Charter school case before the Ohio Supreme Court today

Ah, Ohio, the Heart of it all. We have the best justices money can buy! Of course, they could have recused themselves and stepped down because of a conflict of interest (spelled d-o-l-l-a-r-s), but they didn't! -- John - a Proud CORE member

From: ohioeanda@sbcglobal.net

To: ohioeanda@sbcglobal.net

Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2005 4:51 PM

Subject: Charter school case before the Ohio Supreme Court today

To: Superintendents, Principals, Treasurers and other interested persons

From: William L. Phillis

Re: Charter school case before the Ohio Supreme Court today

Date: November 29, 2005

The Ohio Supreme Court heard oral arguments on the charter school case this morning. Many persons, including Senator Teresa Fedor, believe that some of the justices should have recused themselves from this case due to having received substantial campaign contributions from charter school magnate David Brennan.

The gist of the state defendants’ argument is that the legislature has the authority, pursuant to Article VI, section 2 of the Ohio Constitution, to create charter schools as a part of the state’s common school system. However, the plaintiffs contend that charter schools comprise another system outside the constitutional limits.

It is no secret that a majority of the Ohio Supreme Court membership is philosophically and politically aligned with the other two branches of state government. This fact, coupled with the potential influence of the Brennan contributions, precludes a decision favorable to the plaintiffs.