Ohio's charter schools nabbed a record number of public school students during the pandemic, registering an 11.1% enrollment increase between the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school year.

• Public schools, meanwhile, experienced a 3.8% decline, according to a new analysis from the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.

Why it matters: The study's authors say parents who were dissatisfied with how public districts handled COVID shutdowns and learning from home "voted with their feet," which could have major financial implications. School funding is based on student enrollment, so if enough children leave a public district, its budget takes a big hit.

• Columbus City Schools, for example, lost nearly $170 million in state funds in the 2020-21 school year as more than 20,000 students enrolled in charter schools, according to data provided to Axios.
• School board president Jennifer Adair tells Axios that loss impacts how districts can serve the students who remain enrolled. Columbus' public schools serve a disproportionate number of students who are Black, living in poverty or have a disability.

By the numbers: The analysis says Ohio charters gained about 12,000 kids while public schools lost about 64,600.

• The remaining 52,600 students left for other options, like homeschooling, private school, or delaying preschool or kindergarten by a year.

Yes, but: Some local charter schools would take in more students if they could.

• KIPP Columbus, part of a large charter chain featured in the study, has a waiting list of nearly 2,500 students, according to its website.
• The school is working to expand its campus, but unlike public schools, charters can't ask voters for property taxes to fund construction, which can stunt growth.

The big picture: According to the Ohio Education Association, the state's largest public teachers union, it's not clear if the charter increases are a blip or a long-term trend, president Scott DiMauro tells Axios.

• Ohio's figures are slightly higher than the national trend. Across the U.S., charter school enrollment increased by about 7% and public school enrollment dropped about 3%, the study says.

What they're saying: "The narrative some charter school advocates are pushing is that everyone is flocking to charter schools from public schools," DiMauro says.

• "I think it would be, at best, premature to say there's truth to that."

Hanif Abdurraqib, a local poet and music critic, was announced Tuesday as a 2021 MacArthur fellow, colloquially known as the "genius grant."

Why it matters: The 25 fellows — renowned authors, scientists, artists and activists — are awarded $625,000 each and worldwide prestige.

Context: Abdurraqib has published a number of poetry and essay collections, and wrote about the music group A Tribe Called Quest in his award-winning 2019 book, "Go Ahead in the Rain."

• The Beechcroft High School alum also runs 68to05.com, which features writing on famous musicians and albums.

What they're saying: The MacArthur Foundation noted Abdurraqib is "forging a distinctive style of cultural and artistic criticism through the lens of popular music and autobiography."

How well do you know the Columbus area? Every so often, we'll quiz readers to identify the locations of various landmarks and oddities, with prizes (and Axios swag!) to come.

• 👋 Tyler here. Here's a hint: I snapped this picture on a recent reporting trip for an earlier newsletter this week.

Reply to this email telling us where you think Einstein is located — we'll have the answer tomorrow.

💰 Ohio native Matt Amodio just keeps winning on "Jeopardy!" — the OSU grad just surpassed $1 million in trivia earnings. (The Columbus Dispatch)

📘 A new book highlighting local preservation failures, "Forgotten Landmarks of Columbus," debuted Monday. (Columbus Alive)

🚧 On that note: a historic building called "the South Dormitory" could soon be demolished to make way for a parking lot. (Columbus Underground)

🥬 A fresh food market and charitable pharmacy opened this week in Linden, an area that has struggled with access to healthy food. (WBNS)

❄️ A 2-year-old Columbus Zoo polar bear cub, Kulu, will move to a new home soon. (WCMH)

Most workers at the Franklin County Recorder's Office have been vaccinated against COVID-19, partially the result of a mandate enacted earlier this month.

Why it matters: The improved vaccination numbers following this mandate help show why Franklin County commissioners have issued a similar health policy for around 1,400 county workers starting Oct. 18.

Flashback: Recorder Danny O'Connor announced the impending staff mandate in early August, when around 75% of workers were vaccinated. The policy went into effect Sept. 7.

• As of Tuesday, 88% of the office's 46 workers had received at least their first shot, spokesperson Hanna Detwiler tells Axios.

The other side: workers who do not show proof of vaccination must be tested twice per week — off-work hours, and paid for by the employee.

• Workers can be fired if they do not comply.

👋 Alissa here. Happy National Coffee Day!

I recommend Java Central in Westerville for your midweek pick-me-up. Their nitro cold brew with lavender syrup and cream was my favorite drink at last weekend's Columbus Coffee Festival.

• The grasshopper latte, with mint and chocolate, is usually my go-to cup of jitter juice.

While it's still warm, here are other tasty cold brews from the festival:

☕️ Coffee Connections in Hilliard offers a dark, rich brew.

🍒 The Roosevelt Coffeehouse, with locations in Franklinton and downtown, has a sweet brew that pairs great with fruit.

🔥 Jennings Java on South Front Street has an intriguing spicy nitro — coffee with a kick!