PulseJournal.com

Lakota as a school district is unique in its sustained growth and consistent success in student achievement. The growth witnessed by our district has basically resulted in, on average, a new building each year to house our growing student population. With this growth comes more teachers, more programming and more costs. It is not news to us that the state of Ohio is struggling to overcome issues related to school funding.

Refusing to just sit and watch this unfold, the Board of Education and I feel strongly that a proactive approach was necessary. In partnership with State Sen. Gary Cates, we had the unique opportunity to meet privately with Gov. Ted Strickland and his senior education staff. Our meeting revolved around having funding "follow the student" as well as asking for a seat at the table when the discussions begin on how to fix the funding problem.

The current state budget proposal allows for no district to receive less money, but for districts to keep the same funding as 2005. By keeping the budget flat and not allowing for funding of every student, we at Lakota actually have 1,287 (as of this past October) students who are not funded through the state. That could amount to two to three schools of students (more than one graduating class) and all of the associated costs for those schools as being unfunded by the state. The impact is approximately $1 million dollars annually at this point.

Parents and residents in our district have high expectations of statewide report card results. To have these slip due to growth would not further the goals of Ohio's education system, our school district or the individual goals of each parent who entrusts their child's education to us.

We are truly thankful the governor would meet with us and listen to our concerns. We also appreciate the time taken by State Sen. Cates in setting up the meeting. We are hopeful that a fix is on the horizon that will allow funding to follow each student and for Lakota to receive state funding for each student.

Mike Taylor is the superintendent of the Lakota Local School District. Contact him at (513) 644-1166 or

mike.taylor@lakotaonline.com.

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