Dayton Daily News Takes Cheap Shot At Kettering Schools

Posted on August 28, 2009 by Mike Bock

The Dayton Daily News today weighed in on the big penalty given to Kettering Schools by Ohio’s Department of Education (ODE) in the latest State Report Card.  The spirit and substance of the DDN editorial is captured in its title, “Give Students Help, Not Just Complaints.”

The DDN got it wrong.  The newspaper doesn’t like the fact that Kettering Superintendent Jim Schoenlein called the state’s ranking system “unfair” and “bizarre.”  But it seems any fair observer would agree with Dr. Schoenlein.  (You can download a copy of the new ODE Report Card for Kettering Schools and read my article about it here.)

To imply, as DDN does, that Kettering Schools is more centered on complaining about Ohio’s system of school evaluation rather than on helping students is simply unfair.  It’s a cheap, unfounded, shot.

Kettering’s “Grade”  was knocked down four pegs — from “Excellence With Distinction” to “CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT” — not three pegs as DDN reported.  I think the words “unfair” and “bizarre” are appropriate.  Kettering got a huge penalty because the reading scores for Kettering students in two subgroups did not meet Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) for three years.  By its headline — “Give Students Help — Not Just Complaints” — the DDN accuses Kettering Schools of not making a good effort to give students in these subgroups help.  The newspaper makes this accusation without showing any insight into what Kettering has actually been doing to help children in these two challenging subgroups.

The DDN says, “Certainly, Kettering needs to focus more attention on English learners and those in special education.”

Really?  This is a serious accusation.  But, how can DDN make such an accusation when it gives no evidence that it has any inkling of how much attention and effort is already being extended to these two subgroups?  The newspaper gives no evidence that it has any understanding of how Kettering responded to previous AYP deficiencies.  It gives no evidence that its criticism is based on such important facts as how much money Kettering spends in these two areas, how the money is spent, or what special efforts Kettering has attempted in these two areas over the last few years.  The DDN gives no evidence that it has any understanding or really any interest in how Kettering has or has not modified and improved its strategies with the children in these two subgroups.  The newspaper’s sole basis for slamming Kettering Schools is that these two subgroups got low scores.  Isn’t there a whole lot more to the story?  I intend on researching the whole question.

I’m disappointed that DDN has published an unfair and unjustified editorial accusing Kettering Schools of negligence in its efforts to help special education students and students who are learning English as a second language.  By not taking the time to research what Kettering Schools are actually doing, by taking a cheap shot, DDN in its editorial today does a disservice to the community of Kettering.

Posted in M Bock, Opinion | 2 Comments

Montgomery County Cities (all 18) Will Elect City Council Members This November — See List Of Candidates

Posted on August 27, 2009 by Mike Bock

Cities in Montgomery County will elect members to their city councils in this November 3 election, and a few cities in the county will elect mayors.  I count eighteen cities. Lots of incumbents are seeking reelection, but in most Montgomery County cities there is some competition.

In the following list, I link the name of the city to the city’s web-site, where you can usually see a picture of the incumbent office holders. I couldn’t find a web-site for Farmersville.  In the following list, I underline and make use italic print to show incumbent office holders.

Brookville (3 Positions for Council At Large)

  • Bob Apgar 70 Mound St. Brookville 45309
  • Michael A. Duncan 879 Dorothy Ln. Brookville 45309
  • Bruce Larry Garber 434 Sycamore St. Brookville 45309
  • Darrell L. Reel 784 Randy Sue Ct. Brookville 45309

Centerville (3 Positions for Council)

  • Joy M. Brush 2212 E. Alex Bell Rd. Centerville 45459
  • Douglas Charles Cline 8035 Brainard Woods Dr. Centerville 45458
  • Brooks A. Compton 350 Roselake Dr. Centerville 45458
  • James E. Singer 1408 Ambridge Rd. Centerville 45459

Clayton (1 Position of Mayor)

  • Joyce M. Deitering 320 Tuxford Pl. Dayton 45415
  • Ray Alton Slone Jr. 6378 Burkwood Dr Clayton 45315

Clayton (3 Positions for Councilmember at Large)

  • Allen Ray Dixon 7508 Elru Dr. Dayton 45415
  • Craig A. Kenley 5133 Crescent Ridge Dr. Clayton 45315
  • Greg A. Merkle 7925 Northland Ct. Dayton 45415
  • Robert E. Peters 390 N Diamond Mill Rd. Clayton 45315
  • Beverly H. Smith 6731 Oak Field Dr. Dayton 45415

Dayton (1 Position for Mayor)

  • Gary D. Leitzell 114 Volkenand Ave Dayton 45410
  • Rhine McLin 23 N. Paul Laurence Dunbar St. Dayton 45402

Dayton (2 Positions City Commissioner)

  • David Esrati 113 Bonner St. Dayton 45410 3/6/2009
  • Nannette L. Whaley 217 Wroe Ave Dayton 45406
  • Joey D. Williams 1229 Sunnyview Ave Dayton 45406

Englewood (1 Position for Mayor Unexpired)

  • Patricia S. Burnside 304 Eller Ave. Englewood 45322

Englewood (1 Position for City Council)

  • Marlyn D. Flee 311 Chinkapin Cir. Clayton 45315
  • Judy K. Gerhard 201 S. Walnut St. Englewood 45322
  • Michael L. Kline 409 Pauly Dr. Clayton 45315
  • Joseph F. Zumwald 314 Beachgrove Dr. Englewood 45322

Farmersville (4 Positions for City Council)

  • James E. Cottman 106 Ashland Trl. Farmersville 45325
  • Brenda Gisewite 106 N. Broadway St. Farmersville 45325
  • Liberty Marie Walton 53 Apple Dr. Farmersville 45325
  • Daryl E. Weller 102 N. Taylor St. Farmersville 45325

Germantown (1 Position for Mayor)

  • Ted Landis 6 N. Water St. Germantown 45327

Germantown (3 Positions City Council)

  • Steve Boeder 127 Lindell Dr. Germantown 45327
  • Doryle Lee Eakes 105 N. Hillcrest Dr. Germantown 45327
  • Jeanne Lee Gentry 731 W. Market St. Germantown 45327
  • Scott Johnson 74 Willis Way Germantown 45327
  • Michael T. Kuhn 129 N. Main St. Germantown 45327
  • James A. Lawson 55 Scott Dr. Germantown 45322
  • J. Brian Wafzig 628 W. Market St. Germantown 45327

Huber Heights (1 Position for Mayor)

  • Ronald A. Fisher 5581 Pintail Ct Huber Heights 45424

Huber Heights (1 Position Council At Large)

  • Mark Campbell 6479 Stoney Creek Dr Huber Heights 45424
  • Edwin M. Primm Jr. 6123 Longford Rd Huber Heights 45424

Huber Heights (1 Position Council Member Ward 3)

  • Brian C. Walton 7430 Old Troy Pike Huber Heights 45424

Huber Heights (1 Position Council Member Ward 4)

  • Judith Catherine Blankenship 6111 Corsica Dr. Huber Heights 45424

Huber Heights (1 Position Council Member Ward 5)

  • Roger D. Hensley 5776 Pennywell Dr Huber Heights 45424
  • David Richards 5019 Keywest Dr Huber Heights 45424

Huber Heights (1 Position Council Member Ward 6)

  • (unexpired 12/31/11) David H. Wilson 6822 Watergreen Ct. Huber Heights 45424
  • (unexpired 12/31/11) RoShawn Winburn 7442 Callamere Farms Dr Huber Heights 45424

Kettering (1 Position for Mayor)
Donald E. Patterson Jr. 715 Stanbridge Dr Kettering 45429

Kettering (2 Positions Member Council At Large)

  • Timothy Mark Allison 2067 Lakewood Dr Apt. A Kettering 45420
  • Amy Schrimpf 4573 James Madison Trail N. Kettering 45440
  • Edward M. Smith 532 Judith Dr. Kettering 45429
  • Frank Spolrich 750 Ingersol Dr Kettering 45429
  • Debbie Waker 4271 Maricarr Dr Kettering 45429
  • Ashley Webb 321 South Bromfield Rd, Kettering 45429

Miamisburg (1 Position Council Member Ward 1)

  • John A. Stalder 120 Albright Rd Miamisburg 45342 Miamisburg

Miamisburg (1 Position Council Member Ward 2)

  • Sarah M. Clark 1312 E McGuire St Miamisburg 45342
  • Lisa Reinhardt Hughes 1138 E Lindsey Ave Miamisburg 45342

Miamisburg (1 Position Ward 3)

  • Thomas A. Nicholas 718 Helmet Pl Miamisburg45342

Miamisburg (1 Position Ward 4)

  • John Michael McCabe 4622 Benner Rd Miamisburg
  • Gregory Michael Thompson 2408 Rosina Dr Miamisburg 45342

Moraine (1 Position for Mayor)

  • Robert J. Rosencrans 207 Johnson Trl. Dayton 45418

Moraine (2 Positions for Councilmember at Large)

  • Ora F. Allen 4101 S. Dixie Dr. Moraine 45439
  • Elaine K. Allison 3048 Infirmary Rd. Dayton 45418
  • Dana Bonfield 2283 Weinburg Moraine 45418
  • Jim McGuire 107 Johnson Trl. Dayton 45418

New Lebanon (3 Positions for City Council)

  • Linda M. Green 285 S Clayton Rd. #8-5 New Lebanon 45345
  • Christopher Thomas Landis 97 Yale Ave. New Lebanon 45345
  • Glena A. Madden 55 Sawmill Ln. New Lebanon 45345

Oakwood (2 Positions for City Council)

  • Anne Shank Hilton 900 Harman Ave. Dayton 45419
  • Carlo C. McGinnis 830 Harman Ave. Dayton 45419
  • Rob Stephens 214 Forrer Blvd. Dayton 45419

Riverside (4 Positions City Council — At Large)

  • Beverly Campbell 2428 Rondowa Ave Dayton 45404
  • Michael R. Denning 4435 Schwinn Dr. Dayton 45404
  • William R. Flaute 85 Quinby Ln. Dayton 45432
  • Edyth Ann Mitchell 1125 Mayapple Ave. Dayton 45432
  • Michael J. Smith 834 Crestmont Dr. Riverside 45431
  • Jim Ray Wellman 909 Beatrice Dr Dayton 45404

Trotwood (1 Position Council Member for Ward 1)

  • Joyce Sutton Cameron 426 Glenview Rd. Trotwood 45426
  • Mattie M. Clay 413 E. Eppington Dr. Trotwood 45426

Trotwood (1 Position Council Member for Ward 2)

  • Janice M. Chinn 5213 Weigold Ct. Trotwood 45426
  • Rap Hankins 4455 Filburn Ln. Trotwood 45426

Trotwood (1 Position Ward 3)

  • Charles R. Vaughn 9949 Post Town Rd. Trotwood 45426

Trotwood (1 Position Ward 4)

  • Mary A. McDonald 3687 Mandalay Dr Dayton 45416
  • James Dennis Williams II 4538 Freudenberger Ave. Trotwood

Union (3 Positions Council At Large)

  • Jenni Louise Arnett 11458 Old Mill Rd. Union 45322
  • David E. Blackwell 228 W. Martindale Rd. Union 45422
  • Helen M. Oberer 214 Sheets St. Union 45322
  • Robin M. Perkins 505 Sheets Union 45322

Vandalia (3 Positions Council At Large)

  • Michael S. Blakesly 720 Bright Ave. Vandalia 45377
  • Candice Farst 311 Dunnigan Dr. Vandalia 45377
  • David M. Lewis 564 Shadowood Dr. Vandalia 45377

West Carrollton (4 Positions for Council At Large)

  • James R. Bowers 3236 Vernell Dr West Carrollton 45449
  • Tony J. Caldwell 1028 Skyview Dr. West Carrollton 45449
  • James F. Folker 624 Leila Ct West Carrollton 45449
  • Edward C. Jones 1181 E. Bridle Ln. West Carrollton 45449
  • Linda M. Lotspaih 305 E Central Ave West Carrollton 45449
  • Harold L. Robinson 1376 Arrow Sheath Dr West Carrollton 45449
Posted in Special Reports | Leave a comment

Ten Out Of Sixteen School Districts In Montgomery County Have Competitive School Board Elections

Posted on August 26, 2009 by Mike Bock

The Montgomery County Board of Elections today announced the names of all candidates in the county whose petitions are certified and whose names will appear on the November 3 ballot.

This is the list of the names in Montgomery County who have been certified as candidates for their local board of education. In six out of sixteen school districts, voters will have no choice.  But,  in ten of the 16 districts there are more candidates than there are positions, and so there will be a contest.  And Miamisburg School District gets the prize for having the most certified candidates with three candidates certified for eight positions.

In Kettering, where I live, I am one of five candidates for three positions. Three of the candidates in Kettering are incumbents — James A. Brown and I are the challengers.  In the following list, except for the New Lebanon Schools web-site which is “under construction,” I’ve linked each district back to its web-site and I’ve made the incumbents’ names in underlined italics.

Centerville Schools (3 Positions)

  • John R. Doll 10041 Beaufort Run Centerville 45458
  • Bradley W. Evers 9426 Athison Rd. Dayton 45458
  • David L. Roer 9350 Patriot Woods Ct. Dayton 45458
  • Karen Gray Myers 1103 Chisolm Trail Dayton 45458

Dayton Schools (4 Positions)

  • Yvonne V. Isaacs 4812 Northgate Ct. Dayton 45416
  • Joseph E. Lacey 161 Huffman Ave. Dayton
  • Ronald C. Lee 247 E. 2nd St. Dayton 45402
  • Stacy M. Thompson 531 Belmonte Park N
  • James K. Weir 1139 Highland Ave Dayton 45410

Huber Heights Schools (3 Positions)

  • Kelly G. Bledsoe 8519 Schoolgate Dr. Huber Heights 45424
  • Mark A. Combs 7024 Geary Pl. Huber Heights 45424
  • Lucile J. Dale 7057 Pineview Dr. Huber Heights 45424
  • Carl D. Fisher Jr. 7301 Troy Manor Rd. Huber Heights
  • Karen S. Weaver 7807 Berchman Dr. Huber Heights 45424

Kettering Schools (3 Positions)

  • George H. Bayless 2422 S Patterson Blvd 45409
  • Michael C. Bock 3808 LeFevre Dr. 45429
  • James A. Brown 5361 Oakbend Cir. 45440
  • Julie Ann Gilmore 4171 Brookdale Dr Kettering 45429
  • Frank C. Maus 181 Greendale Dr Kettering 45429

Miamisburg Schools (3 positions)

  • Christopher Wayne Amsler 2110 Carrington Ln. 45342
  • Sharon E. Angel 651 Dunraven Pass 45342
  • Jason Barry 8 Cambray Ct. 45342
  • Kathleen M. Bates 1014 Nettie Dr.
  • Eric B. Bucher 2421 Byers Ridge Dr.
  • Joseph P. Idzakovich 1951 Courtina Dr. 45459
  • Gerald E. St. Jaques 7923 Jamaca Rd. 45342
  • Karl Jacob Zimmerman II 818 E. Linden Ave. 45342

Miamisburg Schools ( 1 Position for Unexpired term)

  • Danielle L. Kuehnle 10892 Blackbird Ct. 45342
  • Robert H. Matthews Jr. 2230 Cross Village Dr. 45342

Northmont Schools (3 Positions)

  • Linda Anne Blum 337 Shadywood Dr. Dayton 45415
  • Bruce A. Clapp 216 Pointers Run Englewood 45322
  • George W. Elam 7728 Sweet Potato Ridge Rd. Brookville 45309
  • Nicholas H. Frantz 9743 Brookville Phillipsburg Rd. Brookville 45309
  • Jane Ann Woodie 3838 Old Salem Rd. Dayton 45415

Oakwood Schools (3 Positions)

  • Chris B. Epley 54 Beverly Pl. Dayton 45419 8/6/2009
  • Michael A. Miller 2410 Fairmont Ave. Dayton 45419
  • Elizabeth K. Reger 432 East Dr. Dayton 45419

Trotwood Schools (3 Positions)

  • Deborah L. Daniel 8848 Post Town Rd Trotwood 45426
  • Teena R. Davis 6499 Westanna Dr Trotwood 45426
  • Denise E. Moore 5805 Shiloh Springs Rd Trotwood 45426

Vandalia-Butler Schools (3 Positions)

  • Judith Abromowitz 7120 Memory Ln. Dayton 45414
  • Robert E. Cupp 7180 Keeneland Dr Dayton 45414
  • William G. Hibner Jr. 1700 Cawdor Ct. Vandalia 45377

West Carrollton Schools (3 Positions)

  • Leslie A. Miller 106 Payne Pl. Dayton 45418
  • Thomas Wolf 6531 Pine Cone Dr. West Carrollton 45449

Brookville Schools (2 Positions)

  • Judy Hoover 75 Orchard St. Brookville 45309
  • David E. Kindell 526 Meadow Glen Ave. Brookville 45309

Jefferson Schools (3 Positions)

  • Cuttino Dargan 1025 Rossiter Dr. Dayton 45418
  • Johnnie Mae Kimberlin 825 Creekside St. Dayton 45427
  • Emmett Claude Orr 4001 Frytown Rd. Dayton 45418

Jefferson Schools (1 Position for Unexpired Term)

  • C. V. Mitchell III 4825 Coulson Dr. Dayton 45418

Mad River Schools (3 Positions)

  • Duane E. Long 4159 Slipperywood Pl. Huber Heights 45424
  • Ruth Katherine Newhouse 837 Gleneagle Dr. Riverside 45431
  • Cristina M. Pickle 5301 Eastman Dr. Dayton 45432
  • Marilyn Steiner 846 Crestmont Dr. Riverside 45431
  • Debra G. Walker 3555 Lane Gardens Ct. Dayton 45404

New Lebanon Schools (3 Positions)

  • David Falldorf 1750 Fuls Rd. New Lebanon 45345
  • Marjorie E. Loyacano 10701 Mile Rd. Lew Lebanon 45345 Michael S. Roberts 432 Gregory Ave. New Lebanon 45345
  • David T. Woodgeard 1577 Johnsville Brookville Rd. Brookville 45309

Northridge Schools (2 Positions)

  • Gerald M. Brumley 2136 Ottello Ave. Dayton 45414
  • Tina Fiore 6028 Foster Ave. Dayton 45414
  • Margaret T. Glock 4400 Canyon Rd. Dayton 45414
  • Malia Rogers 5727 Sparkhill Dr. Dayton 45414

Valley View Schools (3 Positions)

  • Danny Dalton 10152 Carlisle Pk. Germantown 45327
  • Fred R. Gehron 300 Lindell Dr. Germantown 45327
  • Lynn A. Miller 6516 Stivers Rd. Germantown 45327
  • Jesse E. Reed 149 Hawkins Ct. Germantown 45327
Posted in Special Reports | 1 Comment