Education

One of Ohio's largest school districts plans to make energy-saving renovations at 28 schools using a nearly $27
million low-interest loan.

The Cincinnati school board voted in favor of taking out the loan yesterday, despite some board members' concerns about moving ahead with the projects as the district cuts jobs and faces an estimated $43 million deficit.

There's a lot of activity at the Ohio Statehouse this week. Some of it involves students from the Ohio College Access Network and the Ohio Student Education Policy Institute (OSEPI).  They are testifying before the Senate Finance Committee - presenting their recommendations regarding Ohio education policy. Senator Chris Widener says it's the second year the group has appeared before Widener’s committee.

The latest plan to help maintain the pension system for Ohio public school teachers would have them pay more into their retirement accounts.

The Columbus Dispatch reports the plan has been approved by the board of the State Teachers Retirement System, which has 470,000 members. It's up for consideration by lawmakers who would need to sign off on it.

The plan is aimed at saving $13 billion in accrued liabilities. It's the fourth package of its kind sent to lawmakers since 2009.

The April 2012 installment of SOCHE TALKS featuring Bob Brecha, from the University of Dayton on putting Why We Need a Renewable Energy Revolution.

One of Ohio's largest districts is cutting about 10 percent of its teaching staff next school year to save an estimated $20 million as it copes with a budget hole twice that size.

The Cincinnati school board voted Wednesday to eliminate 237 instructors, including 35 who would be laid off. The Cincinnati Enquirer reports 112 of the job cuts are retirements or resignations and 90 are long-term substitutes.

Leaders in the district of 32,000 students say cuts in state and federal funding are to blame.