Posted by Jennifer A. Hardin on

In the wake of 17 deaths in the shooting at Marjory Stoneham Douglas High School on Feb. 14, students across the country are organizing public statements, letters to the editor and planned walkouts to protest what students perceive as a lack of effective response by leaders.

One planned walkout will occur next Wednesday, March 14, when some students will…

Posted by Megan E. Greulich on

On Monday, Feb. 26, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Janus v. AFCSME, Council 31 regarding the constitutionality of requiring nonmember bargaining unit…

Posted by Sara C. Clark on

In less than two weeks the Ohio Safety Congress & Expo will be underway! This event will be hosted at the Greater Columbus Convention Center on March 7-9, 2018. The Ohio Safety Congress & Expo offers the Midwest’s largest and most diverse agenda of educational sessions for safety and health professionals, risk managers and human resource specialists.

Posted by Sara C. Clark on

With the rising use of social media, it is becoming more difficult for school districts to know when to intervene with online issues involving students. When should a school district address off-campus social media posts between students? Should they be involved in disciplining pupils who have engaged in social media misconduct? Where is the balance between a student’s First Amendment right to free speech and the district’s goals of protecting students and providing a safe and nurturing school environment…

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The United States Department of Education (USDOE) has announced a new school funding pilot program and an interactive resource for data on English Learners (ELs).

Posted by Sara C. Clark on

As Ohio public school districts welcome former ECOT students back into their schools, OSBA is supporting boards of education with any assistance they need to help students smoothly transition into the public school system. As part of that effort, OSBA has created a web page

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Posted by Megan E. Greulich on

On Jan. 16, via press release, the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) announced the approval of Ohio’s state plan submitted as required by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Ohio was one of 11 states receiving DOE plan approval, including Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Ohio’s plan was unanimously approved by the State Board on July 11, 2017, and subsequently submitted to DOE on Sept. 15, 2017. The press release highlighted some unique features of Ohio’s plan, including its focus on serving…

Posted by Jennifer A. Hardin on

Does your board have new members? Have you been a board member for a while, but want to brush up on some of the basics? OSBA’s upcoming workshop — “Board member 101: Survival kit for your first 90 days in office” — may be just the ticket.

This two-day workshop focuses on helping board members, particularly those who are new to their positions, to develop into more effective educational leaders. OSBA staff from the divisions of board and management services, legal services, policy, and legislative services are…

Posted by Sara C. Clark on

Ohio Revised Code (RC) 3313.82 requires every school district and educational service center (ESC) to assemble a business advisory council. As part of the most recent budget bill, the Ohio General Assembly enacted RC 3313.821, which directs the superintendent of public instruction, in consultation with the governor’s executive workforce board, to establish standards for the operation of business advisory councils. Those…

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Posted by Megan E. Greulich on

On Dec. 7, the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) released a Q&A document clarifying the scope of a free appropriate public education (FAPE) following the Supreme Court of the United States’ (SCOTUS) March 2017 decision in Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District.

The SCOTUSblog provides resources…