NOVEMBER 2010

OhioOhioA PUBLICATION OF THE OHIOSchoolsSchools EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

OEA Board of Directors members Janifer Trowles (Dayton) and Kevin Cain (Northwest-Hamilton) discuss leadership roles during a Board training at the Leadership Conference.

Ohio’s changed landscape p3 As Republicans sweep the election, OEA vows to come together with elected leaders to continue advocacy for public education and ’s economic future In the midst of change p14 Renowned education historian Diane Ravitch discusses OEA the changing landscape for education in America Ohio Education Association www.ohea.org

COVER STORY 3 Ohio’s changed OhioSchools VOL. 89 NO. 8 NOVEMBER 2010 landscape The professional publication of the 130,000 members As Republicans sweep the election, of the Ohio Education Association OEA vows to come together with The OEA Mission Statement: elected leaders to continue The OEA will lead the way for continuous improvement advocacy for public education of public education while advocating for members and Ohio’s economic future and the learners they serve. OEA Board of Directors President Patricia Frost-Brooks East Cleveland FEATURES Vice President William Leibensperger South-Western photo © 2010 Brent Turner, Secretary-Treasurer Jim Timlin 14 In the midst of change BLT Productions, Inc. Howland Renowned education historian Barry Alcock, South-Western; Carla Amburgey, Middletown; Barb Armour, Brunswick; David Augusta, Individual-East Central; Adrienne Bowden, Diane Ravitch discusses the changing Pickerington; Kevin Cain, Nothwest; Barbara Catalano, Mayfield; Bev Clark, landscape for education in America Goshen; Patricia Cohen, PATMR; Steve Colahan, Upper Arlington; Arnette G.P. Collins, Stark Co. DD; Matthew Conrad, Morgan; Carol Correthers, Lorain; Kriston Crombie, Columbus; Christine Domhoff, Youngstown State How do you make education reform work? University ACE; Michael Dossie, Bellaire; Sandra Duckworth, Westerville; Jessica 17 Freeborn, Penta Career Center; Deloris Rome Hudson, Hamilton (Butler); Robin OEA members focus on knowledge and skills needed to be a leader Jeffries (Columbus); Sandra Lewis, Dayton; Phil Long, Celina; Jim McClure, Mentor in every part of the education environment—from the bargaining table ESP; Martha Miller, Ashtabula;Rebecca Miller, Tallmadge; Tim Myers, Elida; Roberta Neff, Kenton; Emilly Osterling, Lakota (Butler); Jeff Pegg, Warren; Haven Reardon, to the classroom Reading; Jeff Rhodes, North Royalton; Kim Richards, Cardinal; David Saywell, Euclid; Sally Schuler, Olmsted Falls; Bill Sears, OEA-Retired; Marissa Sims, Central State University; Tim Skamfer, Gahanna-Jefferson; Pamela Smith, Jackson; Sally Smith, East Holmes; Patrick Snee, Mentor; Bradley Strong, Mansfield; Susan Stuckey, Washington Court House; Janifer Trowles, Dayton; DEPARTMENTS Janice Vaughan, Springfield (Clark); Diana Welsh, Columbus; Rebecca Whited, Huber Heights; David Young, Miamisburg. 2 President’s Message NEA Directors Dale Kain, Mayfield; Rebecca Mayer, Ashland; Lee Schreiner, South-Western; Valuable lessons André Taylor, Twinsburg; Gretchen Washington, Sycamore. Staff Executives 6 OEA on the Web Larry E. Wicks, Executive Director; Susan Babcock, Assistant Executive Director—Strategic and Workforce Planning; Lisa Brooks, Executive Assistant, General Counsel; Ric Castorano, Executive Assistant—Business 7 Extra Credit Services; Joe Cohagen, Director of Business and Building Operations; November 17 is Education Support Professionals (ESP) Day Dawn Elias, Human Resources and Labor Relations Administrator; Fritz Fekete, Director of Information Systems and Research and Collective Apply for the 2011 National C.L.E.A.N.™ Award Bargaining; Linda Fiely, General Counsel; Randy Flora, Director of American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month celebrates Education Policy and Coalition Relations; Rachelle Johnson, Assistant Executive Director—Member Services/Program and Director of Legal pride in heritage, honors ancestors Services; Rose Keller, Manager of Legal Services; James Martin, Assistant OhioSchools Create a Cover Contest Executive Director—Business Services; Mike Mahoney, Director of Commu- nications & Marketing; Tina O’Donnell, Manager of AdministrativeServices— Put education into action with National ‘Find Your Footprint’ Contest Operations; Carol Price, Administrative Services/Conference Coordinator; Ron Rapp, Director of Governmental Services;Bev Sekella, Executive Assistant— Is America’s next great inventor in your classroom? Member Services; Mary Suchy, Director of Membership; Jerrilyn Volz-Costell, Call for OEA Membership Art Contest Entries Manager of Administrative Services—Governance. Kevin Flanagan, Assistant Executive Director—Member Services/Field and Regional Director, Region 3; Patricia Collins Murdock, Regional 12 Making the Grade Director, Region 1; Parry Norris, Regional Director, Region 2; Jeanette Cooper, CEA invites students to celebrate Black History Month Regional Director, Region 4; Cristina Munoz-Nedrow, Regional Director, Region 5. with essay contest Ohio Schools Editorial Staff OEA members receive NEA Foundation Grants to aid Julie A. Newhall, Editor Gail Botz, Graphic Designer professional development and teaching Susie Lehman, Production Coordinator Crystalle Phillips, Advertising Coordinator Cost of producing Ohio Schools each year is $6.51 per member. 21 OEA Retirement Systems Update Subscription price for public and university libraries is $18 per year. STRS Board supports HPA proposals Editorial Offices—Ohio Schools (ISSN: 0030-1086) is published nine times a year: Jan., Feb., Mar., Apr., May/June, Aug./Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec. by the Ohio OEA announces STRS retirement board recommendation procedure Education Association, 225 E. Broad St., Box 2550, Columbus, OH 43216. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: www.ohea.org. Association Address all advertising or editorial correspondence to Editor, Ohio Schools. 23 Postmaster: Send address changes to Ohio Schools, Ohio Education Proposed Amendments to the OEA Constitution and Bylaws Association, 225 E. Broad St., Box 2550, Columbus, OH 43216. Postage: Fall 2010 RA Periodicals paid at Columbus, OH. OEA Board of Directors actions OEA mourns loss of advocate for developmentally disabled Sycamore teacher joins NEA Board of Directors OEA staff news www.ohea.org

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Valuable lessons On November 2 many of advocates we stood for substantive us joined the lines of voters change, change that would make a real difference in the life of our at polls, waiting to cast our nation and our state, and in the lives votes in a critically important of our students and their families. election for our state. Hard-fought elections are won on doorsteps and phone lines, in face- to-face conversations with friends he day marked the and neighbors, and at gatherings culmination of a campaign where people come together to cycle that was divisive and support a common cause. During difficult, one that pitted this campaign, we attended rallies, familyT member against family called fellow members from phone member, neighbor against neighbor, banks, walked door-to-door for And, as educators, it is essential and colleague against colleague. endorsed candidates and school that we hold them to their word. As Americans, we entered levies, and held 10-minute meetings Our goals as advocates for public this election season increasingly on election issues after school. education are far bigger than any concerned about the top problems We came together to champion candidate or any race and they are confronting our nation—the econ- our belief that education matters. no less important after an election. omy, unemployment and jobs, the And we proved that we have a voice We can make strides in federal budget deficit, health care— in American politics and deserve to expanding opportunities for and increasingly dissatisfied with be heard. all children—and­ Ohioans—by our government and leadership. A strong economy, job growth, building a foundation for a stronger As teachers and education affordable health care and excellent economy, better jobs and a better support professionals, we entered schools to prepare our children for quality of life, but it means ensuring the election season disheartened by the future. These are goals we all that public education is a top the many challenges facing public share. So too are adequate and priority in our communities, in education and keenly aware that, equitable funding, smaller class Columbus and in Washington, D.C., like it or not, every aspect of our sizes, well-trained teachers, early and that each of us continues to working life is shaped by the childhood and after school pro- advocate for our profession, for our decisions of elected officials—the grams, and up-to-date resources. students and for change through our salaries we receive, the number Our Association will continue actions and our votes. of students in our classrooms, the to seek common ground with the We must examine the work that curriculum we teach, the safety of governor and other leaders to has been done so far to improve the schools in which we work, the ensure that expanding educational education. And we must continue to tests we administer, the cost of our opportunities for all children is a work to build the education system health care and prescriptions. priority. we know is possible. Certainly, our disappointment in Now that the election is over, decisions previously made—and fear it’s time for our leaders to begin the Together, we’ll keep listening, for the decisions that could be made work of leading. It is essential that keep learning and keep leading. by elected leaders—compelled us they understand that education isn’t to become active participants in this an election issue that can be ignored election. The fact that so many of us the day after the polls close. It is cru- were involved offers great hope for cial that they listen to and respond the future of our democracy. to the concerns of teachers, parents, I’m proud of what we stood for administrators and fellow policy- in this election, and of what we makers. An investment in education Patricia Frost-Brooks accomplished. As education is an investment in America and its OEA President future security.

2 OHIO SCHOOLS NOVEMBER 2010 COVER STORY Ohio’s changed landscape AS REPUBLICANS SWEEP STATEWIDE RACES, OEA VOWS TO COME TOGETHER WITH ELECTED LEADERS TO CONTINUE ADVOCACY FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OHIO’S ECONOMIC FUTURE

Voicing dissatisfaction with the economy and Washington, Ohioans cast votes resulting in a Republican sweep of all major statewide seats, including the Gubernatorial and U.S. Senate positions. photo © 2010 Brent Turner, BLT Productions, Inc.

VOTING IN SWEEPING CHANGE For Auditor, Republican David Yost sional boundaries) every 10 years. With In the Ohio Gubernatorial race, defeated Democrat David Pepper. a new census completed, population voters elected Republican and former For Secretary of State, Republican shifts must be accounted for so that each U.S. Representative over state Senator Jon Husted defeated district ends up with about the same incumbent Governor . Democrat Maryellen O’Shaughnessy. number of voters. Because the rules for In the Treasurer’s race, incumbent drawing district lines are so variable, We congratulate Governor-elect Treasurer Kevin Boyce, a Democrat, the party in power can often sway the John Kasich on his election and lost to Republican State Representative lines to create favorable voting blocks look forward to working with Josh Mandel. and affect future elections. him as he assumes office. We Republican Justice Maureen With the midterm election, Ohio can provide him our perspective O’Connor defeated Chief Justice Eric Democrats hoped to end two decades on public education policy with Brown, a Democrat, in an election that of Republican dominance in reappor- advice from the classroom as we gives the Republican Party all seven tionment and redistricting. Because a work to fulfill the promise of the justice seats. O’Connor’s win means special board made up of the Governor, Ohio Education Opportunity Act, she will leave open her current seat, to Auditor, Secretary of State and a the blueprint for fixing school be filled by governor’s appointment. In Legislator from each political party funding and transforming Ohio’s another Supreme Court race, Justice draws legislative districts, the party public schools. Judith Ann Lanzinger, a Republican, that controls the majority of the offices Now that the election is over, defeated Democrat Mary Jane Trapp. decides. educators and policymakers Republicans recaptured the majority must work effectively together, in the Ohio House of Representatives DEFINING NEW RELATIONSHIPS identifying common goals to help that they lost in 2008. The GOP picked OEA and its members took an active students achieve and succeed in up two additional seats and will retain role in many campaigns by supporting our public schools, colleges and control of the . both Democratic and Republican universities. OEA will continue In the Congress, Republicans will candidates around the state who its work, as always, to keep the become a majority in the House, but advocated for positive public education promise to our students, parents Democrats retained a narrow majority agendas. Many of the OEA’s recom- and communities—that we want in the U.S. Senate. In Ohio, Republicans mended candidates have been strong to provide a great public school won 13 of Ohio’s 18 Congressional supporters of public education. But for every Ohio student. races. Republican Rob Portman will there are many newly-elected office OEA PRESIDENT FROST-BROOKS be the new U.S. Senator from Ohio. holders, and OEA now has the opportunity to form relationships Republican U.S. Representative Rob REDRAWING LINES OF POWER with them and to provide them with Portman beat Democratic Lieutenant On November 2, Ohio voters also insights into the important issues Governor Lee Fisher for the open U.S. helped to determine which party will facing public education in Ohio. Senate seat. redraw Legislative and Congressional Now that the election is over, the In the race for Attorney General, districts with the potential to Association will reach out to the Gover- incumbent Democrat determine party power for a decade. nor-elect and newly-elected leaders of lost to former U.S. Senator Mike The U.S. census triggers reappor- the Ohio House and Senate to identify DeWine, a Republican. tionment (the creation of new ways to help Ohio students achieve and Legislative districts) and redistricting succeed in the state’s public schools, (the establishment of new Congres- colleges and universities. 3 2010 election outcome Following is a list of candidates elected on November 2. This list was compiled using information from the Secretary of State. It is tentative pending certification from county boards of election.At press time, two races were too close to call (TCTC). OEA-endorsed candidates are listed in bold type.

STATEWIDE RACES 41 Lynn Slaby (R) 96 Al Landis (R) 42 Kristina Daley Roegner (R) 97 Dave Hall (R) Governor John Kasich (R) 43 Todd M. McKenney (R) 98 Timothy J. Grendell (R) Secretary of State Jon Husted (R) 44 Vernon Sykes (D) 99 Deborah A. Newcomb (D) v. Auditor David Yost (R) 45 Zack Milkovich (D) Casey Kozlowski (R) TCTC Attorney General Mike DeWine (R) 46 Barbara R. Sears (R) State Treasurer Josh Mandel (R) 47 Teresa Fedor (D) OHIO SENATE U.S. Senate Rob Portman (R) 48 Michael Ashford (D) 1 Steve Buehrer (R) Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor (R) 49 Mathew A. Szollosi (D) 3 Kevin Bacon (R) Supreme Court Judith Ann Lanzinger (R) 50 Todd A. Snitchler (R) 5 Bill Beagle (R) Supreme Court Paul E. Pfeifer (R) 51 (R) 7 Shannon Jones (R) 52 Stephen D. Slesnick (D) 9 Eric H. Kearney (D)

OHIO HOUSE 53 Timothy S. Derickson (R) 11 Edna Brown (D) 1 (R) 54 Courtney E. Combs (R) 13 Gayle L. Manning (R) 2 Andrew O. Brenner (R) 55 Bill Coley (R) 15 Charleta B. Tavares (D) 3 Ron Amstutz (R ) 56 (D) 17 David T. Daniels (R) 4 Matt Huffman (R) 57 Matt Lundy (D) 19 (R) 5 Gerald L. Stebelton (R) 58 Terry R. Boose (R) 21 Shirley A. Smith (D) 6 Randy Gardner (R) 59 Ronald V. Gerberry (D) 23 Michael J. Skindell (D) 7 Kenny Yuko (D) 60 Robert F. Hagan (D) 25 Nina Turner (D) 8 (D) 61 Mark D. Okey (D) 27 Frank LaRose (R) 9 Barbara Boyd (D) 62 Lorraine M. Fende (D) 29 (R) 10 Bill Patmon (D) 63 (R) 31 Tim Schaffer (R) 11 Sandra Williams (D) 64 Tom Letson (D) 33 Joe Schiavoni (D) 12 John E. Barnes Jr (D) 65 Sean J. O’Brien (D) 13 Nickie J. Antonio (D) 66 Joe R. Uecker (R) U.S. HOUSE 67 Peter Beck (R) 14 Mike Foley (D) CD 1 Steve Chabot (R) 68 Kathleen Clyde (D) 15 Timothy J. DeGeeter (D) CD 2 (R) 69 William G. Batchelder (R) 16 Nan A. Baker (R) CD 3 Mike Turner (R) 70 Jarrod B. Martin (R) 17 Marlene Anielski (R) CD 4 Jim Jordan (R) 71 Jay Hottinger (R) 18 Mike Dovilla (R) CD 5 (R) 72 Ross W. McGregor (R) 19 Anne Gonzales (R) CD 6 Bill Johnson (R) 73 Jay Goyal (D) 20 Nancy J. Garland (D) CD 7 Steve Austria (R) 74 Bruce W. Goodwin (R) 21 (R) CD 8 John A. Boehner (R) 75 Lynn R. Wachtmann (R) 22 John Patrick Carney (D) CD 9 Marcy Kaptur (D) 76 (R) 23 Cheryl L. Grossman (R) CD 10 Dennis J. Kucinich (D) 77 James J. Zehringer (R) 24 (D) CD 11 Marcia L. Fudge (D) 78 John Adams (R) 25 Michael Stinziano (D) CD 12 Pat Tiberi (R) 79 Richard N. Adams (R) 26 Tracy Heard (D) CD 13 Betty Sutton (D) 80 Dennis E. Murray (D) 27 W. Carlton Weddington (D) CD 14 Steven C. LaTourette (R) 81 Rex Damschroder (R) 28 Connie Pillich (D) v. Mike Wilson (R) TCTC CD 15 Steven Stivers (R) 82 Jeffrey A. McClain (R) 29 Louis W. Blessing Jr. (R) CD 16 Jim Renacci (R) 83 Dave Burke (R) 30 Bob Mecklenborg (R) CD 17 Timothy J. Ryan (D) 84 Robert D. Hackett (R) 31 Denise Driehaus (D) CD 18 Bob Gibbs (R) 32 Dale Mallory (D) 85 Bob Peterson (R) 33 Alicia Reece (D) 86 Cliff Rosenberger (R) 34 Peter Stautberg (R) 87 John A. Carey Jr (R) STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION 35 Ron Maag (R) 88 Danny R. Bubp (R) District 2 Kathleen McGervey 36 Michael E. Henne (R) 89 Terry A. Johnson (R) District 3 Jeffrey J. Mims 37 Peggy Lehner (R) 90 Margaret Ann Ruhl (R) District 4 Debe Terhar 38 Terry Blair (R) 91 Bill Hayes (R) District 7 Tammy O’Brien 39 Clayton R. Luckie (D) 92 Debbie Philips (D) District 8 Deborah L. Cain 40 Roland Winburn (D) 93 Andy Thompson (R) 94 Troy Balderson (R) 95 Lou Gentile (D) 4 OHIO SCHOOLS NOVEMBER 2010 photo by Julie Newhall Only half of all Ohio school levies pass 96 Al Landis (R) 97 Dave Hall (R) on November ballot 98 Timothy J. Grendell (R) 99 Deborah A. Newcomb (D) v. tatewide, 214 school issues were before voters on Casey Kozlowski (R) TCTC SNovember 2. Just over 50 percent of all Ohio school issues on the ballot proved successful. According to OHIO SENATE results posted on the Ohio School Boards Association 1 Steve Buehrer (R) (OSBA) website, 109 issues passed while 105 levies 3 Kevin Bacon (R) failed. 5 Bill Beagle (R) Just over 200 school tax issues were on the ballot on 7 Shannon Jones (R) 9 Eric H. Kearney (D) November 2, 2010, and the results were grim for many photo © 2010 Brent Turner, BLT Productions, Inc. 11 Edna Brown (D) school districts. 13 Gayle L. Manning (R) For the first time in many years the passage rate 15 Charleta B. Tavares (D) for renewal levies fell below 90 percent, and this was 17 David T. Daniels (R) unusual. This November’s passage rate for renewals 19 Kris Jordan (R) was just over 80 percent, and that was a clear indication 21 Shirley A. Smith (D) of the difficult school levy environment. 23 Michael J. Skindell (D) Districts had 94 issues requesting additional 25 Nina Turner (D) operating funds, money for school supplies, utilities, 27 Frank LaRose (R) employee salaries, and health insurance. These passed 29 Scott Oelslager (R) at a rate of 31 percent, which is above the May 2010 31 Tim Schaffer (R) 33 Joe Schiavoni (D) passage rate of 24 percent, but lower than the 2009 average of 36 percent. U.S. HOUSE At press time, Amanda Clearcreek had a tie vote CD 1 Steve Chabot (R) of 1,559 for and against, and this follows a 14-vote CD 2 Jean Schmidt (R) loss in May. Such an election outcome emphasizes the CD 3 Mike Turner (R) importance of having a robust campaign and ensuring CD 4 Jim Jordan (R) that every YES vote in the community votes on photo by Julie Newhall CD 5 Bob Latta (R) election day. CD 6 Bill Johnson (R) Southwestern Ohio’s Lakota Local School District CD 7 Steve Austria (R) didn’t fair as well. Lakota’s levy was defeated with CD 8 John A. Boehner (R) 53 percent of those in the district voting against the CD 9 Marcy Kaptur (D) levy. The levy called for additional 7.9 mills for CD 10 Dennis J. Kucinich (D) 10 years to avoid an operating deficit.

CD 11 Marcia L. Fudge (D) Lakota is the second largest in Southwestern Ohio CD 12 Pat Tiberi (R) with 18,500 students and continues to grow. CD 13 Betty Sutton (D) CD 14 Steven C. LaTourette (R) With reduced funding from the State of Ohio and a CD 15 Steven Stivers (R) previous levy defeat, the district has cut $13 million CD 16 Jim Renacci (R) from the budget. That includes 52 teachers. District CD 17 Timothy J. Ryan (D) leaders have said an additional $12 million in cuts CD 18 Bob Gibbs (R) will have to be made with the failure of the levy. That could mean elimination of junior high school sports, a STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION staff/teacher reduction of 130 people and reduced bus service. The levy was estimated to have cost the owner District 2 Kathleen McGervey OEA members and staff supported races for OEA endorsed of a $100,000 home $20 a month in additional property candidates and school issues throughout the state through District 3 Jeffrey J. Mims taxes. participation in phone banks, canvassing and attendance at District 4 Debe Terhar election events. District 7 Tammy O’Brien District 8 Deborah L. Cain Note: results are not final from the county boards of Pictured (top), Computer Technology Services Consultant Mark elections, and the final results will be known after Allison and LRC Kim Borzyn provisional ballots are counted. (Center) LRC Susan Dodge, Executive Director Larry Wicks and LRC Diedri Kennedy (Bottom) UniServ Political Advocacy Consultant Pete Hackeman OEA ON THE WEB Make www.ohea.org your source for all your education-related information!

Making a difference and having fun doing it OEA members reached out to other members during the 2010 campaign to rally support for OEA recommended candidates in statewide races, Congress, the Ohio House and Senate, the State Board of Education and for local school levies. Members participated in phone banks, con- ducted 10-minute meetings, canvassed neighborhoods, and attended debate watch parties, rallies, and other campaign events. Photos of these events can be viewed on the OEA flickr page at www.flickr.com/photos/oea.

A teacher’s letter to America The release of Waiting for Super- Are you on Facebook? Why not join us? man has divided the education community. Intended to create a conversation around improving schools, the OEA members can now stay connected, up-to-date and engaged in film has caused a national argument. One teacher in a vibrant conversations on Facebook. high-poverty school responds to the controversial film in Just go to www.facebook.com/OhioEducationAssociation and click a letter to America, defending his students, colleagues, on the “Like” button at the top of the page. school, district, superintendent and union. Read OEA After you’ve clicked “Like,” click the “Suggest to Friends” link on the member Phil Hayes’ impassioned plea on Voices of left side of the page to invite your Facebook friends to join you. Change, the OEA blog/discussion board, at http://blog. ohea.org/letter-to-america/. At the OEA Facebook page you can: NEA Click & Save “Buy-lights” • Stay on top of the great work OEA members for November 2010 are doing and share it with your friends and networks NEA Click & Save, the online discount • Discuss the major stories in the news with other buying service for NEA members, highlights members on Facebook select retailers and merchants each month. • Get updates when OEA releases new data or Check out these featured “Buy-lights” for November: commentary on the issues that matter to you Ghirardelli Chocolates: 20% off site wide; Premium Seats • Learn about new member benefits services USA: 10% off all tickets and events; iCityCerts.com: • Get the latest details on upcoming OEA events, webinars and meetings Save 33% off restaurants and spas; ICE.com: Save 20% • Collaborate with other professional educators in Ohio site-wide; FragranceNet.com: Save 15% site wide; And most of all, provide us with your valuable feedback on improving OEA services. ShopNewBalance.com: Save 15% off running shoes. Join the 150,000 NEA members already registered for You can also find OEA on NEA Click & Save. Go to www.neamb.com/clickandsave today! Twitter: www.twitter.com/OhioEA YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/OhioEdAssoc Access travel deals Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/oea Heading home for the holidays? Searching Voices of Change: http://blog.ohea.org for warmer weather? No matter where you’re headed, you can save money when you make Access your first Teacher Tips stop. Just go to www.ohea.org, click on the membership We all know that students do better in school when parents and guardians are interested and card image on the left and log in using the numbers on supportive. That’s why OEA has gathered advice from teachers across Ohio. OEA’s latest your membership card. You can also visit Access directly Teacher Tips offers suggestions for families on planning for their first parent-teacher at www.memberweb.com, or call 1 866 203 5167 to conference, to make it successful. speak with an Access representative. EXTRA CREDIT November 17 is Education Support Professionals (ESP) Day

ducation Support Professionals (ESP) Day—celebrated on November E17 this year—focuses on the importance of these school employees, who take care of students every day, making sure they have the tools they need to succeed in school. ESP Day was first celebrated in 1987, after NEA’s Representative Assembly called for the creation of a way to honor Rick Larkin, Lakota the contributions of school support staff. 2009 C.L.E.A.N. Award winner In 2003, Karen Mahurin, then president of NEA’s National Council Tina Adams, Mansfield of Education Support Professional (NCESP) members, led a successful campaign at the NEA Representative Assembly to change the ESP formal name from ‘Education Support Personnel’ to ‘Education Support Profes- sionals.’ “The name change to ‘professional’ acknowledges the major contribution ESPs make to children and public education every day,” said Mahurin, a secretary with 22 years of experience. “We impact the lives of children every day in our own special and professional ways.” The name reflects a growing pride in the valuable role ESPs play NEA member throughout America’s public schools. Today’s support professionals pro- vide invaluable services that enable students to learn in positive, support- ive environments. ESPs are equal and essential partners in the education process. ESPs: Individuals who provide Find out more about ESPs, who comprise more than 40 percent of the invaluable services to schools total K-12 education workforce, at www.nea.org/home/1604.htm. Down- load AEW posters and ESP-specific media materials from the AEW Online are recognized for their Toolkit to use for your AEW celebrations. Visit www.nea.org/grants/ outstanding work. 34952.htm.

Apply for the 2011 National C.L.E.A.N. ™ Award he 2011 National C.L.E.A.N. ™ National C.L.E.A.N. Award (Custodial Leaders for Environmental T recipients will receive: Advocacy Nationwide) Award recognizes n the contributions that custodians make to All expense paid trip, includ- public health in their schools, communi- ing travel, lodging, meals, ties, and their profession. The award will and salary reimbursement, be presented to a school custodian who to the NEA National ESP demonstrates outstanding leadership in Conference to receive award; the field of school cleanliness, and reflects n Cash award; the contributions that education support n One year NEA and National professionals (ESPs) can make to public Council of Education health. The award program is a joint Support Professionals initiative of the National Education (NCESP) membership; Association (NEA), the NEA Health n Information Network (NEA HIN) and the Products/Supplies for school; Soap and Detergent Association (SDA). n School celebration for the Up to five awards will be presented top-recipient on National to one top recipient and four runners-up. C.L.E.A.N. Day, which The awards will recognize a single may include a visit by Celina Intermediate School custodian or a team of custodians from representatives from NEA one school. Applicants may self-nominate and SDA; and An application package is available at or they may be nominated by someone n Recognition in national, state www.neahin.org/cleanaward/. Deadline in their school, district or state/local and local publications and for application/nominations is December affiliate. Only current NEA members magazines. 7. Contact Jennie Young at 202 822 7481; are eligible to apply. [email protected].

American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month celebrates pride in heritage, honors ancestors

hat started at the turn of the century as Wan effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S. has resulted in a whole month being designated for that purpose. The first American Indian Day in a state was One of the very proponents of an American Indian declared on the second Saturday in May 1916 by the Day was Dr. Arthur C. Parker, a Seneca Indian, who governor of New York. Several states celebrate the was the director of the Museum of Arts and Science in fourth Friday in September. In Illinois, for example, Rochester, N.Y. He persuaded the Boy Scouts of legislators enacted such a day in 1919. Today, several America to set aside a day for the “First Americans” states have designated Columbus Day as Native Ameri- and for three years they adopted such a day. In 1915, can Day, but it continues to be a day that is observed the annual Congress of the American Indian without any recognition as a national legal holiday. Association meeting in Lawrence, Kansas, formally In 1990 President George H. W. Bush approved a approved a plan concerning American Indian Day. joint resolution designating November 1990 “National It directed its president, Rev. Sherman Coolidge, an American Indian Heritage Month.” Similar proclama- Arapahoe, to call upon the country to observe such a tions, under variants on the name (including “Native day. Coolidge issued a proclamation on September 28, American Heritage Month” and “National American 1915, which declared the second Saturday of each May Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month”) have been as an American Indian Day and contained the first issued each year since 1994. formal appeal for recognition of Indians as citizens. The theme for this year’s Native Heritage Month is The year before this proclamation was issued, “Pride in Our Heritage. Honor to Our Ancestors.” Red Fox James, a Blackfoot Indian, rode horseback For more information, visit the Native American from state to state seeking approval for a day to honor Heritage Month Web site, http://nativeamericanher- Indians. On December 14, 1915, he presented the itagemonth.gov/, American Indians/Alaska Natives: endorsements of 24 state governments at the White Education Issues at www.nea.org/home/15596.htm, House. There is no record, however, of such a national and Native American Book List available at www.nea. day being proclaimed. org/grants/29498.htm.

8 OHIO SCHOOLS NOVEMBER 2010 OhioSchools Create a cover ENTER OUR 13TH ANNUAL How to enter: STUDENT ART CONTEST Artwork must be VERTICAL 8-1/2” x 11”. For purposes of our Ohio Schools is once again looking for some creative cover publication, it is critical that artwork ideas. . . and students’ thoughts on what they enjoy most is vertical. Any media may be used. about school—whether it’s a teacher, friends, school Artwork should not include text or lunches, recess, gym, band or biology. the Ohio Schools name. All students enrolled in grades K-12 in public schools in On the back of each design, students Ohio are eligible to enter our annual design competition. must clearly print: Students should design a cover that best expresses their Name ideas on “What I like most about my school.” School name Teacher name School address and phone number Age and Grade he best design will be featured as the cover for the June 2011 Group A: grades K, 1–4 issue of Ohio Schools. In addition, the grand prize winner will : grades 5–8 receive a $50 gift certificate to Barnes and Noble Bookstores. Group B Winners of each category will have their work featured inside Group C: grades 9–12 theT June 2011 issue and will receive a $25 gift certificate to Barnes and Group D: electronic art Noble Bookstores. Teachers of the winning students will also receive a $25 gift certificate to Barnes and Noble. Designs must be received by All students who submit designs will receive an Ohio Schools Cover January 30, 2011. Design Competition certificate of participation. Due to the large number of entries received, teachers are asked to Please send all entries to: pre-select the best student designs for contest submission. Entries that Ohio Schools Create A Cover Contest do not adhere to contest rules and guidelines listed above will be 225 East Broad Street disqualified. Box 2550 Columbus, OH 43216

OHIO SCHOOLS NOVEMBER 2010 9 Put education into action with National ‘Find Your Footprint’ Contest

o encourage students to become Nat Geo WILD, including contest Earlier this year, National Tmore aware of their environmen- spots and PSAs; and is featured Geographic and Future Friendly tal footprint—and to learn how to in upcoming issues of National partnered on an interactive, create a greener school—Procter & Geographic magazine and National digital, in-home conservation guide Gamble and the National Geographic Geographic Kids magazine. Teachers to inspire people to save energy, save Society are sponsoring the “Find Your can download the comprehensive water and reduce waste within their Footprint” conservation contest. lesson plan “How Big Is Your homes. This conservation education The winning class will receive a Human Footprint?” that covers material developed specifically for major prize worth more than $36,000: saving water, saving energy and Future Friendly by National five state-of-the-art Promethean reducing waste, and get other Geographic is available at www. digital whiteboards, five classroom contest details at www.national futurefriendly.com and www.face- sets of Promethean Learner Response geographic.com/findyourfootprint. book.com/futurefriendly in a Systems (ActivExpressions), $1,000 Entries must be received by dynamic consumer education in National Geographic educational December 3, 2010. experience promoting household materials and 30 subscriptions to and lifestyle conservation habits. National Geographic Kids magazine. The campaign features education- al resources on saving water, saving energy and reducing waste in an in- teractive online hub; on-air elements on National Geographic Channel and

Is America’s next great inventor in your classroom? he Akron Global Polymer Academy of the University of Akron is Thosting the third Rubber Band Contest for Young Inventors to encourage students in grades five through eight to demonstrate their creativity and ingenuity by creating an invention that incorporates the use of rubber bands. The contest has two separate divisions of competition—Arts & Leisure, and Science & Engineering. Four finalists will be brought to Akron, Ohio, where the first place winner and runner-up in each division will be announced at an awards ceremony on May 14, 2011. The first place winner in each division will receive a $1,000 savings bond, while the runner-up in each division will receive a $500 savings bond respectively. Shelby Dodds, Runner-Up in Science and Engineering Category, 2010. The top eight semi-finalists who are not chosen as finalists will each receive a $50 gift card. The top four schools with the most entries will each receive a $250 donation. The deadline for entries is February 16, 2011. 10 OHIO SCHOOLS NOVEMBER 2010 For more contest details, visit http://rubberbandcontest.org.

MAKING THE GRADE

Frederick Douglas Michael Jordan Martin Luther King, Jr. Oprah Winfrey President Barack Obama Rosa Parks

OEA invites students to celebrate Black History Month with essay contest

The Ohio Education Association, in cooperation with Clear Channel Radio, n Entries must be emailed to freedomessay@ clearchannel.com by 4 p.m. January 21, 2011. is proud to sponsor the sixth annual Black History Month Essay contest for students. n Each student may enter one essay no longer than 250 words in length. Ohio fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students are invited to participate. n Essays submitted must include: contestant’s name, home address, home telephone number, school, teacher’s name, grade level, school Contest essays must be written on the topic, district and title of the essay. “In your opinion, what African-American n Clear Channel Columbus Radio will select the winning essay. has made the greatest contribution to American society?” n All essays become the property of Clear Channel. n The winning essay may be used in various promotions by OEA and Clear Channel, including he essay contest offers students throughout radio advertisements and recognition of winner Tthe state the opportunity to learn more about and essay. African-American contributions and the achievement of freedom against many odds. It also showcases the creativity of the students and rewards them for their knowledge and talent. Visit the OEA website, www. ohea.org, for additional The student author of the winning essay will contest information. receive $50, an educational book on famous Black Americans, and gifts for his or her classroom.

12 OHIO SCHOOLS NOVEMBER 2010 OEA members receive NEA Foundation Grants to aid professional development and teaching

his fall, OEA members in Green Camp and Throughout the year, the NEA Foundation TIndian Hill received NEA Foundation awards to awards close to 200 grants in two primary support efforts to close achievement gaps, categories: Student Achievement Grants and develop creative learning opportunities for Learning & Leadership Grants. Applications students and enhance professional development. for both can be completed online. Recognizing the need to actively engage Learning & Leadership grants provide Green Camp, Ohio, students in meaningful, opportunities for teachers, education support real-world math activities, Elgin Junior High professionals, and higher education faculty and teacher Cathi Creviston and colleagues, including staff to engage in high-quality professional mathematics partner Tom Bower, plan to development and lead their colleagues in implement a standards-based project-learning professional growth. The grant amount is $2,000 program. Students will study various mathematical for individuals and $5,000 for groups engaged concepts and then develop math-related projects in collegial study. Applications are accepted based on these concepts. Within this interactive, throughout the year with deadlines on hands-on mathematics program, students will February 1, June 1 and October 15. apply their knowledge and skills in math, science, Student Achievement grants provide $5,000 language arts, and technology and use them to to improve the academic achievement of students solve real world math problems. Additionally, the by engaging in critical thinking and problem students at Elgin will create, present and discuss solving that deepens knowledge of standards- self-differentiated projects to their peers, families based subject matter. The work should also and community members at four scheduled improve students’ habits of inquiry, self-directed “Math Night” events. learning, and critical reflection. Application At Indian Hill Elementary School outside deadlines are: February 1, June 1 and October 15. Cincinnati, Laura Gentile and Erin Sprang will In collaboration with the National Education lead a yearlong professional learning community Association, the Foundation awards $1,000 grants intent on investigating the impact of formative to public schools serving economically disad assessment on student learning. To support teacher vantaged students to purchase books for school learning in a way that is manageable and libraries. The awards are made possible with sustainable, faculty at Indian Hill will study and support from corporations and individuals who pilot activities around the concept of differentiation. donated to the NEA’s Books Across America Fund Teachers involved in the learning community will to bring the gift of reading to students. become proficient in specific techniques such as To apply for a grant, visit www.neafoundation. tiered assignments, flexible grouping, learning org/pages/educators/grant-programs/. contracts and various pre-assessment techniques.

OHIO SCHOOLS NOVEMBER 2010 13 FEATURE In the midst of change EDUCATION HISTORIAN AND NEA FRIEND OF EDUCATION DR. DIANE RAVITCH ON THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE FOR EDUCATION IN AMERICA

Dr. Diane Ravitch addressed delegates during the 2010 NEA Annual Meeting and Representative Assembly. photo by Kevin Lock/NEA

Momentous changes are occurring in be taken over by the state or a private management American education, and they are occurring organization, or to “restructure” in some other fashion. at a rapid pace, with far too little deliberation NCLB has been a costly disaster. None of its prescribed remedies has been successful as a template for turning about the value and the likely consequences around a low-performing school. No school was ever of these changes. improved by closing it. Few schools see results if they are handed over to the state or private management, and thus far, restructuring has demonstrated little or no success. he most dramatic of these changes, and possibly Low-performing schools can improve, and there are many the most significant, is the federal Department of examples of such improvement, but there is no model Education’s quiet but firm assumption of control that Washington can prescribe or dictate to make it of the nation’s public schools. This is not an over- happen. When low-performing schools improve, it Tnight development. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is almost always the work of an inspiring principal is building on the precedent established by President and a dedicated staff, whose efforts are enhanced by George W. Bush’s No Child Left Behind (NCLB) program, professional development, a strengthened curriculum, which established a strong federal presence in every pub- greater access to resources, better supervision, reduced lic school district. NCLB not only required the states to class size, extra instructional time, and other common- create a testing and accountability regime for every sense changes. public school in the nation, but prescribed the sanctions NCLB’s legacy is this: State accountability systems that would be applied to schools that did not make that produce inflated results; widespread cheating to adequate yearly progress. Acting in a spirit of either meet the annual targets; a curriculum with less time for ambition or ignorance (or both), NCLB dictated that every history, science, and the arts; teaching to the test; and student in every school would be proficient by 2014, a meager academic gains on the National Assessment of goal that has never been attained by any state or nation. Educational Progress. This too is the legacy of NCLB: As that date draws nearer, more and more schools will be a widespread public perception that the public schools stigmatized as failing because of their inability to reach a have “failed,” because they are unable to meet the law’s goal that was unrealistic from the start. And, as they fail, demand for 100 percent proficiency. This perception of they will suffer harsh penalties: They will be compelled to failure erodes public confidence in public education and close, to fire the principal, to fire all or part of the staff, to sets the stage for privatization.

14 OHIO SCHOOLS NOVEMBER 2010 Instead of admitting that NCLB The mainstream media have Consider charter schools, which has been an expensive and demoral- applauded the Obama administra- are now receiving royal treatment by izing failure, President Obama and tion’s bold plans to remake American the media. In 2010, three commercial Secretary Duncan have accepted its education, but have been strangely films featured charters as the miracle fundamental premise that students uncurious about the evidence sup- cure for education, a beacon of must be tested annually and that porting it. In fact, there is little to no hope especially for disadvantaged schools and teachers must be subject evidence for any part of this agenda. and minority students. There are cur- to harsh punishment if they are un- It is a risky venture, not only because rently about 5,000 charter schools in able to raise test scores. Their Race to it involves the expenditure of billions the nation. Some are excellent, some the Top program will make student of dollars (leveraging billions more are terrible, and most are somewhere test scores even more consequential that will be spent by the states), but in the middle. On the whole, charter than they were under NCLB. because it sets the nation’s schools schools do not produce higher test Race to the Top received funding on a course that is unlikely to lead scores than regular public schools. of $4.3 billion from the economic to meaningful improvement in the The CREDO national study, conduct- stimulus plan enacted by Congress quality of education. This strategy ed by Stanford economist Margaret in 2009. Secretary Duncan used may ultimately lead to even greater Raymond, compared nearly half the this money to launch a competition public dissatisfaction with public nation’s charter schools to similar among the states at a time when education and accelerate the move- public schools and concluded that every state was facing fiscal melt- ment towards privatization. only 17 percent of the charters got down. To become eligible, the states The Obama education reform higher math scores than the public had to enact changes that most were program is indeed muscular. It is schools. The remaining 83 percent unlikely to do without the lure of the brash and confident in claiming to of charters were either no different federal cash. Hoping to win a share know precisely what is needed to or worse than neighboring public of the billions, some states lifted reform American schools and raise schools. their caps on charter schools; some student achievement. It represents When viewed through the scores passed laws to evaluate teachers in a remarkable expansion of the fed- on the National Assessment of relation to their students’ test scores; eral role into what has traditionally Educational Progress (NAEP), the others agreed to “turn around” been the province of state and local federal testing program that is low-performing schools by adopting decision-making. If there was considered the gold standard, charter the punitive measures favored by incontrovertible proof that the schools achieve no miracles. Having the Obama administration; many nation’s schools would improve been compared to regular public embraced newly created national dramatically by taking the required schools by NAEP in 2003, 2005, standards in mathematics and steps, then there might be good 2007 and 2009, charters have never English language arts. reason for the federal government outperformed regular public schools, Secretary Duncan recognized to take such assertive action. But not in reading or mathematics. early on that NCLB is a toxic brand incontrovertible proof does not exist Whether one looks at the perfor- and will drop the name in the for the federal government’s agenda. mance of black students, Hispanic administration’s proposal for Neither President Obama nor students, low-income students or reauthorization of the Elementary Secretary Duncan can point to any urban students, there is no significant and Secondary Education Act. But district that has applied their reforms difference between the two sectors. much will remain familiar. Like the and seen dramatic improvement. ➤ CONTINUED Bush administration, the Obama administration will continue to emphasize test-based accountability, The work of school improvement involves small victories merit pay and choice. All of these and occasional defeats. We must forego the search for silver are traditional elements of the bullets and dramatic transformations. Such strategies produce Republican approach to school reform. Now, they have become the spectacular gains and equally spectacular losses in the bipartisan consensus. financial markets. But these are risks we cannot take with our children, our schools and our communities. Above all, we must treasure public education as one of the prime elements of our democracy. We must not privatize it or give it away or outsource it. Nor should we set unrealistic goals that demoralize and punish those who do the daily work of schooling.

OHIO SCHOOLS NOVEMBER 2010 15 Nonetheless, the Obama admin- Once this regime is well estab- cies advocated first by the Bush istration is betting on charters as one lished, we can expect to see more administration and now by the of its key levers to reform American attention to basic skills and less Obama administration. High- education. time for history, science, the arts, performing nations make sure that Another reform that is supposed geography, civics, foreign language, students have access to a rich and to lead to dramatic improvement is even physical education. And as balanced curriculum, not just a steady evaluating teachers by their students’ test preparation intensifies, we can diet of test preparation and testing. test scores. In hopes of winning expect to see students who master High-performing nations place their federal dollars, several states have test-taking skills without necessarily bets on a strong and well-prepared passed laws to base as much as 50 becoming better at reading and math- education profession. They prize percent of teachers’ evaluations ematics. After eight years of NCLB, highly-educated teachers and treat on test scores. The results of tying remediation rates in college have not them with respect. They insist on teacher evaluation, compensation declined. Some districts and states having principals who are experi- and tenure to student test scores are producing higher test scores but enced educators. And at the same are predictable: There will be more no better education because students time, our own policymakers seem to teaching to the test; more time are learning to pass the state tests but be promoting the de-professionaliza- devoted to test preparation rather not learning to comprehend complex tion of education, as more districts than instruction; and a consequent material—that requires background hire noneducators as superintendents narrowing of the curriculum. The knowledge—nor have they mastered and create programs to train new- current generation of multiple-choice the mathematics required for entry- comers and inexperienced teachers to standardized tests are designed to level courses in college. become principals. This approach is measure a band of skills, not teacher Another hallmark of federal policy not a good bet for the future. quality. in this administration is punitive ac- If we are serious about improving Researchers have found that tion against low-performing schools. our schools, we must select well- teacher effects, when measured this When the President and the Secretary educated teachers, give them the way, vary from year to year because saluted education officials in Rhode support and mentors they need to scores are influenced by many factors Island for threatening to close the succeed, and make sure that they are other than teacher quality. Students only high school in the state’s poorest evaluated by principals who are them- are not randomly assigned to teach- urban center, they sent a message selves master teachers. We must insist ers. A teacher will get great results that was heard across the nation: that all students receive a curriculum one year because she had a “good” Schools that have low scores should that inspires a love of learning, one class, but poor results the next year be shut down or turned into charters that includes the arts, history, science, because the class had a few disrup- or privatized; their staffs should be civics and other important and tive students. Test scores will also fired. engaging studies. We must use tests be affected by extraneous events, The problem with these approach- for information and diagnosis, we such as whether students got a good es is that there is no evidence that must use them as part of an improve- night’s sleep, had a quarrel with a any of them will consistently produce ment strategy, not as a means to hand friend, or were distracted. better education for the students in out money or pink slips. We must stop While the public, the press, and those schools. Closing a school is no blaming educators for the social ills the administration seem keen on the guarantee that whatever replaces it that get in the way of learning. idea of judging teachers by student will be better. Most of the schools that In this important work, the federal test scores, it is important to are identified as low-performing are government certainly has a role to remember that the tests are subject to sure to be schools that enroll large play. But it does not have all the random variation and measurement numbers of poor students, students answers. And we must take care not error. Furthermore, the more that who speak limited English, students to invest our hopes in unproven, policymakers attach high-stakes— who are homeless or transient. By its untried strategies. rewards and punishments—to test words and actions, the administra- scores, the more they should expect tion seems to assume that the school BY DIANE RAVITCH to see cheating, gaming the system, gets low scores because it has a bad Ravitch is a research professor of education inflated scores, and other efforts to principal or bad teachers. But the at New York University. She has written hit the target. In recent years, even staff may be heroic in the face of daily numerous books and has served as state education departments have challenges; they may be operating Assistant Secretary of Education in the gamed the system by lowering the with fewer resources than schools in U.S. Department of Education and as a passing mark on state tests, thus affluent neighborhoods. Absent indi- member of the National Assessment lifting their results without vidual evaluations, it seems unfair to Governing Board. In addition, she currently improving education. conclude that the staff is failing. blogs for Education Week, Politico.com and the Huffington Post. For more information, No nation with a high-performing visit www.DianeRavitch.com. 16 school system is following the poli- FEATUREFEATURE

(Above left) OEA President Patricia Frost-Brooks offered opening remarks to Leadership Conference attendees.

(Above right) Christy Levings, NEA Executive Committee member, leads the OEA Board of Directors in a discussion on building leadership capacity to carry out their corporate, legislative and adjudicator roles. How do you make education reform work? OEA MEMBERS FOCUS ON KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS NEEDED TO BE A LEADER IN EVERY PART OF THE EDUCATION ENVIRONMENT— FROM THE BARGAINING TABLE TO THE CLASSROOM

Teachers and education support EA President Patricia Frost-Brooks kicked off the professionals throughout Ohio gathered 2010 Leadership Conference with a discussion of the Ohio Education Opportunity Act, also known as in Dublin, Ohio, August 2-4 for the 2010 House Bill 1, and its meaning for OEA members. OEA Leadership Conference, “Members O“This reform legislation initiates momentous changes Making Education Reform Work.” in school funding, professional development and training, 21st century skills, smaller class sizes in K-3 and all-day Participants praised the 2010 Leadership Kindergarten, but legislation alone cannot achieve our mission Conference for content, networking or convey our classroom-based wisdom—only we can do that,” she explained to attendees. opportunities and motivating sessions. “We are working on many levels today—writing new More than 500 educators invested their curricula, drafting new standards, working on local school energy into this successful event and improvement teams and calculating the true cost of a high- quality public school education. We will seek assistance from launched attendees into a challenging parents and community members to support us too.” school year. ➤ CONTINUED

OHIO SCHOOLS NOVEMBER 2010 17 (Above) Participants in the 2010 conference focused on the skills and knowledge required to be a leader in all facets of the education environment. Keynote speaker Bill Raabe, NEA’s Director of Collective Bargaining and Member Advocacy, discussed the role of the union and how members can use collective bargaining to help manage changes and ensure that it serves both OEA members and Ohio’s students.

(Left) Conference attendees traveled to Huntington Park for “Step up to the Plate,” an evening of Columbus Clippers’ baseball and Campaign 2010 celebration.

(Opposite top left) OEA Director of Governmental Services Ron Rapp discussed the political landscape in 2010, sharing information on targeted races and endorsed candidates.

At the conference, members seeking practical knowledge and leadership skills for strengthening the local association as the chief advocate for teachers and school quality attended sessions on building powerful local associations, building better member advocates, and becoming an effective leader. During the sessions, participants focused on strategies to build a strong, successful local association and to learn to exercise leadership potential in a positive and effective way. They strengthened leadership skills in creative, interactive sessions designed to help members capitalize on personal temperament, communication style and member engagement and involvement. A bargaining program offered programs for both New Negotiators and more seasoned negotiators. Experienced bargainers learned steps locals can take to deal with local financial problems and how to utilize coordinated bargaining principals in assessing local contracts and setting direction for local negotiations. New Negotiators learned about bar- gaining preparation, assessing member needs, assembling bargaining packages, the Ohio Collective Bargaining Law,

18 OHIO SCHOOLS NOVEMBER 2010 (Above center) Strategist Douglas Sosnik discussed successful campaigns and offered advice to OEA members on leading change in education policy and reform.

(Above right) OEA member Joel Gleason (Clearview E.A. NEOEA) poses with a lifesized conference logo before the conference’s networking dinner and OEA Idol FCPE Fund Raiser.

(Right) Members cheer during opening events at the “Step up to the Plate” campaign kickoff celebration.

traditional bargaining procedures and a Collective The 2010 conference included a special event, “Step Bargaining simulation. Participants were also introduced up to the Plate,” an evening at Huntington Park where to OEA financial research documents used to analyze attendees kicked off campaign activities, enjoyed a local school district finances and to the different models Columbus Clippers baseball game, and had a chance to for conducting negotiations, including Interest Based meet with OEA-endorsed candidates, and a picnic lunch Bargaining, consolidated bargaining, and traditional to support Campaign 2010 efforts. adversarial bargaining. At the close of the conference, OEA President Frost- Sessions on political advocacy empowered Brooks thanked members for attending and introduced participants to plan and implement effective strategies Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher as the closing speaker. to advance OEA’s policy and political agenda. Members OEA-endorsed candidate for the U.S. Senate, Fisher learned about lobbying in Columbus and at home, addressed Leadership Conference attendees, thanking conducting effective local campaigns, successful fund- OEA for its support of his work and its members for their raising for political action, pending legislation and its advocacy for children and public education. affect on public education, and an overview of the At the conclusion of the conference, attendees current political landscape. participated in a picnic lunch to support Campaign 2010 All conference attendees had the opportunity to efforts and met with several of the Association’s join in NEA Member Benefits sessions that offered recommended candidates. The special event offered information on getting the most for your dues dollars, an opportunity to talk about the Ohio Education understanding personal financial management, and Opportunity Act and to continue conversations on helping with long-term care for family members. transforming public education in Ohio.

OHIO SCHOOLS NOVEMBER 2010 19 Register for the Third Annual OEA Collective Bargaining Conference

OEA’s Third Annual Collective Bargaining Conference will include new sessions and advanced sessions in addition to the broad, well-received program offered pre- viously. OEA local association negotiators, officers and other leaders are invited to attend the conference February 3-5, 2011 at the Hyatt Regancy Columbus. Local association negotiators and leaders, whether beginners or veterans, will find a wide selection of conference sessions to develop or sharpen their bargaining skills. Register today at http://cbconference. ohea.org.

20 OHIO SCHOOLS NOVEMBER 2010 OEA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS UPDATE STRS Board supports HPA proposals

n Granting the retirement retired educators rely on for their board authority to economic security in retirement. adjust the final average salary at three, four or NEWSPAPERS TAKE AIM five years as necessary AT PENSIONS AGAIN based on the funding Ohio’s major daily newspapers status of the system. have been waging a campaign of Voting in favor of the criticism regarding Ohio’s public motion to support these pension plans for some time. changes were Tim Myers On October 31, the Ohio News (Chair), Jim McGreevy Organization, representing eight (Vice Chair), Carol major daily newspapers, published n October 15, the STRS Board Correthers, Tai Hayden, three articles focusing on questions Ovoted to support a number of Mark Hill, Daniel Martin and Dale asked of Ohio legistators. changes to the board-adopted pack- Price. Voting against the motion The articles question legislators age of changes to pension benefits. were Craig Brooks, Regina Burch about possible changes in the By a vote of 7-3, the board supported and Bob Stein. current system asking them to changes recommended by the It is important to note that any weigh-in. Facing an $8 billion short- Healthcare and Pension Advocates changes to pension benefits would fall in the budget it’s been very (HPA) as a legislative amendment to require a change in state law. difficult to consider pension reform, its Long-Term Fiduciary and Finan- No such legislation has been but all acknowledge that it is too cial Contingency Plan passed in introduced. OEA does not expect important an issue to wait much September 2009. HPA is a coalition that such legislation will be longer. Many legislators would like of stakeholder groups representing introduced until after the election to see legislation passed as soon as actives, retirees and employers of the at the earliest. possible, but one key issue will be STRS system. The amendment calls During the October meeting, the whether Ohio keeps a traditional for the following changes: Board also received a preliminary “defined benefit” pension system or moves toward more “defined n A phase-in approach to increas- report of the annual actuarial contribution” 401(k)-style plans ing the number of years of ser- valuation of the pension fund. The which dominate the private sector. vice required for full retirement valuation shows that despite a rate Obviously, a safe and secure benefits. From 2015 through of return in excess of 13% in the last retirement is of tremendous impor- 2023, years of service needed to fiscal year, the long-term financial tance to the economic security of our retire at any age would gradu- condition of the pension system members both active and retired. ally increase from 30 to 35. remains dire. The pension fund has The press and some politicians have n assets to cover only 59.1% of its The option of early retirement accrued liabilities. Those liabilities chosen to target public employees with 30 years of service with an will not be paid down based on and the benefits that they earn. This actuarial reduction of benefits. current projections. This further issue also highlights the importance n Providing the same cost-of- illustrates the need for the types of for all OEA members in helping living allowance (COLA) rate of changes being called for in the plan to elect OEA-endorsed candidates 2% to both current and future supported by the STRS Board and through our Campaign 2010 efforts. retirees. For those who retire HPA. Such proposals are painful Below are talking points on the after 2011, the COLA would be but are shared among all stakehold- issues that are addressed in the deferred for 36 months. Under ers of the system. The plan calls for questions to legislators. OEA the Board’s previous proposal, a reduction in benefits and would will follow up with additional the COLA for current retirees allow liabilities to be paid off more information as necessary. would have been reduced to 2% quickly. This would help to restore ➤ CONTINUED (from 3%) and future retirees the long-term solvency and stability would receive 1.5% a year. of the pension system that active and OHIO SCHOOLS NOVEMBER 2010 21 PUBLIC RECORDS AND PRIVACY PICK-UP OF EMPLOYEE The questionnaire notes that the The newspapers asked each CONTRIBUTION private sector has shifted away from system to release information about The questionnaire asks for defined benefit pensions and into each individual member of the legislators’ thoughts on the practice defined contribution plans and asks retirement systems. Each of the five of employers paying all or part of the legislators thoughts on these pension plans denied the request be- the employee contribution to the differences. cause state law protects the personal pension systems (a practice known Defined benefit pensions are information of members. The papers as “pick-up “). the best deal for Ohio taxpayers. have called for a change to the law to Like many other forms of wages, They provide quality benefits that a make these records open to the pub- benefits and compensation, this is member cannot outlive in a manner lic. The legislative questionnaire asks subject to the local collective that is far less expensive than defined legislators what level of transparency bargaining process. contribution plans. they believe should be applied to Very few of OEA’s locals have According to the National individual records. negotiated a full or partial Institute on Retirement Security, We believe that the protection of “pick-up” of the employee defined benefit pensions can members’ personal information is of pension contribution. This, provide the same retirement income the utmost importance. This is espe- however, is a common practice as defined contribution plans at cially true for personal and financial with school administrators. 46% of the cost due to economic information pertaining to our retire- efficiencies from pooled investment ment system. risk, higher returns, and lower fees. In an era of identity theft, the RETIREMENT BENEFITS AND An employee’s own contributions financial and personal information DEFINED CONTRIBUTION and investment returns fund of Ohio’s retirees and active employ- PLANS approximately three-quarters of his ees should not be accessible to the Defined benefit pension plans or her lifetime retirement benefit. public. provide a lifetime benefit to retir- Ohio’s public sector retirees do Contribution rates and pension ees based on their years of service not receive Social Security benefits benefits are set in statute. It is dif- and earnings. Defined contribu- like most Americans. Their pension ficult to determine what public good tion plans (such as 401 (k) plans) benefit represents retirement security is served by having these records are individual accounts, subject to after a career of public service. open to the public while the risks of investment gains or losses that may fraud and identity theft are clear. fail to provide a lifetime benefit.

OEA announces STRS retirement board recommendation procedure n 2011, an election will be held to elect one contributing vote on the final ballot to receive the recommendation. I(active) member to the STRS Retirement Board. If no candidate receives a two-thirds majority, no OEA policy for the recommendation of candidates for endorsement is made. the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) Retirement In order to qualify for election to the STRS Board provides that the five-member STRS Retirement Retirement Board, candidates must obtain at least Board Screening Committee of the OEA Board of 500 signatures on petitions. Completed petitions must Directors would, if possible, interview those seeking include the signatures of at least 20 retirement system endorsement. A two-thirds affirmation vote of the Board members in each of at least 10 counties where of Directors is needed for a recommendation. the members are employed. If there are more than two candidates being consid- Those individuals interested in screening for an OEA ered and no one receives a two-thirds majority on the endorsement should contact the office of the OEA Vice first ballot, the candidate with the fewest number of President. For petitions and additional information, votes is dropped from contention and another ballot is contact the STRS Retirement Board office at 888 227 7877 cast. The process continues until there are two candi- (toll-free) or at www.strsoh.org. dates, one of whom will need a two-thirds affirmative

22 OHIO SCHOOLS NOVEMBER 2010 OEA Fall Representative Assembly Veterans Memorial, Columbus, Ohio Dec. 4, 2010 The Future of Ohio—Our Opportunity and Our Mission

Proposed Amendments to the OEA CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS FALL 2010 RA

PROPOSAL 1: b. The Vice-President shall serve the Association To amend Bylaw 5-6 to modify the language so that on a full time and paid basis. The Vice- the OEA officers’ salaries shall be calculated using the President’s salary shall be established as 2.2 average salary of the classroom teacher for the second times the average salary of classroom teachers year prior to the budget year. (Requires a majority vote in Ohio for the previous year SECOND YEAR for passage.) PRIOR TO THE BUDGET YEAR.

Rationale and Background c. The Secretary-Treasurer shall serve the Association on a full time and paid basis. The Secretary-Treasurer’s salary shall be established This proposed amendment adjusts the timeframe of as 2.2 times the average salary of classroom the data used to calculate the OEA officers’ salaries teachers in Ohio for the previous year SECOND from the average salary of classroom teachers for the YEAR PRIOR TO THE BUDGET YEAR. previous year to the average salary of the classroom teachers for the second year prior to the budget year. d. Officers may be compensated for reasonable This amendment will align the language with Bylaw expenses incurred on behalf of the Association 2-4 Membership Dues and the calculations will be in the course of performing their duties as consistent with each other. Officers and pursuant to policies established 5-6. Salaries and Expenses of Officers. from time to time by the Board of Directors. a. The President shall serve the Association on a full time and paid basis. The President’s salary shall be established as 2.6 times the average salary of classroom teachers in Ohio for the previous year SECOND YEAR PRIOR TO THE BUDGET YEAR. ➤ CONTINUED

OHIO SCHOOLS NOVEMBER 2010 23 PROPOSAL 2: e. Provide for proportional representation between its classroom teacher members and To amend Bylaw 9-2(c) of the OEA Bylaws to modify the its education support professional members exception that waived applicability of the Code of Ethics where a multi-jurisdictional affiliate exists. of the Education Profession to affiliates composed f. Require periodic elections of officers by exclusively of education support professionals. secret ballot subject to recognized safeguards (Requires a majority vote for passage.) concerning the equal right of all members to nominate, seek office, and vote in elections, as set forth in the OEA Elections Manual. Rationale and Background g. Conduct all ratifications of collective bargaining agreements in accordance with This proposed amendment expands the application the guidelines for ratification of collective of the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession to bargaining agreements and fact finder reports all appropriate fields of the education profession for as set forth in the OEA Elections Manual. purposes of determining whether affiliates meet OEA’s standards of affiliation as set forth in Bylaw 9-2(c). This h. Preserve all ballots, marked, unmarked and action is taken in consideration of changes taken by the voided, and all other records pertaining to delegates of the 2010 NEA Representative Assembly to elections of OEA officers, OEA and NEA extend the Code of Ethics to all educational employees, delegates and alternates for one year from including education support professionals. the election, and make such ballots and other records available to OEA officers and/or designee(s) for inspection and examination. 9-2. Standards for Affiliations of Departments, Districts and Local i. Have the same membership year as that of Association OEA. j. Have a dues structure to fund adequately a An affiliate shall: quality program. a. Require membership, if eligible, in the local, k. Provide for regular meetings. district, state and national associations provided that if the local association elects l. Provide for effective member communication. by secret ballot to exclude Education Support m. Provide for effective committee structure to Professionals from membership, that the achieve the goals of the organization. Such affiliated local composed exclusively of structure will include an election committee. Education Support Professionals shall require n. Be reviewed by the Board of Directors every membership, if eligible, in a local association five (5) years to determine compliance with the for Education Support Professionals and the above minimum standards. district, state and national associations. o. In the case of a local affiliate, the local must b. Have a Constitution consistent with the have or be actively seeking the status of Constitution of OEA. exclusive bargaining representative of the c. Adopt a policy that recognizes the members of the local. preeminence of the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession, IF APPROPRIATE except in the case of an affiliate composed exclusively of education Scott DiMauro addresses the RA support professionals, this requirement photo by Bill Noice shall be waived. d. Apply the one-member, one-vote principle for representation on its governing bodies and the affiliate shall provide for ethnic-minority representation at least proportionate to its ethnic-minority membership.

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PROPOSAL 3:

To add a new Article to the OEA Constitution giving the OEA Board of Directors the ability to interpret a OEA mourns provision of an OEA governing document in a manner consistent with applicable law until the matter can advocate for Ohio’s be taken to the next OEA Representative Assembly (Requires a 3/4‘s vote for passage.) developmentally Rationale and Background disabled OEA member Jürgen Many documents that establish rights and responsibilities, of parties and/or entities including von Tresckow of Kirtland collective bargaining agreements and unions’ died October 28 constitutions, contain a “savings clause”. The purpose at Hospice House of a “savings clause” generally is to provide the opportunity to the entity or parties to preserve certain in Cleveland. terms and/or policies of the parties or entity governed by the documents, if specific terms are found to be Von Tresckow was born unlawful and unenforceable. September 10, 1958, in Therefore, a “savings clause” would not apply unless Frankfurt, Germany, and a provision runs afoul of state and/or federal law. moved to the at Adoption of the proposed amendment would allow the the age of 16 as a student. He Board of Directors to “save” or “salvage” a provision Jürgen von Tresckow received his master’s degree that is determined to be unlawful so that the policy in Public Administration. underlying the provision can be implemented in such a A program development specialist at Lake County’s way as to be congruent with the law. As this proposal Deepwood Center, he was committed to serving the is written, the OEA Board of Directors would have the authority to interpret and implement a provision found education and habilitation needs of northeastern Ohio contrary to law in a manner that would allow the union residents with mental retardation and/or developmental to address issues in a way that is consistent with its disabilities. policy and the law until the provision can be rewritten As a leader for The Professional Association for the and addressed at the next OEA Representative Teaching of the Mentally Retarded (PATMR) in Lake Assembly. Without the “savings clause,” the County and the Ohio Association of Developmental organizational policy underlying the provision found Disabilities Professionals (OADDP) he was a strong inconsistent with the law would be sacrificed in total. advocate not only for his clients, but also for fellow DD employees. Article XII. Savings Clause. Von Tresckow was an active member of the Ohio IF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, BASED ON Education Association on the state and local levels. THE ADVICE OF COUNSEL, CONCLUDES He was a former OEA Board of Directors member THAT IMPLEMENTATION OF ANY and was serving as a member of the OEA Collective PROVISION OF THIS CONSTITUTION, THE Bargaining Core Function Committee. BYLAWS, OR THE STANDING RULES, AS Von Tresckow was a 30-year member of Willoughby Hills WRITTEN, WOULD BE CONTRARY TO LAW, Friends Church. He also enjoyed biking, hiking, walking THE BOARD SHALL DIRECT THAT SUCH his dog and skiing. He was a ski instructor at Brandwine PROVISION BE IMPLEMENTED IN A MANNER Ski Resort and coached skiing in the Special Olympics. THAT IS, TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, BOTH IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW AND Memorial contributions may be made to Willoughby CONSISTENT WITH THE INTENT AND Hills Friends Church Food Bank, 2846 SOM Center Road, PURPOSE OF THE PROVISION AS WRITTEN. Willoughby Hills, OH 44094.

OHIO SCHOOLS NOVEMBER 2010 25 ASSOCIATION OEA Board of Directors actions t its meeting held October 16, the OEA Board of n Approved the appointment of the following to the A Directors took the following actions: Member Rights and Protection Core Function n Approved the appointment of the following individuals Committee: to the OEA Representative Assembly Evaluation Task Teresa Starkey, representing NEOEA, effective Force: Tim Skamfer-Chair, Gary Allen, Mary Binegar, immediately, with a term ending August 31, 2013, Marsh Buckley, Danielle Bunting, Judy Buschle, Pat and Erin Zeiler, representing OSEA, effective Frost-Brooks, Bill Leibensperger, Valerie Roldan, Bill immediately, with a term ending August 31, 2011 Sears, Jim Timlin, Dawn Wojcik and Larry Wicks, n Approved the appointment of the following to the Ex-Officio Organizing Strategy Core Function Committee: n Approved the Ohio Plan to Achieve Ethnic-Minority Amanda Denson, representing SWOEA, effective Representation at the National Education Association immediately, with a term ending August 31, 2011, Representative Assembly to be held in Chicago, Angela Helber, representing SEOEA, effective June 30-July 5, 2011 immediately, with a term ending August 31, 2013, n Approved the appointment of P. Damian Dagenbach, and Karrie Nelson, representing SWOEA, effective representing SWOEA, effective immediately, to the immediately, with a term ending August 31, 2012 Convention Planning Committee, with a term ending n Approved the appointment of Susan Bour, August 31, 2013 representing OAPDD, effective immediately, to n Approved the appointment of the following to the the Professional Efficacy Core Function Committee, Legislative Committee: with a term ending August 31, 2013 n Karen Andermills, representing CAPITAL, effective Accepted the financial reports for September 30, 2010 immediately (filling the vacancy left upon the n Voted to remove the following individuals from the resignation of Greg Goodlander), with a term ending UniServ Pre-Employment Pool: Cathy Sprague, August 31, 2012, and Stacy Recker, representing Ezetta Murray and William Render SWOEA, effective immediately, with a term ending n Approved the recommendation of the Constitution August 31, 2013 and Bylaws Subcommittee that Margaret “Peg” Ham n Approved the appointment of Jimmie Tipton, is eligible to be a candidate for OEA-R delegate for representing WOEA, effective immediately, to the the OEA Representative Assembly Collective Bargaining Core Function Committee, with n Voted to support Proposals #2 and #3 a term ending August 31, 2013 n n Transmitted the following to the 2010 Fall Represen- Approved the appointment of the following to the Local tative Assembly: proposed Legislative Policies and Development and Training Core Function Committee: Education Reform Package, October 2010 Affirmative Alice Sneed, representing SWOEA, effective Action Status Report immediately, with a term ending August 31, 2013, n Approved the charges for the 2010-2011 Core and Karen Winston, representing NEOEA, effective Function Committees immediately (filling the vacancy left upon the employment of Linda Repko by OEA), with a term ending August 31, 2011 n Approved the resignation of Kathleen Purdy, representing ECOEA, effective immediately, from the Member Rights and Protection Core Function Committee, leaving an unexpired term ending August 31, 2012

Governor Ted Strickland addressed the OEA Board of Directors in October. 26 photos © 2010 Brent Turner, BLT Productions, Inc. Sycamore teacher joins NEA Board of Directors

retchen Washington, a 15-year special education Gteacher at Sycamore High School in Montgomery, Ohio, just north of Cincinnati, recently returned from Washington, D.C., where she attended her first meeting as a newly elected member of the National Education Association (NEA) Board of Directors. Washington, a political activist and Air Force veteran, has given up her seat on the Ohio Education Association’s (OEA) Board of Directors as an At-Large member, to represent OEA on the NEA Board. NEA Board of Directors member Gretchen Washington and One of her priorities as an NEA Board member will NEA President Dennis Van Roekel. be to lobby Congress to repeal two amendments to the Social Security Act that negatively affect thousands of Washington, who graduated from Princeton High public employees in Ohio and elsewhere. School, earned a degree in special education and “Public employees have lived with the unfair elementary education from the University of Cincinnati. burdens of the two amendments to the Social Security She has nearly 25 years of teaching experience. Act—the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and “Gretchen brings a wealth of practical experience Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) long enough,” to the Association and our mission to create great Washington said. “I will be working with NEA to public schools for every student,” says NEA President convince Congress to repeal these unfair laws that af- Dennis Van Roekel. “She is committed to the fight for fect so many teachers and education support quality public education and is a tremendous asset to professionals.” our Board.” Washington joins six OEA members who serve on The NEA Board is comprised of elementary and NEA’s 150-member Board in doing the work of the secondary teachers, education support professionals, NEA. She will also continue her work with the NEA higher education faculty and staff, school administra- Minority Leadership Training Cadre. tors, retired educators and students studying to become teachers.

Theatre Arts Teacher. She was an intern in the NEA OEA staff news Minorities and Women UniServ Intern Program in 2009, and interned at OEA in the Canton office. Drinkard Shawnta’ Bailey recently joined OEA as an graduated from Catawba College with a BA in Theatre Administrative Secretary HQ (Legal Services). Bailey Arts/Acting. has extensive experience as an executive administrative assistant and legal secretary. She graduated from the Don Holub recently transfered from the position of University of Dayton with a BA in Political Science UniServ Education Research Development Consultant and English. She also graduated with a JD from the to the position of UniServ LRC, Canton (Canton C SC). University of Dayton School of Law. Shawn Primm recently joined OEA as a Staff Sarah Drinkard joined the OEA as an LRC, Athens Accountant II. Primm has over 15 years of experience (Blue Ribbon Joint) in early September. Drinkard was in accounting. His most recent position was at Max and most recently employed by Rowan Salisbury Schools, Erma’s as a Senior Accountant. Primm graduated from South Rowan High School in North Carolina as a the with a BS in Accounting.

OHIO SCHOOLS NOVEMBER 2010 27 Attend the 2010 Doris L. Allen Minority Caucus dinner

he OEA Doris L. Allen Minority Caucus will hold its annual dinner on December 3, at the Doubletree Hotel TColumbus/Worthington. Dr. John H. Jackson, President and CEO of The Schott Foundation for Public Education, will be the keynote speaker. The evening will begin with a reception at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are $45 per person or $450 for a table of ten. Please make your reservation by completing and returning the registration form with payment to DLAMC Treasurer Alvah Hayes no later than November 12, 2010.

Doubletree Hotel Columbus/Worthington • I-270 and Route 23 North • 175 Hutchinson Avenue December 3, 2010 • Reception at 6 p.m. • Dinner at 7 p.m. I wish to attend the DLAMC Annual Memorial Dinner. Enclosed is check #______in the amount of $______. Tickets are $45 per person or $450 per table of 10. Reservation to be placed in the name of: ______. Please make check payable to DLAMC/OEA.

Name______Meal Choice/Quantity Local Association______# ____ Non Vegetarian meal Address______# ____ Vegetarian meal City______State______Zip code______Home phone______School phone______Return registration and payment to: Alvah Hayes, 1612 33rd Street NE, Canton OH 44714. Deadline: November 12.

OEA Fall District RA and Delegate Briefing Schedule Date District Delegate Briefing Location Event Times

11/12 CENTRAL Delegate Briefing Columbus Marriott Northwest 5:00 pm Reception/ Registration only in conj. with 5605 Blazer Pkwy. 6:00 pm Dinner All Area Meeting Dublin 6:30 pm Meeting 11/13 NCOEA Follows RA Mansfield Senior High School 8:00 am Registration 124 N. Linden Rd. 8:30 am RA Mansfield Breakfast Served – Reservations Required 11/13 NEOEA During RA Lorain County JVS (Oberlin) 8:30 am Breakfast and Registration 15181 State Route 58 9:30 am RA Oberlin 11/13 SWOEA During RA Receptions 8:00 am Registration 5975 Boymel Dr. 9:00 am RA Fairfield 11/16 SEOEA Follows RA Westview Elementary School 5:30 pm Dinner 16349 Beaver Pk. 6:15 pm RA Jackson RA Follows Dinner 11/17 WOEA Before Forum Northmont High School 5:00 pm OEA Briefing 4916 W National Rd. 5:45 pm Fall Member Forum and Dayton Dinner - RSVP 11/18 EOEA Precedes RA Undo’s 5:00 pm Registration 51130 National Rd. E 5:30 pm Briefing St. Clairsville 6:00 pm RA and Dinner Reservations Required 11/20 ECOEA During RA Canton Professional E.A. Office 7:45 am Registration 1327 Market Ave. N 8:30 am RA Canton Continental Breakfast

ATTENTION POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER NO LATER THAN NOVEMBER 19 OhioSchools