Letter: SB5 Will Cut Schools to the Bone

If a $2.9 billion cut in educational funding over fiscal year 2012-2013 doesn’t have you rethinking your support for Senate Bill 5, think about exactly what almost $3 billion in cuts means to Ohio’s children and future.

Loss of academic programs, reduced opportunities for students, severe staff reductions, and increased taxes at the local level will all become business as usual under SB5.

Here’s how it works: voters already reeling under the weight of school levies ain’t seen nothin’ yet. Nor can those voters blame school districts for “not getting the message” when community members repeatedly reject school levies at the ballot box.

It’s not the school districts’ fault. If school districts can’t get levies approved, they are required to start cutting programs, opportunities, employees, and more. If that doesn’t balance the books, the state brings out its hatchet. Deep cuts, and I mean deep, follow.

Non-mandated transportation? Sorry. Extras and specials? Nada. Foreign language classes? Forget it. Advanced, College Prep, Honors and AP classes? Nope. Electives? Gone. Up-to-date technology? None.

What is left is a school district cut to its skeletal core. Ohio’s students will still get their diplomas, but will be emphatically unprepared for whatever comes next, be it college or the work world. Even communities generous enough to keep their school districts “in the black”  will find that SB5 still packs a horrible punch.

Under SB5, teachers will have less resources, larger class sizes, and increased responsibilities. Because SB5 also effectively breaks the teacher’s union while practically guaranteeing that any teacher who objects will be dismissed, teachers who wish to continue working under any conditions will quickly learn to keep their mouths shut.

The Republican-led rhetoric has already begun. Ohioans are being assured that under SB5, public employees will still have the right to negotiate over wages, hours, and working conditions. Don’t you believe it. Under SB5, the wages, hours, and working conditions are whatever the administration says they are, and if you don’t like it, tough. There will be no disputes that result in strikes because strikes will be illegal.

Ohio’s voters will determine the fate of SB5/Issue 2 in November. To ensure a brighter future for Ohio’s students and public workforce, please remember that “No means No.” Vote No on Issue 2.

Wendy DiAlesandro

Kent, OH