Neola (formerly known as North East Ohio Learning Associates) [1] is an education consultancy that develops personalized bylaws, policies, guidelines, and materials for more than 1,550 school boards in six states. [2] As of June 2022, Neola has created 400 different policy templates to address policy concerns in K-12 schools. [3] [4] [5]
Neola supports the critical race theory-influenced concept of educational equity at public schools [6] and has previously participated in the annual conference of the left-of-center National School Boards Association. [7]
In October 2021, the Mason School Board in Mason, Michigan, repealed its “controversial topics” policy, which originated from Neola and had led to the school district suggesting the addition of far-left Black Lives Matter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. [8] 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.” [9]
History and Leadership
Neola was founded in 1978 as North East Ohio Learning Associates. [10] [11] In 1979, Neola began its consultancy work in Ohio. [12] Between 1989 and 2005, Neola expanded beyond Ohio and began working with clients in Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, West Virginia, and Florida. [13] [14]
Patrick Corbett is the executive director of Neola. [15] [16]
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. [17] As of June 2022, Neola has created 400 different policy templates to address school board policy concerns in K-12 schools. [18] [19] Neola has also participated in the annual conference of the left-of-center National School Boards Association. [20]
Staffed primarily by former school administrators, [21] 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. [22] [23] [24]
Neola supports the critical race theory-influenced concept of educational equity at public schools. [25] The organization also participates in external reviews of school systems; [26] offers policy templates and “best practices” guidelines for school board regulations; [27] facilities studies, population projects, curriculum units, and staff development; [28] [29] and provides IT consulting, school safety, emergency systems, and online compliance service contracts for K-12 schools to its clients. [30]
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. [31]
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” [32] and in Manatee County, Florida, that work to “develop racial equity priorities for schools and offices” and see “equity as an outcome.” [33]
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. [34]
State-level Engagement
Neola has 515 clients in Ohio and has worked in the state since 1979. [35] Neola has 38 clients in Florida and is the state school board association’s preferred provider of policy service. [36] Neola has 449 clients in Michigan and is in partnership with the Michigan Association of School Boards. [37] Neola also has 298 clients in Wisconsin, [38] 217 clients in Indiana, [39] and 26 clients in West Virginia. [40]
Funding
Neola receives its funding from program service fees associated with its advisory services. [41]