Morning Bell: Glenda Ritz on Bennett, School Budgets, Fighting Absenteeism

Six big takeaways from Glenda Ritz’s ‘Tully Talk’ – “Asked about what Bennett did right and wrong, Ritz said (after a long pause) that she felt he succeeded in energized a real discussion about education in Indiana but he did not engage in real dialogue with educators and parents about the changes he proposed and that hurt him.” Get On The Bus

Valpo schools adjust budget for year-end accounting – “In 2011, when the budget was first approved for 2012, full-day kindergarten had not been approved by the board, chief financial officer Sharon Qualkenbush said. State funding for the program cannot be spent without a budget appropriation.” Gary Post-Tribune

Tippecanoe School Corp. thanks student for free EpiPens – “And now, thanks to Harrison’s quick thinking, all 19 schools in Tippecanoe School Corp. are getting an EpiPen to keep on hand for no cost. His initiative is saving the district an estimated $3,500 each year.” Lafayette Journal and Courier

How A Middle-School Principal Persuaded Students To Come To School – “Shawn Rux took over as principal of MS 53, a New York City middle school, last year. At the time, 50 or 60 kids were absent every day. … Twenty-two teachers had quit, the entire office staff had quit, and hundreds of kids had been suspended. The school was given a grade of F from the city’s department of education.” Planet Money