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Page 6
The Common Core- continued from page 2
The need for the discharge petition has now
probably become moot with the introduction of
House Bill 597 on July 28. Originally only a
placeholder bill, HB 597 declared the legislature’s
“intent that sections of the Revised Code be
amended, enacted, or repealed to rescind the
adoption of the Common Core Initiative academic
standards as the state's primary and secondary
academic content standards in English language
arts and mathematics.”
However, unlike the earlier House Bill 237, this
legislation outlined the alternative to the Common
Core standards. The proposal is to use the
Common Core standards for this coming school
year, standards adopted by another state
(probably Massachusetts) in 2015-16 and 2016-
17, and then new Ohio standards (to be
developed) for 2017-18 and thereafter. Naturally,
this would mean that there would be three sets of
academic content standards in four years.
Critics of the Common Core counter that the final
Ohio standards could be based on the standards
used by another state and thus reduce the number
of changes that might occur if developing the final
Ohio standards without a model.
Opponents of the Common Core charge that it is a
national curriculum, that it is not sufficiently
rigorous, and that it jeopardizes student privacy.
What is apparent to most observers of the Ohio
General Assembly is that the issue has become
just as political as it is pedagogical.
BASA Installs New President
Dr. Michael Tefs has been installed as the new BASA president. Dr. Hamilton, Executive Director
of BASA, was the Master of Ceremonies for the installation ceremony held August 12
th
at Wooster
High School – Performing Arts Center. The new BASA president, Dr. Tefs, is a passionate and
active member of BASA and currently serves as the Chair of the Local Report Card Committee
and a member of the Ohio Department of Education State Department Committee. Michael was
also awarded the Exemplary Educational Leadership award for Region 10 and in 2011 was a
graduate of the Ohio School Leadership Institute. Several people were asked to give remarks
about during the ceremony. Mr. Michael Steiner, Wooster BOE President, spoke of Michael’s
leadership abilities and the pride of the Board of Education in having Dr. Tefs lead the district.
Mrs. Emmy Beeson, Superintendent of Ridgement Local Schools, spoke of Dr. Tefs leadership,
collaborative nature, and his intense focus on school improvement. Finally, Dr. Dale Fortner,
retired Superintendent Wadsworth City Schools, spoke of Michael’s loyality, intelligence, and
ability to promote and support staff and students. BASA is proud to have Dr. Michael Tefs as the
BASA president!
During the president installation ceremony, Robert Hamm, Superintendent, Dover City Schools,
was installed as Regional Director for Region 7. Dr. James Metcalf, Superintendent, Plymouth
Shiloh Local, was installed as Regional Director of Region 10. Michael Lamb, Superintendent,
Shawnee Local Schools, was installed as President-elect of BA
SA.
Page 3
Executive Director – continued from
page 1
Filling the role of Deputy Executive Director is
another important step in this transition. I am
pleased to announce that Dr. David Axner will
be joining BASA on January 1 to serve as the
Deputy Executive Director. Many of you will
know Dave from his many years as a
superintendent and as a very active member of
BASA. Dave has served on the BASA
executive committee, represented BASA on the
Educator Standards Board, and has served on
many committees. He is deeply committed to
the organization and the profession. We
welcome Dave to the BASA staff and know that
he will have to fill some very big shoes.
The 2014-2015 school year will be filled with
opportunities and challenges. We look forward
to working with you to take advantage of those
opportunities and meeting those challenges.
From left to right: Michael Lamb,
President-Elect; Robert Hamm,
Regional Director for Region 7,
James Metcalf, Regional Director
for Regional 10 and Dr. Michael
Tefs, BASA President.
BASA Presents:
A Day With Dave Weber
Come out and enjoy two power packed
presentations:
“Overcoming Life’s Goliaths”
and
“Leadership Redefined”
October 14, 2014
9:30-3:00
Doubletree Worthington
175 Hutchinson Avenue
Columbus, OH 43235
Join us!
BASA’s 45
th
Fall Conference
September 30 & October 1, 2014
Conference Location: Hilton
Columbus at Polaris
Featuring Key Note Speakers:
Jeff Nischwitz
, Founder-The Nischwitz
Group
“Change is Not An Option: Innovation is a
Choice”
Steve Dembo
, Director of Online
Community- Discovery
Education
“Building Bolder Schools: It Doesn’t Hurt
to Be First”
Dr. Michael Tefs, BASA
President and Dr. Kirk
Hamilton Executive
Director.