It appears Ohio still doesn’t do a very good job of assessing and monitoring the nonpublic schooling options available to families. Lessons that should have been learned over and over — remember the Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow and the tens of millions of dollars it owed the state for its failures? — just aren’t sinking in.
Most recently, we learned three of the ACCEL schools that opened in Ohio have had to be shut down because of lead paint and asbestos concerns. According to local media reports, it was the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that finally took action. ACCEL says the issues were “never brought to their attention or reported to school staff.” This, despite ACCEL also taking pride in opening its public charter schools in historic buildings. Did they manage to do so while skipping what should have been required inspections for these three?
For the Youngstown Academy of Excellence, Niles Preparatory Academy and STEAM Academy of Warren, ACCEL says it is now awaiting inspection results. That investigation began only after the EPA took notice.
But these are PUBLIC charter schools? How did state education officials not notice something was amiss in the paperwork — or were such inspections even required by the state?
“There is no higher priority for us than the safety of students and staff at ACCEL-managed schools,” said Ron Packard, CEO of ACCEL Schools, according to local media reports. “We are committed to addressing any issues requiring repair or remediation and to doing so as quickly as possible.”
Meanwhile, parents of students who took classes in the buildings are being advised they can contact a health provider for information on blood lead testing.
It’s frightening to consider the damage that might have been done had federal officials not stepped in when they did.
If parents are to have real education options in Ohio, they must be confident there is someone keeping an eye on whether those options are safe, and will truly provide a better educational experience. Parents and guardians look to the alternatives that are available here because they want the best option — the best education — for THEIR children. They want their kids to learn and grow in an environment where they will be happy and safe.
If we are failing them (repeatedly) on that front, we are failing ourselves.