Seven Ohio school board members want investigation of ODE practices

August 3, 2015 at 7:15p.m.

COLUMBUS

Several state school board members want an investigation of Ohio Department of Education practices, including the department’s and state superintendent’s role in developing the Youngstown Plan.

The Monday letter to Richard Ross, state superintendent of public instruction, bears the names of seven of the state school board’s 18 members (plus one seat that is vacant).

Those who signed are Stephanie Dodd of Hebron, Pat Bruns of Cincinnati, Michael Collins of Westerville, Ann Jacobs of Lima, Mary Rose Oakar of Cleveland, Roslyn Painter-Goffi of Strongsville and A.J. Wagner of Dayton.

The district seat that includes Mahoning and Columbiana is vacant. Bob Hagan resigned July 1.

Sarah Fowler of Rock Creek, whose district includes Trumbull County, didn’t sign the letter. She couldn’t be reached.

“We are taking a beating in the media, and we deserve it,” the letter says. It was emailed by Dodd to The Vindicator.