Editor’s note: The Portager publishes letters to the editor from the community. The opinions expressed are published not because they necessarily reflect those of the publication but because we feel they contribute meaningfully to the local discourse on matters of public interest.
This comment was in response to a comment from the publisher in the Feb. 21 edition of the email newsletter: “The children need our support now, not later when the state legislature decides to solve this problem. Therefore, we either need to organize and force a solution now, or we need to find a community solution that works in the interim. What’s the answer?”
You’ve raised a valid point — the children need support now. However, continuing to approve local school levies only enables the state legislature’s ongoing inaction. The Ohio Supreme Court ruled in DeRolph v. State of Ohio (1997) that the state’s reliance on property taxes for school funding was unconstitutional. Yet, over 25 years later, lawmakers still haven’t created a fair and sustainable funding model. It’s time we hold them accountable.
Ohio’s legislature has access to significant revenue streams that could help properly fund education. For example, gambling revenue, including proceeds from casinos, sports betting, and the Ohio Lottery, was intended to support schools. However, much of this funding is diverted into the general budget, reducing its direct impact on education. Similarly, the recent legalization of recreational marijuana has generated new tax revenue that could help fund schools, yet little of this money is earmarked for education.
Moreover, in 2023, the legislature took control of K-12 education from the Ohio Department of Education, placing it under the governor’s office. This move should have led to greater accountability, but instead, the funding crisis persists. Rather than shifting the burden to local taxpayers — many of whom are seniors, working families, and individuals on fixed incomes — it’s time to demand that our elected officials fulfill their constitutional obligation.
The answer lies in collective action. Taxpayers, school boards, and community leaders must unite to pressure state legislators to use existing revenue streams to fully fund public education. By voting down school levies, we send a clear message: stop relying on local property taxes and start fulfilling your duty to our children. This isn’t about withholding support from students — it’s about creating a sustainable system that benefits everyone. Until the state acts, we’ll remain trapped in a cycle of temporary fixes that fail our schools and burden our communities.
Enough is enough. It’s time for Ohio’s leaders to step up and do their jobs.
— Karen Taylor, Streetsboro
The Portager publishes a range of opinions from the community. To submit a letter to the editor, write to [email protected].