State inaction on funding public education to blame

Another year, another missed opportunity by state government to deal with Ohio’s unconstitutional method of funding public education. We are being told by area legislators that Gov. Ted Strickland will unveil a major education initiative early next year. We’ll believe it when we see it.

Our cynicism is well founded. The Ohio Supreme Court has issued four opinions that say the constitutional requirement of a fair and thorough education for all Ohio’s children cannot be achieved so long as property taxes are the main source of revenue for school districts.

And yet, former Republican Gov. Bob Taft and the Republican majority in the General Assembly insisted that the $1 billion in state funding for the massive statewide school construction program is a response to the high court.

But taxpayers don’t think so — as evidenced by the ever-increasing number of school levies rejected each year. Therein lies the problem. The Supreme Court has ruled, the state has failed to act appropriately and the voters in the school districts are saying, “We’re tapped out.”

What is to be done? For now, The Vindicator sees no alternative but to appeal to taxpayers’ sense of community and responsibility — to this region’s future.

There are school funding issues on Tuesday’s general ballot that we urge voters to approve. Rejection, given the budgetary challenges confronting just about every system in the Mahoning Valley, would be unfortunate.

We acknowledge the tough economic times being faced by everyone, but suggest that the alternative to passage is school districts that fail to provide the education children need.

MAHONING COUNTY

AUSTINTOWN SCHOOLS: A 4.9-mill, 5-year additional levy to raise $2,657,718 annually for operating expenses and general improvements.

BOARDMAN SCHOOLS: A 2.4-mill, 5-year renewal levy to raise $1,999,547 annually for emergency requirements.

JACKSON-MILTON SCHOOLS: A 0.9-mill, 5-year renewal levy to raise $80,834 annually for general, ongoing permanent improvements; a 5.5-mill, 5-year renewal levy to raise $988,485 annually for emergency purposes.

SOUTH RANGE SCHOOLS: A 2.5-mill, 5-year renewal levy to raise $430,555 annually to avoid an operating deficit.

WESTERN RESERVE SCHOOLS: A 7.6-mill, 28-year bond issue for constructing, renovating, remodeling, furnishing and improving district buildings and facilities. The issue will raise $11,244,951 over 28 years.

YOUNGSTOWN CITY SCHOOLS: A 9.5-mill, 4-year additional levy to raise $5,291,510 annually for emergency purposes.

TRUMBULL COUNTY

CHAMPION SCHOOLS: An 8.75-mill, five-year renewal levy to raise $1,655,168 annually for the emergency requirements of the school district.

HOWLAND SCHOOLS: A 4.7-mill, 28-year bond issue for the purpose of building, furnishing and equipping a new high school and auditorium, acquiring, clearing, equipping and otherwise improving school district buildings and facilities and improving their sites. The issue will raise $43,700,000 over 28 years.

LABRAE SCHOOLS: A 3-mill, five-year renewal to raise $204,151 annually for renovating, improving, remodeling, constructing, adding to, furnishing and equipping school facilities and improving school sites.

LAKEVIEW SCHOOLS: A 3.85-mill, 5-year, additional levy to raise $1,050,000 annually for emergency requirements of the school district.

LIBERTY SCHOOLS: A 0.9-mill, 5-year renewal levy to raise $147,944 annually for general permanent improvements.

MATHEWS SCHOOLS: A 9.25-mill, 5-year replacement and decrease levy to raise $1,356,166 annually for current expenses.

NILES SCHOOLS: A 4.3-mill, 28-year bond issue to raise $18,028,977 over 28 years to pay the local share of school construction under the Ohio Classroom Facilities Assistance Program; a 0.5-mill, 23-year additional levy to raise $130,712 annually to maintain the classroom facilities; and a 0.5-mill, 23-year bond issue to raise $2 million over 23 years for the purpose of building, renovating, remodeling, adding to, furnishing and equipping sites for such buildings and facilities.

SOUTHINGTON SCHOOLS: A 3.15-mill, 3-year renewal levy to raise $200,133 annually for emergency requirements; A 1-mill, 5-year additional levy for permanent improvements at school sites.

WARREN SCHOOLS: An 8.85-mill, 5-year renewal levy to raise $3,918,802 annually for emergency requirements of the school district.