Schools don't need more money, they need better leadership and management.
Listening to the school board, one would think that the South-Western City School district was ready to file chapter 11. After using spilt sessions to coerce the passage of a bond levy in 1998, the recent "S-W City Schools Annual Reports " informs the tax payer that the insatiable beast is hungry again and will "seek an operating levy within the next few years." How can this be when their own report claims that they get $7,533/student? Are you trying to tell me that we can not expect our schools to provide an adequate education for $7,533/year? Just how much do they think they need, and more importantly are their any studies that PROVE that more funding and smaller class sizes are the answers? The following data seems to prove just the opposite. I just checked the OSU website and tuition to OSU is only $5,664 at the main campus and $3,927 at branch campuses. For the $7,533 we currently spend we can send almost 2 children to OSU branch campuses. According to "The Center for Education Reform" the national average for private school tuition is $3,116 and $2,178 for Catholic Schools. Once again, for the $7,533 that the S-W City Schools currently gets we could send OVER 2 children to the average private school, and OVER 3 children to the average Catholic school. A quick review of private and Catholic school tuition around Columbus revealed that we are not far from average. Instead of sending more money to an administration and system that has proven that it can't get the job done with over twice the money that other have proven is required, we should either contract out the administration and education to OSU or demand a voucher system. As long as the Public School Monopoly can explain away inefficiencies, make unjustifiable excuses and coerce passage of bond levies they will, there is no incentive for them not to. It is time the public stands up and demands accountability, not excuses. Voters need to remember that they are shareholders in the public school system and the school board works for, and is hired by the tax payer/shareholder. If they can't get the job done it is time for a good-ole-fashion shareholder revolt. The clean up efforts that swept the Enronites out of corporate boardrooms should now be focused on cleaning up the public boardrooms as well. The school board should not be treated like many unfortunate failing students who are GIVEN passing grades and promoted to preserve "self esteem." It is time some feelings get hurt, esteem lowered and some board members get expelled.
|
Columbus Townhall > Forum > Politics > Local (Moderators: Peter, CTH Public Relations)
Topic: Schools don't need more money
