Dayton Daily News education reporter Scott Elliott writes about schools, kids, teaching and learning.
Home > Blogs > Get on the Bus > Archives > 2008 > October > 02 > Entry
AG candidates spar over charter lawsuits
The recent decision by a local judge rejecting a lawsuit seeking to close low scoring charter schools has become an issue in the race for attorney general.
Visiting with the Dayton Daily News editorial board today, Democrat Richard Cordray and Republican Mike Crites staked out opposing positions on the suits, which were initiated by now-disgraced, ex-attorney general Marc Dann.
To refresh your memory, Dann pursued suits against perpetually low scoring charters by claiming they had failed to serve their legal purpose as “charitable trusts” under state law by failing to educate kids. A Montgomery County Common Pleas Court judge rejected that argument and dismissed one of the suits locally. Interim Attorney General Susan Rogers is considering an appeal.
Crites was very clear — he felt these suits were frivolous and would drop them if he were elected. Cordray said just the opposite. He believes the suits have merit and would appeal the case.
So for charter school supporters and opponents, their positions on this high stakes case gives a pretty good signal what sorts of directions these two candidates would go with regard to charter schools.
Stay tuned.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Charter Schools and School Choice
Comments
By School Supporter
October 2, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
Let’s see: The Ohio Education Association (teacher’s union) collects contributions from teachers by claiming their PAC cares for children. That money is used to support 1. an unqualified candidate for Attorney General who initiates a harassment campaign against charter schools in an opponent’s district (thus becoming a “friend of education”) 2. a governor who doesn’t believe the tests which form the basis of that AG’s complaint are valid or meaningful and 3. a replacement attorney general who doesn’t notice that teachers have been scammed to finance a campaign to obstruct human rights. Clearly what we need is an attorney general who will require educators to fulfill their obligation to promote the principals of democracy and ethics. Let the Democrats appeal and continue the harassment. Governor Strickland’s deposition will be an entertaining read likely to end his career in politics.By Oldprof
October 2, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this
Let’s see: two attorneys running for public office take their parties’ lines. What did they say in journalism school about “dog bites man”?