Ohio Department of Education News
The Ohio Department of Education’s Reset and Restart Education Planning webpage has information and resources for schools and districts as they plan for the start of the 2020-2021 school year.
The Ohio Department of Education is also sponsoring the Summer Food Service Program again this year, providing children with free, healthy meals during the school break. Participation is simple, and no sign up is required. To learn about meal times and locations near you, call 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or visit education.ohio.gov/KidsEat.
Please check back for updates as they become available.
Middletown City School District to start year online
Cincinnati Enquirer
The Middletown City School District will begin its school year on Aug. 17 remotely due to the spread of COVID-19 in Butler County. The district's Board of Education voted Monday that schools will continue the remote education until further notice, according to a press release from the school district... (Marlon Styles, Jr., MCSD superintendent) said the decision was made this early to make sure families had four weeks to make plans accordingly, according to the school's remote learning plan. The school will provide students in grades 3-12 with laptops and internet access.
Related coverage: Akron schools may start year with online-only classes
(Akron Beacon Journal), Berea Schools superintendent releases tentative district plan for fall reopening (Cleveland Plain Dealer), Schools urge families to ask questions now as reopening approaches (Dayton Daily News), COVID-19: What are reopening plans for schools around Cincinnati? Here's a list (Cincinnati Enquirer), Perrysburg schools approve plans to reopen amid pandemic (Toledo Blade)
State and Local Education News
What happens if a child has coronavirus when schools reopen, and how can districts prevent stigma?
Cleveland Plain Dealer
As counties across Ohio teeter on the edge of the highest risk status in the state’s color coded coronavirus alert system, districts are still developing the basics of back-to-school plans -- like whether schools will open at all. But after the basic plans roll out, difficult decisions still lie ahead, including what happens if a student is diagnosed with COVID-19. While tracing the virus through classrooms and common spaces, districts also have to protect student privacy and prevent social conflict around the virus.
Area districts get pieces of $100M in coronavirus funding for Ohio schools Hamilton Journal News
Area schools recently received an injection of federal funds to help battle the spread of the coronavirus when they open classes next month. The influx of thousands of dollars – part of $100 million statewide - will help Butler and southern Warren County schools cover the unanticipated costs of trying to operate schools during the global pandemic. In Butler County, Lakota Schools, which has the largest enrollment of any southwest Ohio suburban school system, received the largest amount of $795,414 in federal CARES Act funding.
Berea City School District commits to diversity, equity, inclusion
Cleveland Plain Dealer
At the Berea Board of Education’s July 14 meeting, board members unanimously passed a resolution emphasizing the district’s commitment to equity and excellence in education... The resolution indicates that the board’s responsibility is “to ensure the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion are fully integrated into the culture, policies, programs, operations and practices of the district.” It goes on to say that the school board “rejects all forms of racism and discrimination.”
West Holmes hires veteran leader as interim superintendent
Wooster Daily Record
The West Holmes Local School Board of Education went for veteran leadership and experience to lead the transition, naming John Thomas interim superintendent for the 2020-21 school year during a special board meeting Monday at West Holmes High School... Thomas just finished his 49th year in education, beginning in 1971. He has been an English teacher in Silver Spring, Montgomery County, Maryland; curriculum supervisor in Stark County Department of Education; an elementary principal in Minerva Local Schools; and was superintendent in three different Ohio school districts, beginning with Crestview Local Schools in Columbiana County, Alliance City Schools and Delaware City Schools.
Crestview superintendent retires
Van Wert Times Bulletin
The Crestview Board Of Education accepted the resignation of Kathleen Mollenkopf as superintendent due to retirement at its regular July meeting on Monday evening. Mollenkopf, who has served 34 years with the district, was rehired by the Board which approved a three-year contract beginning Aug. 4, 2020. "I believe this to be mutually beneficial. I think I continue to have a great deal to offer the district," Mollenkopf said.
New principal returns to lead reopening Leonard Kirtz School
Youngstown CBS-27
The Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities announced Monday that they are introducing Dr. Gina Symsek as the new principal of Leonard Kirtz School beginning in the 2020-2021 school year. Symsek is a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., but has had a successful 32-year career in Ohio.
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