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Failure is not an option

Ted Strickland sounds serious about repairing school-funding

Published on Monday, Apr 28, 2008

In his State of the State address two months ago, Ted Strickland set the deadline. The governor pledged to deliver a plan early next year for repairing the broken school-funding system. He outlined the principles, albeit mostly vague, that would guide the effort, including strengthening the state's commitment to public schools.

Of late, the governor has reiterated his commitment, forcefully and refreshingly. He spoke to the Ohio Education Association and to reporters (later) restating his desire to see a funding system that meets the constitutional standard crafted by the Ohio Supreme Court 11 years ago. He stated that he would do ''whatever is necessary'' to achieve the objective.

Strickland the candidate made much of his view that he would be a ''failed'' governor if he did not fix school funding. What he made plain in speaking to the OEA (the teachers union) is that he needs broad support. He enlisted the backing of the organization. More, he cited the importance of mobilizing churches and the business community.

The ideal would be a Democratic governor fashioning an effective and comprehensive plan along with Republicans in the legislature. The encouraging thing is, the governor has opted for leverage, stating his willingness to go to the ballot if necessary and seek voter support for a plan.

All of this will require sustained hard work, more than merely stating that the state share of school funding has somehow (miraculously) jumped from 48 percent to 54 percent. (Didn't notice?) The governor is right: A key test of his term will be the progress achieved on this front. It is good to see that he is beginning to mobilize the necessary troops.

In his State of the State address two months ago, Ted Strickland set the deadline. The governor pledged to deliver a plan early next year for repairing the broken school-funding system. He outlined the principles, albeit mostly vague, that would guide the effort, including strengthening the state's commitment to public schools.

Get the full article here.


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