OSBA Today

n this special on-site episode of OSBA’s Leading the Way Podcast, host Scott Gerfen takes you inside the 2025 OSBA Capital Conference & Trade Show, exploring two of the event’s biggest highlights:• The Student Achievement Fair, where students from across Ohio showcase hands-on learning, career pathways and innovation in action.• One of the largest education-related trade shows in the nation, f...

November is Military Family Appreciation Month, and in this episode of OSBA’s Leading the Way podcast, host Scott Gerfen sits down with Pete LuPiba, Ohio’s Purple Star school liaison, to explore how schools across the Buckeye State are supporting military-connected students and families. LuPiba shares the story behind the Purple Star Schools Program — a first-of-its-kind initiative that started in...

Artificial intelligence is already shaping how students learn, search and create. But how can schools use AI responsibly — and effectively? In this episode of Leading the Way, host Scott Gerfen sits down with Kathryn Cerminara, senior manager of sales at Lincoln Learning Solutions, to break down how AI is being used in Ohio classrooms, what makes Ohio a leader in K-12 AI policy, and how school boa...

Advocacy is one of the most powerful ways school board members can make a difference — not just in their districts, but across the state and nation. In this episode of Leading the Way, host Scott Gerfen talks with Jocelyn Spencer Rhynard of Dayton City Schools and Bill Ferguson Jr. of Hamilton County ESC and Great Oaks Career Campuses. Fresh off their trip to Washington, D.C., for the Consortium o...

In this episode of Leading the Way, host Scott Gerfen examines the Ohio General Assembly’s push to change the state’s property tax system — and the consequences it could have for schools, students and communities. Guests Dr. Howard Fleeter of the Ohio Education Policy Institute and Nicole Piscitani from OSBA’s Legislative Services team explain why property taxes have long been a cornerstone of sch...

In this episode of Leading the Way, host Scott Gerfen sits down with John Ondo, OSBA’s media consultant, and Josh Gallagan, digital design instructor at Delaware Area Career Center. Together, they explore why media is the language of today — and how schools can use it to connect with their communities, inspire students and tell their unique stories. From using smartphones as powerful storytelling...

In this episode, OSBA Senior Transportation Consultant Doug Palmer joins us to explore why selecting the most senior bus driver isn’t always the best move when hiring a transportation manager. Palmer shares insights on what school districts should look for in leadership roles within the transportation department and how strategic hiring can impact safety, efficiency and staff morale. Thanks to our...

In this episode of the Leading the Way podcast, host Scott Gerfen discusses the profound implications of House Bill 335 on Ohio's students. The bill could strip up to $2 billion in funding from public schools, affecting teacher employment, class sizes, extracurricular programs and more. Legislative experts Jennifer Hogue and Nicole Piscitani break down the bill's provisions, its current...

n this episode, OSBA's Scott Gerfen interviews Tom Fladung, managing partner of Hennes Communications and a national expert in crisis communication. They discuss the challenges that school leaders face with the spread of misinformation and fake news and how it impacts public institutions, especially schools. Fladung shares real-world examples, the importance of maintaining a steady communicat...

In this episode of OSBA's Leading the Way, host Scott Gerfen welcomes Will Schwartz of Pappas and Associates — a trusted education policy expert — to discuss Ohio's next two-year state budget. With lawmakers back at the Statehouse and the budget having cleared the Ohio House, Will breaks down the key players involved and the potential impacts on education funding.🎙️ What you’ll learn: •...

Join OSBA's Scott Gerfen on the Leading the Way podcast as he tackles the vital process of evaluating superintendents and treasurers with OSBA board and management services consultants Kristi Robbins and Teri Morgan . Discover the significance of aligning evaluations with strategic plans, understanding key performance standards and effectively handling difficult conversations. Also, learn mor...

In this episode, OSBA's Scott Gerfen and OSBA Director of Legislative Services Jennifer Hogue discuss Ohio's $61 billion budget, which has passed the House and now heads to the Senate. The conversation covers significant changes to district cash balances, the impact on school funding and student services, and the property tax relief efforts. Thank you to our sponsor, Pappas & Associa...

A strong partnership between a school board and superintendent is key to a district’s success — but how do leaders build and maintain that trust? In this episode of Leading the Way , OSBA’s Scott Gerfen is joined by Dr. David Axner , executive director of the Buckeye Association of School Administrators, and Cheryl Ryan , director of OSBA's board and management services, to discuss best pract...

In this episode of OSBA’s Leading the Way Podcast, host Scott Gerfen sits down with Doug Palmer , OSBA’s Senior Transportation Consultant, to discuss the latest in school transportation policy and funding. 🏫 Key Topics: ✔️ Funding for school transportation in Ohio’s latest budget ✔️ The ongoing bus driver shortage and its impact on districts ✔️ Strategies districts are using to recruit and retain...

In this episode of Leading the Way, we sit down with OSBA Legislative Consultant Malania Birney to break down Gov. Mike DeWine’s final two-year budget and what it means for K-12 education. School board members and education leaders won’t want to miss this critical discussion on the budget process, key funding changes and legislative updates shaping the future of public education. This episode is s...

Meet Tom Patterson , OSBA's 70th president and a veteran school board member from Sandusky City Schools. Hear about his journey from first-time board member to association leader and his thoughts on public education's evolving needs. Also, learn about his vision to connect policymakers with schools. This episode is sponsored by Pappas & Associates, shaping policy with integrity. Lear...

In this episode, we spotlight the Consortium of State School Boards Associations ' efforts to amplify the voice of local school boards at the national level with guest Julie Feasel , COSSBA's director of communications. Also, get a sneak peek at COSSBA's upcoming annual conference and discover how Ohio’s school boards can leverage these resources for local impact! Learn more: https:...

In this episode of OSBA's Leading the Way, we jump into Ohio’s evolving education policy landscape with insights from Will Schwartz and Alex Moormann of Pappas & Associates . What's coming during the lame-duck session and the next biennial budget? Thanks to Pappas & Associates for sponsoring this essential discussion, aimed at equipping Ohio’s education leaders with knowledge for...

In this episode, guest Pete LuPiba , coordinator of Ohio's Purple Star program, shares how Ohio schools support military-connected students and their families. Learn how schools earn the Purple Star designation, the unique challenges military families face and how Ohio is leading the way in creating supportive environments for these students. Tune in to discover how this initiative is making...

Guests OSBA CEO Dr. Kathy McFarland and Senior Student Achievement Consultant Dr. Kim Miller-Smith explore the critical role of family engagement in student success. They offer strategies for building strong partnerships between schools and families, share best practices for fostering meaningful communication and highlight how school boards can support initiatives that create inclusive environment...

Get ready for the OSBA Capital Conference and Trade Show, the largest gathering of education leaders in Ohio! This year's event, Nov. 10-12, is packed with incredible keynote speakers, dynamic learning sessions and over 500 exhibitors showcasing the latest innovations in education. Whether you're a board member, administrator or educator, the OSBA Capital Conference will help you lead yo...

Host Scott Gerfen and OSBA Staff Attorney John Price join forces on this episode of "Leading the Way" to discuss the Open Meetings Act. They explore the common errors school districts make and the repercussions that can follow. Essential listening for school board members aiming to uphold the principles of open governance. Get more resources: https://www.ohioschoolboards.org/sunshine-law...

In this episode, discover effective strategies to address the ongoing school bus driver shortage and learn how districts can prepare their bus fleets over the summer. Guest OSBA Senior Transportation Consultant Doug Palmer shares insights on successful recruitment tactics, efficient route planning and the importance of summer maintenance. For more resources, training and advocacy updates from the...

By July 1, 2025, each school district and community school must adopt a policy governing students' use of cellphones during school hours. OSBA Deputy Director of Board and Management Services Kenna Haycox joins the podcast to discuss the law's key points and what districts should consider in developing a cellphone policy. For more resources, training and advocacy updates from the Ohio Sc...

In this episode, Darlene Waite and Glenn Corson , with our partners at Vartek , discuss the challenges school districts face with technology at the end of the school year and the steps districts should take to properly shut down and secure technology for the summer. They also share insights about the importance of maintaining and updating technology during the summer months, especially with 1-to-1...