Embracing the Chance to Make a Difference

In my most recent blog, I provided a link to a newly created Facebook group for a pilot initiative to provide Ohio’s citizens with a stronger voice in shaping statewide education policy.  The goal of this pilot initiative is to turn the Ohio Public School Advocacy Network, created four years ago by Ohio’s school superintendents, into a grassroots citizen movement.  For the past six months, a small group of civic leaders and I have been working to help build community leadership teams for pilot school districts participating in the first phase of this citizen-led initiative.  They include Woodridge Local Schools, Boardman Local Schools, LaBrae Local Schools, Columbiana Exempted Village Schools, North Royalton City Schools, Mayfield City Schools, North Olmsted City Schools, Avon Lake City Schools, Olmsted Falls City Schools and Gahanna-Jefferson City Schools.  While the movement is in its infancy and there still a lot to learn about what it will take for it to sustain itself, one thing is already becoming clear.  Most of the citizens who are joining the OPSAN planning teams understand the importance of this initiative and are embracing the chance to make a difference.