This series is a culmination of nearly five years of investigative
reporting by Akron Beacon Journal reporters Dennis J. Willard and Doug Oplinger.
Research for "Whose Choice?" began early in 1999 as an examination of influence: Who
facilitated Ohio's sharp increase in aid to private schools and sudden expansion
of vouchers and charter schools while the public school system was known to be one
of the most poorly funded in the country?
The reporters combined computer-assisted reporting with old-fashioned records research.
Some of the most revealing information was gleaned from the files of former Gov.
George Voinovich, which were donated to the library archives at Ohio University in Athens.
The reporters spent about eight days combing through those records.
Other sources include:
--Public records requests of the Ohio Department of Education and Legislative Service Commission.
--The Ohio attorney general's archives of nonprofit organization financial reports.
--Campaign contribution data from the Ohio secretary of state and federal reports on the Internet.
--Other reports on school choice available on the Internet and from special-interest groups.
Day 1
Charter Experiment Goes Awry
Schools fail to deliver
Ohio, already No. 1 in the '90s for putting public dollars into private schools and last in the nation for placing children in safe and sanitary buildings, is on course to earn a new distinction in the next decade.
Parents have freedom of choice, but not freedom of information
Many hope charter schools will be the answer, but find limited options and little data on how schools are run
Theresa Davis thought her problems were solved when she enrolled her seventh-grade son in the Riser Military Academy -- a new bootcamp-styled charter school that opened in Columbus. Little did she know her headaches were just beginning.
Day 2
In education, money talks
David Brennan's White Hat Management changes the way business, politics and school vouchers mix
Nearly a decade ago a car pulled up to the White House and a tall man with a white cowboy hat climbed out. The man was from middle America -- Akron, Ohio -- but he had friends in high places.
Did former aide's role cross lines?
Tom Needles' ties with David Brennan while working in governor's office raise some eyebrows
Former governor's aide Tom Needles' relationship with David Brennan
raises a simple question: Was he more of an advocate for Brennan than he
was for public schools? Brennan corresponded and met on many occasions
with Needles and entertained him at his condominium in Naples, Fla., at the
time Needles was the governor's top adviser on education.
Brennan foundation funds school business
The Brennan Family Foundation has steered much of its charitable contributions to
programs that have some relationship with the family's education business, according
reports filed with the Internal Revenue Service.
Day 3
Voucher system falls far short of goals
Intended to benefit underserved public-school kids, program has become a blessing for Catholic institutions
Let's help Cleveland children escape a failing public school system. That
was the mission of the nation's most ambitious school voucher experiment,
launched late in 1995 by then-Gov. George Voinovich.
Voucher plan leaves long list of broken vows
Program costs public schools, doesn't raise private enrollment and leaves handicapped students behind
CLEVELAND: -- When then-Gov. George Voinovich went to Cleveland in
late 1995 to kick off the voucher program, there was a sentence crossed out
of his speech: ``Scholarships will be offered to all eligible students in the
district, including main-streamed and separately educated, handicapped
students.''
Children can attend four types of schools
Here are the types of schools operating in Ohio: Public -- The Ohio
Constitution requires the legislature to provide a thorough and efficient
public school system. The Ohio Supreme Court ruled in 1997 that public
schools are not adequately funded and ordered a complete overhaul of
funding. The court is now considering whether that has been accomplished.
Day 4
School battle eludes voters, takes its cues from coalitions
Powerful organizations turn education into war of words, litigation and money
It's 5:45 p.m. on a weeknight -- drive time in Northeast Ohio. There is a
pause on WCRF radio in preparation for a short, tape-recorded commentary
on public schools. Then a male voice asks, ``Is it about teaching kids well?
Or about power, . . . money . . . and politics? Hi. This is Dave Zanotti.''
Campaign organizer pushes hard for changes
David Zanotti exercises influence over officials while leading the attack on public school system
During much of the 1990s, David Zanotti has been an important campaign
organizer and grass-roots activist for former Gov. George Voinovich and
Akron entrepreneur David Brennan. In doing so, he brought about changes
in election and campaign-finance laws and twice led campaigns to block the
introduction of casino gambling.
Key players in Ohio's fight over control of education
Web site: http://www.ohioroundtable.org Purpose: Advocacy group that
sponsors rallies and news conferences to support school choice. Finances:
Ohio Attorney General Betty Montgomery and Ohio Secretary of State J.
Kenneth Blackwell said they have no record of the organization as an
incorporated entity, which would require it to file annual financial reports.
Read more about Ohio education by these reporters.
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