Vietnam Daily News

More Ohio Teacher Layoffs Inevitable (ContributorNetwork)

Written by Dailynews.vn Sunday, 25 December 2011 22:16

COMMENTARY | The fiscal woes of Ohio's public schools continue to make headlines. Failed operating levies and shrinking property tax revenues are taking a toll on districts throughout Ohio. Even the wealthy community of Dublin is planning on cutting 100 jobs and eliminating $7.1 million from the school district budget over the next two years, according to the Columbus Dispatch. The fiscally responsible measures in Senate Bill 5 would have decreased the district's retirement and health insurance costs significantly.

In November, Dublin voters sent a strong message to school district officials - get your fiscal house in order. The district asked for $13 million, but is now only cutting a little more than $7 million from the budget to remain solvent, according to the Dispatch. Why ask the taxpayers to spend nearly $6 million more than necessary to keep the school functional in these tough economic times? According to Dublin Superintendent David Axner's comments in the Dispatch, the voters clearly made a statement about the need for increased efficiency within the district.

Union scare tactics during the SB5 battle helped cause the demise of the legislation which likely would have prevented the need for laying off 100 teachers, support staff and administrators. The Dublin district is not the first to announce layoffs, increased pay-to-play fees and decreased bus routes since the election. All of the protestors stomping around the statehouse carrying anti-SB5 signs shouting that the bill would cost teacher jobs, should feel really guilty at this point.

The bill was not an attack on the middle class or an attempt at union busting. Senate Bill 5 was designed to reign in unsustainable spending and increase the level of education for all Ohio students. Increasing union mandates during contract negotiations are busting school budgets and sending districts back to the voters time and again for more fiscal support.

The Dublin budget cutting plans include leaving positions unfilled when staff retires. Although such cuts will not result in 100 people losing their jobs, it will lead to overcrowded classrooms and less help for under-performing students. Even if SB5 comes back in a smaller form or as multiple bills addressing specific aspects of the original legislation, it will not prevent more schools layoffs in the coming months.

Source: us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20111225/us_ac/10701113_more_ohio_teacher_layoffs_inevitable