John Kasich & Ohio's Charter School Exec - It's an Interesting Story

Ohio Governor John Kasich (R)

On Sunday, it was reported that the Ohio Department of Education executive in charge of publishing ratings for the state's charter schools resigned after it became clear that his publications were somewhat less than honest.  His connection to Governor and latest Republican candidate for president John Kasich makes for some interesting reading.

what eye thynk:  Yesterday, while talking about our governor's imminent presidential announcement, my husband asked me what I did and didn't like about him.  Here's my list:

Likes:  

1. He bucked the Republican Party line and extended Medicaid to Ohio's poor under the Affordable Care Act.

Dislikes:

1. He was one of the handful of governors who refused to accept marriage equality even after a federal judge ordered Ohio to recognize the same-sex marriages of couples joined in other states, and continued to fight against same-sex marriage to the last.
2. He signed legislation that puts all of Ohio's abortion providers in danger of closing. 
3. He signed legislation that would allow fracking in state parks, helped with a campaign to get citizens behind the idea, then lied about it.
4. He reversed legislation signed by his Democratic predecessor requiring 25% of Ohio's energy to come from renewable sources by 2025.
5. He supported legislation that would have prohibited small political parties like the Libertarians or Green Party from appearing on state ballots.  At the time, the reasoning was that they might take votes away from Republican candidates--specifically Mr. Kasich's campaign for governor.
6. He signed legislation that would require public schools requesting money for student mentoring programs to partner with a church or faith-based organization.
7. Mr. Kasich was employed by Lehman Brothers until it collapsed in 2008.  When asked if he had any regrets from that period, he replied, "It was fantastic.  Are you kidding?  Regrets?  I thought it was a fantastic time...It was great."

And for #8, there is this story from Sunday's Washington Post: "Ohio's School Choice Chief Resigns After Giving Unfair Help to Charter Schools."  

A Summary:  David Hansen, the Ohio Education Department executive responsible for overseeing the state's charter schools, resigned after admitting that he dropped the "F" rating from failing schools to make charter schools look better in state evaluation reports.  His actions "boosted the ratings of two (charter school) sponsors" making them eligible for more state funds.

According to Steve Dyer, an education policy fellow at Innovation Ohio, the schools that had their "F" ratings hidden by Mr. Hanson just happen to be schools "run by the state's largest political donors."

Incidentally, Mr. Hansen also just happens to be married to Governor Kasich's chief of staff, Beth Hansen  Ms. Hansen plans to work for the Kasich for President campaign.

Nothing fishy here, folks...really, please move along.  

Oh, and be sure to vote Republican where honesty is as important to us as the poor, women, gays, education, the environment, and Jesus.