the full email here.

DECEMBER 7:  MAJOR EDUCATION POLICY CHANGE COULD HAPPEN QUICKLY WHEN ILL-INFORMED LOBBYISTS AND LEGISLATORS THAT ARE DRUNK WITH POWER COME TOGETHER IN THE STATEHOUSE.
SB178 is on track to pass in the Ohio Senate within a few days after introduction. 
Reaad the full email here.

DECEMBER 6:  THE IMMEDIATE PROBLEM WITH UNIVERSAL VOUCHERS FOR STATE OFFICIALS IS FINDING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS IN THE STATE COFFERS
The Ohio General Assembly is primed to adopt a policy of universal vouchers in the next budget cycle (FY24 and FY25), if not in the lame duck session. 
Read the full email here.

DECEMBER 5:  WHAT IS THE POLITICAL MOTIVATION FOR PRIVATIZATION OF PUBLIC EDUCATION?
The craze toward the complete privatization of public education is not in motion to improve educational opportunities for the youth of Ohio or in any other state. 
Read the full email here.

DECEMBER 2:  THE TWO LEADERS OF THE 135^TH OHIO GENERAL ASSEMBLY (STARTS JANUARY 23) ARE UNIVERSAL VOUCHER ADVOCATES.
The thread that runs through the Senate President’s legislative career is “a voucher for every student”.  The Speaker-designate for the “135^th” is a co-sponsor of HB290—the universal voucher bill. 
Read the full email here.

DECEMBER 1:  ANOTHER ATTACK OF THE PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL: LOWERING STANDARDS FOR TEACHERS.
I recall in the 1960’s as a Junior/Senior High School principal, a social studies classroom was without a teacher during a school year.  No applicants. 
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 30:  NOVEMBER 25 CLEVELAND.COM:  NEARLY ONE YEAR ON, 130 SCHOOL DISTRICTS’ LAWSUIT CHALLENGING OHIO PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHERS CONTINUES IN COURT
The Cleveland.com article provides some pertinent information regarding the EdChoice voucher litigation.  However, in total there are currently about 200 Coalition member districts.
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 29:  ARIZONA EXPERIENCE WITH UNIVERSAL VOUCHERS SHOULD STARTLE OHIO PUBLIC SCHOOL ADVOCATES
The Grand Canyon Institute, a non-partisan, non-profit organization, in a November 6, 2022 analysis of universal voucher applications in Arizona, shows that 45% of the voucher applicants come from the wealthier quarter of students in the state. 
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 28:  NOVEMBER 18 THE NEW ORLEANS TRIBUNE:  “HOW MANY MORE YEARS OF A FAILED REFORM MUST ORLEANS PARISH ENDURE?”
17 years ago privatizers used the Katrina Hurricane disaster as a ploy to replace the public school system with charter schools.  Privatizers in the past have heralded the charterization of New Orleans as a miracle.  As related in the Tribune article, it is a mirage.
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 22:  NOVEMBER 16 COLUMBUS DISPATCH ARTICLE ON LEGISLATION PROPOSED (SB178) THAT STRIPS THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF ITS CORE DUTIES REVEALS THAT SOME WHO ARE QUOTED IN THE ARTICLE ARE NOT AWARE THAT THE BOARD WAS ESTABLISHED BY A 1953 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
SB178 would transfer the core duties of the State Board of Education to the Governor’s office.  The timing of this move may be a response to the election of Teresa Fedor, Tom Jackson and Katie Hofmann to the State Board.
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 21:  SB178 IS A SERIOUS AFFRONT TO ARTICLE VI, SECTION 4 OF THE OHIO CONSTITUTION
Leaders of the Ohio Senate seem to be inebriated with power.  With a super majority, they do what they want. 
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 18:  NOTHING IN COMMON–NO PUBLIC SCHOOLS, NO PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS, NO PUBLIC PARKS, NO PUBLIC FACILITIES, NO PUBLIC HEALTH, NO PUBLIC GOOD, NO SOCIETY–JUST INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND PRIVATE ENTITIES.  IS THIS AMERICA’S FUTURE?
British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan were allied philosophically that “government is the problem”.  They each promoted the privatization of public functions.  Thatcher said in an interview that there is no such thing as society.
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 17:  BOWLING GREEN TV WBGU PROGRAM—“THE JOURNAL”WITH STEVE KENDALL, EXPLORES THE SCHOOL VOUCHER SCHEME.
Bowling Green School Board member Ginny Stewart and E&A Coalition’s William L. Phillis discuss the voucher scheme with Steve Kendall. 
Read the full email here.

November 16:  Coalition/Vouchers Hurt Ohio Presence at the November 13-15 OSBA Capital Conference Provided Essential Information Regarding the EdChoice Voucher Litigation for Hundreds of Attendees.
The Coalition/Vouchers Hurt Ohio initiative via two information sessions and a booth in the trade show touched hundreds of attendees. Some of the information provided is attached.
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 15:  NOVEMBER 9 CINCINNATI ENQUIRER OPINION ARTICLE REGARDING SCHOOL VOUCHERS:  BENEFITS OF SCHOOL VOUCHERS ARE SMALL, TENUOUS AT BEST
Dr. Christopher Lubienski writes about the negative outcomes of vouchers. 
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 14:  THE HISTORY OF THE COMMON SCHOOL MANDATES THAT THE STATE OF OHIO MUST GIVE THE HIGHEST PRIORITY TO THE COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM.
In this era of hostility toward the public sector, particularly toward the public common school, it is important for the public, especially public school advocates, to realize that (1) the hostility toward the public sector now seems global in scope and (2) that there has always been tension between public and private ownership.
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 11:  NORTH CAROLINA SUPREME COURT ORDERS A SPECIFIC SCHOOL FUNDING REMEDY—A TRANSFER OF STATE FUNDS ($1.5 BILLION) TO K-12 EDUCATION.
In full view of the three co-equal branches of government, checks and balances, and separation of powers, the North Carolina Supreme Court order a significant sum of revenue to be transferred to public K-12 education.
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 9:  POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER LITIGATION AVAILABLE TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS, BOARDS OF EDUCATION, LOCAL EDUCATION ORGANIZATIONS, CLASSIFIED SCHOOL EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER COMMUNITY GROUPS
Group leaders/organizations that wish to schedule a PowerPoint presentation
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 8:  WILLIAM LAGER, THE ECOT MAN, RESPONDS TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S MOTION TO FREEZE HIS ASSETS
The world knows that the ECOT Man stole hundreds of millions from school districts.  The state is attempting to recover some of the loot.
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 7:  CHARTER SCHOOLS CONCEPTUALLY AND IN PRACTICE ARE A SCOURGE ON THE EDUCATION LANDSCAPE IN OHIO
Not all charter schools and their management companies are rife with fraud and corruption.  Nor are all charters low-performing.  Nor do all of them shortchange students to stack-up shameless profits.  Nor do all of them practice nepotism in hiring, cherry-picking students, and closing without notice. However, the charter industry, as a whole, is rife with all of the above. 
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 4:  TIME TO RID AMERICA OF THE WRECKING BALL “SCHOOL REFORM” MOVEMENT AND FOCUS ON PERFECTING THE GREAT AMERICAN PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM
The biased, flawed 1983 Nation at Risk report helped spawn an utterly failed public education reform campaign that was based on shoddy research and fueled by self-serving political figures.
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 3:  GONGWER:  SENATE K-12 EDUCATION CHAIR EXPECTS TO REVISIT EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS
Education Savings Accounts (ESA) is a code word for universal vouchers.  
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 2:  NEW YORK:  HASIDIC SCHOOL WILL PAY $8 MILLION AFTER ADMITTING FRAUD
In an October 25 blog Diane Ravitch addresses the fraud of a New York private school.
Read the full email here.

NOVEMBER 1:  JAN RESSEGER:  HOW THE SCHOOL MARKETPLACE WRECKS UNIVERSAL PUBLIC SCHOOLING
Jan Resseger’s October 25 Blog shows why public school advocates must ramp-up advocacy for the public common school ideal.  Her concluding paragraph is extremely compelling:
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 31:  PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE NOT FAILED.  POLITICIANS HAVE FAILED PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 
Beginning with the Reagan administration, U.S. Presidents have either knowingly or unconsciously undermined public schools by promoting charters and/or vouchers.  Democrat and Republican presidents are guilty.  Congress has been complicit with this wrong turn in public education policy.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 28:  VOUCHERS DON’T GIVE POOR STUDENTS THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES TO ATTEND PRIVATE SCHOOLS AS RICH STUDENTS, AS VOUCHER ADVOCATES PONTIFICATE.
In the early years of the voucher enterprise, supporters would implore with a kind-hearted, but disingenuous tone that poor kids should have the same opportunity as rich kids to go to private schools.  Voucher advocates can still be heard spouting that hogwash even as evidence indicates it is, well hogwash.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 27:  CONTROVERSIAL HILLSDALE COLLEGE CHARTER SCHOOL CHAIN TAKES ROOT IN ATHENS, CINCINNATI AND COLUMBUS
Deregulation of charter schools has been attracting an array of folks who have little interest in education but a lot of interest in gaming the industry to enrich themselves.  
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 26:  AMERICAN LEGISLATIVE EXCHANGE COUNCIL’S ASSAULT ON PUBLIC EDUCATION IN 2022 IS DEEP AND WIDE.
The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is a legislative writing machine that churns out model legislation that is mostly contrary to the public good.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 25:  PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITIES NEED ATTENTION ACCORDING TO AN OCTOBER 13 FRONT PAGE ARTICLE IN THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH.  CHARTER SCHOOL IMPACT?
The condition of school facilities in Columbus was an issue in the Columbus teacher strike.  This possibly triggered THE Columbus Dispatch to check, via public health records, the condition of school facilities in other districts. 
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 24:  MEMO TO UNIVERSAL VOUCHER ADVOCATES:  YOU DON’T OWN THE ROAD
Universal voucher addicts proclaim that parents have an unalienable right to a tax-paid voucher for each of their offspring just because they pay taxes.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 21:  FRAUD, CORRUPTION, AND UNIMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE IN THE CHARTER INDUSTRY ARE PROBLEMATIC; THE PRIMARY PROBLEM, HOWEVER, IS THAT CHARTERS ARE ESTABLISHED BY UNCONSTITUTIONAL, SPECIAL PRIVATE CONTRACTS.
The Ohio Constitution requires the state to secure, by taxation, a thorough and efficient system of common schools throughout the state (Article VI, Section 2) and to provide, by law, for the organization, administration, and control of the public school system supported by public funds. (Article VI, Section 3)
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 20:  CHARTER SCHOOL ORGANIZATION COMPLAINING ABOUT TRANSPORTATION SHORTFALLS
A front page story in the October 10 Columbus Dispatch features complaints from the Ohio Association of Charter School Authorizers about what it perceives as a charter school transportation problem. 
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 19:  HEARING ON THE STATE’S MOTION TO DISMISS THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER CASE SET FOR OCTOBER 25, 11:00 AM
The EdChoice voucher lawsuit was filed January 4, 2022.  The State Defendants, as is typical practice, filed a Motion to Dismiss.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 18:  A POST ON THIS SITE A FEW DAYS AGO ADDRESSED, WITH NOT MUCH EXPLANATION, THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION’S OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT’S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY OVERSEE THE CHARTER SCHOOLS PROGRAM GRANTS.  JAN RESSEGER’S OCTOBER 6 BLOG GIVES MORE OF THE FRIGHTFUL DETAILS.
One of the federal boondoggles—the Charter Schools Grants Program, currently at $440 million—has been largely wasted since the beginning of the program during the Clinton administration.  Jan Resseger provides some of the shameful details.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 17:  DUAL TASKS REQUIRED TO PERFECT A CONSTITUTIONAL SYSTEM OF EDUCATION IN OHIO
The Cupp/Patterson Fair School Funding legislation, when fully funded, will put Ohio’s school funding system in the sphere of constitutionality; however, the elephant in the room is that a “constitutional fix’’ of school funding could come at the expense of a universal voucher program—which, of course, would be a disaster.
Read the full email.

OCTOBER 14:  WEST VIRGINIA SUPREME COURT HEARD VOUCHER CHALLENGE ON OCTOBER 4, 2022
The West Virginia voucher law, HB2013, would allow any student who attends a public school 45 days or is entering kindergarten to receive a voucher.  All home-schoolers would be eligible.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 13:  JAN RESSEGER ISSUES A WARNING TO OHIOANS REGARDING UNIVERSAL VOUCHERS BASED ON HOW ARIZONA ELECTED OFFICIAL THWARTED THE WILL OF ARIZONA CITIZENS
As Ms. Resseger points out, the Arizona legislature, in 2017, tried to expand a small Education Savings Account (ESA) voucher scheme to over one million students.  A public education advocacy group—Save Our Schools Arizona—in 2018 collected sufficient signatures to put the issue on the ballot.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 12:  A REMINDER THAT A 2017 STANFORD UNIVERSITY STUDY INDICATES THAT VOUCHERS DO NOT IMPROVE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
It has been common knowledge for several years that vouchers do not improve student achievement, as evidenced by the 2017 Stanford University study. 
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 11:  ATTORNEY GENERAL YOST SEEKS A COURT ORDER TO PREVENT THE ECOT MAN (WILLIAM LAGER) FROM DISPOSING OF OR TRANSFERRING ASSETS OR PROPERTY.  FREEZE LAGER’S ASSETS!
William Lager, via his operation of ECOT, Altair Learning Management, IQ Innovations, and Third Wave Communications illegally collected hundreds of millions from the state (school districts). 
Read the full email.

OCTOBER 10: STEVE DYER—OHIO HIGH SCHOOL VOUCHER DATA: LONGER YOU TAKE A VOUCHER, WORSE YOU DO.
Former legislator, Steve Dyer, mines data and makes it come alive in his 10^th Period publication.
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 7:  SAMPLES OF ALLOWABLE EXPENSES ARIZONA ALLOWS FOR VOUCHER-TYPE PROGRAM
Recently Fordham Institute and Buckeye Institute had a forum to push the “fund the student” concept.  A panelist from Arizona extolled the “virtues” of the Arizona universal voucher-type program–(Education Savings Account (ESA))–in which the state gives parents funds to purchase education goods and services. 
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 6:  ADAM BYRN TRITT ON THE FLORIDA TODAY SITE:  PUBLIC SCHOOLS AREN’T FOR JUST CHILDREN OR PARENTS, BUT SOCIETY AS A WHOLE.
Tritt makes the case that the crucial role/goal of the common school is for the collective, the body politic, the social order. 
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 5:  HORACE MANN IS CONSIDERED THE FATHER OF THE AMERICAN COMMON SCHOOL.  MILTON FRIEDMAN COULD BE CONSIDERED THE FATHER OF THE VOUCHER SCHEME.  COMPARE WHAT EACH BELIEVED.
Horace Mann advocated a high quality, tax-supported school system that would serve all the children of all the people. 
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 4:  JANUARY 2022 UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE (GAO) REPORT—GAO-22-104444:  A REPORT REGARDING ONLINE CHARTER SCHOOLS THAT SHOULD GIVE FEDERAL AND STATE POLICY MAKERS A PAUSE.
The GAO report indicates that online charter school students had significantly lower proficiency rates on state tests. 
Read the full email here.

OCTOBER 3:  PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARDS OF EDUCATION, ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS AND ADVOCATES SHOULD WORK DILIGENTLY TO RESCUE STUDENTS FROM THE FAILING CHARTER SCHOOL INDUSTRY.  STEVE DYER’S SEPTEMBER 21, 10^TH PERIOD IS A WAKE-UP CALL.
Steve Dyer, a former legislator and champion of the public common school, on an ongoing basis, shows the failure of the charter and voucher industries through his data analysis. 
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 30:  JAN RESSEGER IDENTIFIES THE MOST PROMINENT GROUPS THAT ARE WORKING TO DEFUND OHIO PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOLS
In her September 13 blog, Jan Resseger discusses the most prominent groups working with the Ohio Legislature to destroy public education.
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 29:  STEVE DYER SHEDS LIGHT ON THE COST OF THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT (VOUCHER) PLAN
The Buckeye Institute, along with the Fordham Institute (both anti-public school organizations), recently sponsored a meeting in which panelists passionately advocated for a voucher plan that would fund all students individually
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 28:  CRAFTY PRO-VOUCHER GROUP FOUND A NEW WAY TO FORCE TAXPAYERS TO FUND RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS
The pro-voucher group that owns a building across from the Statehouse has found a new way to fleece taxpayers.  They call the scheme “micro-school.” 
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 27:  ALTHOUGH THE ECOT MAN, WILLIAM LAGER, IS IN COURT FOR STEALING MULTIPLIED MILLIONS FROM THE TAXPAYERS, HE WILL MOST LIKELY AVOID PRISON AND/OR FINES BECAUSE OF WHO HE BANKROLLED DURING HIS NEARLY 2 DECADES OF CHARTER SCHOOL BUSINESS
The state had an agreement with the ECOT MAN that ECOT would report the number of students “enrolled” without any monitoring by the state, beginning about 2001.  The agreement was inked even though Lager had to pay back funds ECOT had collected for students not served prior to the agreement. 
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 26:  THE SCHOOL PRIVATIZATION MOVEMENT REJECTS THE GOAL OF THOMAS JEFFERSON, JOHN ADAMS AND HORACE MANN OF A COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM FOR ALL THE CHILDREN OF ALL THE PEOPLE AS A CRUCIBLE OF DEMOCRACY
Horace Mann, as Secretary of the Massachusetts State Board of Education, beginning in 1837 initiated a crusade to establish a common school system in line with the education philosophy of Jefferson, Adams and other American political leaders of the 18^th and 19^th centuries. 
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 23:  DEMOCRACY GERMINATES AND GROWS IN THE SOIL OF THE PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL
The delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1850 and 1851 crafted a provision that required the State of Ohio to secure a thorough and efficient system of common schools.  A review of the proceedings of the convention regarding education suggests that the convention delegates understood the nexus between the specified common school and educating youth for productive citizenship
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 22:  STEVE DYER:  OHIO HAS SPENT ONLY $8 MILLION OF $71 MILLION FEDERAL FUNDS RECEIVED SEVEN YEARS AGO
The federal government has been throwing millions each year at “high quality” charter schools. 
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 21:  DIANE RAVITCH REPORTS ON THE FAILURE OF NEW YORK HASIDIC PRIVATE SCHOOL, EVEN THOUGH FLUSH WITH TAX FUNDS
The American common school is incrementally being replaced with private schools (and charters) that operate on the very tax funds to which common schools are entitled. 
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 20:  BUCKEYE INSTITUTE IS LOBBYING FOR STATE POLICY THAT WOULD REQUIRE ALL DISTRICTS TO PARTICIPATE IN OPEN ENROLLMENT.
Open enrollment has been allowed in Ohio for three decades; however, districts are not required to participate. 
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 19: “FUND THE STUDENT, NOT THE SYSTEM” PLAN IS A RECIPE FOR DISASTER
The “fund the student, not the system” plan would attract thousands of new “schools” and education providers.  Some of them would become involved in education to grab funds from parents.  Others would attract students to “schools” that promote a political, ideological, religious or irreligious philosophy.
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 16: “FUND THE STUDENT” IS A PATH TO CHAOS FOR SOCIETY AND STUDENTS, AND A RAID OF THE PUBLIC TREASURY
Charter schools, vouchers, education savings accounts (ESA’s), tuition tax credits, and “fund the student” are all manifestations of the school privatization agenda. 
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 15:  SCHOOL PRIVATIZATION TERRORISTS SAVAGE THE OHIO CONSTITUTION TO ADVANCE THEIR PRIVATIZATION AGENDA
The battle cry of the privatizers is “fund the students,” not the “system.”  The “system” promotes the public good—“fund the students” promotes social unrest, which leads to anarchy. 
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 14:  THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE:  THE SOLUTION TO REGAINING THE SO-CALLED “LOST LEARNING” IS TO FUND PARENTS, NOT SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
Buckeye Institute, in a September 6, 2022 publication, concludes that parents have grown increasingly distrustful of local public schools.  The historic havoc COVID-19 wreaked on school children, the publication reports, must be regained.   The answer they say is to fund students, not the common school system. 
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 13:  ANOTHER SCHOOL PRIVATIZATION GIMMICK IN THE STATE BUDGET:  TUITION TAX CREDIT
Ohio was a leader in tax support for private schools prior to the advent of the voucher and charter school schemes.  Now Ohio is among the top 10 states in the nation in support for vouchers, charters, and a variety of other privatization options.
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 12:  EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT (ESA), AN EGREGIOUS ANTI-PUBLIC SCHOOL SCHEME, HAS ALREADY BEGUN ON A SMALL SCALE IN OHIO.  THE PRIVATIZATION CROWD IS LOBBYING TO EXPAND IT.
The state’s two-year budget bill (HB110) provides for a $500 education savings account for certain K-12 students.  Privatization gimmicks start small then grow into a tax-eating glutton. 
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 9:  54^TH ANNUAL PDK POLL:  LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOL RATINGS RISE EVEN AS TEACHING PROFESSION LOSES GROUND
In spite of the escalated attacks on public schools by the education privatizers, Americans’ ratings of public schools reached a new high dating back 48 years. 
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 8:  BIZARRE STATEMENT MADE BY HEAD OF THE CENTER FOR CHRISTIAN VIRTUE (CCV)
In an August 12, 2022 Statehouse News Bureau broadcast, the head of CCV was quoted:  “There’s religious teaching happening in public school right now, indoctrinating kids into Marxism and really dangerous world views so they need to get their religion out of the public schools first.”
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 7:  PRO-PRIVATIZATION FORDHAM INSTITUTE ATTACKS STEVE DYER FOR ADVOCATING THAT THE STATE FOLLOW THE OHIO CONSTITUTION
School privatizers become cranky when they are admonished that their schemes are counter to the Constitution. 
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 6:  STEVE DYER REVEALS MORE SECRETS INSIDE THE VOUCHER INDUSTRY
Steve Dyer’s August 25, 2022 10^th Period post takes readers inside the EdChoice voucher industry’s deceit chamber. 
Read the full email here.

SEPTEMBER 2:  AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY (FUNDED BY THE KOCH FAMILY) IS LOBBYING BOARDS OF EDUCATION TO REMOVE THEIR DISTRICTS FROM THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER LITIGATION
The libertarian, anti-public school, Koch funded Americans for Prosperity is opposed to public education.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 31:  LEADER OF THE CENTER FOR CHRISTIAN VIRTUE (CCV):  “ON EVERY CORNER THAT YOU SEE A CHURCH, WE WANT TO SEE A SCHOOL AS WELL.”
On August 12, the Statehouse News Bureau reported on an initiative of CCV, the goal of which is, via universal vouchers, to put a school in every church.  That should sound an alarm to every citizen. 
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 30:  THINK A COUPLE OHIO LEGISLATORS WROTE HB290—THE UNIVERSAL VOUCHER BILL OR THE ‘BACKPACK BILL’?  THINK AGAIN!
On May 11, 2021, a couple legislators introduced HB290.  Situated conspicuously in back of the pair at their HB290 press conference was the head of the Center for Christian Virtue (CCV). 
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 29:  CENTER FOR CHRISTIAN VIRTUE (CCV) EXPLOITS COLUMBUS TEACHER STRIKE TO PROMOTE THE UNIVERSAL VOUCHER BILL (HB290)
The whole hog voucher machine (CCV) is exploiting the teachers’ strike in Columbus to recruit voucher students. 
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 26:  DISTRACTIONS DIVERT ATTENTION FROM THE REAL ISSUE IN PUBLIC EDUCATION—WHICH IS THE SINISTER DRIVE TO PRIVATIZE PUBLIC EDUCATION
Public school leaders, other personnel in school districts, parents, and other community members are being confronted by a plethora of distractions. 
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 25:  DOES THE OHIO CONSTITUTION AUTHORIZE THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (ODE) TO DISTRIBUTE $250 MILLION TO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT ARE NOT SUBJECT TO STATE AUDIT THIS YEAR?
First, all Ohio school districts are subject to state audit.  Every dime must be spent legally and accounted for; and rightfully so.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 24:  VOUCHER LITIGATION IN KENTUCKY MOVING FORWARD
Public Funds Public Schools reports on the litigation.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 23:  ANOTHER INSTALLMENT FROM STEVE DYER ABOUT FORDHAM’S CALL FOR AN EXORBITANT INCREASE IN FUNDING FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS
The failed charter school experiment has gathered a boatload of supporters.  This greedy group wants more and more funds and less and less accountability and transparency. 
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 22:  A HISTORY LESSON REGARDING THE PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM
Prior to 1822, Ohio issued charters to various groups that sought permission to operate some kind of education program. 
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 19:  STEVE DYER:  A TAKEDOWN OF FORDHAM OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS. FIRST INSTALLMENT
Fordham Institute rides high in Ohio’s political environment.  This group has the ear of the ruling class in the legislature.  It’s time to expose the nature and agenda of this organization. Steve Dyer is the person to do so!
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 18:  BEWARE OF THE ACTIVISM OF THE AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY GROUP
Americans for Prosperity, founded in 2004, is a libertarian conservative political advocacy group. One of the initiatives of the group is to promote the privatization of public education.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 17:  FORDHAM INSTITUTE GOING BALLISTIC ON PRIVATIZATION OF CONSTITUTIONAL PUBLIC EDUCATION
Fordham’s Policy Brief No. 1 (Summer 2022) provided eight recommendations to further the privatization of authentic public education.  The next state budget bill will be laced with these recommendations, most of which will require funds that will be diverted from public school districts.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 16:  FORDHAM INSTITUTE HOSTILE TO NEW FEDERAL REGULATIONS REGARDING FEDERAL CHARTER SCHOOL FUNDING—JOINS IN A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Fordham Institute sponsors charter schools and resists nearly every attempt of state and federal officials to regulate the charter industry. 
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 15 (PM):  THE MEETING AT BOWLING GREEN HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULED FOR TONIGHT (MONDAY, AUGUST 15) HAS BEEN POSTPONED
Due to multiple scheduling conflicts and public school people being tied-up with the beginning of the school year, the meeting at Bowling Green High School scheduled for tonight (Monday, August 15) has been postponed.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 15:  JAN RESSEGER WEIGHS-IN ON HOW GERRYMANDERING AFFECTS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The typical Ohioan has serious concerns about the way politicians have thwarted the will of the people in the re-districting fiasco. 
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 12:  DELEGATE MINER, DURING THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF 1873 AND 1874 OPPOSED DIVIDING THE FUNDS FOR COMMON SCHOOLS WITH PRIVATE SCHOOLS
The debates regarding the common school system during the Constitutional Convention of 1873 and 1874 give concise insight into what was intended by the wording inherent in Article VI, Section 2 of the Ohio Constitution (adopted in 1851). 
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 11:  EDCHOICE VOUCHER LAWSUIT MEETING AUGUST 15, 6:00 PM AT BOWLING GREEN HIGH SCHOOL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, 540 WEST POE ROAD, BOWLING GREEN, OHIO
A public meeting to provide information and discussion regarding the EdChoice voucher litigation is set for August 15. 
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 10:  THE CASE OF THE 21^ST CENTURY
A former Ohio Supreme Court Justice said the DeRolph school funding case was the case of the 20^th century. 
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 9:  STATUS OF THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER LITIGATION AND SUMMARY OF THE CLAIMS
The lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the EdChoice voucher program was filed January 4, 2022. 
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 8:  THE U.S. SUPREME COURT IN THE 1947 EVERSON V BOARD OF EDUCATION RULED THAT NEW JERSEY WAS NOT IN VIOLATION OF THE “ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE” OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT BY USING TAX FUNDS TO SUPPORT TRANSPORTATION OF PRIVATE PAROCHIAL SCHOOL STUDENTS—THE FOOT-IN-THE-DOOR
In the Everson case, the petitioner argued that it was a violation of due process (14^th Amendment) for New Jersey to take his tax money to support student transportation to parochial schools. 
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 5: “THE WALL OF SEPARATION”:  THE ORIGIN OF THE PHRASE; WHAT IT MEANS; THE COURT’S EVOLVING INTERPRETATION
President Thomas Jefferson received a letter regarding religious freedom from the Danbury Baptist Association in Danbury, Connecticut.  The Association was concerned that government might make laws that govern “the kingdom of Christ.” 
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 4:  WHICH INSTITUTION HAS THE GREATEST POTENTIAL FOR HEALING THE NATION:  CORPORATE AMERICA? STATE HOUSES? CONGRESS? GOVERNORS? PRIVATE SCHOOLS? CHARTER SCHOOLS? NON-TAX SUPPORTED PRIVATE SCHOOLS? ECOT? PUBLIC SCHOOLS OPERATED BY LOCALLY-ELECTED BOARDS OF EDUCATION?
The answer to the question posed in the title is obvious. 
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 3:  SUPPORT FOR THE CHALLENGE TO THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER SCHEME CONTINUES TO GROW
Six of the “Big Eight” school districts have joined the EdChoice voucher litigation.  Districts of all types—rural, midsize cities, small cities, suburban, JVS and ESC—are joining the effort. 
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 2:  MESSAGE TO THE CENTER FOR CHRISTIAN VIRTUE:  JESUS AND THE CHURCH HE BUILT DID NOT REQUEST THE ROMAN GOVERNMENT TO FUND THE CHURCH
In the first century BC, church and state were completely separated.
Read the full email here.

AUGUST 1:  SUPPORT FOR THE COALITION/VHO LAWSUIT CHALLENGING THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER SCHEME IS GROWING
A major issue facing the public is how to counter the relentless assault by the privatizers on the public common school system.
Read the full email here.

JULY 29:  FORDHAM INSTITUTE, IN A JULY 19 ARTICLE, IDENTIFIES SIX REASONS TO SUPPORT UNIVERSAL SCHOOL CHOICE IN OHIO
A wealthy proponent of privatization of public education organization, Fordham Institute, is a relentless campaigner to give away the democratically-operated public common school system to private operators. 
Read the full email here.

JULY 28:  MICHIGAN STATE PROFESSOR JOSHUA COWEN:  “AFTER TWO DECADES OF STUDYING VOUCHER PROGRAMS, I’M FIRMLY OPPOSED TO THEM.”
Professor Cowen’s research focuses on teacher quality, student and teacher mobility, and evaluations of state and local education programs.  His conclusion, after studying voucher programs, is that public money should not be funding private tuition.
Read the full email here.

JULY 27:  PUBLIC SCHOOL LEADERS, EMPLOYEES, AND ADVOCATES SHOULD SUPPORT THE LAWSUIT CHALLENGING THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER SCHEME, REGARDLESS OF THE SEVERITY OF THE NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE INDIVIDUAL DISTRICTS
It is a given that school district leaders and employees have a first-line responsibility to work for and protect the interests of their own school district. 
Read the full email here.

JULY 26:  INTENSE, FOCUSED EMPHASIS ON THE PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM BY THE STATE IS THE ONLY WAY TO ECONOMICALLY EXPAND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND QUALITY OF EDUCATION AND TO INCREASE THE EDUCATION LEVEL OF THE CITIZENRY
Tax support for private alternatives for education is not only fiscally inefficient; it will result in lowering the literacy rate and the occupational skills of the general public.
Read the full email here.

JULY 25:  THE SO-CALLED EDUCATION REFORM MOVEMENT IS A WEAPON TO DESTROY THE PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL
Let us be very clear, the so-called reform movement in public education the past three decades is a sinister, bogus plan of action
Read the full email here.

JULY 22:  ARIZONA ADOPTED A UNIVERSAL VOUCHER PROGRAM—A WARNING TO OHIO
The Arizona governor said the new law had “set the gold standard in education freedom…”  An additional voucher fanatic tweeted, “Every red state in the country should follow the lead.”
Read the full email here.

JULY 21:  WAKE-UP CALL TO THE PUBLIC EDUCATION COMMUNITY
First, the education privatizers wanted “choice” for poor kids in low-performing school districts (reflecting poverty in the districts).  Next, they demanded “choice” for all.  Now, they want to eliminate public schools.  They are now openly discussing it.
Read the full email here.

JULY 20:  10,000 ECOT’S COMING TO OHIO
William Lager, the ECOT Man, purchased for himself the best state officials he could, and that was a lot.  Controlling state officials allowed him to steal hundreds of millions from Ohio taxpayers.  Did they learn a lesson?
Read the full email here.

JULY 19:  MEMBERSHIP IN THE E&A COALITION/VHO FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023 IS GROWING RAPIDLY
July 19:  In the first 18 days of July, 64 districts have paid membership dues. 
Read the full email here.

JULY 18:  REGARDING THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER LITIGATION: TIME FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT LEADERS TO FISH OR CUT BAIT
For more than two decades, the Ohio Legislature has been quietly moving toward a universal voucher scheme, thus abandoning the constitutionally-required common school system.
Read the full email here.

JULY 15:  THE ANTI-PUBLIC GOOD PRIVATIZATION-OF-EDUCATION GANG HAS CREATED A POLITICAL TRAJECTORY THAT, IF NOT HALTED BY LITIGATION, WILL DOOM THE OHIO PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM.
There is a cluster of voucher zealots comprised of a small fraction of the Ohio population that is determined to destroy the constitutionally-required common school system. 
Read the full email here.

JULY 14:  FORMER OHIO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (ODE) CHARTER SCHOOL OFFICE CONSULTANT DENIS SMITH ASKS, “WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?” (IE) COLLECTING THE MILLIONS ECOT OWES OHIO TAXPAYERS
Denis Smith’s July 7 article is a “must read” for those concerned about government spending on unregulated school alternatives to the public common school system required by the Ohio Constitution. 
Read the full email here.

JULY 13:  STEVE HINNEFELD: “INDIANA VOUCHER COST NEARS QUARTER BILLION DOLLARS.”  INDIANA AND OHIO VOUCHER PROGRAMS SEEM TO BE ON PARALLEL TRACKS
Indiana and Ohio voucher advocates have pushed expansion of vouchers using the same playbook. 
Read the full email here.

JULY 12:  WEST VIRGINIA CIRCUIT COURT STRIKES DOWN UNCONSTITUTIONAL PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHER LAW
WV Circuit Court Judge Joanna Tabit strikes down the WV law.  The WV Constitution has a constitutional requirement to provide a thorough and efficient system of public schools. (This WV provision was copied from Ohio’s Constitution). 
Read the full email here.

JULY 11:  HB583 FILLED WITH MISCHIEF REGARDING CHARTER SCHOOLS
The charter school lobby has its fingerprints all over HB583, which the Governor has signed into law.
Read the full email here.

JULY 8:  VOUCHER HUNGRY PRIVATE SCHOOLS MAY RUE THE DAY THEY CONSORTED WITH POLITICALLY POWERFUL VOUCHER ZEALOTS TO DISMANTLE THE PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM BY ADVANCING THEIR VOUCHER AGENDA
As the percentage of the state budget for vouchers grows and conversely the percentage decreases for the common school system, the taxpaying public will insist on regulating the privates.
Read the full email here.

JULY 7:  COLUMBUS DISPATCH’S THEODORE DECKER:  BILLION-DOLLAR BOONDOGGLE ECOT MUST BE ADDRESSED
Decker, in his June 30 Dispatch column, puts another spotlight on the raid ECOT’s Bill Lager made on the state treasury over a period of several years, beginning in 2000.
Read the full email here.

JULY 6:  STEVE DYER’S JUNE 29 10^TH PERIOD EXPLORES POTENTIAL VOUCHER SCANDALS IN VIEW OF THE ECOT RIP OFF OF TAXPAYERS
The state’s record of holding school choice providers accountable for the use of tax money is dismal.  The charter industry in Ohio (and across the nation) is rife with fraud and corruption, as well as, low academic performance and scant educational opportunities.
Read the full email here.

JULY 5 PM:  TOLEDO JOINS THE LAWSUIT CHALLENGING THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF EDCHOICE VOUCHERS
Attached is a news release regarding Toledo Public Schools joining the EdChoice voucher litigation.
Read the full email here.

JULY 5:  PETER GREENE, SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR AT FORBES.COM:  “THE HAMMER THAT BREAKS THE CHURCH STATE WALL HAS HIT PUBLIC EDUCATION ONCE AGAIN.  WHAT PARTS OF OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM WILL IT BRING DOWN?”
In this article, Greene observes “that the through-line on the court’s free exercise decisions is that the free exercise of religion is not possible without taxpayer subsidy.” 
Read the full email here.

JULY 1:  JUNE 25 LIMA NEWS:  COULD SUPREME COURT’S RULING ON SCHOOLS IN MAINE AFFECT OHIO VOUCHER LAWSUIT?
The Carson Decision by the U.S. Supreme Court has no effect on the EdChoice voucher case in Ohio. 
Read the full email here.

JUNE 30:  DONALD COHEN:  THE WORST PRIVATIZATION DEAL IN U.S. HISTORY JUST GOT EVEN WORSE
It appears that every public service or function is up for sale.
Read the full email here.

JUNE 29:  SENATE PRESIDENT’S ANSWER TO WHETHER OR NOT TO REPEAL THE THIRD GRADE GUARANTEE—MORE VOUCHERS
The State Board of Education, as required by the law, is considering raising the promotion score on the Third Grade Guarantee. 
Read the full email here.

JUNE 28:  ALTHOUGH THE CARSON V MAKIN U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION DOES NOT AFFECT OHIO’S EDCHOICE VOUCHER CASE, IT IS ANOTHER HEAVY BLOW TO THE WALL OF SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE
The roles of the church and the state are different.  History has taught us that the two should be separated, as Jefferson stated, “by a wall of separation.”
Read the full email here.

JUNE 27:  STEVE DYER’S JUNE 20, 10^TH PERIOD:  OHIO SCHOOL PRIVATIZATION MORE EXPENSIVE THAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The awesome Steve Dyer in a new analysis found the following regarding privatization programs in Ohio
Read the full email here.

JUNE 24:  DISCRIMINATION IS TAXPAYER FUNDED IN OHIO VIA VOUCHERS
Taxpayers in Ohio help fund private schools via vouchers and direct state payments to private schools.  Private schools can and do discriminate in regard to enrollment practices, due process for students and employees, and a plethora of other ways. 
Read the full email here.

JUNE 23: WHO SHALL CONTROL OUR PUBLIC GOODS?
A quiz-check
Read the full email here.

JUNE 22:  PUBLIC FUNDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS (PFPS) FILES AN AMICUS BRIEF IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA VOUCHER LAWSUIT
A majority of the states have a constitutional provision that forbids public funding of private religious schools.  Voucher proponents are attempting to convince courts that these “no aid” provisions were adopted because of anti-religious prejudices.  The amicus brief filed by PFPS urges the court to reject that myth.
Read the full email here.

JUNE 21 (PM):  TODAY’S U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION IN THE CARSON CASE
June 21:  Today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Carson case does not address the central issues of our constitutional challenge of the EdChoice voucher program.  Our case will move forward with no concern regarding today’s SCOTUS decision.
Read the full email here.

JUNE 21:  SEARCH FOR THE STATE’S AUTHORITY TO NEGLECT THE AUTHENTIC PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM AND THEN LAVISHLY FUND ALTERNATIVES
Carefully read, or possibly re-read, the Constitutional provisions for education in Ohio.  Search for state authority to fund vouchers for private school and privately-operated charters.
Read the full email here.

JUNE 20:  HB290—UNIVERSAL VOUCHER VULTURE BILL
In the current political climate, HB290 will be enacted incrementally or in one enactment.  Judicial intervention is necessary.
Read the full email here.

JUNE 17:  WHOSE CHOICE—STUDENT OR PRIVATE SCHOOL?
Champions of school choice fail to reveal the nuances of choice. 
Read the full email here.

JUNE 16:  VOUCHER MAGIC:  THE ILLUSIONS HAVE TRICKED MANY
There is no credible evidence that voucher students are served better academically than in their own public school environment. 
Read the full email here.

JUNE 15:  VOUCHERS HAD A DARK BEGINNING IN THE 1950’S
Libertarian Economist Milton Friedman started to promote his voucher ideas about the same time the US Supreme Court rendered the 1954 Brown v Board of Education decision.  The Brown decision overturned the “separate but equal” doctrine and required education to be provided on an equal basis.
Read the full email here.

JUNE 14:  HANDWRITING ON THE VOUCHER WALL:  THE INTERPRETATION IS CLEAR—UNIVERSAL VOUCHERS ARE AT HAND
The voucher gang has a clear-cut agenda—a voucher for each and every student.
Read the full email here.

JUNE 13:  ADVOCATES OF VOUCHERS FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS CLAIM PUBLIC MONEY (AS A RIGHT) WITHOUT EVEN A MODICUM OF REGULATIONS
Accountability and Private-School Choice, an article written by Notre Dame Law School Professor Nicole Stelle Garnett essentially claims that students have a right, at public expense, to attend private schools that are free from nearly all regulations that govern public schools. 
Read the full email here.

JUNE 10:  FORDHAM INSTITUTE’S MAY 31 FLYPAPER ARTICLE—“THE CORE CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN PUBLIC EDUCATION”—IS ONE MORE ATTACK ON PUBLIC EDUCATION
The author of the article makes a long stretch to diminish the efficacy of public education. 
Read the full email here.

JUNE 9:  A STUDY BY THE OHIO EDUCATION POLICY INSTITUTE (OEPI) SHOWS THAT STATE FORMULA AID PLUS TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY REPLACEMENT AID FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAS NOT KEPT PACE WITH INFLATION SINCE FISCAL YEAR 2011. FUNDING FOR CHARTERS AND VOUCHERS HAS BEEN GENEROUS.
The state budgets reveal the priorities state officials embrace.  Expanded funding for vouchers and charters since 2011 compared to increases for public school districts is shocking.  A recent study by OEPI should jar public school advocates into action. 
Read the full email here.

JUNE 8:  STEVE DYER REGARDING DEMOGRAPHIC DATA ON EDCHOICE VOUCHER RECIPIENTS
So much for the voucher campaigners’ battle cry—rescuing poor kids from “failing school districts”!
Read the full email here.

JUNE 7:  NOTRE DAME LAW SCHOOL RELIGIOUS LIBERTY INITIATIVE FILED AN AMICUS BRIEF IN SUPPORT OF THE STATE DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO DISMISS THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER LAWSUIT
Pro-voucher groups nationwide are weighing-in against the EdChoice voucher lawsuit.  The Notre Dame Law School Religious Liberty Initiative filed an amicus brief in support of the State’s motion to dismiss the case. 
Read the full email here.

JUNE 6:  STEPHEN DYER—AMAZING STAT:  2 IN 3 OF OHIO VOUCHER RECIPIENTS NEVER ATTENDED PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Steve Dyer, in his June 1  10^th Period blog exposes the egregiously disingenuous battle cry of the voucher lobby—rescue poor children from “failing public schools.” 
Read the full email here.

JUNE 3:  POLITICIANS NEED TO RESPECT THE RULE OF LAW; OTHERWISE DEMOCRACY IS DOOMED
Whether the issue is redistricting of legislative districts or securing a thorough and efficient system of common schools, the applicable constitutional provisions must be honored. 
Read the full email here.

JUNE 2:  BRIEF UPDATE ON THE EDCHOICE VOUCHER LAWSUIT IN THE MAY NEWSLETTER OF OHIO RETIRED TEACHERS ASSOCIATION (ORTA)
The attached article appears in the May ORTA Newsletter.  The article provides some basic information about the lawsuit but doesn’t delve into the damage a universal voucher system will inflict on STRS. 
Read the full email here.

JUNE 1:  HB583, AN EDUCATION OMNIBUS BILL TEED-UP FOR PASSAGE, CONTINUES THE LEGISLATIVE NORM OF EXPANDING ELIGIBILITY AND FUNDING AMOUNTS FOR VOUCHERS AND FURTHER DEREGULATION OF CHARTER SCHOOLS
The school privatization propensity of the legislative majority in the Ohio House and Senate continues the march toward privatization of public schools.
Read the full email here.

MAY 31:  DENIS SMITH, FORMER STATE CHARTER SCHOOL CONSULTANT, TIES THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION TO CHARTER SCHOOL SUPPORTERS
Denis Smith, a veteran teacher, school administrator, and Ohio Department of Education consultant retired a few years ago but maintains a keen advocacy for public education.  In a recent letter to the editor of the Columbus Dispatch, he connects the dots between the new State Superintendent of Public Instruction and the charter lobby.  He also raises some potential ethic issues surrounding the superintendent’s employment.
Read the full email here.

MAY 27:  MUSLIM CLERIC FETHULLAH GULEN, THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND A COUPLE HUNDRED MUSLIM-ORIENTED CHARTER SCHOOLS IN THE US, IS IN THE WORLD NEWS AGAIN
Gulen charter schools have a healthy share of the charter school market in the US. These schools have not been without controversy.When Ohio started in the charter school business in the late 1990’s, the Gulen group was among the very first to launch their brand of charters.
Read the full email here.

MAY 26:  STEPHEN DYER’S MAY 20 10^TH PERIOD: “WARNING TO BIDEN ADMIN:  OHIO’S $71 MILLION FEDERAL CHARTER SCHOOL GRANT DISASTER”
Steve Dyer is an attorney, journalist, former Ohio legislator, and a thoughtful, tenacious public school advocate.  His May 20, 2022 10^th Period shows the senseless, ineffectual use of federal charter school grant funds in Ohio.
Read the full email here.

May 22 Columbus Dispatch Front Page Story: “Senate President, The Man Who Runs Ohio”
The Dispatch features a story that begins on the front page and continues for two full pages about how the Senate President is postured to be the most politically powerful person in Ohio.
Read the full email here.

MAY 24:  OHIO’S PREMIER EDUCATION BLOGGER JAN RESSEGER–AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY IN OHIO:  WHAT IS THE KOCH –FUNDED BUCKEYE BLUEPRINT’S EDUCATION PLAN?
In a May 19 Blog, Jan Resseger exposes the anti-public school strategy of a new initiative of the Koch’s Americans for Prosperity.
Read the full email here.

MAY 23:  FUND STUDENTS, NOT THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, IS A DUMB IDEA—VERY DUMB.  ADDITIONALLY IT MOCKS THE OHIO CONSTITUTION
Manifestations of the “fund students” notion are vouchers, tuition tax credits and education savings accounts. The charter school funding scheme is also a “fund students” notion.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.” 
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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. 
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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. 
Read the full email here.

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. 
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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). 
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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. 
Read the full email here.

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. 
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here

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. 
Read the full email here.

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. 
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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. 
Read the full email here.

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”. 
Read the full email here.

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. 
Read the full email here.

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. 
Read the full email here.

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; …”
Read the full email here.

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. 
Read the full email here.

APRIL 13:  SCHOOL CHOICE:  WHAT IT IS NOT ABOUT AND WHAT IT IS ABOUT
School choice is not about:
Read the full email here.

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. 
Read the full email here.

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. 
Read the full email here.

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. 
Read the full email here.

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). 
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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. 
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

MARCH 24 PM:  FEBRUARY/MARCH ISSUE OF OEA’S OHIO SCHOOLS WEIGHS IN ON THE DEROLPH SCHOOL FUNDING CASE
The 25^th 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.
Read the full email here.

MARCH 24:  TODAY IS THE 25^TH 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.
Read the full email here.

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. 
Read the full email here.

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.  
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

MARCH 17, 2022:  FORUM ON THE HISTORY OF SCHOOL FUNDING AND THE SOLUTION IN THE CONTEXT OF THE 25^TH 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!
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

MARCH 15, 2022:  A FEW DAYS FROM NOW—MARCH 24—WILL MARK THE 25^TH 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. 
Read the full email here.

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”. 
Read the full email here.

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.”
Read the full email here.

MARCH 11, 2022:  CHAMPIONS OF PUBLIC EDUCATION IN THE 134^TH 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—
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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:
Read the full email here.

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!
Read the full email here.

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.”
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.  
Read the full email here.

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. 
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 25, 2022:  5 REASONS WHY THE EDCHOICE PROGRAM VIOLATES OHIO’S CONSTITUTION
The EdChoice Program violates a strict interpretation of the Ohio Constitution.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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 10^th Period post Steve Dyer debunks the kind of argument Fordham spews out.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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 134^th General Assembly seems to have an insatiable appetite for vouchers. 
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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
Read the full email here.

FEBRUARY 14, 2022:  OHIO IS PAYING SCHOOLS THAT BASICALLY DISCRIMINATE
Attached is an article published in the Columbus Dispatch Saturday, February 12.
Read the full email here.

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…
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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 24^th to 12^th place in the state ratings.
Read the full email here.

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. 
Read the full email here.

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
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.”
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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. 
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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).
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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
Read the full email here.

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”.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.

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.
Read the full email here.