Legislative Updates

July 2010

Budget Cuts in K-12 Public Education Looming

As the biennial budget process begins again this fall, Ohio like many other states, is facing a significant budget shortfall as a consequence of the “Great Recession.” Problem number one from the standpoint of education is the state’s revenue shortfall. Problem number two is that the state was only able to fully fund K-12 public education in the last budget go-round with stimulus money (about $850 million) from the federal government. Given declining revenues and the end to stimulus dollars many experts are predicting the necessity to cut funding for K-12 public education somewhere between 10 and 15%. 

State budget director Pari Sabety has asked state agencies to prepare two budget forecasts, one based upon flat funding and the other based upon 90% of current funding. Charter schools would be wise to do the same thing. As the budget process develops, look to the Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools to provide support and counsel around efficient and streamlined fiscal planning.

JUNE 2010

Representative Dyer Plans to Continue his Probe Into Charter School Law With Possible Future Hearings

Representative Stephen Dyer (D-Green) held two hearings of his Primary and Secondary Education Subcommittee of the House Finance and Appropriations Committee exploring state law related to a recently filed charter school lawsuit. Rep. Dyer says that he intends to pursue solutions to problems that he claims exist with for-profit operating companies and their alleged potential for control over the non-profit boards of directors of community charter schools.

According to a report in the Gongwer Ohio News Service, “Rep. Dyer said he does not necessarily think the problem lies in operators being for-profit companies, as some witnesses suggested, as much as a lack of transparency raises problems when operators are not performing to standard.”

Dyer indicated, "I think we need to get (a bill) out there relatively soon, but I don't know if that's a matter of days, weeks or months," he said.
 

April 2010

Don’t Miss Your School’s Opportunity to Participate in Race-to-the-Top Funding!

Yesterday, State Superintendent Deborah Delisle released more information on the Phase II Race to the Top (RttT) application process. In light of the complex work associated with RttT, a funding floor has been established which guarantees a minimum funding amount for participating districts and community schools.

If your community school is on this list, we strongly encourage you to participate in Race to the Top and take advantage of this new funding floor. There are 293 districts and 105 community schools that would receive a minimum level of funds if they apply. Eligible school districts will receive $100,000 and community schools will receive $25,000 if they apply and the state's application is approved.

Please see the attached list to confirm whether your charter school is eligible for the funding floor. Also attached is the amount of possible funds for all districts and charter schools.

It is important community schools submit MOUs as soon as possible. Districts and community schools eligible for the funding floor must submit their MOU to the Ohio Department of Education by May 3, 2010 at 4 p.m. All remaining MOUs will be due to ODE on May 14, 2010 at 4 p.m.

Each MOU brings our state one step closer to being a contender for $400 million in funding. Illustrating enhanced participation from school districts and community schools will ultimately strengthen Ohio's application and benefit students across the state.

For more information on RttT, go to www.rttt.education.ohio.gov

Please click here for a list of schools that will receive floor funding. 

Please click here for schools that will receive other funding amounts.
 

Charter school funding restored in final budget bill

After months of deliberations and debate -- the 128th General Assembly passed H.B. 1, the state’s biennial budget bill. The House of Representatives passed the legislation mostly along party lines with a vote of 54-44, while the Senate approved the measure by a vote of 17-15 (with the support of the chamber’s 12 Democrats and five Republican leaders).

Although a thorough review of the final bill and support documents will take time, the General Assembly’s actions with respect to primary and secondary education are clear. Despite the crippling recession, related shortfalls in state revenue and deep spending cuts imposed on countless state agencies and programs, the Administration, House and Senate agreed that K-12 education would remain a top priority.

Governor Strickland’s efforts to “overhaul” education funding were successful with approval of the “Evidence-Based Model,” which aims to cost-out staffing and facility resources needed to improve academic success. However, a compromise was made to modify the model to provide funding on a per-pupil basis as favored by Republicans. House Democrats also agreed to the Senate’s demand that charter school funding be restored.

Under the bill, state funding to primary and secondary schools will decrease by about 0.25 percent each year from more than $6.54 billion in fiscal year 2009 to about $6.53 billion in FY 2010 and $6.51 billion in FY 2011. These modest cuts to public schools apply to both traditional and charter. 

Against the backdrop of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, the modest yet equitable cuts to charter schools – as compared to the devastating funding reductions proposed by the Governor and supported by the House – represent a tremendous legislative victory for school choice advocates!

Beyond funding, the following highlights of the outcome on key charter school provisions included in various versions of H.B. 1 should help relieve anxiety among charter school stakeholders and supporters.

First, a look a changes proposed during the lengthy budget process that remain in the final version of the bill:

Community school closure – The most significant demand of charter critics was tightening of Ohio’s automatic closure laws.  Under H.B. 1, current performance criteria that trigger automatic closure of a community school (with a continued exemption for dropout recovery schools with a waiver from ODE, and a new exemption for schools in which a majority of the students are receiving special education) effective July 1, 2009 include:

• For schools that do not offer a grade higher than 3, requires closure if the school has been in academic emergency for three of the four most recent school years (instead of the previous standard of four consecutive years);
• For schools that offer any of grades 4 to 8 but no grade higher than 9, requires closure if the school has been in academic emergency for two of the three most recent school years and showed less than one standard year of academic growth in reading or math for at least two of the three most recent years (instead of the previous standard of academic emergency for three consecutive years and showed less than one standard year of academic growth in reading or math for two of those years);
• For schools that offer any of grades 10 to 12, requires closure if the school has been in academic emergency for three of the four most recent years (instead of the previous standard of three consecutive years).

Community school report cards – H.B. 1 eliminates the requirement that a community school must be in operation for two full school years before the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) may issue its report card.  A compromise was reached to exempt the performance rating on the report cards issued in these first two years from consideration for automatic closure or any other matter based on report card ratings.

Community school calamity days – The Senate amendment requiring ODE to waive the number of hours a community school is closed for a public calamity as long as the school provides the required minimum number of learning opportunities to students in the school years remains in the final version of the bill.

Sponsor performance – Under the bill, ODE’s annual report on community schools must include information on the performance of community school sponsors.

Sponsor oversight – H.B. 1 provides that ODE’s authority to oversee and monitor community school sponsors applies to ALL sponsors, regardless of whether they must initially be approved by ODE for sponsorship. 

e-School instructional spending – Remaining in the bill is a provision added by the Senate adding computers and software to the instructional items for which Internet or computer-based community schools may use the per pupil amount of state funds calculated for base classroom teachers.

JVSD conversion community schools – The bill includes a provision amended into the bill by the Senate permitting the conversion of a building operated by a joint vocational school district board of education into a community school in the same manner as a building operated by a city, local or exempted village school district board of education or an educational service center governing board may be converted under existing law.

And now, a look at changes proposed by Governor Strickland and/or the Democrat-led House of Representatives which were removed at the insistence of the Republican-led Senate (to whom charter advocates owe great appreciation):

Community school accountability – Several provisions (related to opening date exception for dropout recovery schools, submission of corrective action plans to ODE, and release of student records) were eliminated.

Community school consolidation – A provision was eliminated which would have required ODE to compute aggregate funding for co-located schools as if they were one school and to pay each school a per-pupil share of the aggregate amount.

Community school on-site evaluations – Provisions were eliminated that would have required ODE to conduct an on-site visit of each community school at least every five years to evaluate the school’s operations.

Teacher qualifications – Eliminated from the bill was a provision which would have explicitly required community school teachers to be highly qualified in the same manner as teachers employed by school districts and further requiring community schools to comply with any other State Board rules (such as those that limit teachers to teaching in the subject areas of grade levels for which they are licensed).

Unauditable community schools – Language was removed from the bill that would have made permanent provisions prescribing procedures for the Auditor of State, community school sponsors, and ODE, with regard to community schools that are declared unauditable (current procedures will remain, but must be approved by the General Assembly to continue beyond the current budget bill).

Sponsor sanctions – Had this provision remained in the bill, ODE would have been permitted to impose new sanctions (probation and suspension) against a sponsor prior to revoking the sponsor’s authority to sponsor.

Sponsor assurances – Had this provision remained, sponsors would have been required to provide assurances to ODE that each community school it sponsors is in compliance with criminal records check and supervision requirements for ALL employees of private companies under contract with the school.

Sponsor caps – A provision prohibiting a sponsor from initially entering into a sponsorship contract with a community school if more than 33 percent of the sponsor’s existing schools in Ohio are in academic watch or academic emergency was eliminated.

Prohibition of for-profit operators – Eliminated from the bill is a provision requiring that operators of community schools be non-profit entities.

Contracts with operators – Eliminated from the bill is a provision requiring that contracts between a community school and an operator be selected through a competitive bidding process established by ODE. Another provision was eliminated which would have required community school sponsors to annually report to ODE information about operators hired by the schools they sponsor.

Operator appeal – This provision, had it remained in the bill, would have repealed current law that permits a community school operator whose contract will be terminated or not renewed by the school’s governing authority to appeal the decision to the school’s sponsor, or in some cases, to the State Board of Education, and requires the operator to replace the school’s governing authority if the operator prevails in the appeal.

Sale of school district property – Had this provision not been removed, charter schools would have been denied the right of first refusal to unneeded or unused district property in certain circumstances

Design specifications for community school buildings – Thanks to the Senate, a provision to require all community schools (except e-schools) to meet the School Facilities Commission’s classroom facility design guidelines was eliminated.

Not everyone will be happy with every provision, but this was a particularly difficult budget negotiation for a variety of reasons. Senate Finance Committee Chair John Carey (R-Wellston) described the bill and the process as “like a shotgun wedding where we have responsibilities to meet and we have to come together.” 

Difficult times produce even more difficult compromises. The Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools is deeply grateful to policy-makers – particularly the Senate Majority leadership team – for preserving charter school funding and eliminating proposed changes to law aimed at crippling Ohio’s charter school movement and eliminating choice for tens of thousands of families who believe that charter schools best meet their children’s needs.

The Department of Education sections of the bill are quite lengthy and not all support documents summarizing the impact of H.B.1 are available at this time. So, stay tuned for additional information on provisions of interest to charter school leaders.

June 2009

Am. Sub. H.B. 1 applauded by charter advocates

Ohio’s charter school advocates breathed a collective sigh of relief as the Senate’s version of the amended state budget bill -- which restores funding for more than 300 charter schools – was released. “The Senate’s restoration of funding for Ohio’s charter schools provides a lifeline to more than 80,000 public school students and their families,” said Bill Sims, OAPCS president.  “It also annuls the constitutional questions raised by House bill provisions which would have cut funding for Ohio’s public charter schools by as much as $160 million in 2010.” “The Ohio Alliance understands that at the end of the day final resolution to these matters will be addressed by the conference committee,” he continued. “But we are encouraged and grateful for the leadership of Senators Harris, Carey and Cates among others for their steadfast support of equitable funding for public charter school students.”Education 

March 2009

This month, meetings with the Governor's top policy staff and Senate President Pro Tempore Tom Niehaus were beneficial to our advocacy goals. The OAPCS strategy in these regards is simple, to use with great determination, a fact-based approach to counter the Governor's "evidenced-based" attack on charter schools.Of particular note was the reaction by charter school opponents of the Primary and Secondary Education Subcommittee of the House Finance and Appropriations Committee to OAPCS President Bill Sims' characterization (see testimony) of the Governor's proposed budget and education plan as an attempt to segregate charters into "separate and unequal" status. Yes, it is discrimination. Twenty percent cuts across the board to charter school funding totaling $140 million, seventy percent cuts to e-schools, exclusion from the Ohio Instructional Quality Index, and the removal of charters from the state school foundation funding formula to a separate line item in the budget amount to nothing less than attempts to weaken charter school quality and operations to the point of incapacitation. OAPCS strongly encourages all charter schools stakeholders to join our email advocacy initiative to write to your legislators and let your voices be heard. We have been very gratified by your efforts so far. In less than two weeks, over 6,000 messages have been sent to state legislators. Be assured, legislative staff are taking note. Our goal is to double these numbers by the end of the month.

February 2009

More questions raised than answered in Governor's budget plan

An initial review of the Ohio Office of Budget & Management (OBM) overview of proposed Department of Education funding leaves many questions unanswered regarding Governor Strickland's biennial budget proposal and school funding "fix." Many issues will be clarified by the actual budget bill and analysis currently being written by the bipartisan Legislative Service Commission which are expected to be released next week.A press release expressing concern regarding inequities in proposed funding for charter schools was sent to media this morning.The Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools (OAPCS) will provide a more detailed overview after the House version of the proposed budget bill is released. In the meantime, the following highlights some of the many questions raised, but not answered, in the OBM overview:

• Under the new system, traditional public schools will receive funding based on one key number (prior year average daily membership)... it appears that charters will continue to be funded based on monthly student counts
• The Governor's plan notes that the most critical component of any education funding system is teachers (representing 80% of districts' directed resources) … yet the new Ohio-Instructional Quality Index component (which clearly accounts for district differences) incorrectly assumes that charter schools' teacher salaries are equal to those in traditional public schools
• Since charter schools do not receive a share of local tax dollars, they receive no benefits from the proposed changes to property tax revenues that will continue to fund traditional public schools
• The Ohio-Instructional Quality Index unfairly assumes that charter schools have one "organizational unit" regardless of actual enrollment (unlike traditional public schools whose organizational units are determined based on actual student enrollment)

Executive budget documents released by the Office of Budget & Management clearly state that charter schools will NOT be provided funding for a superintendent or a treasurer.The Governor's plan includes provisions aimed at "improving community school accountability," including:

• Granting ODE authority and regulation over all charter schools and sponsors;
• Eliminating first offer language on school district property sales (which requires districts to offer unused buildings to charter schools at market value before otherwise disposing of the property);
• Requiring charters to adhere to highly qualified teacher standard; Creating performance report cards for all charters (will charter schools have two report cards, or one report card unique to the charter community?;
• Requiring competitively bid management service contracts;
• Prohibiting for-profit management services (this has huge impact considering the fact that nearly half of Ohio's charter school students attend schools that utilize the services of for-profit management companies);
• Granting ODE authority to place sponsors on probationary status or suspend sponsoring authority
• Making unauditable language permanent law;
• Requiring ODE to conduct an on-site visit every 5 years, permitting sponsors to use the on-site report to take action against a school or revoke sponsorship authority for failure to act;
• Requiring charter school operators to have at least one Ohio school in at least continuous improvement;
• Prohibiting "sponsor shopping" by charter school operators; and
• Providing penalties for non-compliance with the assurances required of community school sponsors; technical assistance will be provided prior to any sanctions being imposed.

The Executive budget proposal will fund a number of "objectives" … for instance, supporting the "training and professional development of school district treasurers, school administrators, and school business officials." Since charter schools will NOT be provided funding for a superintendent or a treasurer, should we also assume that their training and professional development will not be funded? Does that mean that the Governor's broad priorities and objectives simply do not apply to charter schools?The executive budget also funds an objective to "provide school districts with the necessary resources so that they may implement the Ohio School Climate guidelines and create optimal learning environments." Does the Governor believe these same resources should be provided to charter schools?Will the proposal to "provide grants to schools in school improvement status to implement school improvement strategies" also be available to charter schools? What about the other grants proposed in the budget plan?The plan calls for a new transportation formula that better aligns funding to actual service levels … no mention is made of funding for charter schools that aren't adequately served by their local districts or that choose to provide their own transportation services to students.The Executive recommendation funds the objective of providing "assistance to districts in fiscal distress" … yet makes no mention of helping struggling charter schools return to "fiscal solvency."Clearly, additional details are needed to fully assess the impact and intent of Governor Strickland's proposals. Look for additional information from OAPCS as details develop.

January 2009

OAPCS Responds to the State of the State Address

William J. Sims, president and CEO of the Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools, released the following statement in connection with Governor Strickland's State of the State speech: We commend the Governor for his announced goal of going beyond tinkering to make Ohio's educational system the best in the world with curriculum geared to helping students achieve in the 21st century economy. We also are grateful for Governor Strickland's support for charter schools and the role they can play in reaching his goals. We look forward to working with him in the weeks and months ahead during legislative debate on his budget proposal. In otherwise stimulating and thoughtful comments on education, we saw as a non-sequitor the Governor's negative comments about for-profit charter school management companies. We believe the educational policy focus should be on the real goals of excellence and accountability, and that the state cannot rule out any potential contributor to educational progress on the basis of an artificial criterion like legal form of organization. We are waiting to review the details of the Governor's budget. Gov. Strickland's State of the State Address (link to the video)

Education funding included in proposed federal economic stimulus package

The U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee has released proposed legislation to advance President Obama's economic stimulus package, known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan. About 17 percent -- more than $140 billion -- of the $825 billion package is allocated to K-12 and higher education.Consistent with President Obama's campaign promises of support, charter schools are eligible for funding under the current bill. Allocation of funds is formula-driven, most likely by individual schools' Title 1 participation rate. It appears that funds may flow through state governors since the language does not stipulate that the allocations will be made to State Education Agencies (SEAs). Ultimately, funding will be distributed through Local Education Agencies (and directly to charter schools that are designated as their own LEAs).Ohio's share of the proposed K-12 funding is significant, approximately: $484 million in Title 1 funds; $499 million in Special Education funds; $37 million in Education Technology funds; and, $521 million in Construction (renovation, rewiring and renewal) funds. Ohio would also receive a share of the total $25-50 million allocated for credit enhancement. The next step in the process will be to reconcile differences between the proposed House legislation and a U.S. Senate companion bill. Congress has expressed its intent to swiftly pass an economic stimulus bill to be sent to the President for his signature by mid-February, but it's difficult to predict how smooth and swift the process will be.OAPCS will follow the legislative process and provide updates as additional details are available. We will aggressively pursue fair allocation to Ohio's charter schools. For more information, click here.

December 2008

Governor's "Conversation on Education" continues Schoolfunding forums to be held in six locations

Governor Ted Strickland continues efforts to reform Ohio's education system, as pledged during his '06 election campaign, and has announced that he will host six regional school funding forums across the state in November and December.The forums will serve as an opportunity to garner feedback on Ohio's school funding system before the governor introduces his education reform and school funding proposal early next year.Throughout the summer, Gov. Strickland held 11 "Conversation on Education" forums that focused on six principles for education reform outlined in his 2008 State of the State address and sought education reform policy ideas from participants representing all education stakeholders.These discussions are critically important, with significant potential impact on future legislation, including the 2009 budget bill. Charter school advocates, including the Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools (OAPCS), have been engaged in dialogue with the governor and his administration throughout the process, and invite other charter school supporters – students, parents, teachers, principals, board members, sponsors and others – to work with us to ensure that our voices are heard! Individuals and organizations representing the "traditional" public education perspective – including school districts and the powerful teachers unions – will be very involved, and it is vital that the charter school perspective be vigorously presented.Next stepThere are two key ways to help …

1. Participate in a forum Submit the following information to cwest@oapcs.org to volunteer to attend one of the six upcoming forums: Your name; Your title or role (student, principal, board member, etc.); The name of your school/organization; Your email address; and The location of the forum you'd like to attend. Charter school stakeholders will have limited seats at each forum. Participants will be selected to ensure that various perspectives are offered. A confirmation email will be sent to each member of the charter "delegations" with location information and general school funding talking points. The governor's office will also communicate directly with confirmed participants.
2. Coordinate or participate in a local "watch party." Watch parties represent another good opportunity to provide input. All of the forums can be viewed via web cast and some will be broadcast on local PBS television stations. Participants can view forums, participate in follow up discussions and submit feedback to the Strickland Administration. It's important that charter school supporters make sure their voices are heard loud and clear through this process. Details on how to host a watch party are available at www.conversationoneducation.org. Let OAPCS know if you host a watch party by sending an email to cwest@oapcs.org.

So, when and where?School funding forums are scheduled as follows:Nov. 20, 4:30-6 pm – ColumbusDec. 11, 4:30-6 pm – ClevelandDec. 12, 4:30-6 pm – ToledoDec. 18, 4:30-6 pm – MansfieldDec. 19, 4:30-6 pm – CincinnatiDec. 20, 2:30-4 pm – AthensFor more information on charter school involvement, contact Catherine West, Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools, at cwest@oapcs.org or 614-744-2266, ext. 203.

July 2008

Governor engages Ohioans in "Conversation on Education"
Charter school stakeholders urged to participate in regional meetings

Governor Ted Strickland, who has pledged to reform Ohio's education system, is engaging stakeholder groups in dialogue focused on "the mission for public education" and six broad principles. The Administration will also provide opportunities for additional stakeholders and the general public to offer input on specific education policy ideas. These discussions are critically important, with significant potential impact on future legislation, including the 2009 budget bill. Charter school lobbyists/advocates have come together with the Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools (OAPCS) to engage in dialogue with the Strickland Administration, and encourages other charter school supporters – students, parents, teachers, principals, board members, sponsors and others – to work together to ensure that our voices are heard!

What's next?

The next step in the process is a series of 12 "Governor's Conversation on Education" forums to be held across the state. These regional events will give local citizens the opportunity to "vet proposed ideas on creating a system of education that is innovative, personalized and linked to economic prosperity in Ohio." Participation in these forums, which will be broadcast on local PBS stations and streamed live on the web, is by invitation only, and participation is very limited. The charter school stakeholder group that has been engaged in discussions with the Administration is responsible for organizing community school participation in these regional forums; OAPCS is coordinating the solicitation of candidates from schools not represented by one of the professional lobbyists. Individuals and organizations representing the "traditional" public education perspective – including school districts and the powerful teachers unions – will be very involved, and it is vital that the charter school perspective be vigorously presented. So, when and where will the forums will held? The forums are scheduled in each of the Ohio Department of Development's 12 economic regions in the coming weeks.July 22 (4:30-6 pm) -- COLUMBUS Region 1: Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Licking, Logan, Madison, Pickaway & Union counties July 23 (5-6:30 pm) – AKRON Region 9: Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit & Wayne countiesJuly 28 (4:30-6 pm) – CINCINNATI Region 5: Butler, Clermont, Hamilton & Warren countiesJuly 29 (4:30-6 pm) – DAYTON Region 4: Champaign, Clark, Clinton, Darke, Greene, Miami, Montgomery, Preble & Shelby countiesAug. 6 (4:30-6 pm) – CLEVELAND Region 8: Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake & Lorain counties Aug. 11 (4:30-6 pm) – ZANESVILLE Region 10: Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Holmes, Jefferson, Muskingum & Tuscarawas counties Aug. 12 (5-6:30 pm) – CHILLICOTHE Region 7: Adams, Brown, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto & Vinton countiesAug. 15 (4-5:30 pm) – LIMA Region: Allen, Auglaize, Hancock, Hardin, Mercer, Paulding, Putnam & Van Wert counties Aug. 18 (5-6:30 pm) – MARIETTA Region 11: Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry & Washington countiesAug. 20 (5-6:30 pm) – TOLEDORegion 2: Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, Wood & Williams counties Sept. 3 (4-5:30 pm) – YOUNGSTOWN Region 12: Ashtabula, Mahoning & Trumbull countiesSept. 15 (4:30-6 pm) – MANSFIELD Region 6: Ashland, Crawford, Huron, Knox, Marion, Morrow, Richland, Seneca & Wyandot counties

How can charter supporters help?

There are two ways that charter school supporters can make a difference:

1. Participate in a local forum Submit the name(s) of candidates, the charter school organization they are affiliated with, their role within the organization, contact info & why their perspective is important to the discussion to cwest@oapcs.org as quickly as possible. Participants must live in the district in which the forum they attend is held, and must be "grassroots, on-the-ground, front-line" folks engaged in the charter school movement. Participants must also be comfortable speaking on the issues of school choice, funding and accountability (to ensure consistent messaging, general talking points will be provided). The charter school stakeholder group, with the organizational support of the OAPCS, will help identify the limited number of representatives for each of the 12 events.
2. Coordinate and/or participate in a local "watch party" (which will also provide important opportunities for grassroots charter school input to Gov. Strickland) The Governor's Office encourages "watch parties" – groups gathered together to watch the broadcast/webcast and to participate in facilitated follow up discussions, submitting feedback to the Administration. Again, various stakeholder groups (including districts and unions) will be involved, with the Administration encouraging them to host watch parties in each of the 12 districts. It's important that charter school supporters make sure their voices are also heard loud and clear through this process. The Governor's Office will provide additional information by mid-July.

• For more information on Gov. Strickland's education reform process
• For more information on charter school involvement in this important process, contact the Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools at 614-744-2266, ext. 203

May 2008

Ohio House of Representatives Issues Charter School Week Resolution

The Ohio House of Representatives issued a resolution on Wednesday, May 7, 2008, recognizing "National Charter Schools Week," in Ohio May 5-9, 2008. The language of the resolution was gratifying for community charter school students, parents, teachers and school leaders. Bill Sims, president of the Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools, received the resolution on the House floor from Speaker of the House Jon Husted and then briefly addressed the Ohio House of Representatives saying that, "The community charter school movement in Ohio takes seriously its role and responsibility in ensuring high-quality alternatives in Ohio's educational reform." Joining Mr. Sims on the House floor for the occasion, representing all charter schools across the state, were leaders and students from the Millennium Community School of Columbus.

Roberts introduces anti-charter school legislation

Last week, Senate Education Committee ranking minority member Tom Roberts (D-Dayton) held a press conference to announce the introduction of three bills aimed at "greatly strengthening transparency and accountability standards in the community school system while also empowering communities and districts to work together to promote economic development."Senator Roberts was flanked by key "stakeholders" - the Ohio Education Association, the Ohio Federation of Teachers, the Ohio School Boards Association, the Ohio Association of School Business Officials, and the Buckeye Association of School Administrators - as he outlined the trio of anti-charter school legislative proposals. According to Sen. Roberts, S.B. 331 would hold community schools to the same standards for student accountability and teacher qualifications as public schools. The legislation would also require school districts that enroll students who previously attended community schools to: determine why the community school was originally chosen; determine the student's reason for leaving the community school; and, require the Ohio Dept. of Education to compile and post this data on its Web site. S.B. 332 would extend public records and public audit laws currently applied to community schools to all sponsors and operators. The legislation would also prohibit community school sponsors from renewing contracts with schools that owe money to the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation and would "suspend" schools found to have arrearages of more than one year's premiums.Roberts' third legislative proposal, S.B. 333, would repeal provisions of current law that gives community schools the right of first refusal on the market value purchase of unused district buildings, "enabling local communities to partner with school districts in economic development activities." As the ranking minority member of the Senate Education Committee, Sen. Roberts has requested swift consideration of the legislative proposals. Although it is highly unlikely that Sen. Roberts' bills will receive strong support in the Republican-controlled Senate and House, initial hearings have been scheduled for today on two of the three. While there is no need for serious concern that the bills will become law during the 127th General Assembly, they do serve to remind charter school supporters of determined and ongoing efforts by critics to increase charter school regulations.

January 2008

OAPCS Memo on Dropout Recovery Provisions

This memo, released on Jan. 4, 2008, outlines the history and context for dropout recovery performance standards in anticipation of a stakeholders meeting on Jan. 15, 2008. The State Board of Education must make legislative recommendations for community schools that operate dropout programs eligible for a waiver by March 30, 2008.

• OAPCS Dropout Recovery Provision