Schools again seeking money

Those on both sides of school funding debates have reason to be frustrated. No one wants to beg every couple of months for money to avoid layoffs or to replace a World War I-era building. But, then, no one wants to turn over more money to government in these uncertain economic times.Voters in Lima, Elida and elsewhere face this dilemma Tuesday: Most people want good local schools, but many people are uncertain about how they’d be able to pay any additional taxes. It’s a problem every level of government contributes to, but the burden is one that only school districts shoulder.The Lima school district, in supplying information, has been open about what another levy failure means. The district would eliminate two administrative/supervisory positions, 11 teaching or certified positions, and three support or classified positions. That would mean larger class sizes. However you react to such news, voters at least now know what is at stake. The Lima school district would need to chop $915,000 from its budget if the five-year, 6.9 mill levy fails. The district wasn’t clear about what cuts it planned before last November’s vote. It’s one thing to want to remain positive and hope voters won’t put you in the position to make cuts, but we believe most voters prefer to know what they are deciding. Lima voters now do. Voters now can put a face — many faces, actually — with the cuts. Some voters will think those cuts should be made rather than have a tax increase, but voters now do have specifics to weigh against each other.Lima schools employees have taken steps across the board to show they are serious about saving the district money. No one will receive percentage pay raises in the coming school year, though some teachers will receive contractual raises based on experience. Teachers alone are leaving $640,000 on the negotiating table the district will be able to use for expenses other than salaries. However you vote, the bargaining units in the district deserve credit for their gesture on pay. We continue to caution, however, about the backlash that would ensue if voters approve the levy Tuesday, then next year see raises that they find out of line.In Elida and Columbus Grove, the districts once again will ask for new buildings. Although we don’t think taxpayer-funded education is the best model, it is what the Ohio Constitution provides for. So, residents in these districts are going to pay for school improvements one way or another.As we noted almost a year ago, both high schools have more than 30 entrances — state law demands this be remedied — and neither is handicapped accessible. No one wants to increase his own tax burden, but the Columbus Grove school turns 100 next year. Elida High School is only seven years its junior. Taxpayers spend a lot of their resources, which could go to better uses, to maintain antiquated structures.One can look at the Ohio School Facilities Commission funding Ethat lida and Columbus Grove are trying to secure as a way to bring tax money back home. Even in that light, however, voters will continue to control the one tax they have direct power over.So the frustration is building for voters and school officials alike. The frustration is understandable, but everyone should focus it on Columbus. Lawmakers have done little to address school funding. Gov. Ted Strickland made it a central theme of his 2006 campaign, but Ohioans have another year to wait just to hear what plan he comes up with.It’s a complicated issue, but state lawmakers refusing to act leaves local school districts at odds with their voters. That leaves Lima — which is poorer than all but 20 of Ohio’s 612 public districts — having to beg voters for money they don’t have.