OSBA Today

Ohio School Boards Association
  • 4.7 (6)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

OSBA Today is the official podcast network of the Ohio School Boards Association, bringing together conversations on the issues, ideas and stories impacting public education across Ohio. From legal and legislative updates to leadership discussions and district success stories, OSBA Today features school board members, superintendents, treasurers, education leaders and subject-matter experts from around the state. The network includes five original shows: Leading the Way — Conversations on leadership, governance and the challenges facing Ohio school districts. Report to the Office — OSBA President Mary Cleveland sits down with education leaders and guests from around Ohio. Learning the Legislature — Updates and discussions on education policy and activity at the Statehouse. Legal Ledger Sidebars — Quick conversations focused on school law, policy and legal trends affecting districts. OSBA Forum — Extended discussions and special conversations featuring education experts and thought leaders.  Whether you are a board member, administrator, educator or community member, OSBA Today keeps you connected to the conversations happening in Ohio public education.

  1. Ten Commandments in Schools: Why Courts Are Reaching Opposite Conclusions

    2d ago

    Ten Commandments in Schools: Why Courts Are Reaching Opposite Conclusions

    Can a state require every public school classroom to display the Ten Commandments? Federal courts are currently answering that question in different ways, and the disagreement could eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court. In this episode of Legal Ledger Sidebar, OSBA attorneys Sara Clark and Jennie Hardin break down recent court decisions from Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas involving laws requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms. They explain how the Supreme Court's decision in Kennedy v. Bremerton changed the legal framework for church-state cases, why courts are now focused on "history and tradition," and how two courts reviewing nearly identical issues reached opposite conclusions. The discussion also explores: • The end of the Lemon test. • The role of Stone v. Graham in modern court decisions. • What lawyers mean by a "circuit split." • Whether the U.S. Supreme Court could eventually weigh in. • Why Ohio school leaders should pay attention, even though Ohio does not currently have a similar law. Legal Ledger Sidebar is a podcast from the Ohio School Boards Association that examines legal developments affecting public education and school governance. For more resources, training and advocacy updates from the Ohio School Boards Association, visit ohioschoolboards.org.

    14 min
  2. Conflict Management in School Leadership

    May 26

    Conflict Management in School Leadership

    Conflict is unavoidable in school leadership, but how leaders respond to it can shape the culture and effectiveness of an entire district. In this episode of the OSBA Forum, host Mark Bobo talks with Sara Clark and Kristi Robbins about the challenges school boards and district leaders face regarding conflict, communication and governance.  The conversation explores:  Why conflict is increasing in some districts.  Leadership transitions and board dynamics.  Communication breakdowns and difficult conversations.  Emotional intelligence in governance.  Community expectations and political pressures.  Strategies for strengthening trust and professionalism. The OSBA Forum features conversations on the issues impacting Ohio’s public schools and the leaders who serve them. 00:00 Introduction  00:22 Conflict Isn’t Always Negative  00:47 Meet Sara Clark and Kristi Robbins  01:19 Why Conflict Is Increasing in School Districts  01:43 New Board Members and Leadership Transitions  02:06 Roles, Communication and Difficult Conversations  02:40 Budget Challenges and Community Pressure  03:05 Political Polarization and Board Dynamics  03:38 Emotional Intelligence During Conflict  04:25 Early Warning Signs of Governance Problems  05:12 Building Trust Within Leadership Teams  06:04 Productive Communication Strategies  07:01 Managing Public Pressure and Expectations  08:10 Advice for Board Members Facing Conflict  09:02 Final Thoughts on Leadership and Governance For more resources, training and advocacy updates from the Ohio School Boards Association, visit ohioschoolboards.org.

    27 min
  3. Where Do Your School Taxes Really Go?

    May 20

    Where Do Your School Taxes Really Go?

    Property taxes, levies, millage and school funding can be confusing, but they affect every community. In this episode of Report to the Office, OSBA President Mary Cleveland talks with Princeton City Schools Treasurer Christine Poetter about how school districts are funded, why local taxpayers are being asked to carry more of the load, and how those dollars support students, staff, buildings and daily operations. They also discuss common misconceptions about school district finances, the difference between property tax and income tax levies, why cash balances can be misunderstood, and how community members can stay informed and involved. Topics include: • Where school funding comes from. • Why property tax bills can change. • How levy dollars reach the classroom. • The role of the district treasurer. • Why school funding is a community issue. Understanding school funding is one way communities can better support students and public education. 00:00 Introduction 00:18 Where do your property taxes go? 00:50 Meet Christine Poetter 02:17 Biggest misconception about school funding 04:02 Main sources of school funding 05:21 Local taxpayers vs. state funding 07:30 Property tax levies vs. income tax levies 11:30 Millage and valuation explained 12:48 Why tax bills can change 15:23 How tax dollars reach the classroom 18:27 Why cash balances can be misunderstood 19:02 Schools are a people business 20:39 Hard financial decisions districts face 23:11 What every Ohio resident should understand 25:33 How community members can stay informed 27:17 Closing remarks For more resources, training and advocacy updates from the Ohio School Boards Association, visit ohioschoolboards.org.

    28 min
  4. Should School Board Members Post on Social Media?

    May 12

    Should School Board Members Post on Social Media?

    Social media gives school board members a direct way to connect with their communities, but it can also create legal, governance and communication challenges if it’s not handled carefully. In this episode of Leading the Way, OSBA consultants Kristi Robbins and Quinn Maceyko discuss where board members often get tripped up online and how to avoid creating problems for yourself or your board. The conversation covers:  Open Meetings Act concerns  Public records implications  Board unity and communication  Responding to misinformation  Sharing district information appropriately  Why “when in doubt, cut it out” may be the best advice Whether you’re an experienced board member or newly elected, this episode offers insight into how social media can impact public trust, transparency and board governance. For more resources, training and advocacy updates from the Ohio School Boards Association, visit ohioschoolboards.org.

    9 min
  5. AI in schools: What actually matters before the July 1 deadline

    May 4

    AI in schools: What actually matters before the July 1 deadline

    AI is moving fast, and Ohio schools now have a July 1 deadline to have a policy in place. So what should districts actually be doing right now? In this Legal Ledger Sidebar, OSBA policy consultant Gamy Narvaez breaks down the steps schools can take now, what matters most in an AI policy and the biggest legal risks to watch. If your district hasn’t started yet, this is a good place to begin. 00:00 The July 1 AI deadline 00:45 Where districts should start 01:50 What a good AI policy includes 03:00 Start from scratch or use a model? 03:45 FERPA and data privacy risks 05:00 Chatbots and student safety concerns 06:50 AI misuse and deepfakes 08:20 Biggest legal risk right now 09:00 What to do this week For more resources, training and advocacy updates from the Ohio School Boards Association, visit ohioschoolboards.org.

    11 min
  6. When Students Lead, Innovation Follows: AI and Literacy at Ridgewood Local Schools

    Mar 19

    When Students Lead, Innovation Follows: AI and Literacy at Ridgewood Local Schools

    What if students weren’t just learners — but problem-solvers? At Ridgewood Local Schools, a group of senior honors students identified a growing literacy challenge and decided to do something about it. The result: an AI-powered platform that allows students to generate their own stories, read at their level, and build stronger engagement with reading. In this episode of Leading the Way, host Scott Gerfen talks with the students behind the project and their teacher, Lester McCurdy, about how the idea came to life and why it’s gaining national attention. You’ll hear: How the project started from a real classroom need. What makes student-created storytelling so effective. How the platform supports both students and teachers. Why equity and multilingual access were built in from the start. What students gained from leading the work. Lessons for districts looking to empower student innovation. The team’s work has already taken them to Washington, D.C., where they met with leaders from government and major tech companies. This conversation offers a fresh perspective on AI in schools — not as a shortcut, but as a tool for deeper learning, creativity and ownership. For more resources, training and advocacy updates from the Ohio School Boards Association, visit ohioschoolboards.org.

    13 min
  7. Collaborative Leadership in Schools: Aligning District Teams for Student Success

    12/18/2025

    Collaborative Leadership in Schools: Aligning District Teams for Student Success

    Strong schools are built on aligned leadership. In this episode of Leading the Way, host Scott Gerfen is joined by Dr. Elizabeth Lolli and Mike Trego from the Ohio Leadership Advisory Council (OLAC) to discuss collaborative leadership and why alignment among school boards, superintendents, principals and teachers is critical to district success. The conversation explores how leadership teams move from isolated decision-making to shared direction, common goals, and sustainable improvement. Guests share real district examples, warning signs when collaboration breaks down, and practical tools districts can use to strengthen leadership coherence and improve student outcomes. 🎙 This episode is sponsored by Lincoln Learning Solutions, which provides accredited K–12 digital curriculum and supports schools with flexible instructional content and expert professional learning for educators in all learning environments. Subscribe to Leading the Way for more conversations with education leaders shaping public education across Ohio. For more resources, training and advocacy updates from the Ohio School Boards Association, visit ohioschoolboards.org.

    20 min
  8. Starting Strong as a New Board Member

    12/11/2025

    Starting Strong as a New Board Member

    In this episode of OSBA’s Leading the Way podcast, host Scott Gerfen sits down with OSBA board consultants Kristi Robbins and Teri Morgan — both former school board members — to break down what new members need to know as they step into public service. They discuss:• What to expect during the first 90 days on the board• How to prepare for your first board meeting• Governance vs. day-to-day management• Building strong relationships with fellow board members and the superintendent• Handling community expectations• Staying student-focused in every decisionWhether you're newly elected or simply seeking clarity on your role, this episode offers firsthand lessons, practical tips, and encouragement to start your term with confidence!Thank you to our sponsor: Lincoln Learning Solutions. Learn more: https://www.lincolnlearningsolutions.org. For more resources, training and advocacy updates from the Ohio School Boards Association, visit ohioschoolboards.org.

    19 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

OSBA Today is the official podcast network of the Ohio School Boards Association, bringing together conversations on the issues, ideas and stories impacting public education across Ohio. From legal and legislative updates to leadership discussions and district success stories, OSBA Today features school board members, superintendents, treasurers, education leaders and subject-matter experts from around the state. The network includes five original shows: Leading the Way — Conversations on leadership, governance and the challenges facing Ohio school districts. Report to the Office — OSBA President Mary Cleveland sits down with education leaders and guests from around Ohio. Learning the Legislature — Updates and discussions on education policy and activity at the Statehouse. Legal Ledger Sidebars — Quick conversations focused on school law, policy and legal trends affecting districts. OSBA Forum — Extended discussions and special conversations featuring education experts and thought leaders.  Whether you are a board member, administrator, educator or community member, OSBA Today keeps you connected to the conversations happening in Ohio public education.

Information

  • Creator
    Ohio School Boards Association
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    108
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Ohio School Boards Association
  • Show Website
    OSBA Today

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