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From the AP, 3/17/07: School vouchers ‘undemocratic,’ Strickland says Charter-school movement in Ohio has been ‘a dismal, dismal failure,’ he says Saturday, March 17, 2007 Julie Carr Smyth ASSOCIATED PRESS Gov. Ted Strickland sliced Ohio’s school-voucher program from his budget because he sees the concept as "inherently undemocratic," he said yesterday. The first Democrat to run Ohio in 16 years expressed that concern, his distaste for companies that turn public dollars into charter-school profits. Strickland announced during his State of the State speech Wednesday that his budget would eliminate the 2-year-old EdChoice voucher program, which is the second largest in the country and provides scholarships to 2,829 students in underperforming school districts to attend private schools. Strickland would retain a separate voucher program in Cleveland. MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/03/17/20070317-B3-02.html From the 3/17/07 Enquirer: Governor's allocations puzzling BY DENISE SMITH AMOS | [email protected] Even school treasurers don't understand why some Ohio districts stand to gain state funding under Gov. Ted Strickland's proposed budget, while half the other districts, including some of the Cincinnati area's neediest, will see no increase. Only 11 of 49 districts in the four-county Cincinnati region would get more in the governor's proposed 2008 budget. That includes Wyoming, which would get a $2.5 million bump, and Edgewood City Schools, which would get $1.2 million more. In 2009, 20 districts would see state education funding rise. Total state spending on education would increase $169 million across the state in the first year and $252 million in the second. Strickland said Wednesday that school funding would grow 3 percent per pupil in each of the next two years under his plan, while the state's share of school funding would expand from 49 percent of school budgets now to 54 percent in 2009. MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070317/NEWS0102/703170451/1058/NEWS01 From the 3/17/07 Record-Courier: Ravenna, Aurora schools may get more state funds Strickland's budget also eyes additional money for Mogadore March 17, 2007 By Dave O'Brien and Don Jovich Record-Courier staff writers Gov. Ted Strickland's school funding budget proposal for fiscal years 2007-09 promises more money to three Portage County school districts while leaving nine with no proposed increase in state foundation funds through 2009. The proposal was unveiled Thursday by the state Office of Budget and Management The Aurora, Ravenna and Mogadore school districts would receive additional funding of between $333,000 and $836,000 through fiscal year 2009, according to OBM numbers. The news that Streetsboro schools would not be receiving any additional funding from the state over the next two years did not come as a surprise to Superintendent Tom Giovangnoli. The district now receives a little more than $4 million in state funding, which works out to roughly 23 percent of the district's total budget. MORE: http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/1733522 From the 3/17/07 Ashtabula Star Beacon: School voucher program may be history LISA DAVIS Star Beacon In his State of the State Address, Gov. Ted Strickland made a couple superintendents in Ashtabula County very happy. Strickland Wednesday proposed eliminating the state's school voucher program known as the Ohio Educational Choice (EdChoice) Scholarship program. "In the first year of my budget, general revenue spending will actually shrink, and over the two-year span of the budget total spending will increase a modest 2.2 percent annually," Strickland said in his address. "That's lower than the growth rate in House Bill 66. In fact, it's lower than any budget in the last 42 years. So as we ask for sacrifice, we must demonstrate responsibility. Wastefulness and giveaways can no longer be tolerated. That's why my budget eliminates the Ed Choice voucher program." MORE: http://www.starbeacon.com/local/local_story_076072323

Yep, good call Uncle Rando.

From the 3/17/07 Dispatch: Hey, Keith Richards: Beware the smoking ban Saturday, March 17, 2007 Mark Ferenchik THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH A comedian at a Short North bar lighted up a cigarette and invited smokers in the audience to join him onstage. It’s legal to smoke indoors if you’re part of a performance, Doug Stanhope told the crowd last month at the High Five Bar & Grill on N. High Street. Read more: http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/03/17/20070317-A1-04.html

More BS about what a "building" is from the 3/16/07 Newark Advocate: County government to designate smoking areas By KENT MALLETT Advocate Reporter NEWARK -- Licking County employees will be permitted to smoke without leaving county-owned property, the county commissioners have decided. The city of Newark Health Department ordered the commissioners to remove the smoking hut adjacent to the rear entrance of the county administration building to comply with the new state law prohibiting smoking near entrances as well as inside public buildings. Read more: http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070316/NEWS01/703160311/1002/rss01

From the 3/15/07 Sun Messenger: Mayfield: in or out, no smoking, period Thursday, March 15, 2007 By Francine Suda MAYFIELD VILLAGE Leave your smokes at home. This village, a pioneer in anti-smoking legislation, hopes to ban smoking at all its outdoor properties, including softball diamonds and maybe even parking lots. Read more: http://www.cleveland.com/sun/sunmessenger/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1173980630228750.xml&coll=3

From the 2/9/07 ABJ: Buyer interested in Dillard's outlet No bid made during auction for Rolling Acres store. Group submits offer later; owner has 4 days to decide By Betty Lin-Fisher Beacon Journal business writer The former Dillard's store at Rolling Acres Mall failed to attract a bidder at an auction on Wednesday but did garner an offer from a group with Akron ties afterward. The group put in a "conditional'' offer "north of $600,000'' for the property, which had an auction reserve price of $735,000, said Gordon Greene, the auctioneer and broker for Chartwell Group, a commercial real estate broker in Cleveland that specializes in accelerated real estate auctions... http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/business/16660146.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_business

From the 1/18/07 ABJ: Rolling Acres sites get some interest Sale of old Target space to close Friday; Dillard's facility to be auctioned By Betty Lin-Fisher Beacon Journal business writer Sales of property at Rolling Acres Mall are starting to roll along. The space formerly occupied by Dillard's is going on the auction block next month. And on Friday, the sale of Target's former space is scheduled to close. It's being bought by an Akron-area investor who does not want to be named, according to his lawyer... for more: http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/business/16487447.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_business

From ThisWeek German Village, 3/15/07: PHOTO: South High School will be renovated at a cost of $34.7-million. The construction will start this summer. By David Rea/ThisWeek RENDERING: Janitor Richard Fields keeps an interior hallway clean at South. RENDERING: Architect's rendering of the south elevation of the addition planned for South High School. This view is looking north. RENDERING: Architect's rendering of a renovated classroom. RENDERING: The north elevation of the new addition during architect's schematic design phase. This view is looking south. South renovations to begin this summer Thursday, March 15, 2007 By SUE HAGAN ThisWeek Staff Writer South High School, which has been the educational focal point of the South Side for more than 80 years, will get a $34.7-million facelift over the next two years. During the process, modern features will be juxtaposed with the character of the historic building, resulting in a facility that will retain its tradition but still provide what Columbus Public Schools officials call "a 21st-century learning environment." The new gymnasiums that will be built "are long overdue -- we need that athletic facility," he said. "Plus the fact that they're looking at installing an actual hall of fame (in the cafeteria) and display space for our archives in the entryway ... ." As many historic features of the building are being retained as possible, architects said. The red quarry tile floors will remain wherever possible, as will the ornate plaster ceilings in the auditorium and a few other rooms. Where possible, woodwork will be refinished and kept in place, and the brick and limestone exterior will be cleaned and tuck pointed. Read more at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/031507/GermanVillage/News/031507-News-319088.html

From ThisWeek Clintonville, 3/1/07: Fall 2007 Indianola students to move to Everett Thursday, March 1, 2007 By SUE HAGAN ThisWeek Staff Writer Students at Indianola Informal Elementary School will move next fall to the old Everett Middle School building in Victorian Village, and South High School students will move out to an as-yet undecided location. Columbus Public Schools administrators had thought both student bodies could stay put while South and Crestview Middle School (where Indianola will eventually be relocated) were being renovated. Read more at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/030107/Clintonville/News/030107-News-312519.html

From ThisWeek German Village, 2/22/07: Planning session slated for Barrett, Beck schools Thursday, February 22, 2007 By SUE HAGAN ThisWeek Staff Writer Community members are invited to participate in a workshop to come up with ideas on how to eventually reuse Barrett Middle School and Beck Elementary. The workshop will be held Wednesday, Feb. 28, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Schiller Park Recreation Center, 1089 Jaeger St. It is a joint project of Columbus Public Schools, the Columbus Planning Division, the Merion Village Association and the Schumacher Place Civic Association. Barrett closed last year, and only its athletic fields are currently being used. Students from Livingston Elementary School are being housed at Beck as their school is being renovated. CPS has no plans to use Beck once the students move back to Livingston, according to Anne Dorrian Lenzotti, district real estate director. Some ideas from the workshop will be incorporated into the amended South Side Plan, which is in progress. Read more at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/022207/GermanVillage/News/022207-News-308305.html

From the 2/18/07 Dispatch: GRAPHIC: Columbus Public Schools budget COLUMBUS SCHOOLS Teachers unruffled by report of deficit $12.2 million shortfall won’t spur big layoffs, district says Sunday, February 18, 2007 Bill Bush THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Although their district is facing a projected $12.2 million deficit, the vast majority of Columbus Public Schools employees should be secure in their jobs at least through the end of next school year, an official said. "We don’t see any type of significant or widespread cuts or layoffs," district spokesman Jeff Warner said. But the district isn’t ruling out the need for a small number of layoffs within certain teaching specialties because some programs — including home economics — could be eliminated, said Mike Fulwider, another district spokesman. Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/02/18/20070218-C1-01.html

From the 2/8/07 Dispatch: GRAPHIC: Opting for alternatives COLUMBUS SCHOOLS District in line to meet its budget Figure on charters, vouchers about right Thursday, February 08, 2007 Bill Bush THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Columbus Public Schools have lost more money to charter schools than expected this year, but the district’s total budget is intact because fewer students than expected left to use vouchers. The district had expected to lose about $60 million to both charter schools and vouchers in the 2006-07 school year. As of this month, Columbus is on track to lose about $59.27 million, district Budget Director Hugh Garside said. Of that amount, about $55 million in state financial aid was expected to be turned over to the charter schools, which are privately run public schools. They operate solely on the $6,500-a-year given per student from the state. The money is first given to the district, then must be transferred to the charter school where the student has enrolled. Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/02/08/20070208-B1-02.html

From the 2/7/07 Dispatch: Linmoor Middle is next to close in Linden area School district already has closed four elementaries in neighborhood Wednesday, February 07, 2007 Bill Bush THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH The Columbus Board of Education followed the recommendation of a citizens’ task force yesterday and voted unanimously to close Linmoor Middle School at the end of this school year. Board members acknowledged that the decision to close the school, at 2001 Hamilton Ave., would be another blow to the Linden area, which has been hit hard by school closings in the past year. The district closed three Linden elementary schools last summer: Gladstone, Brentnell Alternative Traditional and McGuffey. Last month, the board voted to close Linden Park I.G.E. Alternative Elementary at the end of this year. Linmoor makes it five of 15 closures districtwide, and board members are worried about cutting off the flow of students into Linden-McKinley High School. Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/02/07/20070207-C3-00.html

From the 1/25/07 Dispatch: GRAPHIC: School closings Linmoor back on closing list Plummeting enrollment at middle school is too much for Columbus task force to ignore Thursday, January 25, 2007 Bill Bush THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH For the second time, a community task force has decided that Linmoor Middle School should close at the end of this academic year. After reviewing enrollment figures and the proposed "feeder pattern" of where Linmoor’s students would attend high school, the committee voted 7-0 yesterday to recommend that the Columbus Board of Education close the school at 2001 Hamilton Ave. Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/prep/preps.php?story=dispatch/2007/01/25/20070125-D1-00.html

LINDEN PARK I.G.E. ALTERNATIVE, MEDARY City school board approves closing 2 elementary schools Wednesday, January 24, 2007 Bill Bush THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH The Columbus Board of Education unanimously accepted the recommendation of a citizens’ task force yesterday to close two elementary schools at the end of this school year. The board voted 6-0 to close Linden Park I.G.E. Alternative and Medary elementary schools because of falling district enrollment. The task force is scheduled to meet again at 1 p.m. today to discuss whether to keep Linmoor Middle School, 2001 Hamilton Ave., on the closure list. The meeting will be at district headquarters, 270 E. State St. Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/01/24/20070124-B3-01.html

From the 1/19/07 Dispatch: TASK-FORCE RECOMMENDATION Board: Is closing 2 schools enough? Friday, January 19, 2007 Bill Bush THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH The Columbus Board of Education is poised to close two elementary schools at a meeting Tuesday, but some board members questioned yesterday whether the district is closing enough buildings given recent enrollment drops. A task force reviewing school closings recommended that Linden Park I.G.E. Alternative and Medary elementary schools be closed at the end of this school year. However, the panel backed off its preliminary recommendation to close two other buildings, Douglas Alternative Elementary and Linmoor Middle School. The panel no longer recommends closing Douglas and wants more time to consider Linmoor’s fate, said Floyd Jones, the task force’s co-chairman. Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/01/19/20070119-D1-02.html

From ThisWeek Clintonville, 1/18/07: New school to focus on science and mathematics Thursday, January 18, 2007 By SUE HAGAN ThisWeek Staff Writer Students at Metro High School know there's a lot riding on their academic efforts. After all, the new school is at the forefront of school reform efforts to prepare students to take their place in the world as scientists, mathematicians and engineers. The statistics, cited by Kathleen Sullivan, director of the Battelle Center for Mathematics and Science Education Policy, are telling: * In 1970, half of the world's scientists and engineers were American, but by 2010, that number will drop to 15 percent. * U.S. students rank 24th of 29 developed countries in math literacy. * Improvement in American education has been flat for at least 30 years. "The gap in technology poses a real risk to the future of our country," Sullivan said during a forum at the Metropolitan Club last week. Metro High School students have heard the statistics and know that their school will be watched closely as an example of a new idea in education. Read more at http://www.thisweeknews.com/index.php?story=sites/thisweeknews/011807/Clintonville/News/011807-News-292860.html

From ThisWeek German Village, 1/4/07: RENDERING: Architects' rendering of the Southwood Elementary addition, seen from Markison Avenue. The new entrance will be in the center connector, and the addition is to the right. Historic Resources Commission approves Southwood Thursday, January 4, 2007 By SUE HAGAN ThisWeek Staff Writer Plans to renovate and add on to Southwood Elementary School were approved late in December by the Historic Resources Commission, after months of fine tuning by architects. Problems with the entry section -- which architects are calling the "hyphen" because it is a one-story horizontal dash between the original building and the addition -- caused most of the delay, said Heidi Harendza, assistant historic preservation officer for Columbus. "In the (previous) version, it was very simplified, very modern," she said. "It doesn't have to mimic the historic building, but it should relate to the proportions." Architect J. Blair Frier, of SEM, agreed that the hyphen took some work. "That piece was always intended to be a transition piece," he said, adding that it helps make the old and the new sections distinguishable from one another. " ... You want the (original) building to reflect its history and you should be able to read (through architectural clues) that the addition is not the original building." Southwood is listed on the Columbus Register of Historic Properties and changes to the building must be approved by the HRC. Read more at http://www.thisweeknews.com/index.php?sec=germanvillage&story=sites/thisweeknews/010407/GermanVillage/News/010407-News-286654.html

From New Albany News, 2/28/07: Familes make way for A&F growth The Sages will face a new chapter in life as their home of 22 years is demolished to make room for an expanding A & F. By LISA AURAND It's still Christmas at the Sages. Big, old-fashioned lights are still draped across the front of the garage and boxes of ornaments are stacked in the corner of the living room. But the most noticeable remnant of Christmas is 23-year-old Amanda Sage, who is still at her childhood home at 8203 Central College Road on an extended break from her job as a relief worker in Ghana, Africa. Harry and Phyllis Sage, Amanda's parents, sold their house and the land it sits on to Abercrombie & Fitch in October as a part of the company's 5- to 10-year expansion plan. As a part of their contract with Abercrombie & Fitch, the Sages cannot disclose how much they sold the property for, but the Franklin County Auditor's Web site shows that Abercrombie bought the property for $415,000 -- almost $200,000 over the estimated market value posted on the same site. Most of the property Abercrombie bought went for about twice market value -- the Web site shows. Full article at http://www.snponline.com/NEWS2-28/2-28_nasagesad.html

From ThisWeek New Albany, 1/18/07: Council OKs, neighbors embrace A&F rezoning Thursday, January 18, 2007 By GALE CADY WILLIAMS ThisWeek Staff Writer What began life as a controversial rezoning request from Abercrombie & Fitch -- and then crawled through various planning groups for months -- received final approval Tuesday night when village council unanimously approved it. The rezoning affects 40-plus acres at the southwest corner of Central College and Evans roads. The property is adjacent to the Abercrombie & Fitch business campus already there. Previously, zoning on the property was a mix of AG (Agricultural) and I-PUD (Infill Planned Unit Development). Council's approval now makes the entire property L-GE (Limited Overlay-General Employment). Full article at http://www.thisweeknews.com/index.php?sec=newalbany&story=sites/thisweeknews/011807/NewAlbany/News/011807-News-292992.html

From the AP, 3/17/07: Delta given more time to restructure Associated Press ATLANTA - A New York federal bankruptcy court judge gave Delta Air Lines Inc. more time to get creditor approval of its reorganization plan before competing plans are allowed to be filed. Judge Adlai Hardin granted the Atlanta-based company's request to extend its so-called exclusivity period from April 16 to June 1. The order was dated Thursday and entered Friday. Delta has said the extension - its fourth such request - was necessary because a confirmation hearing on its Chapter 11 plan is scheduled for April 25, after the exclusivity period was set to expire. Delta, the nation's third-largest carrier, wants to prevent other competing plans from being filed until after it has a chance to finish soliciting votes on its own plan, which calls for the airline to emerge from bankruptcy in the spring as a standalone carrier. More at http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070317/BIZ/703170309/1001/RSS04

From the 3/16/07 Youngstown Vindicator: JFS will move to Oakhill building by tax day The president of the union representing Jobs and Family Serivces workers called the move a victory for employees. BERLIN CENTER — Mahoning County commissioners approved a plan Thursday evening to move the Department of Jobs and Family Services to Oakhill Renaissance Place within 30 days. Commissioners made the move because of deteriorating conditions at the department's current headquarters on 709 N. Garland Ave., Commissioner Anthony T. Traficanti said... http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/317744327053912.php School board hears suggestions, updates plans for new building Youngstown Vindicator, 3/16/07 Amanda Lloyd supports a combined new Jackson-Milton High School/Middle School, but wants to see the middle school kids changing classes at different times than their high school counterparts...

From the 3/18/07 Blade: PHOTO RETAIL COMPLEX IN TOLEDO A small shopping strip is under construction next to a nearly finished gas station and deli on Monroe Street at Auburn Avenue, just west of Swayne Field, in Toledo. The developer expects the complex to be completed by May. The developer, Farzade of Toledo Inc., said no tenants have been signed for the 8,900-square-foot strip center. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070318/BUSINESS05/703170391/-1/RSS04

From the 3/16/07 Enquirer: Kentucky Post: Alexandria set to annex 172 acres (3/14/07) Project would add 600 homes New sewer seen as likely stimulus BY SCOTT WARTMAN | [email protected] A proposed 600-home development may join the building renaissance in Alexandria expected with the completion this year of a new sewer plant. The development would be built over the next six years off Tollgate Road alongside the Arcadia subdivision, a 916-home development on the north side of Alexandria. Cincinnati builders Ameritek would construct it. City Council had the first reading Thursday night to consider the developers' request to annex the property. Planning Commission would make a recommendation, and the council would get a final vote. The lifting of the moratorium on home construction in the area when the new sewer plant is completed lured Ameritek to the 172-acre property just outside Alexandria's city limits, said Ralph Meierjohan, Ameritek president. The overburdened sewer system has impeded growth and led to a ban on new sewer tap-ins since 1996. MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070316/NEWS0103/703160398/1059/rss13

From the 3/17/07 Dispatch: GRAPHIC: Map Westerville plans changes S. State Street would get new look Saturday, March 17, 2007 Jim Woods THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Westerville wants to seize the opportunity to rejuvenate S. State Street while the state revamps the interchange with I-270 there. The advent of I-270 in the early 1970s spurred development south of uptown to the highway interchange. On Tuesday, Westerville City Council members reviewed a $1.2 million proposal to install brick median strips, a welcome sign and brick and wrought iron fences from I-270 up to Huber Village Boulevard. The city would also plant trees and landscape both sides of the street. Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/03/17/20070317-B2-00.html