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Public schools will get more money

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By Anthony Gottschlich, Staff Writer Updated 6:43 AM Tuesday, July 14, 2009

COLUMBUS — Thanks to federal stimulus money, Ohio’s public schools will see a 5.5 percent increase in funding during the next two years under the $50.5 billion state budget lawmakers approved Monday, July 13.

Without $788 million in stimulus funds, state aid to schools actually decreases by 0.24 percent each year over the next two years.

“Frankly, in an atmosphere where 10 (percent) to 15 percent cuts are the meal of the day, that’s pretty good for schools,” said state Rep. Stephen Dyer, D-Green, a key author of the K-12 education plan in House Bill 1, the original budget bill.

Dyer said poor, rural school districts would see the greatest funding gains under the bill, and charter school funding would remain mostly unaffected.

Also, most of Gov. Ted Strickland’s evidence-based education model remains intact, including all-day kindergarten, a requirement of all school districts starting in fall 2010.

The stimulus funds push education funding to $6.92 billion in fiscal 2010 and $6.9 billion in 2011.

In the Dayton area, districts seeing the greatest gains include Northridge (10.4 percent); Vandalia (10.3 percent); Dayton (9 percent); Kettering (8.2 percent) and Miamisburg (7.6 percent).

“This will obviously help our school district,” said Dayton Superintendent Kurt Stanic, who was expecting cuts. “If the district’s lucky enough to experience a slight increase, we need to make sure the increase is used for academic improvement.”

Dayton Treasurer Stan Lucas cautioned that, while helpful, the stimulus funds not only come with restrictions, the particulars of which haven’t been determined yet, but also the money runs out after two years.

“Those dollars are specifically directed dollars, and really, at the end of the day, they aren’t going to have a direct impact on the long-term operation of the district,” he said.

Without the stimulus funds, Dayton’s funding increase falls to 0.75 percent each year through 2011. That means the district will continue to struggle with its general fund, Lucas said. Even though Dayton passed an operating levy last year, it hasn’t seen a bump in revenue because a poor economy and foreclosures have hurt tax collections, he said.

The budget passed Monday also:

• Reduces the local property tax contribution from 23 mills to 22 mills in 2010.

• Permits school districts to use state funds for the modification or purchase of classroom space to provide all-day kindergarten.

• Reduces the five excused calamity days to three for the 2010-11 school year, and requires the state board of education to offer recommendations on extending the school year.

• Replaces the Ohio Graduation Test with a nationally standardized college prep assessment.

• Creates a career ladder with a residency program for teachers. Also makes it easier for schools to remove low-performing teachers.

• Imposes tougher accountability standards for charter schools and places charter school sponsors under state education department oversight.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7408 or agottschlich@ DaytonDailyNews.com.

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