State of the State | Governor calls for new education position

To ensure a direct line of responsibility and accountability in education, Gov. Ted Strickland is calling for the establishment of a new position: the Director of the Department of Education. The Director will be appointed by Strickland and serve as a member of his cabinet.

The existing structure of the State Board of Education and the state superintendent would remain in place in advisory and additional roles as determined by the director.

Also, Strickland announced that Chancellor Eric Fingerhut’s 10-year strategic plan will guarantee that high-quality associate and bachelor’s degrees in core fields will be available on a campus within 30 miles of every Ohioan.