Hilliard City School District – March Operating Levy Election

As a current member of Hilliard Schools' volunteer Citizen's Finance Committee, a former member of the school district's Board of Education, and a founding member of the political action committee CAGH (formed to foster voter approval of the new Bradley High School), I believe the upcoming March 4 operating levy vote is certainly as important as any in my memory, and perhaps more so in light of current economic news and ongoing conflict over state funding. We've lived and worked in the Hilliard area since we moved to Ohio in 1988, and have seen first-hand the growth of the district from about 4,000 to the current 15,000 students. While the district is no longer the fastest-growing in the state(as it was in the 1990's), the notion that the city and district (and they are very different things, as elsewhere in Ohio) are no longer growing is off the mark. Add at least a couple hundred new students per year, and you can project real needs for the next few years, especially in light of reduced state contributions to local district budgets (such as the loss of the tangible personal property tax).

Unfortunately, the current picture is a bit clouded by the continuing negotiations, currently in an arbitration stage, between the teachers and the school board over a new contract. I'll emphasize "unfortunately" because any lack of an agreement (and certainly hints of antagonism) can be fairly expected to dampen enthusiasm for that critical "yes" vote. While I am not privy to details of the negotiations, of course, it's probably no secret that the impasse points greatly to diverging views on money and benefits. As voter response relates to both areas, consider the "average" person who contrasts their private sector job (and benefits) against those of the teachers. In fairness, as a former teacher myself, I will attest to the long hours (much longer than conventional wisdom would have it) that justify the salaries of truly committed and effective educators.

But the fact is that the general voter's perception of benefits beyond pure salary is greatly affected by changes across the corporate world in recent years....most notably, health insurance and retirement plans. While it's understandable that no one is naturally inclined to "give back" things they have previously won, a dose of realism (and a close look at overall school funding expectations) is indeed much more essential in the year 2008.

And what's at stake? The district cutbacks (required by law to achieve balanced budgeting) necessitated by a loss at the polls in March will affect what does or doesn't happen in the classroom....yes, "It's The Kids, ____________" more so than the economy. And property values will be affected, without doubt; best case scenario is that it will negatively add to the current "buyers' market" when it comes to purchase prices. If overall home values decrease, there will be a substntial learning curve before they rebound....as they say, only time will tell. The view from here is that the decrease in one's home value will far exceed the increased taxes.

Voters have a right to expect teachers to understand the general public's work reality and point of view, and to openly acknowledge and justify how they are compensated. The fact that they are unionized does not shield them from such obligations. There simply needs to be more forthright discussions about the value of total compensation, by the district and the teachers. Without that, the levy is in jeopardy; voters will always gravitate to the easiest reason to vote "no." At the risk of cliche and crudity, ultimately the teachers risk fostering the feeling that they are holding citizens' feet to the proverbial fire, with kids as hostages.

©2008, Doug Parker, ikarensell Enterprises Inc. http://www.ikarensell.com