This post is based on another warning from Sarah Fowler, District 7 State Representative to Ohio’s Board of Education. Did you ever hear of “Social and Emotional Learning in Ohio? How about “Social-Psychological Interventions”? From the Ohio Department of Education… Read More ›
Education
State Board of Education HB 512…..please heed the warning from Sarah Fowler
As we continue to research public education, we have become very thankful that Sarah Fowler is our representative on Ohio’s State Board of Education. Here is Sarah’s biography: https://education.ohio.gov/getattachment/State-Board/State-Board-Members/Sarah-Fowler_bio.pdf.aspx Sarah is speaking up loud and clear, and telling us to… Read More ›
Riverside School Board….they showed their true colors
I attended my first Riverside School Board meeting, and left after 15 minutes. I have never been so disappointed by a group of elected officials. Jennifer Harden, President, stated that there is a section at the end of the meeting,… Read More ›
Community colleges…..State is expanding their role
Upon reviewing the State of Ohio’s budget for 2018 – 2019, we noticed the change in thought process about the mission of Community colleges. (Comment: they must have some great lobbyists at the State House.) Offering Bachelor’s Degrees at Community… Read More ›
Riverside Schools received Award from State Auditor
Perhaps it is the ‘old bean counter’ in me, but I think it is important when a political sub-division does receive an Award from the State’s Auditor. If we take the time to chastise political sub-divisions for their poor performance,… Read More ›
State scores big in Tobacco Agreement…..colleges benefit, why?
We have been reviewing the State of Ohio’s budget reports for prior years to see what decisions have been made by politicians that impact the citizens of the State. Here is an excerpt of the State of Ohio’s Executive Budget… Read More ›
Community Schools…….and we thought public schools were in trouble
In our continuing effort to “pull back the curtain” on issues impacting Lake County residents, we have to say that when we looked at our research on Community schools, also known as Charter schools, we could not believe the abject… Read More ›
Ohio schools grading system….let’s just give everyone a trophy, and call it a day
Thanks to one of our Lobbyists from Kirtland for this article in the Plain Dealer published April 17, 2018. (Hint: highlight the link, then right click your mouse, and then click go the page) http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2018/04/should_school_districts_get_an_a-f_grade_state_report_card_overhaul_debated.html#incart_m-rpt-1 So in 2013, the State… Read More ›
More school problems…Crestwood in Portage County plan staff reduction
Thanks again to our Kirtland Lobbyists for this information on another public school having to make staff reductions. Parents frustrated over layoffs at Crestwood Local Schools Crestwood, located in Portage County, earned a “C” grade on the “Achievement” category in the… Read More ›
Ohio’s public schools are in trouble….Niles trying to survive
Thanks to our Kirtland lobbyist for this article on Niles schools. http://www.vindy.com/news/2018/apr/12/niles-schools-needs-new-levy-may-just-stay-afloat/ They need a 5.85 mill levy just to stay afloat. That means the citizens will be asked to pay out of pocket $204.75 annually (5.85 x $35.00/mill), but… Read More ›
Lakeland Community College…..$97 million in pensions….are they completely funded?
We asked and received on a very timely basis five years worth of financial statements from Lakeland Community College. The statements were prepared by Ciuni & Panichi. Here is there Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2017. LCC Balance Sheet… Read More ›
Lakeland Community College….some unanswered questions
We have been reviewing the financial statements provided to us by Lakeland Community College. We were very concerned about one item in particular, and that was their pension liability of $97 million. Here is the email we sent today to… Read More ›
State of Ohio’s Education Funding for 2018…..amazing numbers…
We thought it would be interesting to see what the State of Ohio’s Education budget was for 2018. Here is the link to the State’s website for their entire budget. http://obm.ohio.gov/Budget/operating/doc/fy-18-19/enacted/budgetindetail-hb49-en.pdf We separated the Department of Education budget. Here is… Read More ›
State Rep Candidates’ Answers to Taxes and School question
Lobbyists for Citizens tries to remain neutral on candidates and prefers to stick to the issues that impact Lake County residents. Jamie Callender and John Plecnik are running for State Representative for District 61, currently held by the term limited Ron Young. … Read More ›
Article on the future of education….
Thanks to our Painesville lobbyist for this great article on the future of public education. This is a worthwhile read……it covers many of the points that we have discussing in previous posts. However, it fails to correlate the increasing cost… Read More ›
Education Costs Nationwide…a universal problem
Thanks to a Painesville lobbyist for this interesting link discussing the average per pupil spend nationwide. https://www.npr.org/2016/04/18/474256366/why-americas-schools-have-a-money-problem (Comment: In my opinion, the current “brick and mortar” approach to public education will have to be amended because it is simply not… Read More ›
Other opinions on real estate taxes for schools….you also can respond
We would like to give a forum for others in the community to express their opinions on issues facing Lake County citizens. Here is a thoughtful response from a Painesville Township resident regarding real estate taxes and schools: I believe… Read More ›
Auburn Career Center….a few questions answered
A big thank you to Sherry Williamson, Treasurer and CFO, of the Auburn Career Center for her honesty and transparency in answering our questions. They are a very community minded organization, and graciously allow the use of their tremendous meeting… Read More ›
Each Child=Our Future….meeting in Jefferson
We will be attending another meeting on Tuesday in Jefferson, Ohio. It is billed as the “Ashtabula County Regional Stakeholder Meeting”. They will be discussing future plans for Ohio’s education system. Here is their final draft of “Each Child=Our Future”… Read More ›
Ohio’s Public Education System…..it is out of control….
We just attended a 2 hour meeting in Mentor on State Education Policy. The moderators were State Board Representatives. They wanted us to contact our State legislators and ask them not to support HB 512. It gives control of our… Read More ›
Ohio Schools’ 2016-2017 Report Cards….let’s pull back the curtain
On previous posts, we disclosed that 68% of Lake County real estate taxes are spent on our public schools. We have been constantly reminded by school officials and real estate agents that we must mindlessly continue to support our public… Read More ›
Lake County Schools’ 2017 Report Card….a solid D..at a cost of ~$412 million
Thanks to a fellow Lobbyists for this great find…. Here is a link to website that deals with issue of protecting Ohio’s children. http://www.ohiovaluevoters.org/protect-ohio-children.html Here is a link to the State of Ohio’s website providing report cards for all of… Read More ›
State of Ohio Budget 2019-2020…LCC comes up big
Thanks to one of our Lobbyists for this information…. Here is a page from the State of Ohio Capital Appropriations budget for 2019 – 2020. Lakeland Community College has been awarded $4,000,000 for Renovations to their Engineering Building and $379,265… Read More ›
Lakeland’s Response to our Records Request
As we strive for complete honesty and transparency, here is the cover letter that we received from a Lakeland official. In addition, we received 5 years worth of financial statements. Cover Letter to Mr. Massie 3_27_18 We will endeavor to… Read More ›
Lakeland Community College……proposed levy in the works?
We have not heard from Lakeland Community College yet regarding our requests for financial information. However, we received from a reliable, knowledgeable source that Lakeland is planning on putting a levy on the ballot. They are trying to determine the… Read More ›