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Leave school decisions up to locals

Editorials

Lawmakers just can’t help themselves when presented with an opportunity to exert more control over local decisions. Among more recent examples is a provision in Ohio Senate Bill 311, which “Regards the operation of public and chartered nonpublic schools.” There is a lot in the bill — some good, some lawmakers seem to have been hoping no one would notice. So, while it makes sense to more closely monitor “cheating resources” such as organizations that advertise services “with the intention of assisting a learner to cheat,” that probably should not be lumped in with the ...

Attendance dashboard another tool for helping students

Editorials

It’s just common sense that students who are able to regularly attend school are more likely to perform at grade level in reading and math, and eventually graduate on time. But during the 2024-26 school year, approximately one-fourth of Ohio students were considered chronically absent (missing two or three days per month). Addressing such a challenge will require having the information to get a handle on each students’ situations. To that end, the state has unveiled an attendance dashboard that should give schools another tool in the effort. “The goal is to spot trouble early and ...

Living Democracy: Voting matters!

Local Columns

The United States Constitution opens with the famous words, “We the People,” which gives power to the voices of American citizens. In a Representative Democracy the people have the right to vote to let their elected officials know if they approve or disapprove of the job they have done over the past two, four or six years, or to vote for a new person to represent them. Now, is the season for “We the People” to vote! It is primary election time in Ohio. That means you must ask for a certain ballot when you go to vote, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, or Issues Only. A voter can ...

The Way I See It: Sweetgums: The tree that makes a point

Local Columns

When I was a child, my dad planted a sweetgum tree in our Florida backyard. The tree quickly grew in the sandy soil and became a great tree to climb. The many branches provided easy-to-reach “rungs” on which I could climb higher than the house. Decades later I had my own house in western ...

Program brings people back to work

Editorials

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows Ohio has approximately 278,000 job openings. Among the fields with greatest need for workers is manufacturing. But finding the right employees isn’t easy. The Ohio Manufacturing Workforce Blueprint reports there could be 35,000 manufacturing job openings per year in the state, through 2037. Employers are going to have to get more creative and open-minded — and be willing to take a chance. That’s where programs such as the Training Assessment Placement Project come in. According to a report by WBNS, the program helps justice-involved ...

Efforts to protect drinking water must continue

Editorials

Eight years ago, then-Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine filed a lawsuit against DuPont, which accused the company of knowingly releasing “forever chemicals” into the Ohio River. Though a settlement was reached back in 2023, DeWine was not able to announce distribution of the $65 million settlement until this week. This time as governor, he stood with state Environmental Protection Agency Director John Logue to talk about how the money would be distributed in Belmont, Gallia, Larence, Meigs, Morgan and Washington counties. The improvements that will be funded have been a long time ...