Does state budget fix school funding system?

By Jim Uphoff, Ed. D.

Our Ohio Governor has put out an extensive Educational Reform Plan and his proposed Budget for FY ‘10 and FY ‘11. That budget has some extra dollars in the first year due to the federal stimulus legislation. The second year of the Ohio budget
plan removes those one-time funds.

A quick look at the impacts on just Montgomery and Greene County school systems shows very clearly that more districts are being held at flat funding or less over the two years. Given that the Reform Plan calls for massive new spending by the schools (ex: all-day kindergartens), but that the budget does not even fund the present system, Ohio’s unconstitutional school funding system will remain broke/ broken/ sad/ dismal/ ____(fill in your own word(s)!

Statewide, 42.8% of the school districts would see ZERO increase in state funding for FY 10 over FY 09. Then 37% would see a decrease of 2% in FY 11 under FY 10.*

KEY QUESTION: WHEN ABOUT 4 OUT OF EVERY 10 SCHOOL DISTRICTS GO FROM 0% INCREASE DOWN TO -2% DECREASE THE NEXT YEAR, HAS THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL FUNDING SYSTEM (ACCORDING TO THE OHIO SUPREME COURT) BEEN “FIXED” ?

My answer is that there continues to be a problem and that quality education of our children is much in jeopardy without any of the reforms having been put into place. On April 21 the Dayton League of Women Voters is hosting a public meeting open to all to examine both the Governor’s Educational Reform Plan and his two-year Budget Proposal. Call LWV at 228-4041 for details.

* Figures from column by Dr. Mary Jo Scalzo, Oakwood Schools Superintendent

Kindergarten registrations

Children who will be five years old on or before Sept 30, 2009, may be registered for kindergarten. Children who will be five years old between Oct. 1, 2009 and Jan. 1, 2010, may be considered for early entrance. Parents interested in early entrance may contact Lange School to request an application and testing information.

Children referred for early entrance should participate in Kindergarten Screening. It is important to note that state law makes Kindergarten a mandatory prerequisite for first grade. All first graders must have successfully completed Kindergarten.

Furthermore, state law requires that all entering Kindergarten students be screened for hearing, vision, speech and communication, health or medical problems and for developmental disorders.

Parent Orientation (April 7, 2009, 7 p.m. at Lange): The purpose of the orientation meeting is to explain the Kindergarten Screening procedures, enable parents to make a one-hour screening appointment, and provide an overview of Oakwood’s Kindergarten program. This meeting is for parents ONLY. Parents do not need to bring any paperwork to the orientation meeting — just your calendar.

Screening Appointments (April 13-16, 2009): Kindergarten Screening will be done on an appointment basis only from April 13 through April 16, 2009. Parents may sign up for appointment times at the orientation session or by calling Lange School at 299-8730 beginning Wednesday, April 8, 2009.

Harman school collecting labels

Harman School could use your help! We are collecting points from Campbell’s Labels for Education to help our school earn free supplies.  

Go to www.labelsforeducation.com to view eligible products.There is a collection bin located in the lobby of the Public Safety Building. Contact Victoria Delahunt at 602-8494 for more information.

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April 7, 2009
Volume 18, No. 14

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