Governor, Legislature can't ignore school funding issue

Seventy percent of Ohio's schools will be running deficits by 2008. If that fact does not prompt the Republican-dominated Ohio General Assembly to finally change the way public education is funded, nothing will.
While the projection of the deficits comes from the Equal Education and Fair Taxation Task Force, it is based on what is occurring in school districts across Ohio. In March, 228 districts had levies on the ballot, but fewer than half were approved. There also is talk that the state's budget crisis could result in a 3 percent cut in state funding in June and an additional 6 percent in December.
The task force, a statewide grass-roots organization created when the governor and General Assembly largely ignored several state Supreme Court rulings that declared unconstitutional the current method of financing public education, is leading a statewide campaign to persuade legislators to act.
The court rulings found that dependence on property taxes creates an inequitable system because of variations in property values.
The task force, which organized a rally Wednesday in Columbus, has talked about a statewide income tax or a sales tax to fund primary and secondary schools.
No deadline
Because the Ohio Supreme Court did not set a deadline by which the Legislature had to act to come up with a funding system that would pass constitutional muster, the Republican leadership has done little.
Republican Gov. Bob Taft argues that the state is spending an enormous amount of money to upgrade school facilities and pay for programs to help pupils, especially in urban districts, pass the state proficiency tests.
While it is true that districts such as Youngstown are benefiting greatly from the capital improvements initiative, the fact remains that their operating budget remains tight.
But it isn't only urban districts that are feeling the financial pinch. Austintown is facing a $2 million shortfall next school year.
In early 2003, Taft established the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Financing Student Success to find a method of fixing school funding in Ohio. But the task force members have failed to reach any conclusions and have decided to meet for an additional five months.
It's anybody's guess whether a solution will be forthcoming then.
In the end, the issue of funding public schools so every child receives a "thorough and efficient" education, as required by the constitution, is too important to be left to guessing.
The Ohio General Assembly and the governor have a responsibility to do what the Supreme Court has said it should. After all, Republicans control state government and, with such control, comes an obligation to do what is in the best interest of the children of Ohio.