Joe Uecker

State Representative

08/06/06

More on School Funding:

There have been many recent public meetings and much heated debate over the issue of school funding. This paper has printed several letters recently from irate readers (and writers) over just who is to blame.  This “blame game” always goes around and around and in the end, we find our selves back at the starting point with absolutely no new ideas.  Until we stop the blame game and come up with viable ideas on funding AND spending, we are going to constantly be playing this silly game. 

In a recent public meeting that Senator Niehaus and I attended to discuss public education funding, we came armed with facts and figures backed up by handouts.  I think we came very well prepared.  We both came with a very capable understanding of the educational funding process.  To help you do the same research you could try going the State Department of Education’s website, choose the appropriate school district and get the information for yourself.  That website is http://ode.legislature.state.oh.us/schoolFunding/index.jsp .  Another informative website that we used to bring facts and information to the meeting can be found at http://ilrc.ode.state.oh.us/Power_users.asp .  We both really do take our professional obligation very seriously and have spent hundreds of hours learning and researching the educational funding issue. 

And what about those facts we passed around?  If you look at those two websites, you’ll see in 1995, the State of Ohio’s share of public education funding for the Milford School District was at $11 million. In 2005 the State’s share was up to $19 million.  That’s an increase of 80%.  Statewide, in the last 10 years, funding for Ohio schools increased 72% while inflation only grew 24.9%.  The base cost per pupil has grown 59% in 10 years. This hardly supports a claim that the “state has been starving the public schools for years”.  Quite the opposite, it’s time to pull this pig from the trough and get it into shape.

We are all sick and tired of that old liberal mantra, “the only thing wrong with public schools is they don’t get enough tax money”. I have found that you cannot fix a problem by simply throwing more tax money at it.  We have thrown plenty at this one.  With total education costing the state half it’s budget it is getting harder and harder to find where the money will come from next.  Where do some want “more money” to come from? In truly far left form, by blindly raising taxes.  If Ted Strickland becomes governor, that is EXACTLY what you will get and I’ll be it won’t all go to the schools.

Some think we should abandon the current system of asking voters to approve raising taxes.  Here’s the math.  If you want to do away with property taxes and fund schools at the current level of dollars (which apparently is still not going to be enough), you have to either double the state’s income tax or double the state’s sales tax.  Neither of which I can support because very few of my constituents can afford.  And as I have said before, I am not willing to abdicate responsible tax dollar stewardship and simply hold out my checkbook and yours for any Board of Education to write in any amount.

While I personally believe the Milford School System has done an excellent job with all the money we’ve given them, I’m simply not convinced we should just pour more money into the pot without knowing when enough is enough.  But if enough people in this school district think the district should do more, than by all means, let’s vote for another tax increase.  And just because I have the audacity to question where all our tax dollars are going (I really thought that was part of my job!) does not mean I hate children, nor do I hate teachers, nor does it mean I am homophobic.

I have another suggestion for those who would write a newspaper article.  The good people of Clermont County are tired of being insulted for being hard working, God-fearing, conservative Republicans.  Calling good people “fools” actually offends some.

Joe Uecker

State Representative

Ohio’s 66 District

Representing Batavia, Goshen, Miami and Union Townships as well as the Cities of Loveland and Milford and the Villages of Batavia and Amelia. 

Columbus Phone: 614-466-8134

Email:   Joe@JoeUecker.com

Website: http://JoeUecker.com