Thursday, May 26, 2005
Ohio's school funding system is unconstitutional, the state's high court says.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- Two more area school boards have passed resolutions supporting passage of the Educate Ohio amendment.
Frank Lazzeri, Boardman superintendent, said the school board passed the resolution supporting this week. Dante Zambrini, Canfield superintendent, said that district's board passed it last week.
"Hopefully, we'll be able to get enough signatures to get in on the ballot," Lazzeri said.
The two districts join others in the Mahoning Valley as well as other school boards statewide who support the proposed amendment. South Range school board passed a resolution in support earlier this month.
Fundamental right
Under the proposed amendment, each person would have the right to an education just as they have the right to vote.
It will "establish public education as a fundamental right," according to the resolution of support passed by the district.
The amendment also would "substantially reduce reliance on property tax as a source of funding schools and will require the state to provide adequate funding to ensure access to high quality educational opportunities" for all students.
The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled the state's school funding system, which relies on property taxes, unconstitutional four times. The state Legislature has failed to find a new way to fund public schools.
No more levies
Amendment proponents also contend the proposal would eliminate school districts' need for operating levies.
The amendment calls for a commission to determine on a biennial basis the elements of quality education for students. The state board of education would then conduct studies to determine the cost of those elements and require the state Legislature to fund the majority of that cost.
To back the amendment, Educate Ohio, the committee formed by a former state representative from Strongsville, Ohio, must collect 350,000 signatures from registered voters by August to get the question on the November ballot.