PODCAST · education
Episodes
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School law explained: Rights, responsibilities and the school board
Send us Fan Mail School law touches nearly every part of a public school district’s work, but the answers aren’t always as simple as they seem. On this episode of Report to the Office, OSBA President Mary Cleveland talks with education attorney Erin Wessendorf-Wortman of Ennis Britton about the...
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Supporting Student Mental Health: How Schools Can Build a Culture of Support
Send us Fan Mail Supporting student mental health is an important part of creating an environment where students are ready to learn. But where should school leaders start? OSBA Forum host Mark Bobo talks with Nancy Eigel-Miller and Tricia Buchert of 1N5 about prevention, recognizing when students...
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Student discipline: More than just the consequence
Send us Fan Mail Student discipline can seem straightforward: A student breaks a rule, the district determines what happened and there’s a consequence. Legally, there can be much more to consider. OSBA attorneys Sara Clark and Dustin Koslen join Scott Gerfen to discuss suspensions and expulsions,...
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Your district has a strategic plan. Now what?
Send us Fan Mail A strategic plan shouldn't be something a school board approves and then rarely discusses again. In this episode of Leading the Way, OSBA’s Kristi Robbins and Teri Morgan talk with Scott Gerfen about making strategic planning an ongoing part of a district’s work. They discuss the...
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Career-tech education isn’t what you think
Send us Fan Mail What does career-technical education look like today? OSBA President Mary Cleveland talks with Great Oaks Career Campuses President and CEO Harry Snyder about the changing role of career-tech education in Ohio. They discuss growing student interest, opportunities to earn college...
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From school board to Statehouse: A legislator’s advice for board members
Send us Fan Mail Rep. Beryl Brown Piccolantonio knows school advocacy from both sides. Before representing Ohio’s 4th House District, she spent eight years on the Gahanna-Jefferson City Schools Board of Education. She joins OSBA’s Malania Birney to talk about what she learned as a board member…
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How bipartisanship helped reshape Ohio school funding
Send us Fan Mail Five years after Ohio began implementing the Fair School Funding Plan, former Ohio House Speaker Bob Cupp, a Republican, and former state Rep. John Patterson, a Democrat, reunite to discuss how they worked across party lines to tackle one of Ohio’s most complicated public policy...
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To gavel or not to gavel: The board president and public comment
Send us Fan Mail Public comment gives parents and community members an opportunity to speak directly to their elected school board. But what happens when comments become contentious, or the audience becomes disruptive? OSBA attorneys Sara Clark and Jennie Hardin discuss the legal boundaries...
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What is an ESC? The Partner Behind Ohio’s Public Schools
Send us Fan Mail What is an educational service center, and what does it do for Ohio’s public schools? OSBA President Mary Cleveland sits down with Hamilton County Educational Service Center board member Bill Ferguson to unpack the role ESCs play in supporting school districts across Ohio.…
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From local concern to state law
Send us Fan Mail Amber Ballard saw a problem affecting students with disabilities and decided not to accept that nothing could be done. The Norwood City Schools board member worked with district leaders and OSBA’s legislative team to develop a proposal that ultimately became part of Ohio law. She...
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Employee Background Checks: What Ohio School Districts Need to Know
Send us Fan Mail Hiring decisions begin with student safety. In this episode, OSBA attorneys Dustin Koslen and Jennifer Hardin explain Ohio's employee background check requirements, absolute bar offenses, rehabilitation provisions and what school districts should consider before hiring applicants...
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Wearing Two Hats: Board Service and School Support Organizations
Send us Fan Mail Many school board members are also active in booster clubs, PTOs, alumni associations and other organizations that support their schools. But when does volunteer service begin to overlap with board responsibilities? In this episode of Leading the Way, OSBA board consultants Teri...
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The Legislature's Summer Send-Off
Send us Fan Mail What happens when a bill about school psychologists suddenly becomes the vehicle for some of the most debated education proposals at the Statehouse? That's just one example of the fast-moving legislative action that unfolded before the Ohio General Assembly recessed for the…
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Understanding School Levies and Community Engagement
Send us Fan Mail What role do school levies play in supporting public education? In this episode of Report to the Office, host Mary Cleveland welcomes community advocate Tracey Artis for a conversation about school funding, community involvement and the importance of staying informed. Together,...
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Ten Commandments in Schools: Why Courts Are Reaching Opposite Conclusions
Send us Fan Mail Can a state require every public school classroom to display the Ten Commandments? Federal courts are currently answering that question in different ways, and the disagreement could eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court. In this episode of Legal Ledger Sidebar, OSBA attorneys...
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Conflict Management in School Leadership
Send us Fan Mail Conflict is unavoidable in school leadership, but how leaders respond to it can shape the culture and effectiveness of an entire district. In this episode of the OSBA Forum, host Mark Bobo talks with Sara Clark and Kristi Robbins about the challenges school boards and district...
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Where Do Your School Taxes Really Go?
Send us Fan Mail Property taxes, levies, millage and school funding can be confusing, but they affect every community. In this episode of Report to the Office, OSBA President Mary Cleveland talks with Princeton City Schools Treasurer Christine Poetter about how school districts are funded, why...
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Should School Board Members Post on Social Media?
Send us Fan Mail Social media gives school board members a direct way to connect with their communities, but it can also create legal, governance and communication challenges if it’s not handled carefully. In this episode of Leading the Way, OSBA consultants Kristi Robbins and Quinn Maceyko…
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AI in schools: What actually matters before the July 1 deadline
Send us Fan Mail AI is moving fast, and Ohio schools now have a July 1 deadline to have a policy in place. So what should districts actually be doing right now? In this Legal Ledger Sidebar, OSBA policy consultant Gamy Narvaez breaks down the steps schools can take now, what matters most in an AI...
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When Students Lead, Innovation Follows: AI and Literacy at Ridgewood Local Schools
Send us Fan Mail What if students weren’t just learners — but problem-solvers? At Ridgewood Local Schools, a group of senior honors students identified a growing literacy challenge and decided to do something about it. The result: an AI-powered platform that allows students to generate their own...
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Collaborative Leadership in Schools: Aligning District Teams for Student Success
Send us Fan Mail Strong schools are built on aligned leadership. In this episode of Leading the Way, host Scott Gerfen is joined by Dr. Elizabeth Lolli and Mike Trego from the Ohio Leadership Advisory Council (OLAC) to discuss collaborative leadership and why alignment among school boards,...
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Starting Strong as a New Board Member
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of OSBA’s Leading the Way podcast, host Scott Gerfen sits down with OSBA board consultants Kristi Robbins and Teri Morgan — both former school board members — to break down what new members need to know as they step into public service. They discuss:• What to…
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OSBA Capital Conference Recap: Student Achievement Fair and Trade Show Highlights
Send us Fan Mail n this special on-site episode of OSBA’s Leading the Way Podcast, host Scott Gerfen takes you inside the 2025 OSBA Capital Conference & Trade Show, exploring two of the event’s biggest highlights:• The Student Achievement Fair, where students from across Ohio showcase hands-on...
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Supporting Military Families: How Ohio’s Purple Star Schools Lead the Nation
Send us Fan Mail November is Military Family Appreciation Month, and in this episode of OSBA’s Leading the Way podcast, host Scott Gerfen sits down with Pete LuPiba, Ohio’s Purple Star school liaison, to explore how schools across the Buckeye State are supporting military-connected students and...
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From Siri to the Classroom: Making AI Work for Students and Teachers
Send us Fan Mail Artificial intelligence is already shaping how students learn, search and create. But how can schools use AI responsibly — and effectively?In this episode of Leading the Way, host Scott Gerfen sits down with Kathryn Cerminara, senior manager of sales at Lincoln Learning…
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How School Board Members Can Drive Change Through Advocacy
Send us Fan Mail Advocacy is one of the most powerful ways school board members can make a difference — not just in their districts, but across the state and nation.In this episode of Leading the Way, host Scott Gerfen talks with Jocelyn Spencer Rhynard of Dayton City Schools and Bill Ferguson…
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Ohio Property Tax Reforms: What’s at Stake for Schools, Students and Homeowners
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Leading the Way, host Scott Gerfen examines the Ohio General Assembly’s push to change the state’s property tax system — and the consequences it could have for schools, students and communities.Guests Dr. Howard Fleeter of the Ohio Education Policy Institute…
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Why every school must speak media
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Leading the Way, host Scott Gerfen sits down with John Ondo, OSBA’s media consultant, and Josh Gallagan, digital design instructor at Delaware Area Career Center. Together, they explore why media is the language of today — and how schools can use it to connect...
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Driving leadership: Rethinking transportation management
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, OSBA Senior Transportation Consultant Doug Palmer joins us to explore why selecting the most senior bus driver isn’t always the best move when hiring a transportation manager. Palmer shares insights on what school districts should look for in leadership roles...
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Your voice matters: How HB 335 could hurt Ohio’s students
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Leading the Way podcast, host Scott Gerfen discusses the profound implications of House Bill 335 on Ohio's students. The bill could strip up to $2 billion in funding from public schools, affecting teacher employment, class sizes, extracurricular programs…
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Combating misinformation in public schools
Send us Fan Mail 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...
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Insider insights: School funding, property taxes and more
Send us Fan Mail 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…
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Mastering superintendent and treasurer evaluations
Send us Fan Mail 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…
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Billions on the line: What the House-passed budget means for students
Send us Fan Mail 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...
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Building trust: Strengthening the superintendent-school board relationship
Send us Fan Mail 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...
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Ohio's School Transportation Challenges
Send us Fan Mail 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. 🏫 Key Topics: ✔️ Funding for school transportation in Ohio’s latest budget...
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Ohio's school-funding future: The next two-year budget
Send us Fan Mail 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...
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A conversation with 2025 OSBA President Tom Patterson
Send us Fan Mail 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...
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The Power of collaboration: How COSSBA is elevating Ohio school boards
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we spotlight the Consortium of State 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...
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What's ahead for public education at the Statehouse?
Send us Fan Mail 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...
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Supporting military-connected students: Ohio's Purple Star program
Send us Fan Mail 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...
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Strengthening family engagement: A key to student success
Send us Fan Mail 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...
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The OSBA Capital Conference and Trade Show: Your guide to Ohio's premier education event!
Send us Fan Mail 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…
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The Open Meetings Act: Common Mistakes and Consequences
Send us Fan Mail 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…
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Summer in the school bus garage: Combating the driver shortage and enhancing safety
Send us Fan Mail 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,...
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Do Ohio schools have to ban cellphones?
Send us Fan Mail 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...
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Tech tuneup: Is your district ready for the summer?
Send us Fan Mail 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...
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Is your district prepared for a First Amendment audit?
Send us Fan Mail 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...
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AI in Ohio schools: Implementing it safely and effectively
Send us Fan Mail 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...
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Can school board members block critics on social media?
Send us Fan Mail 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...
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currently has 103 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
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is a podcast covering topics in education.
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