OSBA Leading the Way

OSBA Capital Conference Recap: Student Achievement Fair and Trade Show Highlights

n this special on-site episode of OSBA’s Leading the Way Podcast, host Scott Gerfen takes you inside the 2025 OSBA Capital Conference & Trade Show, exploring two of the event’s biggest highlights:• The Student Achievement Fair, where students from across Ohio showcase hands-on learning, career pathways and innovation in action.• One of the largest education-related trade shows in the nation, featuring more than 500 exhibitors supporting Ohio’s public schools.Whether you attended the conference or couldn’t be there this year, this episode gives you a front-row seat to the innovation and energy at Ohio’s premier education event.Thank you to our podcast sponsor: Lincoln Learning Solutions!

Supporting Military Families: How Ohio’s Purple Star Schools Lead the Nation

November is Military Family Appreciation Month, and in this episode of OSBA’s Leading the Way podcast, host Scott Gerfen sits down with Pete LuPiba, Ohio’s Purple Star school liaison, to explore how schools across the Buckeye State are supporting military-connected students and families.LuPiba shares the story behind the Purple Star Schools Program — a first-of-its-kind initiative that started in Ohio and has become a national model for recognizing and supporting military families. From classroom initiatives and community partnerships to new programs like Collegiate Purple Star, this conversation highlights how schools are honoring service and building belonging for every student.🔗 Learn more about how OSBA celebrates Military Family Appreciation Month: https://www.ohioschoolboards.org/celebrate-military-family-appreciation-month. Thanks to our sponsor: Lincoln Learning Solutions!#PurpleStarSchools #MilitaryFamilies #MilitaryAppreciationMonth#SupportOurStudents #MilitaryConnectedYouth

From Siri to the Classroom: Making AI Work for Students and Teachers

Artificial intelligence is already shaping how students learn, search and create. But how can schools use AI responsibly — and effectively?In this episode of Leading the Way, host Scott Gerfen sits down with Kathryn Cerminara, senior manager of sales at Lincoln Learning Solutions, to break down how AI is being used in Ohio classrooms, what makes Ohio a leader in K-12 AI policy, and how school boards can take the first steps toward smart AI integration.🔹 Why AI belongs in classrooms but doesn’t replace teachers🔹 What Lincoln AI is and how it supports student learning🔹 How to approach AI with purpose, not just products🔹 What school leaders and parents should know right now🎧 Sponsored by Lincoln Learning Solutions

How School Board Members Can Drive Change Through Advocacy

Advocacy is one of the most powerful ways school board members can make a difference — not just in their districts, but across the state and nation.In this episode of Leading the Way, host Scott Gerfen talks with Jocelyn Spencer Rhynard of Dayton City Schools and Bill Ferguson Jr. of Hamilton County ESC and Great Oaks Career Campuses. Fresh off their trip to Washington, D.C., for the Consortium of State School Boards Associations' Federal Advocacy Conference, they share:• Why telling your story is the heart of effective advocacy.• How to build relationships with lawmakers and their staff.• Tips for overcoming the fear of getting started and finding your voice.Whether you’re a seasoned advocate or a first-time school board member, this episode will inspire you to take action and make an impact for your students and community.📢 Key message: Strong schools need strong voices.Learn how you can be a champion for public education!Subscribe for more episodes of Leading the Way and stay connected to the voices shaping Ohio’s future.Thank you to our sponsor: Lincoln Learning Solutions -- https://www.lincolnlearningsolutions.org.

Ohio Property Tax Reforms: What’s at Stake for Schools, Students and Homeowners

In this episode of Leading the Way, host Scott Gerfen examines the Ohio General Assembly’s push to change the state’s property tax system — and the consequences it could have for schools, students and communities.Guests Dr. Howard Fleeter of the Ohio Education Policy Institute and Nicole Piscitani from OSBA’s Legislative Services team explain why property taxes have long been a cornerstone of school funding. They break down how the proposed changes could reduce the resources schools need to help students succeed, while offering little real relief to homeowners. The conversation also explores what the future of property tax legislation could mean for Ohio’s classrooms.Sponsored by Lincoln Learning Solutions. Get more information at https://www.lincolnlearningsolutions.org.