OSBA Today

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to special education in meeting the needs of all students. Provided at no cost to parents, special education is specifically designed to address the unique needs of a student with disabilities. OSBA Staff Attorney John Price joins the podcast to talk about these highly individualized programs, including the laws that govern special education and the complianc...

The OSBA Capital Conference and Trade Show is Ohio’s premier continuing education program — and we're ready to host thousands of board members, superintendents and other school district staff for three days, Nov. 13-15 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Jeff Chambers and Cheryl Ryan , two of the conference organizers, join the podcast to preview this year's event and explain why...

The Ohio School Boards Association, along with 21 other founding school boards, signed a resolution earlier this year to officially form the Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA). This national alliance is dedicated to ensuring that students and their families enjoy access to excellent and equitable public education governed by collaborative, high-performing school board leaders...

Ohio's revamped school report cards replace the A through F system with a star-rating system. The change in the law is meant to be fairer for schools and make the report cards easier for parents to understand. OSBA Director of Legislative Services Jennifer Hogue and Deputy Director of Legislative Services Will Schwartz join the podcast to discuss results and what the new ratings mean. This ep...

Jennifer Oiler with Sedgwick Managed Care Ohio joins the podcast to talk about several employee safety grants available from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation. Learn more about how your district can benefit from these grants at https://info.bwc.ohio.gov/for-employers/safety-and-training/safety-grants. This episode is brought to you by Sedgwick Managed Care Ohio, an OSBA endorsed progra...

From meeting deadlines to planning routes and hiring drivers, the school year essentially begins in July for transportation managers. OSBA Transportation Consultant Doug Palmer joins the podcast with an update on the driver shortage and the important steps transportation managers and treasurers need to take ahead of a new school year. Learn more about OSBA's Virtual Transportation Supervisor...

Legislation that reduces the number of training hours for armed school staff from more than 700 hours to 24 hours takes effect this fall following Gov. Mike DeWine's signature on June 13. OSBA Chief Legal Counsel Sara Clark and OSBA Deputy Director of Legislative Services Will Schwartz join the podcast to discuss how House Bill 99 came about and what a school board needs to do if it chooses t...

More than 20 school districts were recognized by the Ohio School Breakfast Challenge as Breakfast and Beyond "SuperStars" for their innovative ideas and solutions to ensure students have access to the nutrition they need to succeed. One of those districts is Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center , where Dana Anderson supervises career and technical education and special services....

Former Washington state high school football coach Joseph Kennedy was fired after he made a habit of going to the 50-yard line following his team’s games and kneeling in prayer. The U.S. Supreme Court has heard oral arguments in the case and a decision is expected this summer. OSBA Staff Attorney John Price joins the podcast to discuss how the justices' decision could change the way the natio...

Where does OSBA stand on the many issues facing public education? Look no further than the OSBA Legislative Platform , a document that conveys to legislators, policymakers, the public and the media where OSBA stands. The platform guides OSBA’s advocacy efforts. OSBA Deputy Director of Legislative Services Will Schwartz discusses how members can get involved in the process. OSBA member school board...

Spring presents many challenges for school district transportation teams who must navigate a demanding athletics schedule and other events. OSBA Transportation Consultant Doug Palmer joins the podcast to talk about how your district can get creative in getting student-athletes to where they need to go. Find more resources at http://links.ohioschoolboards.org/ohio, and learn more about how OSBA&apo...

Social media is a great tool for school board members and their districts to engage with the communities they serve. How are you managing your message? Thom Fladung with Hennes Communications, an OSBA service provider, joins the podcast with tips on how to build your online reputation and answer critics. Learn more about Hennes Communications at www.ohioschoolboards.org/hennes-communications . Thi...

Robert M. Heard Sr. became OSBA's 67th president in May 2021. He is a graduate of the district he serves, Cleveland Municipal , which educates more than 34,000 students. Heard, a former police officer and investigator, took office in the middle of a pandemic that has changed public education forever. In this episode, he reflects on the challenges and lessons learned and why he likes to compar...

Schools play an important role in providing nutritious meals to children. And while the COVID-19 pandemic, supply-chain disruptions and labor shortages have challenged those efforts, schools and their foods service professionals have been nothing short of heroic in ensuring students are fueled for success. Brigette Hires , director, and Brian Davis , assistant director, with the Ohio Department of...

2021 began with the prospect for a new school-funding formula for Ohio, and it ended the year with discussions around vaccine mandates, critical race theory, and a parents bill of rights. OSBA Deputy Director of Legislative Services Will Schwartz joins the podcast as we look back on the year in public education and what's ahead in 2022. For more resources, training and advocacy updates from t...

The Ohio Leadership Advisory Council (OLAC) is a partnership between the Buckeye Association of School Administrators and the Ohio Department of Education. Its goal is to provide educators -- no matter their role -- with the resources they need to develop shared and effective leadership. OLAC Project Co-director Dr. Jim Gay joins the podcast to talk about the advisory council's mission, inclu...

You've been elected to the school board. The campaign is behind you. Now, it's time to raise your right hand in January and become part of a group of leaders who govern a school district. As a new school board member, you have much to learn about the roles and responsibilities of a board member. OSBA's Cheryl Ryan, director of board and management services, and Steve Horton, senior...

Prepare yourself for three days of Leadership for Learning! The OSBA Capital Conference and Trade Show returns to the Greater Columbus Convention Center, Nov. 7-9, with inspiring keynote speakers, unparalleled learning and the opportunity to see students shine. We're ready to welcome you! OSBA Director of Communications Services Jeff Chambers and Director of Board and Management Services Cher...

Are you promoting the great work of the students in your district? OSBA’s Student Achievement Leadership Team (SALT) and the many district student achievement liaisons are doing just that – and want to help you do the same in your community. OSBA Senior Student Achievement Consultant Kim Miller-Smith joins the podcast to talk about SALT’s work throughout the state. Get more resources at https://ww...

Today’s politically charged climate over pandemic policies, diversity and more has led to crowded school board meetings. Does the public have a right to speak at school board meetings? Can a school board limit public comments? OSBA staff attorney Ralph Lusher joins the Leading the Way podcast to discuss those questions and more. Also, be sure to check out the OSBA legal division's fact sheet...

Every day in Ohio, more than 15,000 school buses transport 800,000 children between home and school. It’s quite an achievement, and it couldn’t be done safely without collaboration between school bus drivers, parents, district leaders and the community. OSBA Transportation Consultant Doug Palmer is our guest as we discuss how your district can help promote school bus safety throughout the school y...

As schools prepare for another year during the COVID-19 pandemic, the health and safety of students and staff remain paramount. Several federal and state agencies have released recommendations on how schools can help control the spread of the virus. OSBA Chief Legal Counsel Sara C. Clark joins the podcast to talk about the guidance, including for masks and vaccines, and answers the questions schoo...

The state has answered the call for a comprehensive, fair and equitable school-funding formula that meets the needs of students. Gov. Mike DeWine has signed a two-year, $75 billion state budget that includes a new funding model for public schools. OSBA's Director of Legislative Services Jennifer Hogue and Deputy Director Will Schwartz join the podcast to discuss the Fair School Funding Plan....

Summer is here! For many in the public education world, it's a time to relax for a bit. That's not the case for the school transportation supervisor who must complete many critical tasks to succeed next school year. OSBA Transportation Supervisor Doug Palmer joins the podcast to help supervisors plan for the summer, and he's even included a handy checklist at http://links.ohioschool...

The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard arguments in a case that could have profound implications for students and freedom of speech. At issue is whether public schools can discipline students over something they say off-campus. OSBA Chief Legal Counsel Sara Clark and Jennifer Hardin, OSBA’s deputy director of legal services, are here to talk about the case -- Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L. Th...