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"The general assembly shall make such provisions by taxation or otherwise, as, will secure a thorough and efficient system of common schools throughout the state." (Article VI, Section 2, Ohio Constitution)
This portion of our state constitution has often been quoted as justification for declaring Ohio's school funding system unconstitutional. We have often heard stories of wealthy school districts building swimming pools while poor districts have no cafeteria or cannot fix a leaky roof. The famous DeRolph vs.State of Ohio case argued that Ohio's school funding system is not constitutional; a judge agreed. Upon appeal, the Ohio Supreme Court also agreed and ordered "a complete systematic overhaul" of school funding in Ohio.
So has the state of Ohio made a "systematic overhaul" of school funding? The Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding says no. The coalition also says the following principles came out of the court ruling that the state has also failed to accomplish:
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- One State System: The state, not local communities, are responsible for the system of common schools throughout Ohio.
Thorough and Efficient: The school system must be of a uniform high quality as mandated by the Ohio Constitution.
Deprivation Due to Wealth: School children may not be deprived of a high quality education because of the economic status of their community.
Decrease Emphasis Upon Property Taxes: The state must fund the school system without placing a dominant emphasis on local property taxes.
Adequate Education: The education provided by the school system must be of the highest quality possible. This includes buildings, materials, teachers, and programs.
Fully Develop Human Potential; The state is obligated to provide a system that allows it's citizens to develop to their full human potential.
"These Principles of Law frame the Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding report Basket of Essential Learning Resources For The 21st Century."
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