Duane Tron re: Creating an 'education czar'

From Duane Tron, March 15, 2008

Subject: A little more Strickland/Zelman

This is more proof of my contention that there isn't a dime's difference between Republicans and Democrats any longer in this country. They are all into this power and control thing and it isn't about what's best for the people or children. The idea of creating an education czar is outlandish, outrageous and unacceptable. We have the Republican leadership pushing for the privatization of our public schools with their ignorant and arrogant charter school scheme. They want to destroy public education which made this country great and replace it with a bunch of sleazy charter schools run by a bunch of money grubbing political hacks.

Now we have a Democrat governor who wants to take away local control of schools and replace it with an even more ridiculous educational bureaucracy that HE will control. The Democrats want to create an education czar who is appointed by, controlled by, and run by a partisan elected governor. What happens when the state elects another Republican governor, which will happen sooner than later if Strickland keeps pursuing these kinds of programs and policies? We just unloaded one ignorant and incompetent governor and it looks like we have replaced him with another.

They each bring their partisan garbage to the Capitol and try and shove it down the throats of the 'good' people of Ohio. This is precisely why Ohio is in the mess we find ourselves. We need leaders who are going to operate from the position of what's in the best interest of our citizens and not this personal power and control crap we have had to deal with from both sides of the aisle. I don't know who's advising Strickland in this matter but this maneuver will initiate the proverbial political kiss of death for him in the long term. The people of Ohio will NOT buy into this plan and they have made it abundantly clear in recent weeks.

This is precisely why I continue to argue for the creation of a new third party in this country that will represent the interests of political moderates like myself and not the radical power and control mongering interests. We need leaders who will work for the best interests of the people and stop the out-of-control lobbying interests. We need leaders who are not into power and control issues, but represent the ideals of healing and reconciliation, and fixing the problems plaguing Americans. If we don't reclaim this country soon it isn't going to be worth reclaiming. My take for what it's worth!

Duane Tron

It's governor vs. schools czar

Strickland not seeking ouster of education chief he blasted; she defends self, won't quit

Saturday, March 15, 2008
By Catherine Candisky and Mark Niquette
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Photos: Gov. Ted Strickland, Supt. Susan T. Zelman

Despite criticizing the state's schools superintendent as a bad manager and a poor leader, Gov. Ted Strickland is not seeking to have her replaced.

And Superintendent Susan T. Zelman said yesterday she's not going anywhere.

The governor has no direct control over Zelman's job. But he made it publicly clear in an uncharacteristically harsh attack this week that Zelman no longer enjoys his support.

"She's not a leader, she's not an advocate, she's not a good manager," the governor told the editorial board of the Cincinnati Enquirer on Wednesday.

"She's an academician, a psychometrician, a statistician. But she's not an Eric Fingerhut, a visionary leader," the governor said, referring to his handpicked chancellor of higher education.

Strickland was not available yesterday to comment. But spokesman Keith Dailey said the governor is not calling for Zelman to resign or be replaced by the Ohio Board of Education, which appoints the superintendent.

Instead, the governor is focused on his plan to have the General Assembly create a state director of education who answers to the governor -- with the superintendent becoming more of an adviser, Dailey said.

Zelman said yesterday she doesn't plan to resign, and she defended her record.

"The governor's comments come as a surprise. I'm sorry he feels that way," said Zelman, the highest-paid state department chief, earning $217,838 a year.

"Ohio's education record speaks for itself. We have clear and compelling evidence of achieving results. Ten years ago, Ohio's education system was ranked in the middle of the pack; today we are seventh in the nation. Our students score above the national average on math and reading assessments. Our standards and accountability system have received the highest grade nationally."

State education board President Jennifer Sheets called the governor's attack on Zelman "outrageous" and designed to advance his plan to take over the Department of Education.

"He wants to be in control, and he's wanted that from the very beginning (since coming into office in January 2007). He didn't get quite the support he thought he would, and now he's attacking the superintendent," Sheets said.

Senate President Bill M. Harris, R-Ashland, "isn't quite sure where the governor is coming from," said spokeswoman Maggie Ostrowski. "Is this about one person, or is this about the governing structure of the Ohio Department of Education?"

Senate Minority Leader Ray Miller, D-Columbus, said that Zelman has a tough job, dealing with an "entrenched bureaucracy" at the department and in 600-plus school districts.

"That requires a person with excellent skills, not just knowledge of education and the needs of children, but leadership that moves systems," he said.

Asked if Zelman is a person with those skills, Miller said: "No, she has not been the person with those skills. Absolutely not."

Rep. Jay Hottinger, R-Newark, chairman of the House Finance Committee, said that although he often disagrees with Zelman, he doesn't question her abilities or professionalism.

"I was very surprised by (Strickland's) tone and tenor, and the fact that it seemed to get personal. That's unfortunate," Hottinger said. "I think it may be difficult for the two of them to work in a collaborative manner."

Zelman is appointed by the state board, consisting of 11 elected members and eight appointed by the governor's office. Strickland will have an opportunity to appoint four members at the end of this year, and five incumbents are on the November ballot.

Strickland and Zelman, both Democrats, haven't always been at odds. Publicly, the governor was complimentary of Zelman until last month, when in his State of the State address he proposed creating a cabinet-level education director. The move would give Strickland direct control of the Department of Education and minimize the authority of Zelman and the state board.

Asked in July whether he had confidence in Zelman and the state board, Strickland said she "has the skills to be a superb leader of elementary and secondary education in Ohio."

Since unveiling his proposal in February, Strickland has been increasingly critical of Zelman and the department.

Strickland had earlier said that when he asked all state agencies to identify potential budget cuts without affecting critical services, he got cooperation from all but the Education Department.

As Sheets and others note, making Zelman look bad could help Strickland persuade Republican legislative leaders to go along with his plan. They've been cool to the proposal.

Dispatch reporter Jim Siegel contributed to this story.

ccandisky@dispatch.com

mniquette@dispatch.com