The OSBA takes a stand against Kris Jordan's harebrained bill of excluding home schooling parents from paying public school taxes!

From John Curry, July 13, 2013

Note from John....do you think ORTA will take an official stand on this bill that, if passed, will harm public schools?  Don't hold your breath! 

The Ohio School Boards Association opposes the legislation.

"It takes away from something we think every sector of the economy should pay for, their fair share of public education," Jay Smith, a lobbyist for OSBA, told the newspaper. He said the measure could lead to tax breaks for others who keep their children out of public schools.

http://www.auroraadvocate.com/ap%20state/2013/07/13/ohio-lawmaker-wants-tax-break-for-home-schooling

Ohio lawmaker wants tax break for home-schooling

Published: July 13, 2013

CLEVELAND (AP) -- A state lawmaker wants to provide a tax break to property owners who home-school their children.

The proposal by state Sen. Kris Jordan, a Republican from Ostrander northwest of Columbus, would reduce property taxes for parents who home-school their children by an amount equal to what they pay for school levies in their local districts.

According to The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer (bit.ly/15qrbou), Jordan said the legislation will help those who sacrifice to home-school a child.

One leading school group argues that the measure could lead to more tax breaks at the expense of public education.

If passed, the measure would save home-schooling property owners in the Cleveland school district about $1,500 each year per $100,000 of home value. Suburban Shaker Heights homeschoolers would save about $2,800 per $100,000 of home value.

"That extra thousand or two will help them buy books, or help them take their kids to museums and give mom and dad a little extra money to educate their kids," Jordan said.

The money saved by property owners would be money lost by local school districts.

Across the state, more than 10,000 children are educated at home, according to the Ohio Department of Education. The numbers do not break down whether the students are taught in owner-occupied residences and would qualify the homeowners for the proposed tax break.

The Ohio School Boards Association opposes the legislation.

"It takes away from something we think every sector of the economy should pay for, their fair share of public education," Jay Smith, a lobbyist for OSBA, told the newspaper. He said the measure could lead to tax breaks for others who keep their children out of public schools.

Taps.....

Condolences to Mike Nehf and family on the passing of his mother, Diane Nehf, on June 20, 2013. Her obituary may be viewed here.