Getting it Right for Ohio's Future

From RH Jones, March 24, 2007

Subject: Getting It Right for Ohio's Future newsletter

TENTH ANNIVERSARY BRINGS OPPORTUNITY FOR CHANGE

http://www.rightforohio.org/

March 22, 2007

"If we, as a free democratic society, are to survive, we must nurture the skills and abilities of everyone. We cannot afford to lose great numbers of our best and brightest just because we did not give them the opportunity to succeed. Our whole system of education needs to be revamped."

BILL HORNE Columnist & professor of economics, Southern State Community College The Times-Gazette March 19, 2007
OUT LIKE A LION March campaign efforts are roaring out like a lion with a high-energy petition drive in full force.
Members of the 90 chapters of the Ohio Retired Teachers Association are actively circulating petitions statewide. “After you’ve spent your career helping children and standing on the front lines of education issues, you don’t leave your passion behind once you retire. Your heart is in it,” said Ann Hanning, executive director of the Ohio Retired Teachers Association. “Our members understand that the time to act is now and want to do everything possible to help spread the word about Getting It Right for Ohio’s Future.”
A TIMELY TIP This Saturday, March 24, marks 10 years since the Ohio Supreme Court first ruled the state’s school funding system unconstitutional. It will be a great day to get out, remind voters of Ohio’s education crisis and fill up those petitions. Here are some talking points to pass on to volunteers collecting signatures this weekend.

“Ten years ago today, Ohio’s school funding system was ruled unconstitutional for the first of four times by the state Supreme Court. And it remains broken today.” “Now is your chance to help fix the system.” “Would you like to sign a petition to place a solution on the November ballot?” Volunteers should be sure to follow petition protocols while gathering signatures. Ask potential signers if he/she is a registered Ohio voter. Ask which county he/she is registered to vote in. Fill out a separate petition for each county. To ensure a valid signature, voters must sign their full names and home addresses as they appear on their voter registrations. Precinct information does not need to be completed. The individual collecting signatures should sign and date the petition only when finished collecting signatures for a particular petition. Petitions do not need to be completely filled out to be submitted to the campaign. Petitions should be mailed every two weeks to: Getting It Right for Ohio’s Future, 8050 North High Street, Suite 100 Columbus, OH 43235-6481

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT Getting It Right for Ohio’s Future would like to thank the Forest Hills school district in Cincinnati, the Springfield Local school district in Mahoning County and the Zanesville Board of Education in Muskingum County. This week, all three passed resolutions in support of the amendment. The Zanesville resolution states, “…we encourage all Ohioans to embrace this amendment by supporting the signature drive to place the initiative on the General Election ballot and voting to adopt this proposed amendment to the Ohio Constitution.”

If your organization would like to officially support Getting It Right for Ohio’s Future, please click here for a sample resolution.

A PERMANENT SOLUTION Following Governor Ted Strickland’s State of the State address and budget proposal, Getting It Right for Ohio’s Future renewed its willingness to work with the governor, General Assembly and all interested parties on a permanent comprehensive solution to Ohio’s school funding crises. The campaign issued the following statement:

“We appreciate Governor Strickland’s expressed commitment to repairing Ohio’s school funding formula, which remains unconstitutional since the first landmark Ohio Supreme Court ruling 10 years ago. However, we are disappointed that under his budget proposal, nearly half of Ohio school districts would receive no additional state dollars next year and nearly 250 would receive no additional funding for the two-year biennium. “We trust that the Governor and legislature will work with all interested parties to achieve the common goal to gain adequate resources to educate Ohio’s children. The sponsors of the amendment would welcome the opportunity to discuss a permanent comprehensive solution with the Governor and members to the General Assembly. Meanwhile, we anticipate that the constitutional amendment will be on the ballot this November so that the voters of Ohio can express their concerns as well. We are currently collecting signatures to ensure this process.”

The campaign also pointed out that the governor’s vision aligns with specific provisions contained in Getting It Right for Ohio’s Future in the following ways:

ACCOUNTABILITY

Governor Strickland:

“…we must create a better system for knowing what we’re getting for our money.”

Getting It Right for Ohio’s Future:

“…the Education Accountability Commission… shall monitor and annually report to the Governor, the General Assembly, the State Board of Education and the public regarding… the components of a high quality education… are being delivered in a cost efficient and effective manner…"

QUALITY EDUCATION

Governor Strickland:

“…too many teachers can still say, without fear of contradiction, that their districts lack the resources necessary to provide their students with the quality education they deserve as citizens of Ohio.”

Getting It Right for Ohio’s Future:

“Each public school pupil has the fundamental right to the opportunity for a high quality public education.”

STUDENT NEED

Governor Strickland:

“…we (will) focus our aid formulas to put the emphasis on meeting students’ needs.”

Getting It Right for Ohio’s Future:

Establishes a school funding system based on student need, consisting of “all of the necessary resources to provide a high quality public education for all public school pupils at every level and for every type of pupil…”

TARGETED PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

Governor Strickland:

“For those over 65, and the disabled, regardless of income, (expanding the Homestead Property Tax Exemption) will mean no property tax… on the first $25,000 of value in their homes.”

Getting It Right for Ohio’s Future:

Exempts senior homeowners and disabled homeowners from property tax on the first $40,000 of the market.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE HEADLINES With the 10th anniversary of the first landmark DeRolph ruling approaching, this week’s headlines have gravitated towards a clear need for a comprehensive school funding solution for all Ohioans. Here’s a glance:

The Dispatch March 21, 2007

UTICA – As four kindergarten students work on reading exercises with volunteers, Lori Carver watches with pride.

Click here to read the rest of the story.

The Western Star March 18, 2007

HUBER HEIGHTS — Victor Oakes doesn't know how he would vote if a proposal to overhaul school funding makes it on the November ballot, but the Huber Heights father of two school-age children strongly endorses one of the constitutional amendment's main goals: Reducing reliance on local property taxes and the frequent elections required to raise those taxes.

Click here to read the rest of the story.

Please check www.rightforohio.org daily for the latest headlines and campaign updates.