Wagner has emerged as the strongest voice on the state school board on behalf of high-poverty schools, urging fellow board members to consider the impact on urban school districts such as Dayton in their decision-making.
State School Board President Tom Gunlock said this morning that Wagner “consistently gave voice to the concerns of his constituents, particularly those he felt had little opportunity to be heard. We thank him for his service and wish him well.”
Kasich will appoint a successor to serve out the remaining term through 2018, board president Gunlock told this news organization. An election to a four-year term would take place in November 2018 for the district 3 seat. Wagner was one of 11 elected members of the state school board; an additional eight members are appointed by the governor and do not face election.
Wagner singled out Kasich for praise in his resignation letter, saying, “I am pleased that all of the United States now knows of the important, good qualities of his personality. He has represented Ohio well to our great nation. … We may not always agree, but I know that every vote you cast is with a sincere concern for children, and I am confident of your integrity and good character.”
But Wagner added: “I believe education is changing, and not necessarily for the better. Funding shortages, unnecessary testing, the Ohio report card system, shortage of teachers, elimination of music, art, nurses, recess, counselors and other essential services for our students will certainly haunt Ohio for years to come.
“I joined the Board with a hope of moving the needle on programming for children in poverty from ages zero to three. I leave the Board having accomplished nothing in that regard.”
In addition to advocating for high-quality early childhood and pre-K education, Wagner urged the state board to solicit and consider “authentic input from teachers, parents, community partners, non-instructional school staff, youth, and other stakeholders” in its leadership and decision-making, and to embrace “a strong curriculum that is rich, culturally relevant, and developmentally appropriate for each child.
“More and more our schools are being divided along racial and ethnic lines. This makes it imperative to have culturally appropriate materials, and where possible, teachers that look like their students. College preparatory standards are great and useful for a child with the desire and ability to attend college, but standards must be flexible for those without the talent or money needed for college success. I repeat, more than 40 percent of jobs in the Dayton area do not require any college. Students who are capable of performing these jobs should not be denied a (high school) diploma because they are not college-ready.”
Wagner, who has advocated for stronger state oversight of charter schools, added, “We must stop raiding the public school share of state and local funding to finance non-transparent, private entities that fail to follow full academic and operational standards without full accountability to the public.”
He added: “I have had my chance. I now return my seat to the voters of District 3 with the hope that my successor will do better than I did. I hope that voices are raised louder than mine was, and I hope that legislatures become responsive to those voices.”
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