Sunday, September 05, 1999
Heimlich quits charter school board
Councilman's service could violate code
BY KEVIN ALDRIDGE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Cincinnati City Councilman Phil Heimlich has resigned from the nonprofit board that oversees Riverside Academy, Cincinnati's newest community charter school for kindergarten through sixth grade.
“Community schools are new and innovative attempts to improve education, and the focus should be on the schools and not the personalities associated with them,” he said in a prepared statement Friday.
Mr. Heimlich came under fire in July from a resident who thought he was using his public position to get attention for the charter school movement and his schools in particular. Mr. Heimlich sponsors four charter schools in Cincinnati — Riverside Academy, Life Skills Center and two that will open next fall.
Mr. Heimlich has made no secret of his support of school choice. Earlier this year, he declared himself a “clearinghouse” of information about school choice in Greater Cincinnati.
He also hosted a series of community meetings at which private and charter school leaders talked about their schools and solicited students. Mr. Heimlich has said he stands to gain nothing from his involvement, particularly since his schools and their governing boards are nonprofit.
Cincinnati's municipal code, however, prohibits council members from serving in another “public office” while on council. Mr. Heimlich, who recently became aware of the provision, said whether board membership constitutes a “public office” is ambiguous under Ohio law because community charter schools are relatively new. The independent nonprofit corporation's board receives public funds.
Rather than risk the appearance of violating the provision, Mr. Heimlich resigned. He reiterated his commitment to the community school movement and said he will continue to aid the schools from the outside.
“I am very pleased that because of my oversight Riverside Academy opened successfully this week, providing an excellent choice for Cincinnati families,” Mr. Heimlich said. “I want this school to succeed and I want each of these kids to succeed.”
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