An Unfunded "Constitutional" Education Funding Bill

By John W. Mercurio

The Ohio Supreme Court opined (in DeRolph I) that Ohio's elementary and secondary schools are neither thorough nor efficient, thus unconstitutional. The "complete systematic overhaul" ordered involves a long task list that includes a reduction in reliance on property tax and an elimination of unfunded mandates.

Governor Strickland and the Ohio Congress recently passed an education budget (July 2009) that introduces a radically new, complex method of funding public education in an attempt to resolve the socioeconomic differences between districts. The governor stated, "For the first time since Ohio's education system was declared unconstitutional, the legislature has voted to establish a constitutional funding system that utilizes research to identify what students need to be successful."

While a reduction in the reliance on property taxes may happen at some broader state level average assessment of all districts within the state, locally, Sycamore would see just the opposite if the system is executed as planned. Currently, over 20 percent of our current revenue is sourced from the state and about 80 percent from local property tax. But because the new formula adjusts according to a school system's local property wealth, income and education levels, Sycamore is one of a few districts projected to receive less foundation money, Ohio's basic funding for schools, than it does today. Additionally, the phase-out of state reimbursement (about $12 million annually) over the next 10 years means Sycamore is headed for an increase in the reliance on property tax (from 20% state, 80% local in 2009 to < 10% state, > 90% local in 2018).

Similarly, as it stands, the state budget is loaded with unfunded mandates, an indirect consequence of the state's attempt to produce a funding system that is constitutional. These include the requirement of 15:1 pupil per teacher ratios; new teaching staff licensure requirements; mandatory all-day, tuition-free kindergarten, and a longer school year. (For now, Sycamore is exempt from some of these mandates because of academic performance.)

These mandates would greatly increase the costs associated with capital improvements and instruction expenses to the Sycamore district while the state slowly pulls out most all funding over time. This leaves the local Sycamore taxpayers holding the bag for a district that is already performing at the state's highest level for a decade - Excellent with Distinction.

Sycamore, along with the state of Ohio, is at a critical moment in educational funding. Some progress has been made by state representatives to allow Sycamore to opt-out of some of the unfunded mandates prescribed in the state education budget. However, we must continue working with state representatives to ensure that Sycamore and our taxpayers are represented. We must also actively pursue permanent reimbursement of the tangible personal property tax (TPP), which is about $12 million a year.

Our community wants to maintain the highest academic performance, while achieving value for the dollars invested. If elected to the Sycamore School Board of Education, I would leverage my experience in data analysis, along with community input, to achieve this widely held objective.