July 20, 2022, Olde Dutch Inn, Logan, Ohio

CORAS members met July 20th at the Olde Dutch Inn in Logan at 9:30 AM to discuss your suggestions for CORAS moving forward. Members should have received an agenda but topics include:

SE Ohio’s role in politics by Zack Space

“State of Play” in Columbus/Current CORAS Initiatives by Will Drabold

“How do Superintendents sustain/advance the CORAS Lgeislative Momentum”

“What is the Superintendent’s Vision for CORAS 2022-23?”

March 16, 2022 Meeting, Ohio University Inn, Athens, Ohio

Representative John Patterson Chosen as CORAS and Patton College of Education 2021-22 HICKS EXECUTIVE IN RESIDENCE

CORAS members welcomed John Patterson as the 21-22 Hicks Executive in Residence. Representative Patterson was introduced by incoming president Dalton Summers and former Congressman Zack Space. Both speakers noted Patterson’s advocacy for rural schools and other intitiatives he accomplished during his time in the legislature. For his presentation, Representative Patterson spoke on the journey he experienced as he co-sponsored bipartisan legislation on Fair School Funding. You can read his remarks below:

Also at the meeting Bill Phillis gave an update on the lawsuit against Vouchers.

February Teacher Recognition February, 2022

50 Outstanding Elementary Teacher were recognized on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center in Cambridge, Ohio. Over 150 attendees heard comments from Dr. James Mahoney on “Teachers as Leaders” and from State Senator Jay Hottinger. Awardees received a statuette and the book TO TEACH IS TO LEAD by Mahoney.

Those teachers recognized were:

Adena Local Christina Martin

Barnesville EV Clarissa Kernen

Belpre City Sherri Greene

Bridgeport EV Raymond Wukeson

Bright Local Kim Germann

Caldwell EV Brittany  Biggs

Cambridge City Schools Jessica Pyle

Carrollton EV Lisa Truman

Claymont City Kristen Metzger

Conotton Valley Union Tracy Rose

Coshocton City Jennifer  Young

Crooksville EV Holly Mathias

East Central ESC Beth Medlyn

East Guernsey Local  Jenny Legats

East Muskingum Local Abbey Hanna

Eastern Local Dezere Martin

Eastern/Brown Local Veronica Beucler

Federal Hocking Beth  Simpson

Fort Frye Ericka Schneider

Franklin Local Teri  Mosebrook

Gallia County Local Tiffany Barry

Huntington Local Machelle  Uhrig

Indian Creek Rebecca  Canestraro

Indian Valley Local Kristin Burrier

Ironton City Megan Ross

Jackson City Phil Howard Angie Seitz

Logan-Hocking Local Monte Bainter Jaclyn Sturgell

Manchester Local Brian Rau Ann Marie Poole

Maysville Local Ruth Zitnik Jennifer  McHugh

Morgan Local Kristin Barker Chris Stanton

Muskingum Valley ESC Lori Snyder-Lowe Katherine  Devoll

New Lexingtron City Casey Coffee Torie Underwood

Newcomerstown EV Jason Peoples Sami  Seibert

Noble Local Dan Leffingwell Emily Binegar

Northern Local Angela Gussler Carrie White

Ohio Valley ESC Dalton Summers Rebecca  Clemens

OU-PCOE Dean Sara Helfrich Danielle Feeney

Ridgewood Local Mike Masloski Connie Kinsey

River View Local Chuck Rinkes Lori Foresi

Southern Local

Ashley Zielinski

St. Clairsville-Richland Christian Goddard

Toronto City Caryn Bodnar

Trimble Local Holly Mummey

Tuscarawas Valley Local Sarah Witting

Vinton County Local Lorrie Hamon

West Muskingum Local Rebecca  Bowman

Western Local Kim Montavon

Wolf Creek Local Kelsey Kirkpatrick

Zane Trace Local Kendra Grimm

Zanesville City Lisa Melsheimer

September/October CORAS Meetings 2021

All Powerpoint Presentations presented at these two meetings can be found on the Educator Resource Page of this website.

CORAS has had a very busy beginning to the school year.

In October, Members were given an update on the Legislative Brunch (see below). Everyone who attended were very pleased with the progress of this effort and partly due to these efforts several CORAS districts have been included in a $2 million grant for School Based Telehealth Initiative.

Ms. Lindsay Rayner, Curriculum and Learning Director from the MVESC gave a presentation on Social and Emotional Learning. Her Powerpoint Presentation, Educating the Whole Child, can be found on the Educator Resource page of this website. This presentation covered how PBIS, Character Education, the effects of Trauma on children and Trauma Sensitive Strategies.

Members then heard a presentation by a panel consisting of Nicole Donovsky, Bricker/ Eckler Attorney, Jennifer Economus, Alberton-Hill Consluting, Chris McClasky, Bricker/Eckler Attorney and Huntington Local School Superintendent, Pete Ruby who all spoke on “Transgender Issues in CORAS Districts: Public Relations, Legal Obligations and Community Perspectives.”

Business Partner Janelle Ruhe of Achieve 3000 gave a presentation on programs that could support at risk students. Her presentation is included on the Educator Resource page.

In September, Dr. Randy Leite, Executive Director of the Appalachian Children’s Coalition spoke on Mental health Opportunities in the State Budget. Then Dr. Robin Rayfield, Executive Director of the Ohio Retired Teachers Association spoke on the results of the STRS Forensic Audit conducted by Edward Siedle and the work ORTA is doing to restore the retired members COLA. As part of the Audit, Mr. Siedle asked STRS to provide the following: How much money is invested in each of the 135 external alternative investments? What are the total costs associated with these investments (fees, expenses, costs, carried interest committed capital fees, alls costs). What are the current Fair Market Value of each investment? See the Powerpoint on the Edcator Resource Page. The meeting ended with Nicole Donovsky of Bricker/Eckler giving an update on Legislative Changes and Collective Bargaining Trends.

CORAS Reinstitutes Legislative Committee

After several meetings held beginning in July, the CORAS Executive Committee voted to reinstitute the Legislative Committee and to thus double down on efforts to work with legislators to positively impact Appalachian districts. The Committee will be broken into 6 sub committees: Transportation, Early Childhood, Telehealth, Behaviorial and Mental Health, Fair Funding, Transportation and Facilities. CORAS will be contracting with Sunday Creek Horizons to plan and advance advocacy efforts. If you would like to participate in any of these subcommittees or would like to be included in the Legislative Committee, contact Dr. Murray.

To address these priorities, a Legislative Brunch was held September 28, 2021 at the Riffe Office Towers. The meeting was hosted by CORAS Executive Director, Dr. Richard Murray and Senator Tim Schaffer who co-chairs the Appalachian Caucus and 12 of the seventeen legislators invited attended. All attendees were presented with CORAS 2021-2022 Legislative Priorities (See above). Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted spoke to the group regarding Broadband and Telehealth and Superintendents Dalton Summers, Dan Leffingwell, Phil Ackerman, and John Hurd spoke on the importance of each of the priorities listed in the Legislative Priorities. In addition, Former Representatives John Patterson and Tom Neihouse as well as Former Congressman Zack Space spoke on the importance of collaborative efforts.

JERRY MOWERY HONORED AS 2020-21 CORAS PRESIDENT

MARCH MEETING TO FOCUS ON SCHOOL FUNDING

On March 17, 2021 at 9:00 AM Zoom (see link below) into join us for a thorough look at the current state of school funding in Ohio. 2020-21 Hicks Executive in Residence, Dr. Howard Fleeter will discuss the current state budget and other important issues regarding funding Ohio Schools, especially those in Appalachian Ohio. In addition, Dennis Willard will discuss the status of the ED Voucher Litigation. Please join us!

ZOOM LINK:   see below
https://zoom.us/j/95014391254?pwd=TnlTUDd5RHc1cFBOSWYwdVlLaGlXUT09
Meeting ID: 950 1439 1254
Passcode: He2Epd

January 18, 2021 Honoring COVID Heroes

At the virtual January, 2021 CORAS meeting many CORAS districts honored staff members or community members who have been identified as COVID Heroes during the past school year. These individuals have gone over and beyond what could be expected for this difficult school year. See below for a list of district recipients We also hope to soon be able to upload a video of the introduction to these heroes by Executive Director Richard Murray, Ohio Superintendent of Instruction, Mr. Paolo DeMaria and Dean Renee’ Middleton, Dean of the Ohio University Patton College of Education.

Ben Buchwalter Technology Coordinator Adena Local Schools John Balzer, Superintendent

Mary Diegmiller Paraprofessional Barnesville Exempted Village School District Angela Hannahs, Superintendent

Timmy Kyer Maintenance Department Head Belmont Harrison JVSD Richard Schoene, Superintendent

Donna Burlenski Food Service Coordinator Bridgeport Exempted Village School District Brent Ripley, Superintendent

Debbie Robertson Food Service Coordinator Bright Local School District Mike Bick, Superintendent

Jane Evans School Nurse Carrollton Exempted Village School District David Quattrochi, Superintendent

Jenna Dress Special Education Director Conotton Valley Union Local Todd Herman, Superintendent

Jennifer Andrews Director Transportation and Food Services Coshocton City Schools David Hire, Superintendent

James Creech Transportation Director Crooksville EV Schools Kevin Smith, Superintendent

Kayla Harman Preschool Supervisor East Central Ohio ESC Randy Lucas, Superintendent

Tracy Taylor School Nurse East Guernsey Local Schools Adam Pittis, Superintendent

Linda Jones Food Service Director, Head Cook East Muskingum Local Schools David Adams, Superintendent

Tracy Cremer Director of Food Services Eastern Local (Brown County) Michele Filon, Superintendent

Peggy Edwards Head Cook -Coolville Elementary Federal Hocking School District David Hanning, Superintendent

Erin Lockhart EMIS Coordinator/Records Control/Truancy Officer Fort Frye Local Schools Stephanie Starcher, Supt. Sharon McDermott Superintendent (Retired) Franklin Local Rob Preston, Superintendent

Dana Glassburn Director, Gallia County Job & Family Services Gallia Vinton ESC Denise Shockley, Superintendent

Lea Cummings School Nurse Huntington Local Pete Ruby, Superintendent

Eric White Food Services Director Indian Creek Local School District T.C. Chappelear,Superintendent

Brian Dittfeld Director of Technology & Classified Operations Indian Valley Local Ira Wentworth, Superintendent

Patrick Ball Insurance Broker for the District Jackson City School District Phil Howard, Superintendent

Missy Adams Food Service Director Lisbon Exempted Village Schools Joe Siefke, Superintendent

Sheila Richards High School Technology Teacher Manchester Local School District Brian Rau, Superintendent

Christy Boothby Director of the Technology and Information Center Marietta City Schools William Hampton, Supt.

Richard Hall Superintendent (Retired) Mid-East Career and Technology Center Matt Sheridan, Superintendent

Ryan Stockham District Technology Coordinator Minford Local Schools Jeremy Litteral, Superintendent

Greg Moore Facilities/Athletic Director Morgan Local Schools Kristin Barker, Superintendent

Dan Blickensderfer Director of Technology Muskingum Valley ESC Lori Snyder-Lowe, Superintendent

Molly Dupler School Nurse New Lexington Schools Casey Coffey, Superintendent

Abby Collins School Nurse Newcomerstown EV Schools Jeff Staggs,Superintendent

Lorraine Holiday Food Service Director Noble Local School District Dan Leffingwell, Superintendent

Lisa Householder High School Principal Northern Local Thomas Perkins, Superintendent

Jacquelyn Prichard Blue Sky /virtual Academy Supervisor Ohio Valley Educational Service Center Andy Brooks, Supt

Steve Foster Grounds Keeper/Bus Driver/Bus Maintenance River View Local Schools Dalton Summers, Superintendent

Jeff Wheeler Athletic Director/Asst.High School Principal Rolling Hills Local School District Scott Golec, Superintendent

Linda Shaw Principal-Portsmouth West Elementary School Shawnee State University Cheryl Irish

Tricia McNickle Elementary Principal Southern Local (Meigs County) Tony Deem,Superintendent

Chad Moore Technology SupervisorTri-County Career Center Connie Altier, Superintendent

Julie Hoagland Secretary, Transportation, Food Service, Building Grounds Tuscarawas Valley Local Mark Murphy, Supt

Michael Ogier Transportation Supervisor Vinton County Local School District Rick Brooks, Superintendent

Kelly Waugh RN Wellston City Schools Karen Boch, Superintendent

Robert Dunn Cafeteria Supervisor Zane Trace Local Schools Jerry Mowery, Superintendent

Kevin Appleman Executive Director of Operations/Student Services Zanesville City Schools Doug Baker, Supt.

CORAS Alters Schedule to Address Covid-19

As we begin another school year, please know that CORAS recognizes the difficult decisions and the many challenges that Superintendents are facing daily during these unprecedented pandemic times. I believe strongly and remain confident that your commitment to our kids and your staffs, along with your leadership will absolutely make the difference, for our schools and communities this coming year. Together we will be able to navigate these difficult times and serve children and teachers.  

To this end, CORAS has two goals for our coming school year:

1.) Conduct six regular membership meetings. (see dates below)

2.) Utilize our meeting Venues to provide you, our member Superintendents,  with opportunities to discuss hot topics, relevant matter and hear from experts with “in the know”.  

Our CORAS Meeting format for 2021 provide you three options; 1.) In person attendance at the Olde Dutch restaurant in Logan Ohio. To accommodate social distancing, we will be limited to the first 45 who register with CORAS Administrative Associate, Debra Kelly. Lunch will follow the meeting. 2.) Zoom at your local ESC office. 3.) Zoom at your office.  

Below please find our CORAS meeting dates and locations for your planning:  

September 16, 2020 Olde Dutch Restaurant Logan Ohio October 21, 2020      Olde Dutch Restaurant Logan Ohio January 13, 2021     Virtual Zoom Recognition of CORAS school “Pandemic Hero’s” March 17, 2021    Virtual Zoom Hicks in Residence Scholar Recognition April 21, 2021     OU Inn, Athens Ohio June 1, 2021       Eagle Sticks, Zanesville Ohio  

Thank you for your commitment to serve kids, teachers, and our communities.  

Dr. Howard Fleeter Named 2019-2021

Hicks Executive in Residence

Dr. Howard Fleeter was  named the 2019 Hicks Executive in Residence but due to Covid 19 was not able to attend CORAS or university meetings.  Dr. Fleeter will provide his presentations to the CORAS and Ohio University communities on  Wednesday, March 17. Additional information regarding Dr. Fleeter’s presentations will be forthcoming.

Dr.  Fleeter received his Ph.D in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley in 1990.  He was a faculty member in the School of Public Policy and Management at Ohio State University from 1989-1999, where he taught courses in Public Sector Economics, Public Finance, and State and Local Government Finance.  He was a four-time recipient of the School’s “Faculty of the Year” award for excellence in teaching.  Dr. Fleeter was also a faculty member in the School of Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst from 1999-2001, where he taught courses in the Economics of Education and School Finance.

Dr. Fleeter’s research has focused on issues of education finance, education policy, and state and local tax policy and he is the author of numerous policy studies and academic journal articles on these topics.  Since his 1992 report, “Equity, Adequacy and Reliability in Ohio Education Finance” for Governor Voinovich’s Education Management Council he has been one of the state’s leading experts on Education Finance.  He has worked extensively with Ohio education policy-makers to improve the state’s school funding system for more than 25 years.  He is currently the owner of the state and local government finance and tax policy consulting firm Howard Fleeter & Associates and serves as a research consultant on education finance and policy issues for the Ohio Education Policy Institute.

 

State Superintendent of Instruction Paolo DeMaria Helps to Recognize 52 Support Staff from the Appalachian Region

At the January 15, 2020 CORAS, State Superintendent of Instruction, Paolo DeMaria and Patton College of Education Dean Renee Middleton helped to recognize 52 support staff from the Appalachian Region.  Bus Drivers, Secretaries, Educational Aides, Custodians, Maintenance Supervisors, Cooks and more were treated to dinner and received a monogrammed Clock recognizing their contributions to the boys and girls of Appalachian Ohio.  Each superintendent received a copy of the picture with the recipient and the recipient’s Board of Education received a letter sharing the award information. Several recipients and their district representatives are included below.

In addition, Dr. Bobby Moore presented a motivational message to attendees on the importance of the work they do.  Dr. Moore served as a Middle School Principal, District Superintendent and was also a Senior Director for the national not-for profit organization Battelle for Kids (BFK). Bobby’s career in education and his work at BFK have focused on engaging and motivating educators through collaboration, professional development, innovation, and a laser-like focus on the mission of ensuring that all students reach their fullest potential.

Over 70 Superintendents Attend the

Opening 2019 CORAS Meeting

President Stephanie Starcher welcomed CORAS members to the beginning of the year meeting held September 18 at the Olde Dutch Inn in Logan.  Dr. John Richards from the Ohio Department of Education gave an update on the new strategic plan at ODE, Each Child Our Future. This five year plan consists of 3 Core Principles, 4 Equal Learning Domains and 10 Priority Strategies.  The complete plan can be viewed at the following link:   https://education.ohio.gov/getattachment/About/Ohios-Strategic-Plan-for-Education/Final-Strategic-Plan-Board-Approved.pdf.aspx?lang=en-US

 

CORAS member Superintendent Dan Leffingwell and his district leadership team then presented on Developing and Empowering Building Level Leaders.

 The meeting closed with a presentation from Dr Renee Klautky and Mr. Alex Dolin from New Horizons Mental Health on “Practical Implications for School Based Clinicians and Mental Health Therapists Embedded in Your Local Schools.”

Members are also being asked to submit nominations for a “Classified Staff Recognition” that will be held at a special luncheon on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at the Ohio University Zanesville campus. Nomination forms will be available at the October meeting to be held October 23 at the Olde Dutch Inn in Logan, Ohio.

 

Celebrating 30 Years of CORAS ~ Past Leaders Recognized

This year represents the 30th  year of  continuing advocacy, professional development and leadership of the Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools.  Past Presidents and other leaders in CORAS were recognized for their contribution to the organization.  Past presidents attending were: Jack Payton, Bud Bethel, Fred Steinbrecker, Larry Miller, Richard Fisher, Jacalyn Osborne, and Tim Lairson.  In addition, Dr. Max Evans, Bill Phillis and Dr. Aimee Howley were recognized for their support and guidance to the organization.

April Meeting Plans for Upcoming Year

CORAS Superintendents at the April meeting prioritize interests for future meetings.  Superintendent Dalton Summers reports on his involvement in the Cupp Patterson Committee on school funding.

President Karen Boch Recognized

President Karen Boch was recognized at the April Meeting for her year of service as CORAS president by Executive Director Richard Murray.

McNulty Works with University Faculty and CORAS Superintendents to discuss the importance of Principal Leadership March 19 and 20, 2019.

Dr. Brian McNulty met with CORAS superintendnets to discuss the importance of Principal Leadership.  At this meeting he was also presented the 2018-19 Hicks Executive in Residence.

Prior to the CORAS meeting on March 20th, Dr.McNulty met with Patton College Faculty to discuss research findings on the importance of teacher leadership.

Brian McNulty 2018-19 Hicks Executive in Residence

Dr. Brian McNulty has been named the 2018-19 Hicks Executive in Residence.  Dr. McNulty will provide two presentations to the CORAS and Ohio University communities. On March 19 Dr. McNulty will present: How do schools get better? A research and field-based review of what we have learned in Ohio for university faculty, students and community members. This presentation will be held at The Patton College of Education.  On March 20 Dr. McNulty will present to CORAS members and guests: The critical role of principals in school improvement and what this means for superintendents and central office staff. What we have learned in Ohio in the last 10 years.

Dr. McNulty is a founding partner with Creative Leadership Solutions and brings 35 years experience as a nationally recognized educator in leadership development to his current position at Creative leadership Solutions.  Prior to this he was the Vice President for leadership Development at the Leadership and Learning Center and has also served as the Vice President for Field Services at the Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL); Assistant Superintendent for Adams County School District 14 in Commerce City, Colorado and the Assistant Commissioner of Education for the Colorado Department of Education.

Although Dr. McNulty is well known as a both a researcher and a keynote speaker, his primary work has focused on long-term intensive partnerships with schools, districts, state education agencies and educational service agencies in applying the current research to field based problems. His recent research has focused on developing continuous improvement frameworks based on data and inquiry.

In Ohio, Dr. McNulty is probably best known for his work with the Ohio Leadership Advisory Council, Ohio Leadership for Inclusion, Implementation, & Instructional Improvement (OLi4) and the Ohio Department of Education.  In these positions, Dr. McNulty has helped to strengthen leadership skills in Ohio superintendents, principals and teachers.

Brian’s work and writing have been featured in books, scholarly journals and periodicals throughout the world. An author of more than 50 publications, Brian’s most recent books include, Leaders Make It Happen with Laura Besser (an AASA member book) and School Leadership that Works: from Research to Results, an ASCD best selling publication co-authored with Robert Marzano and Tim Waters.

Selected Publications 

McNulty, B. A., and Besser, L. (2014). Leaders make it happen: An administrators guide to data teams. Boston MA: Houghton, Mifflin, Harcourt. (HMH)

Telfer, D., & McNulty, B. A., (2014). Students with Disabilities: Moving Your Numbers in Navigating Achievement for Struggling Students with the Common Core State Standards. (eds.) Englewood CO: Lean + Learn Press

McNulty, B. A., (2011). Leaders developing learning systems. In Activate: A leaders guide to people, practices and processes. (eds.). Lead + Learn Press. Englewood  CO.

Lloyd, J., McNulty, B.A., and Telfer, D. (2009). The Ohio improvement Process. www.ohioleadership.org

McNulty, B. A. (2009). Actions of effective leaders. AdvancED Source. Spring 2009. Decatur GA.

Marzano, R.J., Waters, J.T., & McNulty, B.A. (2005). What Works in School Leadership: Research to Results. ASCD, Alexandria, VA.

McNulty, B.A. & Bailey, J. (2004). McREL’s balanced leadership framework: School leadership that Works. Journal for Effective Schools, 3(1), 17-23.

Waters, J.T., Marzano, R.J., & McNulty, B. (2004).  McREL’s balanced leadership framework: Developing the science of educational leadership. ERS Spectrum, 22(1), 4-13.

Waters, J.T., Marzano, R.J., & McNulty, B. (2004).  Leadership that sparks learning. Educational Leadership, 61(7), 48-51.

McNulty, B.A., Waters, T. J., Marzano, Robert J. (2003). Balanced Leadership: What 30 Years of Research Tells Us about the Effect of Leadership on Student Achievement, McREL.

October, 2018  CORAS Meeting

At the October CORAS meeting members were learned more about how to support children and families in crisis.  Dr. Stephanie Starcher, Superintendent from Fort Frye Local Schools spoke on “Healthy Minds, Bodies and Relationships” and  Ms. Becky Cropper from the Brown County ESC spoke on the 40 Developmental Assets, School/Community Partnership.  State School Board Member Stephanie Dodd spoke on  Each Child, Ohio’s Future, Ohio’s 5 Year Strategic Plan.

September 19, 2018 CORAS Meeting

The first CORAS meeting of 2019 was very well attended by over 75 members and guests. Members received information from Nicole Donovsky, Bricker and Eckler, and Hinda Mitchell, Inspire PR Group, on how to respond to crises and discuss the legal and communications strategies implemented. The presentation:  “Preparing Your School for a 21^st Century Crisis: It’s not If, but When, it Happens.” led participants in an interactive, educational training about how school districts can best prepare for crises, successfully engage stakeholders during difficult times, and assure a path to reputation recover.

In addition, members worked with Dr. Jim Mahoney from the Voinovich Center of Public Affairs as he provided an opportunity for superintendents to identify the 5 most important funding issues to CORAS area schools.

June Meeting Honors Retiring Superintendents

At the final CORAS meeting of the 2017-18 school year, CORAS superintendents learned about current issues impacting the state of Ohio from BASA Executive Director, Dr. Kirk Hamilton.  In addition, retiring superintendents were honored.  Accepting a plaque from Executive Director Richard Murray is Greg Holbert who retired as Superintendent of Southern Local Schools in Perry County.

Stephen Dyer, 2017-18 Hicks Executive in Residence Speaks to University Faculty, Students and CORAS Membership

On March 20, 2018, Mr. Stephen Dyer the 2017-18 Hicks Executive in Residence spoke with the Patton College Community on how Charters and Vouchers have drastically changed the funding for public schools in Ohio.  Drawing from his vast research and data on schools in Ohio since 2006, Dyers portrayed a very dire picture of how legislators in Ohio have continued to drain public school funds by supporting and moving funds to charter schools and voucher systems.  Dyer pointed out that over $330 million of local funds in Ohio have had to supplant the funds taken by the state to support charter schools and vouchers, the majority going to failing charter schools.

On March 21, 2018, Dyer presented to CORAS membership the current state of school funding in Ohio and how moving from a process for funding schools has led to an actual decrease of funding to schools in Ohio over the past 12 years.  At the end of his presentation, Dyer was presented the Hicks Executive in Residence Award for his outstanding contribution to the field of Educational Administration.

Stephen Dyer Named 2017-18   Hicks Executive in Residence

Stephen Dyer is currently the Education Policy Fellow at Innovation Ohio, a Columbus-based Progressive think tank, where he fights for the right of all Ohio’s children to receive a world-class education, regardless of where they live. He has authored several reports for IO that have sought to ensure the fundamental right of every Ohio child to a world-class education. He is widely considered one of the state’s top education policy experts, and one of the few people in the country with the experience of actually implementing and leading the debate on every major aspect of education reform from teacher quality to student achievement to school choice to equitable financing. He has been published in Education Week – the nation’s education policy newspaper of record, as well as The 74 and Real Clear Education. He recently spent a year as a fellow with the Education Policy Fellowship Program through the Institute for Educational Leadership in Washington, D.C. and served as part of an American delegation to observe the Chinese education system in Shanghai and Beijing.

Dyer also is a Senior Lecturer in English at the University of Akron, where he has received accolades for his classroom teaching.

Dyer has spent his career serving his community, first as an award-winning journalist with the Akron Beacon Journal, then as an award-winning State Representative representing Ohio’s Summit and Portage counties.

As a reporter for the Akron Beacon Journal for nine years, he reported on some of the most pressing issues of our time: government corruption, the fight against terrorism, the denial of legal rights, and crime against children. Dyer won awards and recognition from the Society of Professional Journalists, the Associated Press and the Cleveland Press Club. He collaborated on an innovative project called “Ohio: Look at the State We’re In” that analyzed where Ohio ranked on various quality of life issues. That collaboration earned Dyer and two other reporters nominations for the 2003 Pulitzer Prize.

After winning his seat in 2006 to represent the 43^rd House District, Dyer fought tirelessly to once and for all fix our state’s school funding system. He spent two years developing his own system, then when Gov. Ted Strickland introduced the Ohio Evidence Based Model in 2009, Dyer was the chairman of the subcommittee that transformed the new system into one that earned the Frank Newman Award from the Education Commission of the States – recognizing the country’s most “bold, innovative, non-partisan” education reform of 2009. It remains the only school funding plan produced since the 1930s that promised to lower Ohio’s property taxes to pay for schools.

Dyer received the Leadership in Education Policy Award from the Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding, which was the group that sued the state over its old, unconstitutionally funded system. He is the only Ohio legislator ever given an award from the group. He received the 2010 Friend of Public Education Award from the Ohio Federation of Teachers, the 2010 Public Service Award from the Ohio Association of Career and Technical Education, the 2009 Homer F. Mincy Award from the Alliance for Adequate School Funding (a group representing the state’s suburban districts), and the 2009 Civic Leadership Award from the Ohio Association for Gifted Children.

Dyer grew up in Hudson, Ohio, and attended Western Reserve Academy, where his parents taught. He graduated from Tufts University in Massachusetts with a Bachelor’s Degree in English, earned a Master’s Degree in journalism from Kent State University and a law degree from the University of Akron. He lives in Green with his wife of 16 years, Melissa, and his two sons, Logan, 10, and Carson, 6, both of whom attend Green Local Schools.

As part of his recognition as the Hicks Executive in Residence, Mr. Dyer will provide two presentations.  One, “School Choice: ECOT, Vouchers and Ohio’s White Whale” will be held March 20 from 12:00 to 2:00 pm in room 210 in McCracken Hall on the Ohio University campus.  This presentation is open to the public and a light lunch will be served.  The second presentation, “You Get What You Pay For: Common Sense Wisdom for Education Funding,” will be presented at the March CORAS meeting to be held March 21 at the Ohio University Inn.

The Hicks Executive In Residence Award is named for Emeritus Professor Samuel Hicks who provided an endowment to Ohio University in order to attract outstanding educational executives and leaders to the Ohio University Campus each year.    The program, a forum for recognizing and honoring outstanding leaders of America’s educational institutions,   has been carried out annually in the spring of each year since its beginning in 1976.  The 42 Executives in Residence have been leaders drawn from both the national scene and from Ohio.  Among others, the list includes past graduates of the Ohio University program in educational administration, Ohio Superintendents of Public Instruction, Directors of National Administrator Associations, CEO’s of National Foundations, nationally prominent school superintendents, administrators in the US Office of Education and well known authors and educational researcher

Over 150 Teachers, Principals, Superintendents and State Leaders Attend January Meeting Recognizing Outstanding Teachers in the Region

At the January CORAS meeting 48 teachers from CORAS member districts were recognized for their outstanding contribution to education in their districts.  Patton College Dean, Renee Middleton, State Superintendent of Instruction , Mr. Paulo DeMaria and CORAS Executive Director helped to recognize the teachers who were nominated by criteria determined by individual districts.  Teachers received an plaque and letter of acknowledgement that was sent to Board of Education members in their district.

At the conclusion of this meeting, there was a press conference announcing a major research study being conducted by CORAS, Ohio University’s Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education, and four other institutions of higher learning – Marietta College, Muskingum University, University of Rio Grande, and Shawnee State University – will collaborate on this research project, which seeks to improve academic outcomes for rural Southeast Ohio students and prepare them for future employment opportunities. To that end, researchers will gather data relating to best practices in discipline, parent engagement, student achievement, attendance, student satisfaction, and teacher/administration support. Their goal is to identify processes, systems, and programs that mitigate the effects of poverty and its impact on academic outcomes for Southeast Ohio students.

These research-based findings will be useful for Ohio legislators as they prepare for Ohio’s 2019-20 biennial budget cycle. In fact, State Representative Robert Cupp (R-Lima), who is chairing the Ohio House Speaker’s Task Force on Education and Poverty, is slated to speak at the meeting.

Janetta King, Chair of Ohio University’s Board of Trustees, announced the initiative on behalf of Ohio University President Dr. M. Duane Nellis and the aforementioned colleges and universities, which comprise the Southeast Ohio Teacher Development Collaborative (SEO-TDC). The SEO-TDC seeks to not only recruit and retain high-quality teachers to Appalachia, but also use data and research to guide its curriculum.

60 CORAS Members Attend September Meeting

Over 60 members and guests attended the September CORAS Meeting on September 13 in Logan, Ohio where they heard a presentation  from Michael Collins, who represents Real Choice Ohio that is working to develop a website and other support materials to assist districts in retaining students in public schools.  The student retention assistance will include research, creation of best practice maters, sharing of best practice and training for public school districts.  The website is expected to be up and running by mid October.  You can subscribe to Real Choice by emailing realchoiceohio1@gmail.com.  CORAS members Lori Snyder Lowe and Tom Perkins are on the Board of Directors for Real Choice.

At the meeting updates were given by Karen Boch who serves on Representative Robert Cupp’s Legislative Committee on Poverty impact on schools and learning. Dr. Murray and Lindsey Ladd from Ohio University explained a new research initiative that will be undertaken by CORAS and SEOTDC universities on Poverty and Appalachian Schools. Districts were asked to complete the following form on effective programs in their schools.

State Board of Education Member, Stephanie Dodd then shared information from the State Board and asked for member input on several important issues the Board is currently working on.  CORAS members were very interested and offered input on the new State Strategic Plan that is taking place.

The meeting concluded with Ohio High School Athletic Association Director, Dr. Dan Ross who shared information regarding procedures to follow with athletic programs.

The Next Meeting will be held October 18 in Logan, Ohio at the Olde Dutch Inn.

Lucas Honored for Service as President

Randy Lucas, Superintendent of the East Central Ohio ESC, was honored at the June CORAS meeting for his service as the 2016-17 president of CORAS. Director Murray thanked Lucas for his time and commitment to the organization and presented him with the President’s plaque.

April 2017 Meeting Recognizes Ohio Teacher of the Year, Dustin Weaver

At the April CORAS meeting Ohio Teacher of the year, Dustin Weaver, High School English Teacher from Chillicothe Public Schools  was recognized for his achievement as 2016 Ohio Teacher of the Year.  Mr. Weaver shared with CORAS members What Teachers Want to Hear from Their District Superintendents. After his presentation, Mr. Weaver was given a standing ovation and then presented a plaque from Executive Director, Dr. Richard Murray.

In other business, Dr. Kirk Hamilton, Executive Director of BASA presented information on the new biennial budget.  His PowerPoint can be found by clicking on the following link: coras-041917. Dr. Hamilton also credited the work done by CORAS superintendents for bringing attention to the new ESSA legislation. Other speakers included Jim McGreavey from STRS who gave an update on the state of the retirement system and Dr. Karen Garza, President and CEO of Batelle for Kids who presented us with an update of her goals for BFK.

The next CORAS meeting will be Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at Eaglesticks, Zanesville, Ohio.

Community Supports  Scheduled at 4 Locations

Four Community Forums have been scheduled to discuss the topic of Student Substance Abuse and Community Supports.  The dates and locations are the following:

March 30, 6 PM; Host: Shawnee State University; Location: Portsmouth HS Conference Room, 1225 Gallia Street, Portsmouth, Ohio 45662

April 4,  6 PM; Host: Ohio University; Location: Athens Community Center Rm. A/B, 701 East State Street, Athens, Ohio 45701

April 12, 6 PM; Host: Muskingum University and Marietta College; Location: McDonough Auditorium, Marietta College; 215 5th Street, Marietta, Ohio 45750

April 18, 2017 6 PM; Host: Rio Grande University; Location: Bob Evans Farms Hall Auditorium Room 118, Bevo Francis Drive, Rio Grande, Ohio 45674

March 15 Meeting Recognizes ESSA Team Leaders and 2016-17 Hicks Executive in Residence Tom Ash

60 members attended the March CORAS meeting held at the Ohio University Inn in Athens.  At this meeting, 13 Team Leaders who facilitated the CORAS response to the Ohio Plan of ESSA implementation were recognized for their leadership in this effort.  Those recognized and presented certificates were: Randy Lucas, Mark Murphy and Dan Leffingwell on Teacher Evaluation, Kyle Newton and Tom Perkins on Highly Qualified Teaching, Jeff Stricklett and Tim Winland on School Improvement, Matt Sheridan and Monte Bainter on Assessment, Karen Bock and Stephanie Starcher on Accountability and Renee Middleton and Cindy Hartman on Teacher and School Leader Academies.

In addition, Mr. Tom Ash was presented the Hicks Executive in Residence Award by Executive Director, Dr. Dick Murray (see story below). 

In other business, Ms. Karen Boch, Superintendent of Wellston City Schools was nominated for President Elect for the 2017-18 year.

Tom Ash Named 2016-17 Hicks Executive in Residence

The Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools is pleased to announce the 2016-17 Hicks Executive in Residence, Mr. Thomas P.  Ash.  Mr. Ash currently serves as the Director of Governmental Relations for the Buckeye Association of School Administrators.  In this capacity, he represents school district leaders from throughout Ohio before the Ohio General Assembly and various state agencies and organizations and provides technical assistance to BASA members. From this vantage point, he possesses a unique understanding of the current state of affairs of education in Ohio and across the country.  Prior to this position, he completed thirty-five years in public education with 21 of those as a superintendent in two school districts.

A graduate of Bowling Green and Youngstown State Universities, Ash served as the 30^th President of BASA in 1999-2000 and also is the editor of The Management Guide for School Leaders, an annual reference publication for superintendents and central office administrators.

As part of his recognition as the Hicks Executive in Residence, Mr. Ash will provide two presentations.  One, “Witnessing the Death of a Profession?” will be held March 14 from 12:15 to 2:00 pm in room 105 in McCracken Hall on the Ohio University campus.  This presentation is open to the public and a light lunch will be served.  The second presentation, “The Budget and Other Alternate Realities,” will be presented at the March CORAS meeting to be held March 15 at the Ohio University Inn.

                                                    Ash presenting to faculty and students at the Patton College of Education

The Hicks Executive In Residence Award is named for Emeritus Professor Samuel Hicks who provided an endowment to Ohio University in order to attract outstanding educational executives and leaders to the Ohio University Campus each year.    The program, a forum for recognizing and honoring outstanding leaders of America’s educational institutions,   has been carried out annually in the spring of each year since its beginning in 1976.  The 42 Executives in Residence have been leaders drawn from both the national scene and from Ohio.  Among others, the list includes past graduates of the Ohio University program in educational administration, Ohio Superintendents of Public Instruction, Directors of National Administrator Associations, CEO’s of National Foundations, nationally prominent school superintendents, administrators in the US Office of Education and well known authors and educational researchers.

CORAS Superintendents Testify on ESSA Draft

ESSA CORAS team leaders met February 23 to develop a response to the ODE ESSA Implementation Plan for Ohio. The new plan which can be found CORAS response to Ohio’s Draft ESSA plan-4 was presented to the House Education Committee on March 9th by Superintendents Stephanie Starcher and Kyle Newton.  Thanks to everyone who worked to facilitate this process.

Meeting Notes

CORAS Superintendents, Teachers, Principals and University Faculty Work on ESSA Recommendations

February, 2016

At the October meeting of the Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools, 87 worked together to develop guidelines to recommend to the Ohio Department of Education as they implement new ESSA guidelines in the state of Ohio.  This work led to development of a new Policy Brief that was written by Dr. Charles Lowery of the Educational Administration Program at OU.  This Policy Brief was shared with legislators, policy makers  and also at the Ohio University Board of Trustees Meeting in January by Superintendent Jon Saxton, Patton College Dean Renee Middleton, Executive Director Richard Murray and Associate Director Cindy Hartman.  The recommendations were later revised by the Team Leaders and presented as testimony at a House Education Committee Hearing on March 9.  A copy of the Policy Brief and the revised recommendations can be found on the Research page.

                               

Saxton, Middleton and Murray               Superintendents Kyle Newton of Warren Local Schools and Dr. Stephanie

at the Ohio University Board of              Starcher of Fort Frye Local Schools testify on ESSA recommendations.

Trustee Meeting on January 20.

At the February, 2017  CORAS meeting, long time advocate for Appalachian Ohio, Dr. James Mahoning was honored for his work and presented a lifetime membership to CORAS.

We all would like to say thank you to Jim for his lifetime work with boys and girls and families from our region and wish him well in his retirement and the next adventure that awaits him.

January 20, 2016

51 District Treasurers Honored at CORAS January Meeting

At the January 20 meeting of the Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools, 51 district treasurers were honored for their contribution to their school district.  Mr. Richard Maxwell and David Varda were guest speakers who spoke on the importance of leadership in the treasurer’s position.  Dick Maxwell was also presented a plaque for his contribution to fair and equitable funding in Ohio as well as his extensive knowledge that has been shared with school leaders over the past several decades.

Executive Director Dr. Richard Murray also announced that the March Meeting date has been moved to February 18 at the Olde Dutch Inn in Logan. The focus of the meeting will be:  “Legislators want to hear from S.E. Ohio Superintendents.”  CORAS has been invited to host a special meeting (FEB. 18th) to gather school information from CORAS member Superintendents that will be used in the preparation of Ohio’s next Biennial Budget process. The meeting will be held at the Olde Dutch restaurant in Logan Ohio from 9:00 to 12:00 followed by lunch.
BASA’s Director of Government Relations Tom Ash will lead the meeting, and Policy Researcher Dr. Howard Fleeter will help us guide our discussion. This is a great opportunity for Superintendents to advocate for your schools and S.E. Ohio’ classrooms. District Superintendents are being asked to provide input to the following questions that will provide data to lead this discussion.  Superintendents are being asked to return answers to the following questions prior to the February meeting.

1.) What part of the current Ohio school funding formula creates the greatest problem for your school district?
Short term?
Long term?
2.) If you had a 5% increase in basic aid, what would you do with the additional money?
3.) What percent and (dollar amount) of your General Fund revenue goes to transportation? What programs would you offer with that amount of money?
4.) In what subject areas are you having the most difficulty finding teachers?
5.) What one thing could the General assembly do at little cost that would improve the quality of learning in your school district?
6.) What program or services from your ESC have you had to reduce or eliminate as a result of ESC cuts over the last two budgets?
7.) Why are more students not enrolling in AP classes in your district?
8.) What is the status of the use of technology (for both instruction and assessments) in your district?

October 15, 2015

Hope and Resilience Topic for October Meeting

Over 90 members and guests attended the October 15 meeting held in Logan, Ohio.

April 15, 2015

At the April CORAS meeting, William Phillis was recognized as the 2015 Hicks Executive in Residence.

Introduced by Dr. Barbara Hansen from Muskingum University and Battelle for Kids and Dr. Richard Murray, CORAS Executive Director, William Phillis was  recognized for his 57 years as an advocate for Ohio students, schools, families and communities.  Phillis who began his career as a teacher in Ross County, then moved to become a high school principal, local school superintendent, County Superintendent (Currently ESC’s), and JVS Superintendent before becoming Assistant of Public Instruction for the Ohio Department of Education, specializing in legislative relations.  In 1992, Mr. Phillis became the Executive Director of The Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding where he continue to work today.

In his remarks, Mr. Phillis stressed the importance of Public Education and identified lessons learned from the DeRolph litigation.  They are:  David can still beat Goliath; Litigation is sometimes necessary; State officials often must be prodded; and finally, there is a new Goliath — one that is more dangerous, onerous and more difficult to fight.  He then went on to outline five major state policy issues/tactics and one federal policy that must be addressed.  They are: 1.) Restore the Sate Board of Education to an all elected membership via a constitutional amendment; 2.) Keep the Thorough and Efficient Clause in the Ohio Constitution; 3.) Predicate state funding on the elements of a high quality education; 4.) Repeal the high stakes testing programs and establish an educational -sound accountability system; 5.) All schools that use public funds should be required to follow the same, laws and regulations; 6.) For profit education management companies must be prohibited from doing business in Ohio. Phillis concluded his remarks with the following statements:  “Being a public school administrator and/or educator is a profession, a passion, a sort of calling.  The public common school system is a concept and institution that we must totally embrace, nurture and sustain.  It is an institution that is truly American, totally engrained in the fabric of our social order.  To the extent that the public common school system is undermined or lost, likewise, America is undercut or vanquished.  Go forth and save the public common school system and American democracy!”

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Formation and History of CORAS

The Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools (CORAS) was established in 1988. Historically CORAS played a major role in Ohio’s struggle for equitable and quality education by initiating the effort (DeRolph v. State of Ohio). Since the school-funding reform effort dominated the decade of the 1990’s in Ohio, there may be some value in revisiting those formative years. Let us look back at the events, and some of the people who shaped the Coalition in those early years.

It was in 1986 when a group of area school superintendents began talking about equal educational opportunities for the children in rural southeastern Ohio. These school leaders belonged to an organization called the Southeastern Ohio Superintendents Association (SEOSA). In 1987 SEOSA initiated an effort called Promoting Appalachian and Rural Initiatives for Teaching Youth (P.A.R.I.T.Y.). This initiative was designed to communicate the lack of educational opportunity and school-funding inequities in poor rural  Appalachia school districts to members of the Ohio General Assembly. Needless to say the effort failed. Legislators listened, but provided little more than lip service to the problem. SEOSA and P.A.R.I.T.Y. were short on revenue, lacked effective leadership and had little political clout. Then a bureaucrat from Columbus urged superintendents to get organized, “if you ever expect to get anything for this region.”

In late 1987 and early 1988, four area school superintendents, Ron Smith, Tri-County JVS, Jacalyn Osborne, Nelsonville City, Jerry Stotts, Athens County, and Dick Fisher, Perry County, held a series of meetings with the Dean of the College of Education at Ohio University, Dr. Allen Myers. The purpose of the meetings was to discuss a variety of problems facing public schools in the region. As a result of these discussions, the Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools was organized. The Coalition was a merger of the Southeastern Ohio Superintendents Association (SEOSA) and the Council of Administrative Leadership in Southeastern Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia (SEOKWA) headed by Dr. Samuel Hicks, a professor at Ohio University.

The Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools, Centered at Ohio University, was officially established as a Regional Council of Governments on July 1, 1988. Ohio University College of Education became the center of operations by providing an office, a part-time Executive Director and financial support. Dr. William Inman was named Executive Director and Dr. Jacalyn Osborne was elected the first president of the Coalition. Members of the original CORAS Board of Directors were: Michael Richardson, Jackson City; Patricia Carr, Chillicothe City; Allen Myers, Ohio University; Gerald Stotts, Athens County; Larry Miller, Muskingum County; Richard Fisher, Perry County; Paul Dressel, Ohio University; Donald Jones, Guernsey County; Ronald Smith, Tri-County JVS; Richard Ronald, Tuscarawas County; Scott Howard, Ironton City; Richard Maxwell, Holmes County; and Kearney Lykins, Barnesville Exempted Village. The mission of the Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools was to secure “Equal Educational Opportunities for All Children in Ohio.