The ongoing need for education funding reform in Ohio
This question will require that you recall your days in school. When you went to school, was 58.8 % a passing grade? It is a question we all should ask our present leadership in Ohio.
According to the Ohio Department of Education, 110 out of the 187 school tax levies on the ballot May 2 in the 2006 primary election passed for 58.8 success rate. While this represents a three percent increase over the average for the most recent five years, and a full five percent better than in May 2005, we should seriously consider if this is adequate when it comes to funding our schools in Ohio.
Consider that only 12 of 40 levies where additional operating funds were sought passed on the first attempt (a 30 % success? rate) and that operating levies on the ballot previously passed at a 51 % rate. Also consider that four Ohio school districts were on their sixth attempt to pass new operating levies and that schools with "excellent" ratings for academic performance have had to go back to voters multiple times, sometimes at reduced millages to get levies passed.
I believe it is time for leaders in Ohio to get to work on developing a new formula for funding public schools, and make it a priority in the next two years, so the present burden that rests on property owners who continue to say "enough is enough" is eased.
With the statistics above, schools face a 50-50 chance of winning or losing funding which is needed to sustain academic programs while state funding continues to decline.
Going back to my original question, do you recall that 58.8% was a passing grade while you were in school?
posted by Mark @ 10:24 AM
8 comments
8 Comments:
Mr. Dansack, I found your website through the Glass City Jungle Blogspot. I thank you for addressing the issue of school funding in Ohio. I have been a teacher in TPS for many years and, in recent years, have focused on school funding. We do need to get more money into our system. Teachers salaries at TPS have been flat for several years.
I think the best way to make sure that we are investing in our kids is to institute a two cent sales tax in Ohio and dedicate that money solely to elemntary and secondary education. It would put approximately $2 billion or so dollars in our public education system. Many I've talked to think this is a great idea. What are your thoughts?
anon # 1-
I think that is a great idea! We all know historically and empirically school performance is directly correlated to school funding.
Increased taxes + Increased funding = Better education!
I'm willing to look at various alternatives to fund primary and secondary education in Ohio.
Whether it be additional funding (sales taxes, income taxes, or increased fees) , or a re-allocation of existing resources, I think most of us can agree that the present system of going to property owners and asking for additional property taxes is not working in many districts across the state.
The issue is that more than a decade ago, the Ohio Supreme Court found our system of funding our public schools in Ohio was ruled unconstitutional and the same situation still exists today.
There is certainly nothing lost in asking the questions and working toward new solutions which will work for Ohio.
As for stagnant salaries, unfortunately many in our state have fallen behind as good paying jobs with benefits have left Ohio. In order to ensure that quality people continue in the education field, we need to make sure that they are compensated at a level consistent with other professionals, or we'll lose them to private industry. (and more probably than not see them relocate to other states to find these other jobs)
Thanks for your time.
Mark
While I have always supported the schools I am not sure if a 2 cent sales tax increase is the answer, especially in areas close to state borders. The lower utility rates and property taxes are already mighty attractive in MI, and an increase to 9.25% for sales tax compared to only 6% north of the border could give people one more reason to look in that direction.
Certainly there must be a school system out there with a successful funding program that could serve as a model for Ohio.
Mr. Dansack, thanks for your response to my post. I don't think you said that you supported my idea. We've been studying this issue for years and there are several plans out there. What one of them do you endorse? And please, don't say we should study this issue more. We've studied it to death.
I have been speaking with a group that is working on a proposal regarding a new plan to fund our schools.
I am not ready to endorse or veto any specific plan at this time, but would encourage the present leadership in Ohio to address the problem.
Any solution that is going to work will need input from important stakeholders in education, business, and the citizenry.
I don't claim to have all the answers and don't expect any other legislator or candidate to either, but we ought to at least be asking the questions and working towards solutions to problems we know exist.
Thanks for the response Mark. As a voter I feel strongly about legislators carefully considering all solutions rather than clinging to prior (baseless) beliefs.
Out of curiosity what group are you speaking with on this issue? Also, if the majority of your district were shown to support the 2 cent sales tax, would you address the issue in the House or would you pursue your own path?
Thanks for the responses and inquiries. The group I am communicating with includes educators, businessmen, and government officials. The proposals have not been completely developed at this point in time.
I'm not sure that additional taxes are absolutely necessary and a 2 cent sales tax represents a regressive tax which hits low income families much harder than higher income groups. I would obviously listen to constituents, although I'd like to look at other plans and I am not sure that many Ohio residents would welcome an increase in the sales tax of that magnitude at least without a corresponding drop in other taxes or fees.
I believe a start to solving this dilemma would be to determine the cost of an adequate education for all regular, special education, vocational education, disadvantaged and other special needs students and once that is known, work from there to a solution that works for Ohioans.
Have a good evening,
Mark
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