Funding…Funding….Funding
The issue of public school funding in Ohio has been around since the original filing of the DeRolph case in 1991. In 1997 the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that our funding system was unconstitutional. Why is it so hard to change?
Rural schools are at an added disadvantage in a feeble funding model. For example, given the distance that many students must travel in rural districts, price increases in fuel and other transportation costs place a heavier burden on the budget of a small school. All schools are affected by price increases….rural schools are hit harder.
Unfunded government mandates also place an added burden on smaller schools. For example, Ohio’s new core curriculum will require many smaller districts to add faculty in certain subject areas. Mandating added courses to improve the quality of education in our state is not, in itself, a bad idea. However, when you mandate curricular and, by default, personnel changes on districts that are already underfunded, you have created an unequal burden on smaller rural schools. This unfair system of education can not be tolerated in a democracy.
Public education is an essential element of a successful democratic society. Given the importance of this endeavor, suitable funding for public schooling should be considered a fundamental right for every citizen. Individual rights of our citizenry should not be subject to bias and/or limited by the location in which one lives. Why can’t we fix this system? What will it take to deal with this issue?
Let me know your thoughts and/or ideas on how we, as citizens, can finally require our legislators to do something about this problem. Rural schools need our help on this important issue.
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