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To: My Constituents and Other Interested Parties From: Diana M. Fessler Date: July 2, 1997 RE: School Task Force of School Funding Report
I attended the final School Funding Task Force meeting. Senator Epsy's declared that the report/recommendations of the Task Force does not reflect the work of the committee and that he had no prior knowledge of the report until the meeting began. On page 4, item 5, the report says that any NEW UNBUDGETED money should be generated from BOTH business and individuals, with BUSINESS paying a proportional share (up to 50%). Page 5: Presumably, if 102 school districts can do (fill in the blank) then 612 districts can do likewise. I do not think so. If 100 people can run a 3 minute mile, does it follow that 612 people can run a 3 minute mile? Not if I am one of the runners. Page 6: According to the report, vocational students will be counted as regular students and additional money will be added to pay for vocational training. It is my understanding that the current the cost of educating such students is approximately $8,000 per student. Under School-to-Work, all students become vocational students and that must be taken into consideration when calculating the cost of "vocational" education. The report states that "Dr. Augenblick . . . sees no . . .reason to provide . . . funding for anything OTHER THAN CAPITAL AND EQUIPMENT OR ADMINISTRATIVE PROGRAMS or costs." In terms of regular education, we are accustomed to thinking of curricula materials as textbooks. However, under School-to-Work, curricula materials would include "equipment" for student learning, i.e., x-ray machines, drill presses, communications equipment -- whatever equipment is specific to a student's career training. This, of course, will have a major impact on the cost of schooling. Page 6: Gifted Education: The recommendation is to assure services to all identified students. That will cost approximately $95 million dollars over current spending. In addition, the proposal calls for increasing the supplemental aid from 6 to 10 percent. Page 6: Transportation. The proposal calls for a new way to fund transportation of students. We used to pay approximately 30%. The new approach will require "additional state aid." Page 7 and on other pages as well, there are references to "new" money, a misnomer if there ever was one Government has no money of its own, thus we are talking of appropriating additional money from taxpayers. Page 7: Reading: The recommendation is to spend $100 million each year in "new" funds to IDENTIFY reading problems . . . INTERVENE as needed, and . . . EVALUATE the results. Page 10: Homestead Exemption Increased: Since the exemption is reimbursed by the other taxpayers, this is another form of re-distribution of wealth. Page 10: A tax deduction of $1,000 per student. Unfortunately, the only people helped here are those with children and then only if those children are enrolled in state-chartered schools. A straight tax deduction for parents with children under the age of eighteen, not associated with schooling, would be welcomed by many. Such a deduction would need consideration apart from DeRolph. It appears that the recommendation is an attempt to placate various groups by offering exchanges. In my opinion, the proposed exchanges are not equal. Using the proposed Homestead Exemption as an example, let's say my neighbor's "tax relief" is in the neighborhood of $150. That is a very small amount in exchange for a one-cent sales tax increase, since every purchase throughout the year will be taxed at a higher rate. It is conceivable that the accumulated sales tax for a retired couple will surpass the $150 homestead exemption increase. The tax deduction for parents ($1,000 per child in school) will also be offset by the increase in taxes that will result from the one-cent sales tax increase. I am still pondering the proposed Constitutional amendments. On the surface, it SEEMS reasonable to put issues before the general population. However, the result of doing so strikes at the heart of our form of government. We are a REPUBLIC. As such, we elect representatives to make decisions, based on law, on our behalf. Putting the question to the vote of the general public supports the notion of DEMOCRACY wherein the feelings, thoughts, and opinions of the majority prevail. One of the proposed amendments pertains to the question of whether the court or the legislature should have jurisdiction over education. I am of the persuasion that the legislative branch, not the judicial branch of government, should have jurisdiction. Why? Because as a citizen, regardless of whether I agree with his decision or not, I did not vote for Judge Linton Lewis. Accordingly, he does not represent me. It is the opinion of State Superintendent John Goff that the court should retain jurisdiction in determining what constitutes "thorough and efficient." The complex issue of school funding will be further compounded with the
inclusion of another complex issue -- the proposed Standards for Ohio Schools, yet because
the issues are being framed in terms of "for the children" the faint of heart
will remain silent. |
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