FROM BUCKEYES TO BUCKLE UNDER DEFUNDED OHIO PUBLIC SCHOOLS TAKE A DIVE IN ED RANKINGS
Remember the good old days when Ohio public schools were considered some of the best in America? Yeah, me neither. It seems like just yesterday when our state was known for its stellar education system, but now we're no better than those red states that everyone loves to make fun of. How did we get here? Well, it's a long and hilarious story.
According to a report from Policy Matters Ohio, our beloved Buckeye State has been defunding public schools left and right. And let me tell you, the impact has been...well, let's just say it's been less than ideal. Especially for those poor rural counties that have been hit the hardest. It's like they say, "You can take the funding away from the schools, but you can't take away the laughter from the children's faces." Okay, maybe nobody actually says that, but you get the point.
But wait, there's more! Not only are we slashing funding for public schools, but we're also handing out private school vouchers like they're candy on Halloween. You get a voucher! And you get a voucher! Everybody gets a voucher! It's like Oprah's "Favorite Things" episode, but instead of giving away cars and trips to exotic locations, we're giving away the opportunity for some lucky students to escape our failing public education system. Hooray!
Now, I know what you're thinking. "But Ohio ranks 21st in a U.S. News & World Report on K-12 education! That's not so bad, right?" Wrong! Dead wrong! We may be 21st overall, but when it comes to equitable distribution of education funding, we're a dismal 46th. It's like being the star of a B-list movie. Sure, you're technically famous, but nobody really cares.
So what can we do to fix this mess? Well, according to the report, we need a world-class education for Ohio students. That means safe and well-resourced schools with well-trained and fairly paid teachers. I mean, is that really too much to ask? We can put a man on the moon, but we can't give our kids a decent education? Come on, Ohio!
But fear not, my fellow Buckeyes! There is hope on the horizon. The report provides some policy recommendations that could make our schools better places to learn, grow, teach, and work. All we need is for our fearless leaders in Columbus to actually take action. I know, I know. It sounds like a long shot. But hey, stranger things have happened. Like that time we elected a reality TV star as president. Anything is possible!
In the meantime, let's try to find some humor in this situation. After all, laughter is the best medicine. So go ahead and laugh at the absurdity of it all. Laugh at the fact that our state has gone from being a shining example of educational excellence to just another punchline in the national joke. Laugh until your sides hurt and tears stream down your face. And then maybe, just maybe, we'll find the motivation to fight for change.
Because at the end of the day, our kids deserve better. They deserve an education that prepares them for the future. They deserve teachers who are passionate and well-compensated for their hard work. They deserve schools that are safe and well-funded. And most importantly, they deserve a state that values their education above all else.
So let's come together, Ohio. Let's demand better for our children. Let's fight for a brighter future. And let's never stop laughing along the way. Because if we can't find humor in this mess, then what do we have left?
In conclusion, Ohio's public schools may be struggling right now, but we won't let that dampen our spirits. We'll keep fighting for change and laughing in the face of adversity. And who knows? Maybe one day we'll look back on this moment and laugh even harder. Until then, stay funny, Ohio!
CHARTER SCHOOLS THE DODO BIRDS OF SCHOOLS CONTINUE TO LEAVE A NASTY TASTE IN EVERYONE'S MOUTH
Another day, another charter school scandal. It seems like every time you turn around, there's another story about how charter schools are screwing over parents, students, and the community at large. And yet, somehow, we're still surprised when we hear about it. It's like watching a horror movie and being shocked when the killer jumps out from behind the door. We know it's coming, but we can't help but be scared anyway.
Take the case of John Zitzner, founder of Breakthrough Charter Schools in Cleveland, Ohio. Zitzner was recently arrested and charged with engaging in prostitution as part of a statewide human trafficking operation. And while we don't condone his actions, we have to admit that we're not entirely surprised. After all, when you hear about a charter school scandal, it's usually something pretty bad.
The problem with charter schools is that they lack accountability. Sure, they receive funding from the government, but they're not subject to the same regulations as public schools. And while some charter schools are doing great work and providing a valuable alternative to traditional public schools, others are run by greedy and dangerous individuals who care more about making a profit than educating our children.
The U.S. Department of Education has requested and received $440 million from Congress for the CSP grant every fiscal year, yet 14% of charter schools that received CSP State awards closed or never opened between fiscal years 2006 and 2020. That's a lot of taxpayer money going down the drain. Congress needs to take a closer look at how these schools are being run and put more regulations in place to ensure that our money is being spent appropriately.
But it's not just a matter of government oversight. Parents also need to do their homework before sending their children to a charter school. Just because it's a charter school doesn't mean it's automatically better than a public school. In fact, some charter schools are worse than their public counterparts.
Take Utah's Spectrum Academy, for example. This charter school for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders was recently federally investigated for violating civil rights concerns. The investigation found that the school repeatedly used restraint and seclusion practices on its students, which violated Section 504 of Title II of the Civil Rights Act. This is not okay. Our children deserve better than this.
Thankfully, Spectrum Academy has agreed to implement significant changes to its policies, procedures, and training requirements, and provide individual remedies for students who experienced restraint during that time. But this shouldn't have happened in the first place.
The Network for Public Education has updated their Another Day Another Charter Scandal page with a sorting feature that categorizes charter school scandals by state and 12 different categories. The list includes recent scandals from various states such as Michigan, Arizona, and Pennsylvania. Among the issues are financial mismanagement, fraudulent activities, enrollment disputes, and retaliation against whistleblowers.
It's enough to make you want to pull your hair out. But we can't give up hope. We need to keep fighting for our children's education and demanding accountability from charter schools. And in the meantime, we can at least find some humor in the absurdity of it all. After all, if we don't laugh, we'll cry.
Welcome to the Satanic Temple, where we believe in individual liberties, secularism, and the right to not be physically or psychologically abused. And let's be honest, who doesn't love a good Satanic ritual every now and then?
But in all seriousness, we have launched the Protect Children Project, which aims to provide students with a legal way to exempt themselves from abusive treatment in schools. We believe that no child should be subjected to corporal punishment, seclusion, restraint, or denial of bathroom access by school officials who violate their religious beliefs in bodily autonomy. And yes, we do consider bodily autonomy a religious belief. Don't question it.
Our project asserts that students who are members of The Satanic Temple, or any other students who share our religious beliefs, have civil rights that are being violated by school officials. And we're not just talking about a few isolated incidents here. The use of physical restraints and solitary confinement as a means of discipline in schools is abusive, and unfortunately, the number of incidents keeps rising.
But don't worry, we're not just here to complain about the problem. We're actually doing something about it. We're providing students with a "Student Rights Card" that legally exempts them from abusive treatment. And if anyone tries to mess with them, they can just whip out their card and say "sorry, can't touch this."
Now, you may be wondering why we're so invested in protecting children's rights. Well, let's just say that we have a soft spot for the little ones. Plus, we believe that compassion and empathy are fundamental tenets of our religion. So yeah, we're not just a bunch of evil Satan worshippers. We actually care about people. Who knew?
In addition to our Protect Children Project, we're also operating After School Satan Clubs in school districts where the evangelical Good News Clubs are already present. We aim to offer a contrasting balance to the students' extracurricular activities and promote plurality and true religious liberty. The Good News Clubs teach children sin, obedience, punishment, and hell, and strive to train children to evangelize to other children. The Satanic Temple's After School Satan Clubs, on the other hand, emphasize a scientific, rationalist, non-superstitious world view through games, projects, and thinking exercises.
And before you start freaking out about us brainwashing your children with our Satanic propaganda, let us assure you that our volunteers are selected for their professionalism, social responsibility, and superior communication skills. They have also passed a comprehensive criminal background check and received After School Satan Club training. So yeah, we're not just letting any old devil worshipper hang out with your kids.
But our advocacy doesn't stop there. We're also fighting for reproductive rights, protecting mental health patients, promoting self-directed education through the After School Satan Club, offering a Satanic approach to addiction recovery, promoting pluralism and fighting for religious liberty, collaborating with congregations to provide community works events, and providing post-secondary students with the opportunity to advocate for Satanic representation on their campuses.
And if you're still not convinced that we're not a bunch of evil Satan worshippers who want to destroy the world (spoiler alert: we're not), let's talk about Alabama's public schools. Did you know that teachers are still allowed to use corporal punishment in the form of paddling as a means of discipline? Yeah, you read that right. Paddling. In 2023.
And it's not just a few isolated incidents either. Around 40,000 children were paddled last school year alone. And while the state passed legislation in 1995 allowing such punishment, there are concerns that teachers may be using excessive force. One mother even reported bruises on her 7-year-old son's behind after he was paddled for picking his nose in class. Seriously? Picking his nose?
The state Board of Education defends the use of paddling as a tool to help ensure a good classroom experience. But let's be real here. There are plenty of other ways to ensure a good classroom experience that don't involve physical violence. Like maybe actually teaching your students something useful?
So yeah, that's what we're up against. But we're not giving up anytime soon. We'll keep fighting for children's rights, religious liberty, and a world where paddling is just something you do in a canoe.
In conclusion, if you're looking for a fun-loving group of Satan worshippers who actually care about people (shocking, we know), then look no further than the Satanic Temple. We may be a little unconventional, but hey, who wants to be conventional anyway? Join us today and let's make the world a better place (and maybe sacrifice a goat or two along the way).
HISD MEATAXE MIKE MILES CUTS CURRICULUM DEPARTMENT THEN FINDS "PORN" IN SCRIPTED LESSONS
Oh, boy! Have you heard the latest news from the Houston Independent School
District (HISD)? It's a real doozy, folks! Apparently, there's been a bit of
a scandal involving an eighth-grade reading assignment. And let me tell you,
it's a doozy!
So, here's the lowdown. The assignment in question contained some mature
content. We're talking about a passage from none other than the legendary
Maya Angelou herself. Now, normally, that would be cause for celebration.
Maya Angelou is a literary icon, after all. But this particular passage
depicted a scene between a man and a woman in a hotel room. And guess what?
It included references to drinking whiskey and passion. Whiskey and passion,
people! In an eighth-grade reading assignment! Can you believe it?
Naturally, the district was quick to respond. They discovered the
inappropriate material before it was distributed, thank goodness. But here's
the kicker: the Houston Federation of Teachers Union offered their help to
the district, and they said no! Can you believe it? The teachers union,
trying to lend a hand, and they turned them down. Talk about a missed
opportunity!
Now, the poor teachers are left to pick up the pieces. They have to spend
their valuable time reviewing, correcting, and rewriting materials to ensure
that students get accurate and appropriate resources. I mean, come on! These
teachers have enough on their plates already. They don't need this added
stress.
But fear not, my friends! The HISD has taken some action. They've hired 25
out of the 32 teachers needed to review lesson plans. Progress, right? And
they're even launching opportunities for teachers to partner with district
leaders and provide feedback to make their curriculum stronger. Well, it's
about time!
But let's not forget who's ultimately to blame for this whole mess. That's
right, folks. It's none other than Superintendent Mike Miles. I mean,
seriously, Mike? Cutting the curriculum department? What were you thinking?
Maybe old MeatAxe Mike should change his name to Magic Mike because he sure
knows how to make things disappear!
But in all seriousness, it's good to see that steps are being taken to
rectify this situation. Our students deserve the best education possible,
and that means having access to appropriate and engaging materials. So let's
hope that the HISD can learn from this incident and ensure that it never
happens again.
In the meantime, let's give a round of applause to those hardworking
teachers who are going above and beyond to make sure our kids get the
education they deserve. They're the real heroes in this story. And Maya
Angelou? Well, she'll always be a literary legend, even if her work
occasionally finds its way into eighth-grade classrooms.
So there you have it, folks. The scandal that rocked the HISD. Whiskey,
passion, and a whole lot of drama. Who said education was boring?
BILLIONAIRES CELEBRATE DEFUNDING PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND CRUSHING TEACHERS SPIRITS
Attention all billionaires! Are you tired of public education being accessible to the masses? Sick of teachers having livable wages and benefits? Well, have no fear, the Billionaires Playbook for Destroying Public Education is here!
First on the agenda, defund schools. Why waste money on educating the youth when you could be using it to buy another yacht? It's simple economics, really. Plus, think of all the tax breaks you'll get for donating to private schools instead.
Next up, tell teachers they must take a vow of poverty to teach in America. Who needs money when you have the satisfaction of molding young minds? Plus, if they're poor, they won't be able to afford to unionize and demand higher wages. It's a win-win!
But wait, there's more! According to a new report by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), teachers are already making 26% less in income than other professionals with similar education levels. Let's make that gap even wider! The report even refers to it as a "pay penalty" for teachers. Ha! Who needs fair wages when you have the joy of grading papers and dealing with unruly students?
And let's not forget about those pesky right-wing groups attacking teachers. We can't have them advocating for better working conditions and wages. So, let's just make it impossible for them to do so by making sure they're too poor to even consider it.
But wait, there's even more! The report also found that the pay penalty for women teachers has widened since the mid-1990s to reach 21.3% this year, while the pay gap for men teachers was 36.6%. We can't have equality in education AND in pay, now can we? Let's keep those women and men in their place.
And as an added bonus, fewer college graduates will choose teaching as a career. Who needs educated and passionate teachers when you can have underpaid and overworked ones?
But don't worry, billionaires, we've got your back. With our playbook, you'll be able to destroy public education and ensure that only the elite have access to quality education. Just remember, money talks and education walks.
EXCERPTS FROM THE BILLIONAIRES PLAYBOOK:
First things first, we need to make sure that schools are severely underfunded. After all, how can teachers do their jobs properly if they don't have the resources they need? And don't worry about the students. They'll figure it out. Or they won't. Who cares?
Next up, we need to make sure that teachers are paid as little as possible. After all, why pay someone a decent wage when you can just exploit their passion for teaching? And if they complain about their low pay, just tell them to take a vow of poverty. It's not like they became teachers to make money or anything.
Ah, the 'Pay Penalty'. This is one of our favorite tactics. Basically, we make sure that teachers are paid significantly less than other similarly educated professionals. That way, people who are smart enough to become doctors or lawyers won't even consider teaching as a career option. Brilliant, right?
Let's face it, education is overrated. Who needs critical thinking skills or the ability to read and write when you can just throw money at a problem? And if students struggle in school, well, that's their problem. We'll just blame it on their lack of motivation or intelligence.
After years of defunding schools, exploiting teachers, and ignoring students, public education is in shambles. But don't worry, fellow billionaires. We've won again. And the best part? We didn't even have to lift a finger.
Teacher ‘Pay Penalty’ Reaches Record High | NEA https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/teacher-pay-penalty-reaches-record-high
OHIO EDUCATION: FROM A.B.C.S TO MAGA-ZED - THE ALPHABET SOUP OF CHAOS
(AKA FLAMING VOUCHERS)
Ohio's education system has become the center of attention, and it's not
because they've discovered a new way to teach math that actually makes
sense. No, it's because Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has passed a bill that is
hell-bent on destroying the public school system. And, let's be honest, who
needs an educated populace anyway? Ignorance is bliss, right?
The bill, known as HB 33, is part of the state's budget bill, and it's
causing quite a stir. The policy would transfer much of the power from the
Board of Education, which includes publicly elected officials, to a
governor-appointed director who would then appoint deputy directors. This
has caused seven board members to file a lawsuit against its enforcement,
claiming that it's unconstitutional.
But, let's be real, who needs democracy when you have a governor-appointed
director? It's not like the people of Ohio have any say in how their
education system is run. And who needs local control when you can have a
governor-appointed director? It's not like the people who actually live in
the community know what's best for their kids.
Opponents of the bill argue that it will undermine public education,
democracy, and local control in Ohio. They assert that the overhaul will
violate the state constitution, which grants the OSBE the authority to
supervise public education in Ohio. They also argue that the overhaul will
diminish the voice of voters, parents, teachers, and students in education
matters, and give too much power to the governor and business
interests.
But who needs voters, parents, teachers, and students when you can have the
governor and business interests making all the decisions? It's not like they
have any ulterior motives or anything.
The opponents of the bill fear that it will lead to more privatization,
standardization, testing, and inequity in Ohio's education system. But who
needs equity when you can have a two-tiered education system where only the
rich can afford to send their kids to private schools? It's not like
education is a right or anything.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that although a court order had delayed
a Republican-backed overhaul of the state's K-12 education system, part of
it would still take effect. A lawsuit challenging the overhaul argued that
it violated the constitution, and a court magistrate ordered a temporary
restraining order until a judge could decide to put it on hold
indefinitely.
But who needs courts when you have a governor-appointed director? It's not
like they'll be biased or anything.
DeWine stated that the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce would
replace the Ohio Department of Education, ensuring that necessary operations
such as school funding and approval of voucher applications would continue.
The new department would function despite the court order, DeWine added, but
his office would not take any affirmative action on major decisions still
pending, such as appointing a new director of the department.
But who needs checks and balances when you have a governor-appointed
director? It's not like they'll abuse their power or anything.
The law is currently facing a legal challenge in the Ohio Supreme Court. A
group of plaintiffs, including the Ohio Education Association and the League
of Women Voters, argue that the law is unconstitutional because it gives the
governor too much power over the state's education system. The Supreme Court
is expected to rule on the case in the coming months.
But who needs the Supreme Court when you have a governor-appointed
director? It's not like they'll be biased or anything.
In summary, Ohio's education system is being overhauled by a bunch of
right-wing goodies who are hell-bent on destroying public education. But who
needs public education when you can have privatization, standardization,
testing, and inequity? It's not like education is important or anything. And
who needs democracy when you can have a governor-appointed director? It's
not like the people of Ohio have any say in how their education system is
run.
So sit back, relax, and watch as Ohio's education system goes up in flames.
It's going to be a wild ride.
Ohio's GOP-backed K-12 education overhaul, signed into law by Governor
Mike DeWine in March 2023, is one of the most significant changes to the
state's education system in decades. The law makes a number of changes,
including:
* **Shifting oversight of the state education department from the elected
Ohio State Board of Education to a director appointed by the governor.**
The law also creates a new cabinet-level position of Secretary of
Education and Workforce Development, who will oversee the new education
department.
* **Giving the governor more power over the state's education
curriculum.** The law requires the governor to appoint a new State Board
of Education, which will be responsible for setting academic standards.
The law also gives the governor the power to veto any changes to the
state's curriculum.
* **Expanding school choice options for families.** The law creates a new
scholarship program that will allow students to attend private schools
using public funds. The law also expands the state's existing voucher
program and makes it easier for charter schools to open.
* **Requiring teachers to undergo more training on topics such as civics
and social justice.** The law also requires teachers to post their lesson
plans online and to allow parents to opt their children out of lessons
that they find objectionable.
The law has been met with mixed reactions from education stakeholders.
Supporters of the law argue that it will give parents more control over
their children's education and improve the quality of education in Ohio.
Opponents of the law argue that it will give the governor too much control
over the state's education system and that it will harm public
schools.
The law is currently facing a legal challenge in the Ohio Supreme Court. A
group of plaintiffs, including the Ohio Education Association and the League
of Women Voters, argue that the law is unconstitutional because it gives the
governor too much power over the state's education system. The Supreme Court
is expected to rule on the case in the coming months.
Regardless of the outcome of the legal challenge, the Ohio's GOP-backed
K-12 education overhaul is a significant change to the state's education
system. The law is likely to have a major impact on students, parents,
teachers, and administrators across Ohio.
In addition to the changes listed above, the law also includes a number of
other provisions, such as:
* **Creating a new accountability system for schools.** The law requires
the state to develop a new system for measuring school performance. The
system will take into account factors such as student test scores,
graduation rates, and chronic absenteeism.
* **Providing more funding for early childhood education.** The law
increases funding for Ohio's Early Head Start program, which provides
early childhood education services to low-income families.
* **Expanding access to mental health services for students.** The law
requires schools to provide mental health assessments to students who are
struggling academically or behaviorally. The law also provides funding for
schools to hire more mental health counselors and social workers.
The law is still in its early stages of implementation, so it is too early
to say what its long-term impact will be. However, the law has the potential
to significantly change the way that education is delivered in Ohio.
FROM BING AI
Ohio's GOP-backed K-12 education overhaul is a controversial
legislation that aims to restructure the state's education system and
create a new department of education and workforce. The overhaul was
passed as part of the state budget in June 2023 and was supposed to take
effect on October 1, 2023. However, a lawsuit filed by seven Ohio State
Board of Education members and some parents challenged the
constitutionality of the overhaul and sought to block its
implementation. A county judge issued a temporary restraining order on
September 21, 2023, halting the overhaul until further notice.
The main features of the overhaul are:
- It abolishes the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) and replaces it
with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW), which will be
headed by a director appointed by the governor and confirmed by the
Senate. The director will have broad powers over the state's education
policies, standards, assessments, funding, and accountability.
- It reduces the size and role of the Ohio State Board of Education
(OSBE), which is currently composed of 19 members, 11 elected and eight
appointed by the governor. The overhaul reduces the number of elected
members to five, one from each congressional district, and eliminates the
appointed members. The OSBE will no longer have authority over the state
superintendent of public instruction, who will be appointed by the DEW
director. The OSBE will also lose its oversight over charter schools,
vouchers, and other education programs.
- It creates a new Ohio Commission on Student Success (OCSS), which will
consist of 15 members appointed by the governor, legislative leaders, and
business groups. The OCSS will advise the DEW director on various
education issues, such as curriculum, graduation requirements, career
pathways, workforce development, and data collection.
The proponents of the overhaul argue that it will bring more efficiency,
accountability, and innovation to Ohio's education system, which they say is
failing to meet the needs of students and employers in the 21st century.
They claim that the overhaul will streamline the bureaucracy, reduce
political interference, align education with workforce demands, and empower
local districts and schools to make decisions that best suit their
communities.
The opponents of the overhaul contend that it will undermine public
education, democracy, and local control in Ohio. They assert that the
overhaul will violate the state constitution, which grants the OSBE the
authority to supervise public education in Ohio. They also argue that the
overhaul will diminish the voice of voters, parents, teachers, and students
in education matters, and give too much power to the governor and business
interests. They fear that the overhaul will lead to more privatization,
standardization, testing, and inequity in Ohio's education system.
Bing, 10/3/2023
(1) Part of Ohio’s GOP-backed K-12 education overhaul will take effect
despite court order.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/part-of-ohios-gop-backed-k-12-education-overhaul-will-take-effect-despite-court-order/ar-AA1hBj0k.
(3) Overhaul of Ohio's K-12 Education System Is Unconstitutional, New
Lawsuit Says.
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/ohio/articles/2023-09-19/overhaul-of-ohios-k-12-education-system-is-unconstitutional-new-lawsuit-says.
(4) Part of Ohio's GOP-Backed K-12 Education Overhaul Will Take Effect
....
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/ohio/articles/2023-10-02/part-of-ohios-gop-backed-k-12-education-overhaul-will-take-effect-despite-court-order.
(5) Part of Ohio's GOP-backed K-12 education overhaul will take effect
....
https://apnews.com/article/ohio-education-state-board-overhaul-lawsuit-8c31c3714d122490c8f1bd2a4891aa84.
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING TURNS INTO JERRY SPRINGER EPISODE THANKS TO KAREN
It's a tale as old as time: you elect a Karen to the school board, and
suddenly you're knee-deep in restraining orders and court appearances. Such
is the case with Darbi "Karen" Boddy, a conservative member of the Lakota
school board who has caused quite the stir in her short time in
office.
Now, I know what you're thinking: "But wait, isn't 'Karen' just a
derogatory term for entitled white women who demand to speak to the
manager?" And while that may be true, it's also a fitting description for
Ms. Boddy, who seems to relish in causing drama and making outrageous
claims.
Let's start at the beginning. Ms. Boddy was elected to the Lakota school
board in 2021, along with fellow conservative Isaac Adi. From the get-go,
she made her presence known by spreading false and inflammatory claims about
the district's curriculum, diversity initiatives, and LGBTQ+ issues. It's
almost as if she was trying to stir up controversy for the sake of it.
In April 2022, Ms. Boddy took things to a whole new level when she posted a
typo on Facebook that led to a pornographic website. She claimed that
students were being exposed to inappropriate sexual materials at school,
which the district and other board members denied. Needless to say, this did
not go over well with her colleagues or the community at large.
The board censured Ms. Boddy and asked her to resign, but she refused. She
also faced backlash from parents and community members who called for her
removal. But that didn't stop her from attending a conference in Sarasota,
Florida, hosted by The Leadership Institute, a conservative organization
that trains conservatives on how to campaign, fundraise, and organize.
At the conference, Ms. Boddy allegedly embarrassed Mr. Adi and the Lakota
School District by making a scene in front of other attendees. She also
accused Mr. Adi of voting against her on LGBTQ+ issues and grabbed the
microphone from the stage to make her claims. Mr. Adi said he felt harassed
and threatened by Ms. Boddy and filed a civil protection order against her
in September 2023.
And that's where things really started to get interesting. A judge granted
the order, which barred Ms. Boddy from being within 500 feet of Mr. Adi or
contacting him. The order also prevented Ms. Boddy from attending any school
board meetings while Mr. Adi was present, effectively suspending her from
her duties as a board member.
But did that stop Ms. Boddy from trying to attend meetings? Of course not!
She filed an emergency motion to partially suspend the order so that she
could attend the board meetings. A judge granted the motion on September 29,
2023, but imposed strict conditions on Ms. Boddy's behavior.
It's almost like Ms. Boddy is a character straight out of a sitcom. She's
the wacky neighbor who always causes trouble but somehow manages to come out
on top. But in reality, her behavior is no laughing matter. She's wasting
taxpayer money on court appearances and causing unnecessary drama when she
should be working to improve the district.
In the end, it's clear that electing a Karen to the school board is never a
good idea. They may be entertaining at first, but their antics quickly
become tiresome and detrimental to the community they serve. Let's hope that
Lakota voters have learned their lesson and elect someone more competent
next time around.
Here is a summary of the controversy involving Lakota school board
member Darbi Boddy:
- Darbi Boddy is a conservative board member who was elected in 2021
along with Isaac Adi, another conservative candidate¹.
- Boddy has been accused of spreading false and inflammatory claims about
the district's curriculum, diversity initiatives, and LGBTQ+
issues¹²³.
- In April 2022, Boddy posted a typo on Facebook that led to a
pornographic website. She claimed that students were being exposed to
inappropriate sexual materials at school, which the district and other
board members denied⁴.
- The board censured Boddy and asked her to resign, but she refused. She
also faced backlash from parents and community members who called for her
removal⁴.
- In May 2022, Boddy attended a conference in Sarasota, Florida, hosted
by The Leadership Institute, a conservative organization that trains
conservatives on how to campaign, fundraise and organize¹.
- At the conference, Boddy allegedly embarrassed Adi and the Lakota
School District by making a scene in front of other attendees. She also
accused Adi of voting against her on LGBTQ+ issues and grabbed the
microphone from the stage to make her claims¹.
- Adi said he felt harassed and threatened by Boddy and filed a civil
protection order against her in September 2023. A judge granted the order,
which barred Boddy from being within 500 feet of Adi or contacting
him¹².
- The order also prevented Boddy from attending any school board meetings
while Adi was present, effectively suspending her from her duties as a
board member².
- Boddy filed an emergency motion to partially suspend the order so that
she could attend the board meetings. A judge granted the motion on
September 29, 2023, but imposed strict conditions on Boddy's
behavior².
- Boddy was also excluded from the new Lakota Community Diversity
Council, which was created in June 2023 to replace the district's
disbanded Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee³.
- The previous committee had a heated meeting in May 2023, where Boddy
accused the staff members of promoting terrorism for supporting the Black
Lives Matter movement and trying to indoctrinate children with Critical
Race Theory³.
- The other board members voted 4-1 to approve the new council without
Boddy's participation. They said they wanted to have more productive and
respectful conversations about diversity and inclusion in the
district³.
Bing, 10/3/2023
(1) Lakota School Board excludes controversial member in new diversity ....
https://www.wvxu.org/education/2023-06-05/lakota-school-board-diversity-council-darby-boddi.
(2) Darbi Boddy allowed to attend school board meetings despite civil ....
https://www.wvxu.org/education/2023-09-29/darbi-boddy-allowed-attend-school-board-meetings-civil-protection-order.
(3) Lakota School Board's Darbi Boddy receives civil protection order -
WVXU.
https://www.wvxu.org/education/2023-09-21/darbi-boddy-lakota-school-board-civil-protection-order.
(4) Lakota school board meets Monday after censuring member.
https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2022/05/09/lakota-school-board-meets-monday-after-censuring-member/9702399002/.
IT YOU AREN'T OUTRAGED YOU ARE NOT PAYING ATTENTION
THE PROBLEM WITH NO ACCOUNTABILITY CHARTER SCHOOL BULLSHIT
Charter schools have been in the news a lot lately, and not for good
reasons. They've been charged with fraud, embezzlement, mismanagement, and
child abuse. And now, to add insult to injury, one of the co-founders of
Breakthrough Charter Schools in Cleveland, Ohio has been arrested and
charged with engaging in prostitution as part of a statewide human
trafficking operation called "Operation Buyer's Remorse." I mean, come on!
When will Congress act to stop the no accountability of charter schools
instead of spending on scandal-riffic charter schools?
John Zitzner, the founder of Breakthrough Charter Schools, was among 160
people taken into custody from September 25-30. 149 suspects were charged
with engaging in prostitution, two charged with seeking to have sex with
minors, and six charged with promoting prostitution. Zitzner's case is being
handled through the Rocky River Municipal Court. The Ohio Attorney General's
Office said that Zitzner told task force members "he works in education at
Friend of Breakthrough Schools." Board Chair Jeff Berlin confirmed that
Zitzner worked for Friends of Breakthrough, a separate organization from the
schools, and did not work at any of the Breakthrough Schools.
But let's not focus solely on Zitzner. Let's talk about the bigger issue at
hand: the lack of accountability in charter schools. The U.S. Department of
Education has requested and received $440 million from Congress for the CSP
grant every fiscal year. That's a lot of money! And yet, 14 percent of
charter schools that received CSP State awards closed or never opened
between fiscal years 2006 and 2020. That's just 638 schools that received
about $152 million (8 percent) of the approximately $2 billion provided in
CSP State awards during that period. That's not so bad, right? Wrong!
Charter schools are supposed to be held accountable for their actions, but
time and time again we see instances where they are not. The lack of
oversight and regulation is alarming. It's like giving a teenager a credit
card with no limit and no consequences for their spending habits. They're
going to go wild! And that's exactly what we're seeing with charter
schools.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that all charter schools are bad. There
are some great ones out there that are doing amazing things for their
students. But the bad apples are spoiling the bunch. And until we start
holding these schools accountable for their actions, we're going to continue
to see scandals like the one involving John Zitzner.
So what can be done? Well, for starters, Congress needs to start taking a
closer look at how these schools are being run. They need to put more
regulations in place to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being spent
appropriately. They also need to hold these schools accountable for their
actions. If a school is found to be engaging in fraudulent or illegal
activities, they should be shut down immediately.
In addition, parents need to do their homework before sending their
children to a charter school. They need to research the school's history and
reputation. They need to talk to other parents and students who have
attended the school. And they need to ask tough questions about how the
school is being run and how their tax dollars are being spent.
In conclusion, the problem with no accountability charter school bullshit
needs to be addressed. We can't continue to turn a blind eye to the scandals
and illegal activities that are happening within these schools. It's time
for Congress to step up and start holding these schools accountable for
their actions. And it's time for parents to start doing their homework
before sending their children to a charter school. Let's make sure that
every child has access to a quality education, but let's do it in a way that
is transparent, accountable, and responsible.
THE BANALITY OF EVIL: TRUMP'S FOLLOWERS AND THE DANGERS OF BLIND OBEDIENCE
As we reflect on the events of January 6th, it's easy to label Trump's followers as red-eyed monsters, blindly following their leader into a violent insurrection. But the truth is much more banal and disturbing. These were ordinary Americans, blinded by their own prejudices and empowered by Trump's violent rhetoric.
The concept of the banality of evil, coined by philosopher Hannah Arendt (*see below), helps us understand how ordinary people can commit extraordinary acts of evil. Arendt witnessed this firsthand during the trial of Adolf Eichmann, a Nazi official responsible for organizing the deportation of millions of Jews to concentration camps. Eichmann was not a sadistic monster, but rather a "bureaucrat" who was more concerned with following orders than with the consequences of his actions.
Similarly, many of Trump's followers were not inherently evil, but rather ordinary people who were swept up in his dangerous rhetoric. They were told to "take action" and "stop the steal," and they obeyed without question. The Milgram experiment(*see below) showed us that ordinary people are capable of committing great evil if they are ordered to do so by an authority figure. Trump became that authority figure for his followers.
But we must not excuse their actions. Blind obedience is dangerous and can lead to horrific consequences. We must be willing to think critically about our actions and challenge authority when necessary. We must also be vigilant in defending our individual conscience and moral values.
President Joe Biden has warned that Trump is a threat to American democracy, and he is right. Trump's false message that the election was stolen and his efforts to pressure Congress and Vice President Pence to overturn the result led to the violent insurrection at the Capitol. Legal experts are split on whether Trump could face criminal liability for his role in these events, but testimony from rioters who felt directed to take part in illegal acts by his speech could inform a decision by prosecutors about whether to attempt to build a case.
The banality of evil is a reminder that we are all capable of doing terrible things, especially when we are placed in difficult or dangerous situations. It is important to be aware of this and to take steps to prevent ourselves from becoming perpetrators of evil. We must challenge authority when necessary, and we must stand up for what is right, even when it is difficult.
As we move forward as a nation, we must remember the lessons of the banality of evil. We must resist blind obedience and challenge authority when necessary. We must defend our individual conscience and moral values. And we must never forget the dangers of following a leader who seeks to divide us and incite violence.
The banality of evil is a term coined by the German-born American philosopher Hannah Arendt in her 1963 book *Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil*. Arendt used the term to describe the disturbing phenomenon of ordinary people committing extraordinary acts of evil.
Arendt's book is a report on the trial of Adolf Eichmann, a high-ranking Nazi official who was responsible for organizing the deportation of millions of Jews to concentration camps. Eichmann was captured in Argentina in 1960 and put on trial in Jerusalem in 1961. He was found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity and was executed in 1962.
Arendt attended the Eichmann trial and was struck by how ordinary Eichmann seemed. She described him as a "bureaucrat" who was more concerned with following orders and advancing his career than with the consequences of his actions. Eichmann was not a sadistic monster or a rabid anti-Semite, Arendt argued. Instead, he was a "banal person" who was capable of committing great evil because he was unable to think critically about his actions.
Arendt's concept of the banality of evil has been controversial, but it has also been influential. It has helped us to understand how ordinary people can become involved in atrocities, and it has challenged the idea that evil is always perpetrated by monsters.
The banality of evil is a reminder that we are all capable of evil, and that we must constantly be on guard against it. We must be willing to think critically about our actions and to challenge authority when necessary. We must also be willing to stand up for what is right, even when it is difficult.
Here are some examples of the banality of evil in the real world:
* Nazi soldiers who carried out the Holocaust were not all sadistic monsters. Many of them were ordinary people who were simply following orders.
* American soldiers who committed atrocities in the Vietnam War were often ordinary young men who had been drafted into the army and were trying to do their job.
* Police officers who use excessive force against civilians are often not bad people. They are simply making bad decisions in the heat of the moment.
The banality of evil is a reminder that we are all capable of doing terrible things, especially when we are placed in difficult or dangerous situations. It is important to be aware of this and to take steps to prevent ourselves from becoming perpetrators of evil.
Here are some things we can do to prevent the banality of evil:
* Think critically about our actions and the consequences of our choices.
* Challenge authority when necessary.
* Stand up for what is right, even when it is difficult.
* Be aware of the dangers of groupthink and conformity.
* Speak out against injustice and discrimination.
* Promote education and critical thinking skills.
The banality of evil is a serious problem, but it is one that we can overcome if we are vigilant and committed to doing what is right.
*The Milgram experiment was a series of psychology experiments conducted by Stanley Milgram at Yale University in the early 1960s. The experiment examined the willingness of ordinary people to obey the orders of an authority figure, even when those orders contradicted their own moral sense.
In the experiment, participants were told that they were participating in a study of learning and memory. They were instructed to administer a series of electric shocks to a learner (who was actually an actor) each time the learner made a mistake. The shocks were fake, but the participants believed that they were real.
As the experiment progressed, the shocks became increasingly severe. The learner screamed in pain and begged to be stopped. However, the experimenter (who was actually Milgram himself) continued to order the participants to administer the shocks.
Despite the obvious distress of the learner, a surprisingly large number of participants continued to obey the experimenter's orders. In fact, two-thirds of the participants went all the way to the end of the experiment and administered the maximum shock.
The Milgram experiment has been widely criticized for its ethical implications. However, it remains one of the most important and influential psychology experiments ever conducted. It has helped us to understand the power of obedience and the dangers of groupthink.
The Milgram experiment has had a number of important implications. It has shown that ordinary people are capable of committing great evil if they are ordered to do so by an authority figure. It has also shown that we are all susceptible to the power of groupthink and the desire to conform to the expectations of others.
The Milgram experiment is a reminder that we must always be on guard against the dangers of obedience and conformity. We must also be willing to think critically about our actions and to challenge authority when necessary.
Here are some of the lessons we can learn from the Milgram experiment:
* Ordinary people are capable of committing great evil if they are ordered to do so by an authority figure.
* We are all susceptible to the power of groupthink and the desire to conform to the expectations of others.
* We must be willing to think critically about our actions and to challenge authority when necessary.
* We must be vigilant in defending our individual conscience and our moral values.
The Milgram experiment is a powerful and disturbing reminder of the human capacity for evil. However, it is also a reminder that we have the power to resist evil and to choose the right thing to do, even when it is difficult.
