The view from the Idea Center

The consequences of state lawmakers’ affection for private school vouchers are being keenly felt in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District.

Residents packed the  Cleveland Heights Community Center last night to debate a proposed 7.9-mill levy that school officials say is needed to make up for money they’re losing to the EdChoice voucher program.

EdChoice was set to balloon this year due to  a more expansive definition of what constitutes a failing school, as approved by Ohio’s General Assembly. But lawmakers are  reconsidering the entire voucher program in Columbus right now.

In the CH-UH system,  1,400 students used EdChoice vouchers this year. That increased the district’s voucher bill to  nearly $7 million. Supporters say the levy would raise more than $8 million in new revenue for the school district with a property tax bump.

Opponents say residents are already among  the most heavily-taxed in the area.

School officials say it’s either higher taxes or fewer teachers and staff. CH-UH Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby also warned of cuts to cherished programs and services.

" Do we need to reduce some of our athletic programs? Do we charge you to pay for the buses and the transportation and those things?" she asked the crowd.

She’ll have her answer after the March 17 primary.
 

See you bright and early Monday morning on the radio,
Amy Eddings
 

P.S. A note on yesterday's newsletter,  titled “Who Rescued Who?” and focused on adopted pets and efforts afoot in Cleveland to help even more animals and their owners: Adorable  paw-print bumper stickers aside, the grammatically correct choice should have been “Who Rescued Whom?” The Noon(ish) team would like to encourage good choices in grammar as well as furry friends and regrets the error.

Need to KnOH

Headlines from Northeast Ohio and Beyond

• Podcasting Guru Eric Nuzum's Advice on Digital Storytelling
• Greater Cleveland Congregations Is Back With A New Director
• Cleveland Unveils Proposed Sherwin-Williams Incentive Package
• The Lessons To Be Learned From Forcing Plants To Play Music
• Fans Want Statue Of John Glenn At Ohio Statehouse
• Roger Stone Sentenced To More Than 3 Years Amid Furor Over Trump And DOJ

Your ideas

Yesterday, you got to meet some of ideastream's rescued furry friends and we asked to meet some of yours. A hearty Noon(ish) hello to Passy the Turtle and doggos Remi and Mickie from Cleveland Kennel City Dogs who all live with Public Square member Susie Gavazzi!

Canton native Eric Nuzum has developed a number of popular podcasts, from the  TED Radio Hour to  Invisibilia. With nearly 1 million podcasts to choose from, which do you listen to? Call us at  (216) 916-6476, comment on our Facebook page or join the conversation in Public Square. We'll feature some of your thoughts and comments here in Noon(ish) and on Morning Edition.