Gov. Kasich Proposes Increasing School Funding, Lessening Mandates

The governor’s plan also includes funds for a special grant, designed to encourage schools to try new approaches to increasing achievement and decreasing cost.

Gov. John Kasich unveiled Thursday his school funding reform plan, “Achievement Everywhere,” which aims to distribute funds fairly to districts and give principals more autonomy. The plan will be part of the governor’s overall 2014-2015 budget proposal, which is expected to be released next week. Thursday’s proposal includes $1.2 billion in new money for schools during the next two years.  Kasich told reporters on a conference call Thursday afternoon that the additional money is possible because the state has cut costs in other areas and brought in new jobs, which increases the state’s overall revenue. He said his plan would be fully funded from the start, rather than phased in over time. Ohio’s school funding formula, which is based on …

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Gun Control Laws in Ohio: Too Far or Not Far Enough?

The debate has heated up in the days after the school shooting in Connecticut.

What do you think about the gun laws in Ohio — are they not strict enough or do restrictions need to be scaled back? It’s a question that has recently taken on more weight in the days following a deadly school shooting in Connecticut.  Ohio’s gun laws have been becoming more lenient in recent years, the Columbus Dispatch reports, pointing to a variety of new laws. That includes one passed in 2011 to allow concealed-carry weapons in bars.  And it’s likely that the restrictions will loosen even further soon. Gov. John Kasich is expected to sign House Bill 495, NewsNet5.com reports. According to the most recent bill analysis, the bill would loosen reciprocity agreements with other states regarding concealed-carry permits, eliminate a …

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Ohio Governor Bans Texting While Driving (POLL)

What do you think of the new law? Is it a good or bad thing for Ohio's drivers?

Updated at 2:03 p.m. June 1: Ohio is the 39th state to ban texting while driving after Gov. John Kasich signed the bill into law Friday afternoon surrounded by family members of those killed by drivers distracted by cell phones, reports The Columbus Dispatch.  ——————————— Gov. John Kasich is expected to sign a bill today that will ban reading, writing an sending texts while driving, reports NewsNet5.com. For adults, texting while driving would be a secondary offense. Teen drivers, however, could be pulled over for using electronic devices like phones and tablets.  For more information, read Channel 5's full story here.

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Priscilla Smith

6:17 pm on Monday, June 4, 2012

Yes, it is tempting to see who just sent you a message. I can see looking at that on a screen as that is just a glance, but not reading the message or replying. Pull over for that. And actually I think the new I-Phone 4S has where you can text by voice. With these laws, that may become much more popular.   more ›

Kasich: Rainy Day Fund Went from Less than $1 to Millions, Ohio's Budget Balanced

Gov. John Kasich was the speaker at the Stow-Munroe Falls Chamber of Commerce meeting and he talked about the growth and accomplishments of the state since he's been in office.

More posts from the Stow-Munroe Falls Chamber of Commerce luncheon March 20 at Silver Lake Country Club:

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Five Things You Should Know

Enter your little fan in our team spirit contest, compare and contrast candidates, and watch your city government in action.

Show off your children's (ages 12 and under) best display of team spirit on Patch and possibly win a weekend for four at Great Wolf Lodge in Sandusky! It doesn't matter which team your little fan dresses up or decorates for, we just want to see your child's love for sports expressed in a fun, cute or spectacular way. The International Referral Network Fairlawn/Montrose Chapter is holding its next meeting at the Fairlawn Kiwanis Community Center tomorrow at 11:35 a.m. Business owners and sales professionals help each other by getting a better understanding of each other's businesses and seeking potential customers and clients who could use their products and services. Ohio Gov. John Kasich is expected to attend a rally in Independence  to…

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Analysis: Examining Senate Bill 5

Referendum virtual certainty. What you need to know before the vote.

Absent a shocking turn of events, Ohioans will be asked this November to vote on keeping or repealing Senate Bill 5 – the measure passed this spring that sharply curtails the collective bargaining rights of public employees.  Opponents of the bill are currently gathering signatures and all evidence indicates that they will be successful. Political divisions will drive some voters Some voters will base their decision on pure politics.  Public employee unions give a great deal of money and organizational help to candidates, most (but not all) of whom are Democrats.  Of the top 10 political donor organizations in the last election cycle, the only two that even lean toward Democrats were public employee unions. So people who believe that …

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State Budget Cuts Will Hurt Copley Schools

Changes to the way schools receive money will touch school districts throughout the state. Superintendent Brian Poe said district will balance its budget despite financial cuts without asking for a new levy.

Copley-Fairlawn Schools could lose nearly $2 million in state aid over the next year school, officials warned in a community meeting Wednesday night.  Under the budget bill currently being considered the district would see another $1 million reduction the following year.  Superintendent Brian Poe and Treasurer John Wheadon spoke for about an hour before a crowd of parents and taxpayers at Copley High School.  They cautioned that the figures they have received are preliminary.  The budget bill will not be reported out of legislative committee until May and will not be finalized until this summer. Whatever the final numbers turn out to be, the district will not ask residents for more money.  Poe said the district is committed to balancing …

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Revere Schools Forum Paints Dire Financial Picture

Administrators say school funding cuts make levy passage crucial and require pushback from parents against state legislators.

Whose financial numbers do you believe? Should a nest egg be spent now or will it be needed when bad times get worse? Those were the central issues debated at Revere Schools Community Forum Tuesday.  The get-together was one of many expected to be held at schools and governments across the state (Copley-Fairlawn Schools holds its meeting tonight at 7:30 p.m.) The meetings  are held to urge voters to object to cuts proposed by Ohio Gov. John Kasich. The governor has submitted a biennial budget to legislators that makes substantial reductions in state funding to schools and municipalities to close a budget hole of more than $8 billion. During the Revere meeting,  Superintendent Randy Boroff posted contact information for State Sen. Frank …

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Neighbors You Should Know

Cheating for Excellence

What lessons did Kelley Williams-Bolar leave out?

The case of Kelley Willams-Bolar, who enrolled her two daughters in Copley-Fairlawn School District by claiming they lived with her father, Edward L. Williams, has become national news. On Jan. 18, Williams-Bolar was convicted of two felony counts of tampering with records, though grand theft charges were dropped on Jan. 31. From a Facebook page, Support Kelley Williams-Bolar, to The View, Good Morning America, Change.org, Salon.com, NPR, and CNN, Williams-Bolar has become the poster girl for poor, African-American single mothers who have worked to overcome their circumstances and achieve “The American Dream” for their families, only to find these dreams thwarted by the long reach of inequality. In a statement issued on Feb. 1, Governor …

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