April 29, 2008
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Membership News
Kelly Woodard-Doty has been promoted to the position of Senior Manager of Membership and Community Services at the Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools.
Kelly has been responsible for building the OAPCS' Web presence and for building the OAPCS' database of charter-school information, a database that is rapidly becoming second to none and will become a valuable resource for member schools. As we build our tailored, regional representative structure at the Alliance, you will also now feel Kelly's remarkable energy, commitment and enthusiasm for building our mission and membership into the responsive and interactive community that we are all so eager to have. As a former key member of the external-relations team for the Bob Evans restaurant chain, Kelly brings a wealth of experience to her new position with the OAPCS.
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What's new at OCS?
Are you feeling up-to-date on messages from the Ohio Department of Education, Office of Community Schools? If not, you may not be on the e-mail list for the Community School E-Newsletter. There is valuable information including per pupil funding, new requirements for unauditable community schools, delayed recognition of flats and understanding the OWF Counts in relationships and community school payments.
Check out the complete list of newsletters on their Web site.
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Contact Us
Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools
Fifth Third Center
21 E. State Street, Suite 940
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Office: (614) 744-2266
Fax: (614) 744-2255
www.oapcs.org
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Medical and Liability Insurance: Budget Time and Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools' Member Services
This is the time of year when school leaders and governing boards are building and finalizing budgets. If the squeeze is on, we have some good news for you, our members. The Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools (OAPCS) has inaugurated two important members-only insurance products that could save member schools significant amounts of money...squeeze relief.
CharterSafe is the first insurance program designed specifically for charter schools by school leaders and school insurance experts. The CharterSafe program is an all-in-one inclusive package of insurance, including general liability, school-board legal liability, sexual abuse/molestation, property and risk management services. CharterSafe was co-created by the Walton Family Foundation, one of the nation's strongest advocates of expanding school choice.
ERC Health is a product of the Oswald Companies, based in Columbus, Ohio. ERC Health will provide competitive medical insurance options to OAPCS members only through Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield and United Health care, depending on the size and profile of the school. The Oswald Companies were responsible for creating medical insurance options for the Ohio Association of Independent Schools and are familiar with the needs of an independent school.
The OAPCS is not commissioned on these member services. Savings by working directly with Oswald and ERC Health are passed directly on to OAPCS member schools. To take advantage of these new members-only benefits, please contact Kelly Woodard Doty, senior manager of membership and community services.
On budget, don't forget the Ohio State Charter School Conference - "Charting the Course to Quality" - Oct. 14-15. Plan to send your teachers, school administrators and governing boards - we will have something for everyone.
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Rita Pierson - Keynote Speaker for the OAPCS Annual Conference
The Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools is proud to announce that Rita Pierson will be the opening keynote speaker for the 2008 OAPCS Annual Conference.
Rita Pierson has been a professional educator since 1972. As an educator, she has served in numerous roles, including elementary regular and special education teacher, junior high school teacher, counselor, assistant principal, director, testing coordinator, and consultant. In addition, she is a Licensed Professional Counselor.
Dr. Pierson has an established record of successful educational leadership and management experience, particularly in curriculum and instructional development, community relations and personnel supervision. She was responsible for the development and implementation of a school community involvement program for a large urban elementary school, as well as the initiation, organization and training of an in-school crisis team for students in need of immediate intervention. Known for maximizing and building on a person's strengths, Dr. Pierson coordinated seminars for parents, staff, teachers, and school administrators as well.
An experienced and popular consultant, Dr. Pierson has presented hundreds of workshops for aha! Process, Inc. since 1997.
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Since The Columbus Dispatch published its series, "The ABCs of Betrayal," on teacher misconduct last year, the General Assembly has focused on the issue and passed H.B. 190 requiring school districts to immediately remove from the classroom teachers that have been arrested for serious offenses.
In January, the House and Senate education committees took additional steps to address the issue. House Education Committee Chair Arlene Setzer (R-Vandalia) and Senate Education Committee Vice Chair Gary Cates (R-West Chester) introduced companion bills - H.B. 428 and S.B. 270 -- to revise penalties and the procedures for reporting on teacher misconduct. Both legislative proposals would require the state to automatically revoke or deny a teacher's license if the person is convicted of certain criminal offenses, including felonious assault, kidnapping, rape, sexual battery, and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
Six hearings have been held on H.B. 428 by the House Education Committee; the Senate Education Committee has held seven hearings on S.B. 270 and voted it out of committee on April 22. The next day, the bill was approved by the full Senate by a vote of 31-1.
The two bills share a number of key provisions, including:
- Grants immunity from civil liability to persons who make good-faith reports about misconduct by licensed educators;
- Requires the Dept. of Education to participate in receiving notifications through BCII's Retained Applicant Fingerprint Database of the arrest or convection of licensed educators.
- Requires the chief administrator of a community school to report specified misconduct by a licensed educator employed by the school's operator and working in the school; and,
- Specifies that if an employee of a school, district, ESC, community school or its operator, STEM school, or chartered nonpublic school is arrested or indicted for certain offenses, the employee must be suspended from all duties involving the care, custody, or control or a child during the criminal action.
The legislation is aimed at improving the current system which allows abusive teachers to resign their jobs once trouble surfaces, only to find work in another district.
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The Educational Service Center of Franklin County will help school officials better understand Ohio Am. Sub. HB 203, commonly referred to as Jarod's Law, during this free seminar in May.
Under Jarod's Law, primary responsibility for school inspections will be conducted by county health departments. However, some inspections are the responsibility of schools and districts by qualified inspectors.
This seminar will cover an overview of Jarod's Law, emphasizing the importance of both interior inspections (environment, auditoriums, dining and athletic facilities) and exterior inspections (roof, rooftop HVAC, playgrounds and athletic facilities) to student safety.
Seminar presenters, including staff members from the Educational Service Center of Franklin County, Triad Architects and the John Thomas Educational Consulting Group, will assist with questions and concerns.
Tuesday, May 6
9 am - 11 am
Registration will begin at 8:30 am. Coffee and rolls will be provided.
At the Educational Service Center of Franklin County
2080 Citygate Drive | Columbus, Ohio 43215
To RSVP for this informative seminar, please contact Nancy Daly at (614) 542-4189
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