Thursday, January 28, 1999
Cap costs area schools millions
Funding increase limited to 10%
BY MIRIAM SMITH
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MASON — Fast-growing school districts in Butler and Warren counties are not receiving millions of state dollars normally allocated because of a new funding cap, local school officials said.
A state law that went into effect last summer limits the percentage increase of state education dollars school districts can receive. The cap is 10 percent annually.
That is unfair to such districts as Mason, which has seen its enrollment surge at a higher clip than 10 percent, said district Treasurer Cary Furniss. “I think it's especially unfair to rapidly growing districts,” he said.
Districts are capped based on the amount they received last year and other factors included in the state funding formula.
In Ohio, public school stu dents are counted the first full week in October. That number is the basis for state funding for the entire school year.
Because state school funding is based on student enrollment, faster-growing districts, such as Mason and Springboro in Warren County and Lakota in Butler County, will not receive as much funding because of the cap, leaders in those districts say.
Paul Marshall, legislative liaison for the Ohio Department of Education, said other districts are in similar situations statewide. However, state legislators thought it was reasonable to put limits on how much of an increase individual districts would receive, he said.
“The problem we have in Ohio is each district is different. What may be reasonable for one district may not be reasonable for another,” Mr. Marshall said.
The legislature will revisit the spending cap in 2000, he said.
Without the cap, Mason would have received $1.3 million more this year; Lakota would have received $3.5 million more and Springboro would have received $800,000 more, school officials said.
Mason grew by 580 students, Lakota by 609 students and Springboro by 163 students this school year.
The cap won't affect Mason's financial situation this year, but next year educators will have to draw upon cash reserves to keep up with growth demands, Mr. Furniss said.
At Lakota, Treasurer Alan Hutchinson predicts a $317,347 deficit by June 2000.
“I don't think the state intended for it to work this way,” Mr. Hutchinson said. “I don't think they realize the impact of the cap on rapidly growing districts like Lakota or Mason.”
But because the Lakota Board of Education in 1996 — after voters approved a 6.5-mill operating levy — pledged not to ask for additional funds this century, the district will look at ways to eliminate the projected defi cit.
Meanwhile, Mr. Hutchinson said he is gathering data on the effect of the cap on other rapidly growing school districts throughout Ohio. His information will be pooled with that being gathered by Ohio Rep. Gary Cates, R-West Chester.
Mr. Hutchinson said Mr. Cates is looking into the matter. Rep. Cates could not be reached for comment.
“The percent cap they put in the law doesn't make sense,” Mr. Hutchinson said. “Not in practical application for a district like Lakota that is growing so rapidly it's an anomaly. It doesn't make sense because it's an arbitrary cap. Our calculation should be enrollment-driven.”
Springboro Superintendent Gary Meier said the cap is a flaw in the legislation.
“We think we ought to be able to get all the value we can from every new student that arrives in the district,” he said. “That's not happening under this plan.”
Sue Kiesewetter contributed to this report.
A corny idea to keep good little movies
Council targets gun makers
Arts campus plan hits snag on shelter
Bullet train possibilities tantalize
Mary Tyler Moore reveals her wounds
Sabin center plan proposed
N.Ky. convention center opening gala sold out
Pope renews morality plea, condemns death penalty
Teacher pulls kids into pope
Temporary bridge over Fort Washington Way
Dad has custody of tot left in trash
School vouchers director claims program sabotaged
Winter on hiatus 1 more day
Cap costs area schools millions
Grand jury to hear about shooting, wild police chase
Laser pointer curbs rejected
Miami pair plead not guilty
NKU tuition up 5.2% next year
Schools find new tax tough sell
Women of Faith share three days
Adopt a lizard, say 'I love you'
Time to get involved for a 'vision' for 12th Street
GOP's weak field is its own fault
Ambulance runs could cost insurers
Churches helping needy on 'Souper Bowl' Sunday
Colombians here check on loved ones
Design work starts on 50 at I-275
Detective's trial may turn on the word 'in'
Emergency school funds sought
Fix on way for tie-ups at Towne, 122
TRISTATE DIGEST
Woman pleads guilty in burglary
