July 12, 2010Volume 41 Issue 13

ContentsMore news ..............2

Magna Awardsprogram acceptingnominations;Registration underway for NSBAtechnologyconference; Thismonth in OSBAhistory; OSBA online

Bulletin Board ........3

Funding....................5

Legislative Report ..6

Public SchoolsWork! ........................7

Duke Energy tax appeal threatens school district revenuesOSBA, the Buckeye Association of School Administrators, Ohio Association of School

Business Officials and southwest Ohio schools are challenging Duke Energy’s appeal tolower its personal property valuation by 40%. Duke just recently began telling schoolsthat it was reducing its tax payments, despite filing the appeal in December. The movecomes just before the end of the fiscal year and will have a devastating financial impacton many school districts. There also is concern that other utilities might seek tax cuts,leading to more funding losses. OSBA urges its members to contact state officials onthis issue. Download sample letters at http://ealerts.osba-ohio.org/msgs/597.html.

Capital Conference packets will be mailed soonWatch your mail for the 2010 OSBA Capital Conference brochure and registration

forms, which will be sent in mid-July. The brochure features details on speakers, specialevents, workshops, lodging, registration, parking and more. Registration forms will besent to treasurers only, so contact your treasurer to register for the conference andspecial events. The conference is Nov. 7-10 in Columbus. Watch OSBA’s publicationsand website for further details.

Alan November speaking at conference’s Early Bird WorkshopAlan November, an international leader in education technology, will be the speaker

at the Nov. 7 Capital Conference Early Bird Workshop. November’s ideas about globalcommunication, collaboration, assessment and critical thinking have inspired schoolsand others around the world to rethink and redefine their approach to education andtechnology. Workshop tuition is $75. Contact your treasurer to register.

NSBA offers Investing in Innovation Fund grant resourcesSchool districts that have applied to the U.S. Department of Education for Investing

in Innovation Fund (i3) resources or are interested in applying should check out themany private funding match resources. Grantees are required to secure a 20% privatesector funding match to be eligible for the awards. A registry of private funding sourcesis posted at www.foundationregistryi3.org. The National School Boards Associationhas developed a resource kit to help districts navigate the i3 process. Download the kitat http://links.osba-ohio.org/43901.

OSBA taps South Euclid-Lyndhurst video team to document conferenceSouth Euclid-Lyndhurst City’s AVTV Productions has been chosen as the official

student video documentary team for the 2010 OSBA Capital Conference, Nov. 7-10, inColumbus. Based at Charles F. Brush High School, AVTV is the district’s media

Route workshopinformation to:❑ Administrators❑ Communication directors❑ New board members❑ Principals

Registration under way forNSBA technology conference

Registration is open for theNational School Boards AssociationT+L Conference in Phoenix, Oct.19-21. This national event featuresinnovative, technology-enhancedstrategies for engaging students,streamlining district practices and

Briefcase Volume 41, Issue 13

productions team. The programwas selected based on theoutstanding video work itsubmitted. The OSBA project, in itssecond year, gives students theopportunity to document thestatewide conference, which drawsmore than 10,000 education leadersfrom across Ohio. The AVTV teamwill video different events duringthe conference and edit the footageinto a 10-minute documentary. Thefinal product will be streamed onthe OSBA website, shared withother state school boardsassociations and used to promotethe conference.

Magna Awards programaccepting nominations

The prestigious Magna Awardsprogram is accepting submissionsfor the 2011 program; Ohio districtsmust be OSBA members to beeligible. For more information andan online nomination form, visithttp://links.osba-ohio.org/57241.

raising student achievement. Fordetails, visit www.nsba.org/TL.

This month in OSBA historyOn July 5, 1955, Ohio Gov. Frank

Lausche signed legislation allowinglocal school boards to pay dues to astate association, setting the stagefor the creation of the Ohio SchoolBoards Association. Two previousattempts to pass the legislation hadfailed. OSBA convened inColumbus for its first officialmeeting on Dec. 3, 1955.

OSBA online● www.ohioschoolboards.org

The OSBA website can help keepyou in touch with key groups.From the home page, click onMember Resources, then, on thenext page, click on ImportantLinks. There you will find links toOhio school districts, OSBAdatabases, associations, legislativeand other government offices, theOSBA staff directory and regionalinformation.

2

The day after the final day of school, one last group of youngsterswalked out of Worthington Estates Elementary School to find outwhat the future had in store.

The occasion was the annual duckling march at the WorthingtonCity school. This year, 11 ducklings and their mother that had beenliving in the school courtyard were herded along the emptyhallways, out the door and down to the nearby Olentangy River.

Each spring the same mother duck has returned to the school tostart another family. The school welcomes the ducks with a wadingpool and food. The ducks pay their “rent” by providing a learninglab and plenty of entertainment. Once reaching the river, the duckssettled in under some bushes alongside the Olentangy.

Source: ThisWeek Worthington

Web-footed procession marks end of school year

OSBA President: John Pennycuff, Winton Woods City OSBA Executive Director: Richard Lewis, CAE

Editor: Scott Ebright, APR, deputy director of communication servicesManaging editor: Gary Motz, editorial manager

Assistant editor, layout and design: Angela Penquite, communication designmanager

A one-year subscription to Briefcase is $110 for up to 15 subscribers. Briefcasealso is available electronically by e-mail or by fax. For more information, contact AnnHerritt at the address or fax number above or e-mail to aherritt@ohioschoolboards.org.

Briefcase is published semimonthly by the Ohio School Boards Association.Postage paid at Westerville, Ohio. Postmaster: Send address changes to: Briefcase,Attn.: Mailroom, Ohio School Boards Association, 8050 N. High St., Suite 100,Columbus, OH 43235-6481 © 2010 Ohio School Boards Association

OSBA leads the way to educational excellence by serving Ohio’s public school board membersand the diverse districts they represent through superior service and creative solutions.

BriefcaseOhio School Boards Association8050 North High Street, Suite 100Columbus, OH 43235-6481(614) 540-4000 — (800) 589-OSBAfax: (614) 540-4100 ● www.ohioschoolboards.org

OSBA executive searches

SuperintendentDistrict Deadline Contact❶ Youngstown City July 30 OSBA Search Services, (614) 540-4000

TreasurerDistrict Deadline Contact① Defiance City July 16 OSBA Search Services, (614) 540-4000

Other positionsPosition District Deadline ContactMiddle school principal Amanda-Clearcreek Local July 21 Sheryl Pontius, secretary,

(Fairfield) Amanda-Clearcreek Local, (740) 969-7260

Board changesOrrville City Board of Education member Donna J. Smith announced her resignation effective June 19. She is moving out ofthe district.

Administrative changesSuperintendentsBatavia Local (Clermont) Superintendent Barbara Bradley announced her resignation effective July 31. ●●● Clark-ShawneeLocal (Clark) hired Gregg E. Morris as superintendent effective Aug. 1. Morris replaces Debbie Finkes, who resignedeffective June 30. He is currently the superintendent at Gahanna-Jefferson City. ●●● Cory-Rawson Local (Hancock) hiredBradley E. Cox as part-time superintendent effective immediately. He will share duties with high school Principal MarkWilleke. ●●● Edgewood City hired Douglas J. Lantz as superintendent effective Aug. 1. He replaces Larry Knapp, who isresigning effective July 31. Lantz is currently the superintendent at Northmont City. ●●● Granville EV Superintendent ScotT. Prebles will resign effective July 31. He is taking the superintendent position at Brecksville-Broadview Heights City.Prebles replaces Dr. Thomas P. Diringer, who took the superintendent position at West Geauga Local (Geauga). ●●●

Millcreek-West Unity Local (Williams) hired Dr. Robert Smith as interim superintendent. He replaces Deborah Piotrowski,

July 12, 2010

3

BULLETIN BOARDcompiled by Melanie Price, administrative assistant of communication services

❶ = Superintendent① = Treasurer

Editor’s noteJob postings must be received six weeks before the application deadline to ensure timely publication.

Thank you for your cooperation.

①

❶

Briefcase Volume 41, Issue 13

4

who took the superintendent position at Xenia Community City. ●●● New Albany-Plain Local (Franklin) hired Dr. BillReimer as interim superintendent effective June 8. He replaces Dr. Steve D. Castle, who resigned. Reimer will continue towork for the ESC of Central Ohio, where he is an assistant superintendent. ●●● Ottawa Hills Local (Lucas) hired Dr. KevinS. Miller as the superintendent effective Aug. 1. He replaces Cathleen Heidelberg, who retired effective March 31. Miller iscurrently the superintendent at Hicksville EV. ●●● Parma City hired Dr. Jeffrey M. Graham as superintendent effectiveAug. 2. He replaces Dr. Sarah Zatik, who is retiring effective July 31. Graham is currently the superintendent at WoodridgeLocal (Summit). ●●● Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center hired Steve Winegardner as interim superintendenteffective July 1. He replaces Brett H. Smith, who took the superintendent position at Butler Technology and CareerDevelopment Schools. Winegardner was the district’s director of secondary education. ●●● Portsmouth City hired ScottDutey as superintendent effective Aug. 1. He replaces Donald A. Armstrong, who resigned in February. Dutey is currentlythe district’s curriculum and grants administrator. ●●● Warrensville Heights City hired Marva Kay Jones as superintendenteffective Aug. 1. She replaces R. Elaine Davis, who retired. Jones currently is the director of curriculum and instruction atMassillon City. ●●● Columbus City hired Keith Bell Sr. as deputy superintendent effective Aug. 2. He is currently thedirector of academic affairs for secondary schools at Westerville City.

TreasurersChillicothe City hired Kellie A. Lester as treasurer effective July 1. She replaces John D. Rose, who took the treasurerposition at Union-Scioto Local (Ross). Lester was the treasurer at Tuscarawas Valley Local (Tuscarawas). ●●● Clay Local(Scioto) Treasurer Betty Applegate announced her retirement effective July 1. The district hired Assistant Treasurer BrandiDillow as her replacement.

SympathiesAshtabula County ESC and Ashtabula County JVSD board member and OSBA Board of Trustees member Lester C.Marrison died June 28. He was 67. ●●● Former Buckeye Local (Ashtabula) Board of Education member Wilbur J. Hall diedApril 12. He was 87. ●●● Robert H. Headman, also a former Buckeye Local board member, died April 22. He was 84. ●●●

Former Dayton City Assistant Superintendent George Wallace Jackson died June 21. He was 86. ●●● Former Fostoria CityBoard of Education member George A. Louden Jr. died June 3. He was 97. ●●● James Edward Hart, a board of educationmember at Huber Heights City and Miami Valley Career & Technology Center, died June 19. He was 50. ●●● FormerHopewell-Loudon Local (Seneca) Board of Education member Harold Kaser died June 14. He was 91. ●●● FormerKeystone Local (Lorain) Board of Education member Charles J. Schaffer died June 11. He was 63. ●●● Former SugarcreekLocal (Greene) Board of Education member Dwight William Barnett died June 13. He was 79. ●●● Former SteubenvilleCity Board of Education member Albert Ellis “Coach” Hays died May 30. He was 80.

With OSBA search services, searching for theright superintendent, treasurer or building

administrator has never been so easy!

For information on Ohio’s best administrative search team, call OSBA’s Rob Delane, Kathy LaSota, KendallLee, Al Meloy or Cheryl Ryan at (614) 540-4000 or (800) 589-OSBA.

The search was very professionally done. The consultant metwith the board as requested and spent many hours with thecommunity in focus groups. OSBA’s search services met all ofour expectations in a timely manner at a reasonable cost.

— Mechanicsburg EV

School boardmanship is more complex and demanding than ever. To carry out their leadership dutieseffectively, new school board members must begin moving from the role of an involved citizen to that of aresponsible elected official as soon as possible. High-quality board member education, designed specificallyfor newly elected board members, can help you become a more effective educational leader in yourcommunity.

The Ohio School Boards Association is sponsoring an intensive one-day workshop for new school boardmembers. The workshop will focus on the knowledge and skills new board members find essential tobecoming effective contributors to their district’s management team. Topics include the world ofboardmanship; decision-making and working as a team; how Ohio schools are funded; the Sunshine Lawand executive sessions; and many more.

Cost for this workshop is $125 per board member. Four books are included with workshop tuition:Boardmanship, Board-Treasurer Partnership, Board-Superintendent Partnership and Board-LegislaturePartnership.

To register, call (614) 540-4000 or (800) 589-OSBA. More information can be found atwww.ohioschoolboards.org/new-board-member-workshop.

● Designed for new boardmembers● Intensive, one-dayworkshop● Plenty of networkingopportunities ● Saturday, July 24● OSBA office, Columbus

Agenda9 a.m. Welcome9:05 a.m. Basic boardmanshipKathy LaSota, deputy director of school board services10:05 a.m. Legislation and lobbyingMichelle Francis, lobbyist11 a.m. Break11:15 a.m. School financeMichelle Francis12:15 p.m. Lunch

1 p.m. PolicyDonna Williams, policy consultant1:45 p.m. PersonnelVan D. Keating, director of management services2:30 p.m. Break2:45 p.m. Legal issuesHollie F. Reedy, chief legal counsel3:45 p.m. Closing remarks and questions4 p.m. Adjourn

New board members: Trying to maneuver the maze of boardmanship?

Find your way at the New BoardMember Workshop

Wednesday, Aug. 11OSBA office, Columbus11 a.m. to 2 p.m.Cost: $35

New-to-schoolPublic RelationsForum — Getting Readyfor the NewSchool Year

OSBA and OHSPRA (formerly NSPRA/Ohio) are teaming upto help newly appointed school communicators start theircareers off on the right foot. Send your rookie schoolcommunication specialists or directors to meet some of thestate’s leading school communication experts.

The forum is designed to connect those new to the field withveterans — current and former Ohio leaders in the NationalSchool Public Relations Association — to help rookies dotheir jobs better. Learn which school PR vets to turn to for helpwith a crisis, publications, media relations, board relations,staff communication or any of the many issues facing schoolcommunicators. Learn whom to call at the Ohio Departmentof Education for information.

Agenda11 a.m. If I only knew then what I know now: panel

discussion with veteran district PR directors12:15 p.m. Working lunch: where to go for data and help1 p.m. Question and answer session2 p.m. Adjourn

To register, use the form in this issue of the Briefcase, contactLaurie Miller at (614) 540-4000; (800) 589-OSBA; orLmiller@ohioschoolboards.org or visit OSBA’s website —www.ohioschoolboards.org/new-to-school-public-relations-forum.

Don’t miss these free webinars:

OSBA’s legal division will host a free webinar on Wednesday,July 14, from 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Attorneys will provideanswers to the top 10 back-to-school questions, direct you torelevant cases and statutes, and answer any questions you mayhave about the materials.

Top 10 back-to-school questionsWednesday, July 14, at 10:30 a.m.

This free one-hour webinar will include topics that board members who also are parents of districtstudents often ask, including, “What kind of role can I continue to play in my child's classroom?”“Can I continue to serve as an officer in our PTA/PTO or booster club?” or”"How can I advocatefor my child without creating the perception of wanting special treatment?” The webinar also willprovide tips for helping your student adjust when mom or dad becomes a board member.

The balancing act: When you're both a parent anda board member Tuesday, Aug. 3, at noon

Register for these free webinars atwww.ohioschoolboards.org/free-webinar-registration.

Back to School:Attendance, Tuition and Custody Law WorkshopThursday, Aug. 5 Tuesday, Aug. 10Marriott Northeast, Cincinnati OSBA office, Columbus

Cost: $120, includes registration, continental breakfast, lunch and materials.

The law addressing attendance and tuition matters is complex and changesfrequently. How your district handles these matters affects your district's bottomline. Learn the latest legal developments at this information-packed seminar.

Agenda

8:30 a.m. Registration and continental breakfast9 a.m. Coffee time with your ODE school finance area coordinators

Start the day with an update and question-and-answer session withyour Ohio Department of Education (ODE) area coordinators. Theimportance of accurate data for attendance and tuition purposes isvital to your district. Get answers to your back-to-school questions andhear what’s new in the education management information systemworld.*Larry Grooms and Fred Ross, area coordinators, Finance ProgramServices, ODEEstelle Diehl and Donald Urban, area coordinators, Finance ProgramServices, ODE

10 a.m. Immigration studentsImmigration students who are not part of an approved foreign-exchange student program pose several attendance and tuition lawissues. Get a basic understanding of how attendance and tuition areaffected by immigrant students and take this opportunity to ask aschool law attorney your questions.**Susan G. Clark, Esq., Pepple & Waggoner Ltd., Cleveland

10:45 a.m. Question-and-answer session (break)11 a.m. Special education attendance and tuition law issues

Join a special education law expert for a refresher course on stateand federal laws applicable to special education attendance andtuition.**Laura G. Anthony, Esq., Bricker & Eckler LLP, Columbus

11:45 a.m. Lunch (provided)12:45 p.m. “The unmarried father” and other stories by Hollie F. Reedy

We will consider issues of attendance and tuition that are frequentlyrepeated with different fact patterns, but evade clear answers.**Hollie F. Reedy, chief legal counsel, OSBA

1:45 p.m. Question-and-answer session (break)2 p.m. Attendance investigations and tuition fraud

Discuss the process, options, and pros and cons of attendanceinvestigations and pursuing tuition fraud. *C. Bronston McCord III, Esq., Ennis Roberts Fischer Co. LPA,CincinnatiJeremy J. Neff, Esq., Ennis Roberts Fischer Co. LPA, Cincinnati

3 p.m. Question-and-answer session3:15 p.m. Adjourn* Indicates speaker at the Cincinnati location.

** Speaking at both locations.

LocationsMarriott Northeast, Cincinnati — Aug. 59664 Mason-Montgomery Road, Mason, 45040, (513) 459-9800

OSBA office, Columbus — Aug. 108050 N. High Street, Columbus, 43235, (614) 540-4000

OSBA sends e-mail confirmation ofregistration if an e-mail address is provided.Registration is open to all boards and staff of OSBA members. “Walk-in”registrations are welcome on a space-availablebasis only. Please call OSBA to check the status of registration before you arrive at the workshop.To register, you must have a purchase ordernumber or a check payable to OSBA and acompleted registration form. You may registerwith a purchase order number by phone, fax, e-mail or Web page 24 hours a day.

Award of Achievement/LPDCMost workshops entitle members to Award of Achievement credits. Local ProfessionalDevelopment Committee certificates ofattendance will be issued to all workshopattendees.

OSBA8050 N. High St., Suite 100, Columbus, OH43235-6481

OSBA Registration Hotline,(614) 540-4000, ext. 300;toll free (800) 589-OSBA, ext. 300; or fax us at (614) 540-4100.

E-mail registrations can be sent to Laurie Miller atLmiller@ohioschoolboards.org. Please include a purchaseorder number.

You may register on our Web page at www.ohioschoolboards.org. Events are listed atthe bottom of the page.

Cancellation and refund policy• Cancellations received by OSBA at least fourworkdays before the date of the workshop willreceive a full refund or no charge to the district. • Cancellations received less than four workdaysbefore the date of the workshop will have one-third of the fee charged to the district.• No-shows and cancellations the day of theworkshop will be charged the full registrationamount.

Phone or fax

Mail

OSBA Workshop Registration Form

Workshop name ________________________________________ Workshop date ______________________________________

Attendee name _________________________________________ Title ______________________________________________

Daytime phone _________________________________________ E-mail_____________________________________________

District/firm ___________________________________________ County ___________________________________________

Enclosed is a check for $ ________ or P.O.# ___________________ to cover ______ registration(s). Make checks payable to OSBAand mail to 8050 N. High St., Suite 100, Columbus, OH 43235-6481; fax to (614) 540-4100; or e-mail Laurie Miller atLmiller@ohioschoolboards.org. Include a purchase order number with fax or e-mail.

Please check here if you require special accommodations. Contact us or attach a written description of needs.

Please photocopy this form for each person

OSBA workshop registration procedures

WORKSHOP REGISTRATIONNew Board Member

Workshop

❑ July 24, $125

Back-to-School Workshop

❑ Aug. 5, Cincinnati, $120❑ Aug. 10, Columbus, $120

New-to-school Public

Relations Forum

❑ Aug. 11, $35

July 12, 2010

5

Grants for special needschildren’s programs

The Innovating Worthy ProjectsFoundation was founded toprovide financial help to qualityspecial needs children’s programs.The foundation makes grants toorganizations dedicated todeveloping innovative programs,disseminating ideas or providingdirect care or services for childrenwith special needs, acute illnessesor chronic disabilities.Maximum awards: $5,000Eligibility: 501(c)(3) organizationsDeadline: Aug. 31Contact: www.iwpf.org/application/index.html

Funds for classroom gardensThe Herb Society of America will

select four classrooms to receive aDonald Samull Classroom Grant toestablish an outdoor herb garden.The funds may be used for soil,plant trays, containers, youth-sizedtools and more.

Maximum awards: $200Eligibility: teachers of grades 3-6who have at least 15 students intheir classDeadline: Sept. 1Contact: herbsociety.org/resources/samull-grant.html

Funds available to encourageliteracy and creativity

The Ezra Jack Keats Foundationoffers mini-grants to school andpublic libraries for programs thatencourage literacy and creativity inchildren. Programs relating to thework of Ezra Jack Keats arewelcome, but not required. Maximum awards: $500Eligibility: school librariesDeadline: Sept. 15Contact: http://links.ohioschoolboards.org/14516

Grant program supportseducation

The Charles Lafitte FoundationGrants Program awards funds to

help groups and individualsfoster lasting improvement of thehuman condition by providingsupport to education, children’sadvocacy, medical research and thearts. The foundation providessupport for innovative programsaimed at assisting students withlearning disabilities, providingtechnology and computer-basededucation, creating access toeducation of the arts, supportingat-risk children from preschool tocollege and providing learningenhancement, including thedevelopment of leadership skills.The education program includessupport for research andconferences, as well as support forprograms that promote academicexcellence in institutions of higherlearning.Maximum awards: variesEligibility: 501(c)(3) institutionsDeadline: openContact: www.charleslafitte.org/education.html

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIESby Angela Penquite, communication design manager

OSBA’s bargaining consultation services offer your district comprehensive

representation services duringnegotiations, and traditional andalternative bargaining styles.

Bargaining consultation clients receive:

● Low-cost service fees;● Flexible rates;● Experienced negotiators;● Statewide experience.

Looking for a bargain?

For further information on how bargaining consultation can work for your district,contact OSBA’s management services division at (614) 540-4000 or (800) 589-OSBA.

The Ohio House and Senatehave recessed for the summer forthe campaign season. Below is asummary of bills impactingeducation that received someattention prior to the recess.

Seat belts on school busesHouse Bill (HB) 448, sponsored

by Rep. Kathleen Chandler (D-Kent), would require all schoolbuses purchased, leased or rented

after Jan. 1, 2014, to transportstudents to and from school to beequipped with a seat beltassembly for all passengers.Chandler has introduced this typeof legislation in previous sessionsof the General Assembly. However,it received immediate attention inthe final days before the legislaturerecessed. The HouseTransportation and InfrastructureCommittee passed the bill out of

committee after itssecond hearing. It waspassed the same day ofa tragic fatal busaccident that occurredat Tri-Valley Local(Muskingum).Members of thecommitteeacknowledged moredebate is needed on thebill.

CyberbullyingReps. Nancy

Garland (D-NewAlbany) and MarianHarris (D-Columbus)are the cosponsors ofHB 520, which wouldrequire school districtsto includecyberbullying in theirpolicies prohibitingbullying. Specifically,

the legislation would requireschools to:● expand their existing studentanti-harassment policies to coverincidents of harassment,intimidation or bullying that occuron school buses or off schoolproperty;● include in their policies aprohibition against bullying byelectronic means (cyberbullying);● provide training on their anti-harassment policies as a part of thein-service training required for allteachers, administrators,counselors, nurses and schoolpsychologists.

HB 520 has a companion bill inthe Senate, SB 126, sponsored bySen. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo). HB520 had sponsor testimony in theHouse Education Committee priorto the summer recess and SB 126 isbeing heard in the SenateEducation Committee.

Budget planning commissionEven though the General

Assembly is officially on summerrecess, some events are happeningat the Statehouse. The newlegislative Budget Planning andManagement Commission recentlymet for the first time. Thecommittee was created last year inHB 1 and is charged with

LEGISLATIVE REPORTby Michelle Francis, lobbyist

Several education bills await lawmakers’ return

6

Briefcase Volume 41, Issue 13

Continued on page 7

The Education Tax PolicyInstitute(ETPI) continues to be the onlyorganization in Ohio dedicated toresearch and analysis of educationpublic policy issues.

Become a member of ETPI to helpmake future research possible. Formore information, visit www.etpi-ohio.org.

Where can you find the realfacts?

8050 N. High StreetColumbus, Ohio 43235 ● (614) 540-4000

7

PUBLIC SCHOOLS WORK!

Students create physical therapy tool from Wii remote

compiled by Gary Motz, editorial manager

By adapting Wii technology,students from Fremont City’s RossHigh School and Tiffin City’sColumbian High School engineereda tool to help occupational andphysical therapy patients and theirtherapists assess patients’ progress.

Described as dynamic digitalrehabilitation, Ross studentAndrew Nichelson and Columbianstudents Seth Sholl and Cody Semerdeveloped the idea for their seniorproject in the Vanguard-SentinelJVSD Technology Center’s

computer technician program.Initially intended to be a data glovefor computer gaming, the seniorschanged their plan after talking toSholl’s father, a physical therapist.

Semer told a local newspaperthat the Wii remote is connected toa computer via Bluetooth signals.On the computer screen the signalsmimic mouse movements thatindicate the patient’s range ofmotion. This information then canbe sent to the patient’s therapist.

The boys worked with

Vanguard-Sentinel teachers FloydCollins and Terry Ritchie; aninstructor at Terra CommunityCollege; and an occupationaltherapist at a local hospital.

“They learned more from thisproject than can be taught frombooks or in the classroom,” Collinstold the newspaper. “They learnedwhat it is to be a team and workingfor a common goal, relying on eachother’s strengths and overcomingtheir weaknesses.”

Source: The News-Messenger

Legislative Report, continued from page 6

reviewing the state’s budgetcircumstances and makingrecommendations ahead of nextyear’s full-blown budgetdeliberations.

Members of the commission are:● Rep. Ron Amstutz (R-Wooster)● Rep. Jay Goyal (D-Mansfield)● Sen. Shannon Jones (R-Springboro)● Sen. Dale Miller (D-Cleveland)● Rep. Vernon Sykes (D-Akron)● Sen. Chris Widener (R-Springfield)

The six-member group recentlybegan its work with a presentationfrom the Legislative ServiceCommission (LSC), the nonpartisanresearch arm of the General

Assembly. Part of LSC’spresentation included a chartdetailing the differences betweenwhat the governor’sadministration and SenateRepublicans consider “one-time”money in the fiscal year 2010-11biennial budget.

Regardless of what is defined asone-time money, both Sykes andJones, co-chairs of the committee,issued statements at the beginningof the hearing urging bipartisancooperation for this early reviewprocess.

Members clarified that the groupis not charged with writing anddebating the fiscal year 2012-13budget, however, they are going to

focus on identifying overarchingstrategies for the next governor andGeneral Assembly that will driveupcoming budget developments.

The committee’s next hearingwill feature presentations from theOffice of Budget and Managementand the National Conference ofState Legislatures. After that, thecommittee is not likely to meetagain until the lame-duck sessionfollowing the November elections.

For the latest legislative updates,please contact the OSBA legislativedivision at (800) 589-OSBA.

Editor’s Note: All information inthis article was current as of July 1,2010.

July 12, 2010

Non-Profit Org.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDWesterville, OHPermit No. 250

Ohio School Boards Association8050 North High Street, Suite 100Columbus OH 43235-6481

July 2010

15 Last day to adopt school library district taxbudget on behalf of a library district — RC5705.28(B)(1).

20 Central Region Executive ComitteeMeeting........................................Columbus

20 Last day to submit certification for Novemberconversion levy to tax commissioner — RC5705.219(B) (105 days before election).

23-25 NSBA Central Region Meeting ................................Louisville, Ky.

24 OSBA New Board Member Workshop....................................Columbus

26 Last day to submit certification for Novemberincome tax levy to Ohio Department ofTaxation — RC 5748.02(A) (100 days priorto the election).

30 Semiannual campaign finance reports due(by 4 p.m.) detailing contributions andexpenditures through June 30, 2010 — RC3517.10(A)(4) (last business day of July);last day to submit November emergency,current operating expenses or conversionlevy to county auditor for Novembergeneral election — RC 5705.194,5705.195, 5705.213, 5705.219 (95 daysbefore election).

August 2010

1 Last day to file statistical report with OhioDepartment of Education (ODE) — RC3319.33.

3 Special Election Day — RC 3501.01 (firstTuesday after the first Monday).

4 OSBA Northeast Region ExecutiveCommittee Meeting ....................Ravenna

4 Last day for school district to file resolutionof necessity, resolution to proceed andauditor’s certification for bond levy withboard of elections for November election —RC 133.18(D); last day for county auditor tocertify school district bond levy terms forNovember election — RC 133.18(C); last dayto submit continuing replacement,permanent improvement or operating levy forNovember election to board of elections —RC 5705.192, 5705.21, 5705.25; last day tocertify resolution for school district incometax levy or conversion levy for Novemberelection to board of elections — RC5705.195, 5705.219, 5748.02(C); last day tosubmit emergency levy for November electionto board of elections — RC 5705.195; lastday to submit phased-in levy or currentoperating expenses levy for Novemberelection to board of elections — RC5705.251(A); last day to file (by 4 p.m.)

nominating petitions for board of educationwith board of elections — RC 3513.254,3513.255 (90 days prior to the election).

5 OSBA Back to School Workshop....................................Cincinnati

8 OSBA Southeast Region ExecutiveCommittee Meeting..........................Logan

10 OSBA Back to School Workshop....................................Columbus

10 OSBA Southwest Region ExecutiveCommittee Meeting........................Dayton

11 OSBA New to School Public RelationsForum ..........................................Columbus

23 Last day to file (by 4 p.m.) as a write-incandidate — RC 3513.041 (72 days prior tothe election).

September 2010

1 OSBA Southeast Region Treasurers’ Clinic ................................................Athens

8 OSBA Northeast Region Treasurers’ Clinic ..........................................Rootstown

10 OSBA Northwest Region Treasurers’ Clinic ..........................................Perrysburg

15 OSBA Southwest Region Treasurers’Clinic ........................................Wilmington

17 OSBA Strike Workshop ............Columbus21 OSBA/OHSPRA Levy

Workshop....................................Columbus

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