Temporary Restraining Order Extended
COLUMBUS — December 21, 2009 — The Ohio Education Association issued the following statement regarding the hearing on whether a temporary restraining order should be extended into a permanent injunction to prevent the release of the personal information of licensed Ohio education employees as kept by the Ohio Department of Education.
By agreement of the parties, the temporary restraining order (TRO) originally granted on November 13, 2009, has been extended until Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Dan Hogan rules on OEA’s request for an injunction preventing the release of personal data of Ohio public school employees maintained by the Ohio Department of Education.
The TRO prevents the release of residential (home) addresses, home telephone numbers and personal email addresses of individuals licensed by the Ohio Department of Education. Lawyers for both sides are to file briefs with the court on the issue. Oral argument is scheduled for March 19, 2010.
“Our commitment to Ohio education employees is the compelling reason for our action,” said OEA president Patricia Frost-Brooks. “The protection of members’ personal information is of utmost importance to OEA. It is our association’s position that such information is not a public record under Ohio law”.
Join the conversation @OhioEA and Like Us at OhioEducationAssociation
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The Ohio Education Association (ohea.org) represents 121,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals in Ohio’s public schools, colleges and universities.
CONTACT: Michele Prater
614-227-3071; cell 614-378-0469, praterm@ohea.org
UPDATE: OEA Takes Action To Stop The Release Of Personal Information As Requested By The Ohio Republican Party
UPDATE: Late this afternoon, Franklin County’s Common Pleas Court Judge Beatty granted OEA’s request for a temporary restraining order. The TRO prevents the release of residential (home) addresses, home telephone numbers and personal email addresses of individuals licensed by the Ohio Department of Education. Judge Hogan has been assigned to hear the case.
OEA Takes Action To Stop The Release Of Personal Information As Requested By The Ohio Republican Party
COLUMBUS — November 13, 2009 — Today, the Ohio Education Association (OEA) filed a temporary restraining order in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas to prevent the release of the personal information of licensed Ohio education employees as kept by the Ohio Department of Education.
In its written public records request to the Ohio Department of Education, the Ohio Republican Party seeks the following:
“All contact information for teachers, principals and school support staff, whose records are retained in the licensure database of the Ohio Department of Education. This information should include full name, home mailing address, position or title, email address, home phone number, school at which they work and county and school district in which the school is located for both public and private educational institutions.”
If granted, the temporary restraining order will delay the release of this information until a court can rule on whether or not the release of such personal information is subject to disclosure under Ohio public records law.
“Our commitment to Ohio education employees is the compelling reason for our action today,” said OEA president Patricia Frost-Brooks. “The protection of members’ personal information is of utmost importance to OEA. It is our association’s position that such information is not a public record under Ohio law.”
Join the conversation @OhioEA and Like Us at OhioEducationAssociation
###
The Ohio Education Association (ohea.org) represents 121,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals in Ohio’s public schools, colleges and universities.
CONTACT: Michele Prater
614-227-3071; cell 614-378-0469, praterm@ohea.org
Faculty Groups Host Summit On Staffing Issues, Student Success
COLUMBUS — October 8, 2009 — Representatives from the Ohio Board of Regents, state lawmakers, college administrators and representatives from the three higher education faculty organizations held a summit Oct. 2 to discuss the connections between student success in Ohio’s colleges and universities, academic staffing needs and Gov. Ted Strickland’s 10-year plan for higher education in Ohio.
Faculty organizations of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, Ohio Education Association, the Ohio Conference of the American Association of University Professors support Gov. Ted Strickland’s comprehensive higher education plan and want to be active participants along with the Ohio Board of Regents in helping students, universities and the state thrive and grow. To that end, Summit participants agreed to create a working group to review current policies and practices, as well as seek ways to address the current academic staffing crisis—that is, the impact of steadily deteriorating faculty working conditions on the learning experience of students.
The working group seeks to improve the quality of higher education for Ohio’s college students by addressing staffing issues. For example, Ohio Board of Regents authorization guidelines mandate that at least 60 percent of college and university courses be taught by full-time faculty. Yet, that standard is not enforced.
Full-time faculty members often bring more experience to the teaching role which can improve student achievement. In addition, Full-time faculty are provided the resources and opportunity (office space and time to meet) to provide additional assistance to students where part-time faculty and adjuncts are not. However, some colleges and universities prefer to over-use part-time faculty and adjuncts because they can pay them less and provide fewer employment benefits. This trend does not benefit Ohio’s college students.
Solving the staffing crisis in higher education is critical to accomplishing Gov. Strickland’s goals of expanding access to an affordable college education, helping students stay in college and attain a degree. To help achieve these goals, the working group will look for strategies to ensure that both full- and part-time faculty members at Ohio’s colleges and universities receive the support they need to ensure the highest possible quality of education for all of Ohio’s students.
The groups look forward to working together on this important project, which is essential to maintaining Ohio’s world-class quality colleges and universities and keeping higher education within reach of all who have the desire and academic skills to attend.
Join the conversation @OhioEA and Like Us at OhioEducationAssociation
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The Ohio Education Association (ohea.org) represents 121,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals in Ohio’s public schools, colleges and universities.
CONTACT: Michele Prater
614-227-3071; cell 614-378-0469, praterm@ohea.org
Statement By Ohio Education Association Regarding State Budget Crisis
COLUMBUS — September 29, 2009 — Ohio Education Association President Patricia Frost-Brooks issued the following statement on the state budget crisis:
“The Ohio Department of Education has given us a sobering damage report on the Ohio Supreme Court’s decision on video lottery terminals. Not only do we risk losing $851 million in state aid to schools, but Ohio could lose billions more by becoming ineligible for federal stimulus dollars. Ohio schools could face immediate cutbacks that actually get worse next school year. OEA called upon legislative leaders to meet quickly in order to resolve this situation in a way that protects public education, as Governor Strickland has pledged to do. Local school districts and Ohio colleges and universities cannot live with the uncertainty of up to $2.3 billion in cuts in state funding. Nor can the state of Ohio turn the corner economically without a strong commitment to public education as a bridge to the careers and industries of the future.”
Join the conversation @OhioEA and Like Us at OhioEducationAssociation
###
The Ohio Education Association (ohea.org) represents 121,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals in Ohio’s public schools, colleges and universities.
CONTACT: Michele Prater
614-227-3071; cell 614-378-0469, praterm@ohea.org
OEA Reaction To Strickland Scenarios For Balancing Budget
COLLUMBUS — September 9, 2009 — Ohio Education Association President Patricia Frost-Brooks issued the following statement regarding Governor Strickland’s budget news conference:
“The Ohio Education Association commends Governor Ted Strickland for his proposal to resolve Ohio’s budget crisis. Thoughtful leaders have to make difficult decisions. OEA calls upon legislative leaders to support Governor Strickland’s recommendation to postpone the final phase of the income tax reduction.
“This option will preserve critical state and federal support of K-12 education reforms designed to move Ohio’s economy into the 21st century. Without this option, the loss of state and federal dollars will force Ohio schools to slash vital academic programs and services such as transportation, staffing, and student activities. Ohio cannot turn the corner economically without a strong commitment to public education as the bridge to the careers and industries of the future.”
Join the conversation @OhioEA and Like Us at OhioEducationAssociation
###
The Ohio Education Association (ohea.org) represents 121,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals in Ohio’s public schools, colleges and universities.
CONTACT: Michele Prater
614-227-3071; cell 614-378-0469, praterm@ohea.org
OEA Reaction To Strickland Scenarios For Balancing Budget
COLLUMBUS — September 9, 2009 — Ohio Education Association President Patricia Frost-Brooks issued the following statement regarding Governor Strickland’s budget news conference:
“The Ohio Education Association commends Governor Ted Strickland for his proposal to resolve Ohio’s budget crisis. Thoughtful leaders have to make difficult decisions. OEA calls upon legislative leaders to support Governor Strickland’s recommendation to postpone the final phase of the income tax reduction.
“This option will preserve critical state and federal support of K-12 education reforms designed to move Ohio’s economy into the 21st century. Without this option, the loss of state and federal dollars will force Ohio schools to slash vital academic programs and services such as transportation, staffing, and student activities. Ohio cannot turn the corner economically without a strong commitment to public education as the bridge to the careers and industries of the future.”
Join the conversation @OhioEA and Like Us at OhioEducationAssociation
###
The Ohio Education Association (ohea.org) represents 121,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals in Ohio’s public schools, colleges and universities.
CONTACT: Michele Prater
614-227-3071; cell 614-378-0469, praterm@ohea.org
OEA Applauds State Of Ohio In Joining The Partnership For 21st Century Skills
COLUMBUS — October 23, 2009 — The Ohio Education Association (OEA) applauds Ohio’s membership in the Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21), the leading national advocacy organization focused on integrating 21st century skills, such as critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills, into core subjects.
For teachers, incorporating 21st century skills into curriculum supports best pedagogical practices and allows teachers to redesign where and how students will be learning. It also offers welcome opportunities for meaningful professional learning and innovative leadership. “To compete for the jobs of the future, Ohio’s students must develop skills like critical thinking, problem solving, global awareness and understanding today’s communication and media environment,” said OEA President Patricia Frost-Brooks.
In a statement, Governor Ted Strickland noted that Ohio is committed to providing every student with the skills and knowledge that will help them succeed after graduation in a fast-moving world where jobs are constantly advancing. “It’s no secret that companies look for new employees who are innovative, think critically, and know how to solve complex problems,” Strickland said. “We’re preparing our students for the cutting-edge jobs of the modern economy.”
OEA agrees and will support this effort as educators work to update Ohio curriculum and teaching strategies through House Bill 1 reform initiatives, Frost-Brooks said.
Along with Governor Strickland and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Deborah Delisle, the initiative is supported by ranking members of Ohio’s House and Senate Education Committees, the state Board of Education of Ohio, the Ohio Board of Regents, the Ohio Education Association, the Ohio Federation of Teachers, the Buckeye Association of School Administrators, the Ohio Associations of Elementary and Secondary School Administrators, the Ohio STEM Learning Network, netTrekker, the KnowledgeWorks Foundation and others.
Join the conversation @OhioEA and Like Us at OhioEducationAssociation
###
The Ohio Education Association (ohea.org) represents 121,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals in Ohio’s public schools, colleges and universities.
CONTACT: Michele Prater
614-227-3071; cell 614-378-0469, praterm@ohea.org
Governor Strickland’s Appointment Of New SBOE Members
COLUMBUS — January 12, 2009 — Ohio Education Association President Patricia Frost-Brooks issued the following statement today commending Governor Strickland’s appointment of new State Board of Education members Dennis Reardon, Tracey Smith, Martha Harris and Danny Greene:
“Governor Strickland has made thoughtful choices in his appointment of new Ohio State Board of Education members. I am confident these four appointees are committed to high standards, believe in effective oversight and transparency, and will be strong public servants who will support and strengthen Ohio’s public education system for all Ohio students.
These individuals will bring strong backgrounds and diverse public education experience to the Board. They include former teachers, a former local school board member and a former education association executive. The Ohio Education Association will continue to support these new appointees and looks forward to working with them and the entire State Board of Education to provide great public schools for every child.”
Join the conversation @OhioEA and Like Us at OhioEducationAssociation
###
The Ohio Education Association (ohea.org) represents 121,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals in Ohio’s public schools, colleges and universities.
CONTACT: Michele Prater
614-227-3071; cell 614-378-0469, praterm@ohea.org