May 3, 2005 - Sponsor Testimony House Resolution 11
by Jennifer Garrison
May. 5, 2005
Sponsor Testimony
House Resolution 11
State Representative Jennifer Garrison
House Finance & Appropriations Committee
May 3, 2005
Chairman Calvert and Members of the House Finance Committee, Good Afternoon. Thank you for this opportunity to testify today on House Resolution 11. I am Jennifer Garrison, State Representative for the 93rd district and the sponsor of House Resolution 11.
This resolution simply states it is the intent of this General Assembly to establish a new school funding method that results in a thorough and efficient system of primary and secondary schools in the state.
This Resolution is merely a first step to state it is our priority to completely address the unconstitutional school funding formula. The DeRolph 1 decision, which I trust each of you is very familiar with, held the state's system of funding public schools unconstitutional.
The Ohio Supreme Court in the most recent of the DeRolph decisions in 2002 held "the General Assembly has not focused on the core constitutional directive of DeRolph 1", a complete systematic overhaul of the school funding system. I believe what makes our system unconstitutional is the great disparity in revenues generated from local property tax millage when used to determine the level of funding in our schools. The basic truth still exists in Ohio: students from high wealth districts generate far more per pupil revenue and receive far more per pupil funding than students from low wealth districts. In Ohio 1 mill in the wealthiest district generates $582 per pupil and in the poorest district 1 mill generates $33 per pupil.
The Supreme Court of Ohio agrees with a large majority of school districts and a huge number of parents who say the way we fund schools is not working. Voters understand we have a problem with education funding. Grass roots efforts are organizing in Ohio to do the Legislature's job. Children in low wealth districts are cutting extra-curricular program, reducing teachers, and are forced to have a pay to play policy in sports and band activities. And still levies are on the ballots in a record number of districts to simply operate their schools. Property tax payers who support the schools are torn between wanting to support their schools and an inability to afford more in local property taxes because of a poor economy. Consideration of this Resolution is very apropos today, as there are 147 school districts, in 76 of our 88 counties asking the voters for support 203 money issues.
It is time for long term thinking. Education is a long term investment in our human resources. Many say the Ohio of tomorrow will be a knowledge based economy. This will not happen without resolving the disparity in per pupil funding under the formula. Undisputed studies show there is a correlation between the level of education and amount of income a person will earn over their lifetime. The more money an individual earns the bigger their contribution to our tax base and the less likely Ohio will be burdened with supporting this person later.
Legislation is about values. I value the state investing in education and recognizing it is time to resolve the unconstitutional school formula. No one in this room will say their education did not impact their success.
It has been 8 years since the Ohio Supreme Court's first decision in DeRolph and over 13 years since the case was filed in Perry County. I am asking for a commitment from this General Assembly to address the unconstitutional school funding formula.
I am requesting this committee support this Resolution that this General Assembly introduce, deliberate, and enact laws to establish a new method of funding primary and secondary public schools that result in a thorough and efficient system of common schools that satisfies the instruction of the Supreme Court.
There is not wide spread satisfaction that the General Assembly has solved the problem. Just ask yourself how many of the 203 school money issues will pass today.
I am not here today with any specific plan. I am here today to ask for your commitment to solve this problem before the end of this session.
Thank you again for this opportunity to testify.