Education

Ohio's Legislative Services Commission estimated the state would spend about $397 million on the private school vouchers in this fiscal year. The state actually spent over $412 million.

Midori Lebrón, Cleveland State University's director of first year and exploratory advising, will be taking the seat vacated by former board chair Anne Bingham. Bingham, who had served since 2014, stepped down over the summer.

Starting in early December, about 19,000 school districts will have the chance to order free rapid COVID tests from the federal stockpile for their students, staff and others in the community.

A nuance in Ohio’s property tax law means the state’s school districts are on the ballot year after year after year. That can lead to fatigue and make levies hard to pass.

A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday for the controversial Republican-backed higher education bill, though Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) said Tuesday the bill doesn’t have the votes to pass the Ohio House.

Bowling Green City School District has asked voters for money to construct a new high school building five times. Levies asking for additional school funds have become rarer and harder to pass in the state.

Students, faculty and alumni had questioned the hiring process in which the board of trustees reportedly interviewed candidates behind closed doors.

Youngstown State University’s faculty union is also raising concerns about the process that lead up to the YSU Board of Trustees offering the position to U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Marietta) last week during an "emergency" meeting.

Kevin Stockdale, Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s chief financial officer, said the district will likely be placed in a “fiscal precautionary status” by the Ohio Department of Education early next year, which will mean the district must adopt a plan to balance its budget.

In recent weeks, pro-Palestinian demonstrators have interrupted two Columbus City Council meetings and one OSU Board of Trustees meeting.