Ohio Supreme Court
Now is the moment to fully and fairly fund Ohio’s schools
For decades, Ohio’s legislature has spun its wheels trying to “fix” our public schools. They’ve increased standardized testing, based decisions off a school report card system that fails to measure if we are meeting our students’ needs, and finally, when schools or districts fall short on these arbitrary metrics, legislators have harmed them even more […]
Supreme Court to hear case of woman charged with possession after newborn tests positive
The Ohio Supreme Court is taking up a case in which a woman was convicted of drug possession, but the only drugs she possessed were in her blood system and the blood system of her newborn. Kelly Foreman was charged in Seneca County on felony drug possession charges “despite the fact that she was never […]
ECOT argues school board’s say isn’t final in Ohio Supreme Court repayment lawsuit
Arguments about the Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow have been going in multiple legal filings, and the latest debate is in the Ohio Supreme Court, who has been tasked with how to interpret the word “final.” ECOT is fighting a decision by the Ohio Department of Education that said it owed about $80 million over two […]
Bills seek party labels on ballots for Ohio Supreme Court
When voters cast their ballots for the Ohio Supreme Court, the justice candidates are not labeled by party affiliation. That could change if a new bill proposed by a pair of Northern Ohio Republicans is successfully enacted. Senate Bill 80, introduced by Republican state Sens. Theresa Gavarone of Bowling Green and Jerry Cirino of Kirtland, […]
Honoring Black history and fighting for the future of education
On Feb. 1, as Black History Month began in Ohio’s classrooms and virtual classrooms, Gov. Mike DeWine unveiled his proposed budget for the next two years, which continues the education funding policies that systematically underfund public schools that educate Black students and even shift some of that funding away toward unaccountable, for-profit private schools. Black […]
State Supreme Court to decide on limits to Marsy’s Law
A law establishing the rights of crime victims will go before the Ohio Supreme Court this month to decide whether those rights have limits, particularly in a court room. The state’s highest court will hear oral arguments in a case in which a man convicted of kidnapping and rape and sentenced to 10 years in […]
Walters elected new chair of Ohio Democratic Party
Elizabeth Walters, a member at-large of the Summit County Council, was elected the new chair of the Ohio Democratic Party. Walters is the first woman ever to lead the state party. She replaces David Pepper, who stepped down after six years as chairman at the end of 2020. Andre Washington, the president of the Ohio […]
Ohio Supreme Court hears arguments in armed teachers case
The issue of whether or not school districts should be allowed to determine firearms policies and the level of training needed comes down to grammar and the English language, according to attorneys who argued the case before the Ohio Supreme Court on Tuesday. The state’s highest court heard arguments in a lawsuit regarding a Butler […]
Ohio Supreme Court starts new year with armed teacher lawsuit
One of the first cases the Ohio Supreme Court will consider in 2021 will regard firearms policies authorized by school districts. The case comes from Butler County, and was also the subject of legislation that failed to pass in the waning hours of the last General Assembly. The state’s highest court plans to hear oral […]
House Speaker’s office requests resolution be drafted to expel member
The office of Ohio House Speaker Bob Cupp has sought a resolution be drafted to expel a member of the state legislature. Though the request does not identify the member in question, this may mark the first step taken to remove from office Rep. Larry Householder, R-Glenford, the former House speaker who was arrested last […]
Judge who ordered men not to procreate for failure to pay child support: ‘It seemed like a common sense approach’
London Chapman was convicted of multiple counts of failing to pay child support in Lorain County. In a separate case, Lee Anderson pleaded guilty to his own counts of nonsupport of dependents. The sentences included probation, alcohol and drug screenings, restitution and requirements to obtain employment. “In addition, the court ordered Chapman ‘to make all […]
Education overhaul’s fate uncertain as lame duck nears end
After years of work, an education overhaul bill that would have addressed the state’s public school funding formula could be put on hold yet again as the lame duck session comes to an end. It doesn’t help that House Bill 305’s two sponsors are both out due to positive COVID-19 tests. State Rep. John Patterson, […]