Governance of the Coalition
The Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools (CORAS) is a Regional Council of Governments. The CORAS Board of Directors is composed of 17 members. One elected and one appointed from each of the seven regions into which the 29 Appalachian counties are divided; and three from Ohio University College of Education. Board members from school districts serve a three year term. Three or four regular Board meetings, including a summer planning conference, are held annually. A part-time executive director is employed by the Board.
Coalition Linkages
The Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools has a special partnership agreement with the Ohio University College of Education which includes support for conducting research, a contribution to the Director’s salary, and office space. Secretarial assistance is also provided by the College of Education. The Coalition also maintains a liaison relationship with the Buckeye Association of School Administrators, Ohio Association of Secondary Administrators, Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators, Ohio School Boards Association, Ohio Association of School Business Officials, State Department of Education, Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding, Ohio University Leadership Project and Ohio Appalachian Center for Higher Education. Informal linkages are sought with other regional institutions involved with the professional preparation and continuing development of educators for the region’s schools.
Membership Meetings
Professional development and informational meetings are typically held in the months of September, October, January, March, April and June at various sites throughout the region to encourage broad-based participation. Visitors and guests are welcomed. Meeting dates are listed below.
CORAS Meeting Dates & Programs 2009-10
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 pm
Program
FY 2010-2011 School Funding Update
Presenter
Dick Maxwell
Dick Maxwell is a highly respected school finance expert, former BASA Executive Director, former school superintendent and currently a BASA Senior Fellow.
Location
Olde Dutch Restaurant, Logan
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Program
Education and School Funding Reform in Ohio and Across the Nation
Presenter
Molly A. Hunter, Esq.
Director, Education Justice at the Education Law Center
Newark, New Jersey
Molly A. Hunter is a nationally recognized expert on issues of school funding litigation and reform. She has written and spoken extensively on these issues and is known for her advocacy of educational opportunity for disadvantaged students.
Location
Olde Dutch Restaurant, Logan (tentative)
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Program
"Teacher Quality and Student Achievement/Learning in the Classroom"
Presenter
Dr. James Mahoney
Executive Director, Battelle for Kids.
Jim Mahoney joined Battelle for Kids in 2001 as the organization's executive director. Dr. Mahoney has been involved in education for over 35 years as a superintendent, assistant superintendent, principal and teacher. He has also worked as an adjunct faculty member and has published a number of professional articles and is a well-known speaker, making presentations across the United States, Canada and China.
Location
Ramada Inn, Zanesville
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Program
Topics include the upcoming Ohio standards and
the "Race to the Top" program
Debbie Rhosto, Executive Director of the Center for Curriculum and Assessment, Ohio Department of Education will be speaking. She has been activiely involved in mathematics and science professional development, standards revision and the performance assessment pilot project.
Location
Olde Dutch Restaurant, Logan
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Program
Samuel I. Hicks Executive-in-Residence Program
2010 Hicks Honoree
Dr. Charol Shakeshaft
Department of Educational Leadership
Virginia Commonwealth University
Charol Shakeshaft has been studying equity in schools for more than 25 years, documenting gendered practice in the classroom and in school administration. She is an internationally recognized researcher in the area of gender patterns in educational delivery and classroom interactions.
Location
Ohio University Inn, Athens
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Annual Summer Meeting and Golf Outing
Program
To Be Announced
Presenters
To Be Announced
Location
EagleSticks Golf Club and Inn, Zanesville
Again This Year
Graduate Credit
The Ohio University College of Education will grant one (1) quarter hour of credit to personnel from CORAS member school districts who attend the first four programs (September 15, 2009; October 20, 2009; January 26, 2010; and April 27, 2010). The College of Education will waive the tuition fee. However, Ohio University requires an $85 general fee.
Registration Fee
CORAS will charge each participant $20 to cover the continental breakfast, lunch and session handouts.
For additional information see "CORAS Meeting Dates and Programs 2008-09" below.