The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Board members ask locals to call senators
Lorain elected officials ask local voters to call state senators about returning local control to public schools.
Two elected officials said supporters of Lorain City Schools must make their voices heard in Columbus this week.
Lorain City Schools board of education President Mark Ballard and state Rep.
Joe Miller, D-Amherst, on May 13 began their information campaigns in hopes of finding help through legislative action of state lawmakers.
On May 13, the Ohio State Board of Education began its regular meeting for the month in the state capital.
The board is expected to hear from Ballard, along with parents traveling to talk about the effects of House Bill 70, the state law that governs school districts that are in the state’s academic distress rating.
Ballard and other Lorain Schools board members, city officials and residents have become staunch critics of the process by which an appointed academic distress commission names a chief executive officer to oversee daily operations of the schools.
“The Lorain City Schools has experienced the most traumatic and unparalleled challenge to the tenets of public education in the history of our city,” Ballard said.
“The appointment by the Ohio Department of Education of the academic distress commission and the chief executive officer has resulted in lower test scores, less transparency, little to no accountability and the creation of a culture of distrust, dysfunction and organizational chaos.
“It is most important that the state school board and the state superintendent understand the tragedy that has happened in Lorain, and we are asking the state school board to allow Lorain City Schools be released from this hostile take-over.”
Meanwhile, Miller asked Lorain Schools supporters to call members of the Ohio Senate to express their feelings about the district and its governance.
Miller introduced legislation, known as House Bill 154, that seeks to end state takeovers of Ohio schools and restore local control to education officials over the school improvement process.
The Ohio House passed the bill May 1.
Eight days later, the Ohio House Democratic Caucus announced the House approved a state budget that includes provisions HB 154.
Now, residents need to call state senators and urge them to keep HB 154 in the state budget bill, Miller said.
“We need to show the Ohio Senate that ending state takeovers of schools can’t wait,” he said in an emailed message published May 13. “I ask that you reach out to Senators to let them know that you support HB 154 — and respectfully ask that they include it in the state budget.”
Miller named three Republican members of the Ohio Senate Finance Subcommittee on Education. They are: Sen. Lou Terhar, R-Green Township, the chairman; Sen. Peggy Lehner, R-Kettering, vice chairwoman; and Sen. Nathan Manning, R-North Ridgeville, who already has become a vocal opponent of the state takeover of local school districts.
Miller suggested voters tell the lawmakers about HB 154 and its effects.
“If you have a story to tell about how HB 70 has affected you, your children, or your community, this is your chance to help your elected officials understand the urgent need to end state takeovers,” he said.