OSBA Leading the Way

n this episode, OSBA's Scott Gerfen interviews Tom Fladung, managing partner of Hennes Communications and a national expert in crisis communication. They discuss the challenges that school leaders face with the spread of misinformation and fake news and how it impacts public institutions, especially schools. Fladung shares real-world examples, the importance of maintaining a steady communication flow and best practices for building trust and credibility within school communities. He also provides actionable strategies for school districts to prepare for and effectively respond to misinformation.Brought to you by Pappas & Associates: They're shaping policy with integrity. https://www.pappaskc.com.

In this episode of OSBA's Leading the Way, host Scott Gerfen welcomes Will Schwartz of Pappas and Associates — a trusted education policy expert — to discuss Ohio's next two-year state budget. With lawmakers back at the Statehouse and the budget having cleared the Ohio House, Will breaks down the key players involved and the potential impacts on education funding.

Join OSBA's Scott Gerfen on the Leading the Way podcast as he tackles the vital process of evaluating superintendents and treasurers with OSBA board and management services consultants Kristi Robbins and Teri Morgan. Discover the significance of aligning evaluations with strategic plans, understanding key performance standards and effectively handling difficult conversations. Also, learn more about OSBA's role in supporting school boards through evaluations and executive searches. Sponsored by Pappas & Associates: Shaping policy with integrity.

In this episode, OSBA's Scott Gerfen and OSBA Director of Legislative Services Jennifer Hogue discuss Ohio's $61 billion budget, which has passed the House and now heads to the Senate. The conversation covers significant changes to district cash balances, the impact on school funding and student services, and the property tax relief efforts.Thank you to our sponsor, Pappas & Associates. They're shaping policy with integrity. Learn more: https://www.pappaskc.com.

A strong partnership between a school board and superintendent is key to a district's success — but how do leaders build and maintain that trust? In this episode of Leading the Way, OSBA's Scott Gerfen is joined by Dr. David Axner, executive director of the Buckeye Association of School Administrators, and Cheryl Ryan, director of OSBA's board and management services, to discuss best practices for fostering collaboration, overcoming communication challenges and more.This episode is brought to you by Pappas & Associates: Shaping policy with integrity: https://www.pappaskc.com.

In this episode of OSBA's Leading the Way Podcast, host Scott Gerfen sits down with Doug Palmer, OSBA's Senior Transportation Consultant, to discuss the latest in school transportation policy and funding.

In this episode of Leading the Way, we sit down with OSBA Legislative ConsultantMalania Birney to break down Gov.Mike DeWine's final two-year budget and what it means for K-12 education. School board members and education leaders won't want to miss this critical discussion on the budget process, key funding changes and legislative updates shaping the future of public education. This episode is sponsored by Pappas & Associates—Shaping Policy with Integrity.

Meet Tom Patterson, OSBA's 70th president and a veteran school board member from Sandusky City Schools. Hear about his journey from first-time board member to association leader and his thoughts on public education's evolving needs. Also, learn about his vision to connect policymakers with schools. This episode is sponsored by Pappas & Associates, shaping policy with integrity. Learn more: https://www.pappaskc.com.

In this episode, we spotlight the Consortium of Ohio School Boards Associations' efforts to amplify the voice of local school boards at the national level with guest Julie Feasel, COSSBA's director of communications. Also, get a sneak peek at COSSBA's upcoming annual conference and discover how Ohio's school boards can leverage these resources for local impact! Learn more: https://www.cossba.org. Thank you to our sponsor, Pappas & Associates: Shaping policy with integrity. https://www.pappaskc.com.

In this episode of OSBA's Leading the Way, we jump into Ohio's evolving education policy landscape with insights from Will Schwartz and Alex Moormann of Pappas & Associates. What's coming during the lame-duck session and the next biennial budget? Thanks to Pappas & Associates for sponsoring this essential discussion, aimed at equipping Ohio's education leaders with knowledge for the crucial months ahead.

In this episode, guest Pete LuPiba, coordinator of Ohio's Purple Star program, shares how Ohio schools support military-connected students and their families. Learn how schools earn the Purple Star designation, the unique challenges military families face and how Ohio is leading the way in creating supportive environments for these students. Tune in to discover how this initiative is making a difference in students' lives across the state. Thanks to our sponsor Pappas & Associates: Shaping policy with integrity.

Guests OSBA CEO Dr. Kathy McFarland and Senior Student Achievement Consultant Dr. Kim Miller-Smith explore the critical role of family engagement in student success. They offer strategies for building strong partnerships between schools and families, share best practices for fostering meaningful communication and highlight how school boards can support initiatives that create inclusive environments for all families. Thanks to our sponsor Pappas & Associates: Shaping policy with integrity.

Get ready for the OSBA Capital Conference and Trade Show, the largest gathering of education leaders in Ohio! This year's event, Nov. 10-12, is packed with incredible keynote speakers, dynamic learning sessions and over 500 exhibitors showcasing the latest innovations in education. Whether you're a board member, administrator or educator, the OSBA Capital Conference will help you lead your district to success! Learn more and register at https://conference.ohioschoolboards.org/2024. Thanks to our sponsor Pappas & Associates, shaping policy with integrity. Learn more: https://www.pappaskc.com.

Host Scott Gerfen and OSBA Staff Attorney John Price join forces on this episode of "Leading the Way" to discuss the Open Meetings Act. They explore the common errors school districts make and the repercussions that can follow. Essential listening for school board members aiming to uphold the principles of open governance. Get more resources: https://www.ohioschoolboards.org/sunshine-law. Thanks to our sponsor: Pappas & Associates. Learn more at https://www.pappaskc.com.

In this episode, discover effective strategies to address the ongoing school bus driver shortage and learn how districts can prepare their bus fleets over the summer. Guest OSBA Senior Transportation Consultant Doug Palmer shares insights on successful recruitment tactics, efficient route planning and the importance of summer maintenance.

By July 1, 2025, each school district and community school must adopt a policy governing students' use of cellphones during school hours. OSBA Deputy Director of Board and Management Services Kenna Haycox joins the podcast to discuss the law's key points and what districts should consider in developing a cellphone policy.

In this episode, Darlene Waite and Glenn Corson, with our partners at Vartek, discuss the challenges school districts face with technology at the end of the school year and the steps districts should take to properly shut down and secure technology for the summer. They also share insights about the importance of maintaining and updating technology during the summer months, especially with 1-to-1 device programs becoming more prevalent in schools. Tune in to learn more and find out how Vartek can help your district develop strategic plans that align with technology purchases and curricular goals. This episode is brought to you by Vartek, education's IT partner. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://vartek.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Thom Fladung with Hennes Communications discusses the "First Amendment audits" trend and what schools can do to prepare for them. First Amendment auditors are individuals who go into public buildings, including schools, with video cameras to test their right to access public spaces. While there is some legitimacy to this, the auditors often try to provoke encounters with school employees and post the video on YouTube. Fladung offers practical advice on how to prepare should a First Amendment auditor appear at your school. This episode is brought to you by Vartek, education's IT partner. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://vartek.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, we explore Ohio's AI toolkit for K-12 school districts with OSBA Policy Consultant Gamy Narvaez. Discover how aligning AI policies with district-specific values and objectives can ensure safe, effective and responsible use of AI in schools. Get more information about the toolkit at https://innovateohio.gov/aitoolkit/ai-toolkit. This episode is brought to you by Vartek, education's IT partner. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://vartek.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, OSBA Chief Legal Counsel Sara Clark discusses recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions involving public officials, including school board members, and their use of social media. The rulings, issued March 15th, address whether public officials' social media accounts constitute public forums and how they can navigate the use of social media to avoid First Amendment issues. Get insights into the cases and practical tips for managing social media accounts in both personal and official capacities. This episode sheds light on the evolving landscape of social media use by public officials and provides valuable guidance for school board members. This episode is brought to you by Vartek, education's IT partner. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://vartek.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, OSBA Senior Student Achievement Consultant Kim Miller-Smith discusses the crucial role school board members play in creating conditions for student achievement. Key areas include vision, accountability, policy, relationships and community engagement, with an emphasis on the importance of collaboration with district leadership and the community to set standards for continuous improvement. Discover how boards can effectively engage with their communities, build consensus and prioritize student achievement outcomes. Get more resources at https://www.ohioschoolboards.org/advancing-student-achievement. This episode is brought to you by Vartek, education's IT partner. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://vartek.com⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Jennifer Hogue, director of OSBA's legislative services, discusses the current legislative agenda for public education in Ohio, from property taxes to student absences and reading and math instruction. Learn more about potential changes in leadership at the Statehouse and the impact on legislative priorities. Also, understand the importance of local board members engaging with their legislators and advocating for public education. This episode is brought to you by Vartek, education's IT partner. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠https://vartek.com⁠⁠⁠.

Gov. Mike DeWine announced 17 recommendations issued by the Ohio School Bus Safety Working Group to enhance the safety of student transportation. Episode guest OSBA Senior Transportation Consultant Doug Palmer, who was involved with the working group, discusses the recommendations, which range from additional training to giving school districts flexibility to invest in the safety measures that best meet their needs. Find the recommendations at: http://links.ohioschoolboards.org/36598. This episode is brought to you by Vartek, education's IT partner. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠https://vartek.com⁠⁠⁠.

Sally S. Green is in her 19th year on the Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools Board of Education, a rural district in northeast Ohio. Her longstanding commitment to public education in her community has undoubtedly shaped the district's growth and future. In this episode, hear more about her journey, her district's unique characteristics and her perspectives on public education. This episode is brought to you by Vartek, education's IT partner. Learn more at ⁠⁠https://vartek.com⁠⁠.

Nearly 600 first-time school board members will take office in January. In this episode, we'll explore what to expect as a new school board member, from understanding your role and responsibilities to how to make a positive impact in your new role and contribute to the success of your school district! Guests: former school board members and OSBA consultants Kristi Robbins and Quinn Maceyko. Get more information at: https://www.ohioschoolboards.org/new-board-members. This episode is brought to you by Vartek, education's IT partner. Learn more at ⁠https://vartek.com⁠.

Get a sneak peek of the upcoming 2023 OSBA Capital Conference and Trade Show as event planners Cheryl Ryan and Jeff Chambers join the podcast! We're diving into all the conference highlights, including keynote speakers, learning sessions, the Trade Show and Student Achievement Fair, which is celebrating 25 years. This episode is brought to you by Vartek, education's IT partner. Learn more at https://vartek.com.

October is Ohio School Safety Month. Emily Torok, executive director of the Ohio School Safety Center, discusses the safety center's mission, addressing mental health needs and the importance of collaboration, partnerships and community engagement in ensuring a secure learning environment. This episode is brought to you by Vartek, education's IT partner. Learn more at https://vartek.com.

Cyberattacks that target schools can not only cause financial loss and disruption but also jeopardize student safety. In fact, schools have become the leading target for hackers. Cybersecurity experts Denise Caccavari and Chris Infante with Forward Edge LLC join the podcast to talk about strategies to prevent these malicious intrusions. This episode is brought to you by Forward Edge LLC, https://www.forward-edge.net.

The Ohio Auditor of State has released an FAQ on levy activity by public officials and employees. OSBA's Chief Legal Counsel, Sara Clark, joins the podcast to break down the new guidance and what it means for school board members, superintendents and treasurers. We also released a webinar in August that provides more information. This episode is brought to you by Forward Edge LLC, https://www.forward-edge.net.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has signed into law the state's next two-year budget that delivers historic funding for public schools but also provides universal vouchers. Our guest, OSBA's Director of Legislative Services Jennifer Hogue, discusses the budget's impact on school funding and what's next. This episode is brought to you by Forward Edge LLC, https://www.forward-edge.net.

Is your district in need of new school buses? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Clean School Bus program provides funding to eligible applicants for the replacement of existing school buses with clean, alternative fuel school buses or zero-emission school buses. OSBA Senior Transportation Consultant Doug Palmer joins the podcast to discuss the application process and how much money is available for Ohio districts. The deadline, Aug. 22, is fast approaching. Get more resources at https://www.ohioschoolboards.org/ohio-buses-clean-air-obaca-clean-school-bus-grant-program. This episode is brought to you by Forward Edge LLC, https://www.forward-edge.net.

The U.S. Department of Education has issued updated guidance on prayer and other religious expressions in public schools. It follows last year's U.S. Supreme Court decision in a case involving a high school football coach who would pray on the 50-yard line after games. OSBA Staff Attorney John Price discusses the new guidance and what it means for students, teachers and administrators. This episode is brought to you by Forward Edge LLC, https://www.forward-edge.net.

Are you interested in running for your local school board? Do you know someone who would make a great candidate? OSBA's Get on Board campaign, at www.getonboardohio.gov, aims to raise the profile of boardmanship and encourage high-caliber candidates to run for office. Cheryl Ryan, OSBA's director of board and management services, and Teri Morgan, senior deputy director of board and management services, have served on local school boards and join the podcast to discuss their perspectives on serving a school community and making the decisions that will shape our children's future. This episode is brought to you by Forward Edge LLC, https://www.forward-edge.net.

Two recent legislative enactments impose new obligations on school districts that affect student safety. House Bill (HB) 99 changed the requirements for schools that choose to arm staff. HB 123 required school districts to conduct threat assessments, assemble and train threat assessment teams and add elements to their local emergency management plans. OSBA Policy Consultant Gamy Narvaez joins the podcast to help address questions and the implementation of these new laws. Get resources from the Ohio School Safety Center at https://ohioschoolsafetycenter.ohio.gov/pre-k-12-schools/threat-assessment. Explore OSBA's Policy Services at https://www.ohioschoolboards.org/policy-services. This episode is brought to you by Forward Edge LLC, https://www.forward-edge.net.

You're a school board member. You have personal social media accounts, your campaign also maintains a social media presence and so does your school district. Under what circumstances are your personal social media pages considered “personal” and not subject to public records law? Thom Fladung, managing partner with Hennes Communications, joins the podcast to discuss a school board member's right to maintain personal social media pages and the obligation to abide by public records laws. Learn more about Hennes Communications at https://www.ohioschoolboards.org/hennes-communications. This episode is brought to you by Forward Edge LLC, https://www.forward-edge.net.

More than 150 school board members, superintendents and treasurers attended this year's State Legislative Conference in Columbus, where they heard from Gov. Mike DeWine, Senate President Matt Huffman, House Speaker Jason Stephens and a panel of legislators. School board members OSBA President Christine Varwig, Toledo Public; Lynda O'Connor, Lakota Local (Butler); and Terry Gibson, Lockland Local (Hamilton) and Great Oaks Career Campuses, join the podcast to discuss the many bills impacting public education, from universal vouchers to restructuring the State Board of Education and Ohio Department of Education, and the importance of getting your community involved in the legislative process. Thank you to our sponsor, Forward Edge LLC. Learn more at https://www.forward-edge.net.

Several bills pending in the Ohio Legislature would expand school vouchers, including Senate Bill 11, which would provide universal vouchers. OSBA's Director of Legislative Services Jennifer Hogue joins the podcast to discuss the impact of these bills and what you can do to ensure your voice and your district's voice are heard. This episode is brought to you by Sedgwick, an OSBA endorsed program. Get more details at https://www.ohioschoolboards.org/workers-compensation.

A recent Supreme Court of Ohio ruling provides important clarity to public bodies, including school boards, about the Open Meetings Act and executive sessions. What do you say before you go into executive session? How do you comply with the law while in executive session? What are the consequences of violating the law? OSBA's Senior Deputy Director of Legal Services Jennifer Hardin, our guest for this episode, answers those questions. Read more about the Supreme Court's opinion at https://www.ohioschoolboards.org/blogs/legal-ledger/multiple-civil-forfeitures-multiple-claims-same-conduct-rejected-open-meetings. This episode is brought to you by Sedgwick, an OSBA endorsed program. Get more details at https://www.ohioschoolboards.org/workers-compensation.

Christine Varwig, who's in her 10th year on the Toledo Public Schools Board of Education, became OSBA's 2023 president on Jan. 1. The veteran board member has been a strong advocate for public education at both the state and national level. She joins the podcast to talk about her experiences, her district and her goals as leader of the association. This episode is brought to you by Sedgwick, an OSBA endorsed program. Get more details at https://www.ohioschoolboards.org/workers-compensation.

A new Ohio General Assembly begins in January with new faces in a legislature that will tackle a new biennial budget. OSBA's Director of Legislative Services Jennifer Hogue and Lobbyist Nicole Piscitani join the podcast to discuss what might be next for K-12 education at the Statehouse and what did and didn't pass during December's lame-duck session.

Confidence. Pressure. Social media. Body image. Today's girls are facing tremendous challenges, according to Ruling our Experiences (ROX), a national nonprofit that is focused on equipping all girls with the skills they need to navigate these challenges. Founder and CEO Dr. Lisa Hinkelman joins the podcast to talk about the group's mission to train school counselors, social workers and licensed educators to deliver evidence-based programs to girls in grades five through 12 in their schools and community organizations. Learn more about ROX at https://rulingourexperiences.com. More links https://rulingourexperiences.com/the-girls-index-report https://rulingourexperiences.com/impactreports This episode is brought to you by Sedgwick, an OSBA endorsed program. Get more details at https://www.ohioschoolboards.org/workers-compensation.

The Ohio School Breakfast Challenge recognized 22 schools and districts for outstanding work and results around school breakfast. One of those districts is St. Marys City Schools. Superintendent Bill Ruane, High School Principal Jonathan Burke, Child Nutrition Director Nicole Rasmussen and District Nurse Deanna Halko join the podcast to share their story and how the Second Chance Breakfast Program increased breakfast participation by 600% at the middle/high school building. Learn more about the Ohio School Breakfast Challenge and the Breakfast & Beyond recipients at https://www.ohioschoolbreakfastchallenge.com. This episode is brought to you by Sedgwick, an OSBA endorsed program. Get more details at https://www.ohioschoolboards.org/workers-compensation.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to special education in meeting the needs of all students. Provided at no cost to parents, special education is specifically designed to address the unique needs of a student with disabilities. OSBA Staff Attorney John Price joins the podcast to talk about these highly individualized programs, including the laws that govern special education and the compliance issues that can arise for school districts. This episode is brought to you by Sedgwick, an OSBA endorsed program. Get more details at https://www.ohioschoolboards.org/workers-compensation.

The OSBA Capital Conference and Trade Show is Ohio's premier continuing education program — and we're ready to host thousands of board members, superintendents and other school district staff for three days, Nov. 13-15 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Jeff Chambers and Cheryl Ryan, two of the conference organizers, join the podcast to preview this year's event and explain why you and your staff want to be there. Learn more about the OSBA Capital Conference at http://conference.ohioschoolboards.org/2022. This episode is brought to you by Sedgwick, an OSBA endorsed program. Get more details at https://www.ohioschoolboards.org/workers-compensation.

The Ohio School Boards Association, along with 21 other founding school boards, signed a resolution earlier this year to officially form the Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA). This national alliance is dedicated to ensuring that students and their families enjoy access to excellent and equitable public education governed by collaborative, high-performing school board leaders in local communities throughout the nation. OSBA President Robert M. Heard Sr., Cleveland Municipal, and OSBA Chief Executive Officer Rick Lewis join the podcast to talk about the new alliance and its role in supporting and strengthening state associations, like OSBA. This episode is brought to you by Sedgwick, an OSBA endorsed program. Get more details at https://www.ohioschoolboards.org/workers-compensation.

Ohio's revamped school report cards replace the A through F system with a star-rating system. The change in the law is meant to be fairer for schools and make the report cards easier for parents to understand. OSBA Director of Legislative Services Jennifer Hogue and Deputy Director of Legislative Services Will Schwartz join the podcast to discuss results and what the new ratings mean. This episode is brought to you by Sedgwick, an OSBA endorsed program. Get more details at https://www.ohioschoolboards.org/workers-compensation.

Jennifer Oiler with Sedgwick Managed Care Ohio joins the podcast to talk about several employee safety grants available from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation. Learn more about how your district can benefit from these grants at https://info.bwc.ohio.gov/for-employers/safety-and-training/safety-grants. This episode is brought to you by Sedgwick Managed Care Ohio, an OSBA endorsed program. Get more details at https://www.ohioschoolboards.org/workers-compensation.

From meeting deadlines to planning routes and hiring drivers, the school year essentially begins in July for transportation managers. OSBA Transportation Consultant Doug Palmer joins the podcast with an update on the driver shortage and the important steps transportation managers and treasurers need to take ahead of a new school year. Learn more about OSBA's Virtual Transportation Supervisor program at https://www.ohioschoolboards.org/virtual-transportation-supervisor. This episode is brought to you by Sedgwick Managed Care Ohio, an OSBA endorsed program. Get more details at https://www.ohioschoolboards.org/workers-compensation.

Legislation that reduces the number of training hours for armed school staff from more than 700 hours to 24 hours takes effect this fall following Gov. Mike DeWine's signature on June 13. OSBA Chief Legal Counsel Sara Clark and OSBA Deputy Director of Legislative Services Will Schwartz join the podcast to discuss how House Bill 99 came about and what a school board needs to do if it chooses to arm school employees. This episode is brought to you by Sedgwick Managed Care Ohio, an OSBA endorsed program. Learn more at https://www.ohioschoolboards.org/workers-compensation.

More than 20 school districts were recognized by the Ohio School Breakfast Challenge as Breakfast and Beyond "SuperStars" for their innovative ideas and solutions to ensure students have access to the nutrition they need to succeed. One of those districts is Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center, where Dana Anderson supervises career and technical education and special services. She shares how the district met the challenges of the pandemic and food supply chain and staff shortages. June Wedd, vice president school wellness for the American Dairy Association Mideast, one of the sponsors of the Ohio School Breakfast Challenge, also discusses the effort to encourage schools to start the day with breakfast. Learn more about the breakfast challenge and read about the Breakfast and Beyond stories at https://www.ohioschoolbreakfastchallenge.com. This episode is brought to you by Sedgwick Managed Care Ohio, an OSBA endorsed program. Learn more at https://www.ohioschoolboards.org/workers-compensation.

Former Washington state high school football coach Joseph Kennedy was fired after he made a habit of going to the 50-yard line following his team's games and kneeling in prayer. The U.S. Supreme Court has heard oral arguments in the case and a decision is expected this summer. OSBA Staff Attorney John Price joins the podcast to discuss how the justices' decision could change the way the nation treats prayer in school. This episode is brought to you by Sedgwick Managed Care Ohio, an OSBA endorsed program. Learn more at https://www.ohioschoolboards.org/workers-compensation.