Neola

Neola supports the critical race theory-influenced concept of educational equity at public schools ⁵ and has previously participated in the annual conference of the left-of-center National School Boards Association. ⁶

In October 2021, the Mason School Board in Mason, Michigan, repealed its “controversial topics” policy, which originated from Neola and had led to the school district suggesting the addition of far-left Black Lives Matter material in the school’s Black History Month content. ⁷ Neola has also helped the school board in Manatee County, Florida, develop policies that work to “develop racial equity priorities for schools and offices” and see “equity as an outcome.” ⁸

History and Leadership

Neola was founded in 1978 as North East Ohio Learning Associates. ^{1 9} In 1979, Neola began its consultancy work in Ohio. ¹⁰ Between 1989 and 2005, Neola expanded beyond Ohio and began working with clients in Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, West Virginia, and Florida. ^{11 12}

Patrick Corbett is the executive director of Neola. ^{13 14}

Activities and Funding

Neola is an education consulting firm that develops personalized bylaws, policies, guidelines, and materials to more than 1,550 school boards in six states. ¹⁵ As of June 2022, Neola has created 400 different policy templates to address school board policy concerns in K-12 schools. ^{2 3} Neola has also participated in the annual conference of the left-of-center National School Boards Association. ⁶

Staffed primarily by former school administrators, ¹⁶ Neola helps superintendents, general counsel, and policy administration draft policy language to ensure school board compliance with state and federal education regulations. Twice a year Neola proposes revisions and updates to its clients. ^{17 18 19}

Neola supports the critical race theory-influenced concept of educational equity at public schools. ²⁰ The organization also participates in external reviews of school systems; ²¹ offers policy templates and “best practices” guidelines for school board regulations; ²² facilities studies, population projects, curriculum units, and staff development; ^{23 24} and provides IT consulting, school safety, emergency systems, and online compliance service contracts for K-12 schools to its clients. ²⁵

In October 2021, the Mason School Board in Mason, Michigan, repealed its “controversial topics” policy, which originated from Neola and had led to the school district suggesting the addition of far-left Black Lives Matter material in the school’s Black History Month content. ⁷

Neola has also helped school boards institute school board bylaws and policies in Polk County, Florida, that claim “complex societal and historical factors may contribute to inequity” ²⁶ and in Manatee County, Florida, that work to “develop racial equity priorities for schools and offices” and see “equity as an outcome.” ⁸

In August 2021, Neola sent a “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Public Schools” legal alert to its clients that summarized the Ohio Board of Education’s resolution condemning racism and advancing equity for minority students. ⁴

State-level Engagement

Neola has 515 clients in Ohio and has worked in the state since 1979. ¹⁰ Neola has 38 clients in Florida and is the state school board association’s preferred provider of policy service. ²⁷ Neola has 449 clients in Michigan and is in partnership with the Michigan Association of School Boards. ²⁸ Neola also has 298 clients in Wisconsin, ²⁹ 217 clients in Indiana, ³⁰ and 26 clients in West Virginia. ³¹

Funding

Neola receives its funding from program service fees associated with its advisory services. ³²