By marie

May 2, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this

Below is an email I sent to Jon Husted on Sunday, February 11, 2007 and his response directly follows. It is clear that Jon Husted has no clue what is going on in Dayton. Oldprof, this should be interesting reading especially for you. Enjoy! Dear Mr. Husted, As I read your opinions, ideas, and thoughts on inner city education, I became curious as to your own background. I saw you are a Kettering citizen and so am I. You hold higher education degrees and so do I. However, I didn’t see anywhere in your resume that you ever taught in an inner city environment. In fact, I don’t see where you’ve taught in any district’s school. Yet, you have deemed yourself [and been so deemed by others] as the expert on Dayton’s problems and how they should be fixed. I, on the other hand, have taught in charter schools and now teach mathematics in a Dayton high school. Mr. Husted, you are certainly promoting the big business of charters while taking away from kids and parents who are being successful in Dayton Schools. Are you aware of any of the accomplishments of many of the Dayton children? If so, can you name them? Or would this turn into a research project for one of your assistants? Have you thought about volunteering your time as an OGT tutor in Dayton? Have you ever met with Board or spoken with Dr. Mack? Do you know anything about Dayton residents and their children? Many of us who teach in the Dayton Schools are aware that things are not perfect; in fact, no school is without their problems? For instance, I have noticed you aren’t being so vocal about Kettering Schools not meeting AYP for their disabled population. Many of us who have chosen to work in Dayton Schools do so to make a difference in a child’s life. It’s my motivation day after day. What’s yours? Jon Husted wrote on Thursday, February 15, 2007: February 15, 2007 You ask many questions in your e-mail; I will do my best to respond. First, I have a degree in education and briefly taught in several schools � including student-teaching in two Dayton Public Schools. Having stated this, I don�t compare these to your experiences, nor do I suggest the teaching I did 15 years ago qualifies me as a classroom expert. Over my years of service in the Legislature, I have listened to hundreds of hours of testimony, visited schools and participated in hundreds of hours of meetings with education leaders throughout Ohio and the nation. I base my decision-making on discussions with these educators who have experience and interactions with business leaders, parents and students. It is my job to take the best ideas they have to offer, blend it with my own experiences and develop public policy. I have been a leader in education policy because of my passion to improve opportunities for a better education and a better future for all children. I commend you for your commitment to the children you have touched as well. When I demand better results it is not meant to criticize the good work being done by many every single day, I do it to help motivate all of us, including myself, to help lift up a system of education that must get better. I will try to fulfill my responsibilities and I encourage you to keep me informed of all the good things you see in your work so I can share these positive achievements with others. Sincerely, Jon A. Husted Speaker Ohio House of Representatives

By Mary

May 1, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this

David, I think your comment reinforces my point that some have more voice than others - like high roller. You have obviously not been to meetings where everyday parents have to scrap to get a voice and are cut off at three minutes. And everyday parents whose letters to the school are ignored. Lee, I think many in rural districts would like and need educational choices as well. Some rural schools seem to be just as notorious as any when it comes to offering educational opportunites for their academically gifted students.

By Lee Dixon

April 30, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this

The issue of stability is even greater when rural districts face the prospect of charters being approved by other entities… as is law in Florida. I think Mr. Mack is concerned because Dayton is not that large of a district anymore. It’s a valid concern.

By Oldprof

April 29, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this

I guess Husted is planning to make as many enemies as possible so that his future political career will closely resemble Jerry Springer’s.

By David

April 29, 2007 8:46 AM | Link to this

Public schools are publicly run. The statement #1 in this group of posts says “…school administrtors, PARENTS, STUDENTS, COMMUNITY GROUPS, and other cliques override….” The public does have input. The poster just doesn’t agree with those in power. If you don’t believe the public has input just watch a school board back away from supporting something good when a high-roller buddy in the community says, “No” to something.

By David

April 29, 2007 8:43 AM | Link to this

The problems with charters go right back to Mr. Husted and his blind support for them. Since their inception they have not been effective. Currently 74% of Ohio public schools are rated Excellent or Effective; only 11%, that’s ELEVEN percent of charters are rated Excellent or Effective. When the Republicans and other supports pushed for them they were going to do wonders with the same kids and less money and no rules because the public schools just ain’t no good. Guess what…, people got what they wanted and it’s not good. It is Mack’s job to go around pointing this out.

By dps teacher

April 28, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this

Absolutely! With Ohio’s current funding situation for public education, superintendents have been relegated to being the chief campaigner for their districts in order to get funding for their schools. Why is being a lobbyist any different? Mr. Husted is in the hip pocket of Terry Ryan and the Fordham Foundation. He’s an unofficial lobbyist for Fordham. I wonder how much money the Fordham Foundation and its cronies gave to Mr. Husted’s campaign? The legislature has made it very difficult for public schools to operate because of the demands it makes on their budgetary projections. Dr. Mack is just stating the truth and the obvious.

By Dave

April 28, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this

Why did Mr. Husted call you? Does he think you are Dr. Mack’s daddy, to stop him from picking on Mr. Husted with this expression of free speech? Dr. Mack is head of a major school district. That makes his comments on funding for charter schools at LEAST as relevant as Mr. Husted’s comments on DPS’s proposed levy.

By Mary

April 28, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this

Actually, I think most public schools are also “privately run” and publicly funded. The “public interest” is usually not the driving force in how schools are run and spend their money. Cliques run public schools. The special interests of teachers’ unions and other employees and special interest groups and bias of school administrators, parents, students, community groups and other cliques override the overall public interest most of the time. What is public about public school? I have always had to squeeze out any information I have got, and have to do flips to get my opinions and concerns heard (and ignored). The media does not do much better,or does worse.