Episode 3: Thomas B. Fordham Foundation (OH)

What happens when a flagship school begins to falter—losing its academic edge, leadership stability, and community trust? In this episode, we talk with the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation, authorizer of Bethesda Academy in Cincinnati. Once a model of innovation and community engagement, Bethesda struggled with founder transition, curriculum drift, and pandemic disruptions. Fordham’s team shares how they identified the distress signals, engaged the board, and navigated tough decisions around takeover versus closure. This case study highlights the importance of instructional oversight, authentic communication, and board partnership in authorizing practice.