I am terribly disappointed to see the Senate's passage of the so-called Youngstown Amendment in HB 70. It was not given adequate time for debate as added a day before the vote, and sets a dangerous precedent in essentially turning an entire urban district into a charter, whose only oversight is at the hands of a CEO. The overall performance of charter schools in Ohio is abysmal, and while Youngstown's schools are struggling mightily, I do not believe that this is the answer. What is more to the point is that Youngstown's rate of poverty is one of the highest in the state. Where there is high poverty, there is poor school performance by state measures. This is not a coincidence.
How did your Senator vote? I just contacted mine to find out.
I know that most of us are not sitting in Youngstown, and that it's easy to lack concern if it's not you. The problem is that this could be any public district in Ohio. If this passes, the state has given an appointed CEO the right to peddle schools to charter sponsors, set salaries, evaluate and dismiss staff, and a host of other things without any public input.
What happens when it comes to your district?
Stand up for Public Schools. Speak out for Youngstown. Contact your House Rep. Tell them to vote NO.
http://www.ohiohouse.gov/members/member-directory
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