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Are cash settlements an option for schools?

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By Lawrence Budd, Staff Writer 12:39 AM Tuesday, November 3, 2009

SPRINGBORO — School districts could receive cash settlements, removing them from the Ohio School Facilities Commission list, under an initiative proposed to a task force being formed to find alternatives to the “cookie-cutter approach” the commission uses in awarding funding for school construction projects, Ohio’s superintendent of public instruction said.

Deborah Delisle mentioned the cash settlement alternative Monday, Nov. 2, during comments she made to superintendents throughout Warren County gathered at Springboro High School.

Right now, districts are expected to pay a local share to qualify for the funding of school buildings under strict guidelines set up through the state commission. The districts are ranked on a list the commission maintains.

Delisle said she hoped the commission would also become more flexible about funding construction of schools such as those at Five Points Elementary in Springboro, where there is extra space in hallways for individual learning in subjects such as reading and computer use.

Springboro schools Superintendent David Baker said the cash settlements would come, perhaps next year, from remaining funds from settlements with tobacco companies. Springboro bypassed the commission’s funding in building schools because of the inflexibility of the guidelines, he said.

Delisle mentioned the cash settlements after Daniel Bennett, Little Miami Schools superintendent, predicted his district was headed for state receivership unless voters approved a tax levy in today’s general election.

In May, Bennett called for reform in state school funding after voters defeated a 3-year, 9.95 mill operating levy, 58-42 percent.

On Monday, Bennett said a lack of funding in fast-growing districts like his and in Springboro — where voters have defeated four consecutive levies asking for new money — created disagreements among voters over what services to fund with available revenues.

Bennett commented after Delisle’s suggestion that districts could win over voters by spelling out which services are funded with state dollars and which rely on local levies.

That approach was used when she led the Cleveland Heights-University Heights district, Delisle said, and resulted in voters approving a tax levy for that district for the first time in 20 years.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2261 or lbudd @DaytonDailyNews.com.

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Jack, your anger represents even those of us with children in the schools. We can and do pay but no matter how much we pay it isn't ever going to be enough. The schools just like the rest of government just keeps paying and benefiting themselves so that our money doesn't go far towards education. I pay my taxes to educate children and not to pad the pockets of those entrusted with that job. These personal attacks are from teachers and admin. we know they are like spoiled brats.

pat
6:07 PM, 2/22/2010

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Jack... seriously man.. you make yourself look so stupid with each subsequent post.... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz......... oh sorry, I must have snoozed.. I'm ready for your next mistake filled rant!!

billy
9:15 AM, 11/4/2009

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School funding illustrates quit well what entitlement attitudes are created by socialism. The only reason any of you think raping the homeowner to educate your children is a good idea is because you fell entitled to it. How very pathetic!

Jack
3:51 PM, 11/3/2009

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Since you are an ignorant putz (you will have to look that up dolz) why don't you tell us what is the highest grade you attended school. I'm guessing the third grade but I could be wrong, it could be the second.

You started the juvinile insult game so why should I deny you your fun. It's like playing with a 5 year old.

Jack
3:47 PM, 11/3/2009

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You do illustrate your spirit with your venom. You don't have a reasoned answer on why parents should not have to pay the FULL COST of their kids education, so you resort to character assignation. That illustrates a very small mind.

You don't have one good reason (lack of intellect maybe) why parents should not pay the full cost of their kids education if they can afford it. All this babble about no education is ignorant.

Jack
3:44 PM, 11/3/2009

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