9/30/08

Plain Dealer

Scott Stephens

A judge has nixed an effort begun by former Attorney General Marc Dann to close two Dayton-area charter schools that have produced terrible ac ademic marks.

In sepa rate law suits filed in a Mont gomery County court a year ago, Dann tried to snatch the nonprofit status of New Choices Community School and Colin Powell Leadership Academy. Without nonprofit status, the two schools would not be able to operate in Ohio as charters – privately run but publicly funded.

In six full academic years, the two schools had drawn more than $17 million in taxpayer money but never came close to meeting the state’s academic benchmarks or showing progress.

But Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge Michael Tucker ruled that the state does not have the authority to pursue the closing of charter schools under Ohio’s charitable-trust law.

Dann resigned from office this year under a cloud of scandal, but the case he filed lived on. It was being closely watched by charter-school operators and charter-school critics.

About half the state’s charter schools landed in academic emergency in the latest round of state report cards.

A challenge:

Edward Lozick has thrown down a challenge.

A 1955 graduate of Cathedral Latin School, Lozick has made a $1 million gift to Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School’s $4 million capital campaign.

The gift is designed to jump-start the campaign through the “Lozick Challenge,” a three-year commitment that offers a match for cash or stock gifts made between now and Sept. 10, 2011.

“I hope this challenge grant will engage parents, alumni and the broader community to support the quality Catholic education happening every day on this campus,” Lozick said.

The capital-improvements project includes new facilities for technology and performing arts.

A deadline:

If you want to serve on the Cleveland school board, you had better circle Oct. 8 on your calendar.

That’s the deadline for applications for the two positions that became vacant after Flor Gomez and Lawrence Davis resigned. Their unexpired terms run through June 30, 2011.

Anyone who lives in any part of the Cleveland School District – including Bratenahl, Linndale, Newburgh Heights and a small portion of Garfield Heights – is eligible.

Board members are appointed by Mayor Frank Jackson.

Applications are available online at www.city.cleveland.oh.us.