A blogger in Columbus updates us on recent developments there.
First the mayor decided to get involved, which everyone thought would be a good thing.
Then the mayor appointed a panel of “experts,” many of whom do not live in Columbus and 96% of whom are not public school parents.
Then the panel released its plan: “And when the panel came out with suggestions that included eliminating the internal auditor (Carolyn Smith), installing more administration in an already bloated system, and taking in more money to support charter schools… the public response went from disappointment to outrage.”
Then the state legislature jumped in to propose that the panel recommendations go on the ballot. In Ohio these days, state intervention is usually bad news for public schools.
The question is whether the people who depend on the Columbus public schools will stand together to protect them.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Columbus City Schools are a mess! Anything and everything done would be an improvement!
I am so disappointed in Mayor Mike Coleman! I have voted for him 3 times, but after this, I do not think there will be a 4th time! He has sold us out to Kasich, I am ashamed of Columbus right now.
If anyone is interested to see who the members of the commission are, here is a link:http://reimaginecolumbuseducation.org/who-we-are/members-of-the-commission/
It doesn’t seem like that bad a group, though I wonder if Gorden Gee is still on it.
I taught in the Columbus Public Schools from ’72 to ’78. Even back then, the district was found to be very “top heavy” in the administration building. I’m sure that has nearly reached the implosion state. What is now being proposed by the rulers there is insidious and will ONLY serve corporate interest, never the kids. Is there a city that isn’t following this Orwellian game plan to milk the public system? I don’t think so. And what, pray tell are the background credentials of the “experts?” That city’s voters should DEMAND their resumes that allow them to be touted as educational gurus. Here in Denver, the experts and many of the photogenic, 30 somethings that land plum jobs in DPS administration offices have degrees far afield from education OR experience. All that is required is being under 40, preferably anorexic, with ties of some kind to BUSINESS. And we wonder why education is on a fast boat to destruction?
I put a link up above. You can see them for yourself. Perhaps you even know one or two.
Lolita Augenstein, president of the Columbus Council of PTAs, is a lifetime resident of Central Ohio and a proud graduate of Columbus City Schools.
Lois A. Carson is president of Local 150 of the Ohio Association of Public School Employees, which represents nonteaching employees
Rhonda Johnson is president of the Columbus Education Association, which represents teachers and other types of Columbus City Schools employees.
There are of course many others, some from industry, some from OSU, some from social service organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Children’s Hunger Alliance, some politicians, etc.
Thank you for posting. That’s a big compliment. The community (both parents and residents of Columbus) is trying very hard to keep the political machine from running our children over. There is a local petition (for those who live in Columbus) that will be delivered on Tuesday here: http://www.change.org/petitions/columbus-board-of-education-split-the-november-2013-levy-question-2?utm_source=guides&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=petition_created
Too late to keep children from being run over. The city power structure allowed Jean Harris all the time she needed to corrupt and mis-manage the mission and the money. Teacher Union complicit and so is OSU. Now the district is ripe for takeover and privatization and that’s the Master Plan. Lots of participants hold pieces of this story so time for them to speak up. A democracy moment!