| Timeline The history of the school funding debate goes almost as far back as
the history of school funding itself. From the early days of The Akron School Plan,
citizens have debated the roles of government, proper citizenship, and parents in an
organized public school system.
| 1821 |
|
Ohio
levies its first property tax |
| 1846 |
|
The Rev.
Isaac Jennings of Akron leads a committee that develops a plan to run and finance the
city's public schools. The Akron School Plan - which created school districts governed by
a locally elected board and financed by property taxes - remains largely in effect today. |
| 1935 |
|
Ohio
enacts a 3 percent sales tax, boosting state support for schools to nearly 50 percent of
districts' operating costs. |
| 1971 |
|
Ohio
enacts its first income tax, with a portion going to primary and secondary education. |
| 1975 |
|
Ohio
creates the equal-yield formula, which tries to close the financing gaps between rich and
poor school districts. |
| 1976 |
|
Lawmakers
pass House Bill 920, which prohibits property tax collections from rising with inflation. |
| 1979 |
|
The Ohio
Supreme Court upholds the state school-funding system, rejecting a challenge filed by the
Cincinnati school district. |
| 1980 |
|
State
lawmakers create emergency loan fund and prohibit school districts from closing for
financial reasons, forcing troubled districts to go deeper into debt; eliminate
equal-yield formula. |
| 1984 |
|
Legislators
approve Gov. Richard Celeste's proposal for a 10-year, phased-in reduction of the tangible
property tax and pass bill guaranteeing that lottery profits go to education. |
| 1992 |
|
Gov.
George Voinovich, in his 1992-93 biennial state budget, creates the equity fund for poorer
schools. |
| 1994 |
|
Perry
County Common Pleas Judge Linton Lewis Jr. rules against Ohio's school-funding system, but
is later overruled by a higher court. |
| 1997 |
|
Ohio
Supreme Court declares system of school funding unconstitutional. (see timeline below) |
| 1998 |
|
Legislature
and Voinovich enact new funding plan. Voters defeat half-percent sales tax and a proposal
to sell bonds for school construction to pay for it. Coalition of schools returns to
court, arguing that the solution was inadequate. |
| 1999 |
|
Lewis
rejects state's response. |
School Funding Debate Timeline
from the Cincinnati Enquirer
| March
24, 1997 |
|
Ohio
Supreme Court rules the state's school-funding system is inadequate and unconstitutional.
The 4-3 decision gives state lawmakers a year to overhaul the system by reducing the
reliance on local property taxes. |
| July
1, 1997 |
|
After
months of public hearings and closed-door meetings, Gov. George Voinovich unveils a plan
to address the court decision. It would ask voters to approve a penny-on-the-dollar
sales tax increase, with the proceeds ear-marked for schools. |
| Aug.
2, 1997 |
|
A
coalition of Democrats and conservative Republicans blcoks a Senate approved version of
Mr. Voinovich's plan in the Ohio House. |
| Aug.
23, 1997 |
|
Mr.
Voinovich signs into law tougher academic and financial standards drafted to help sell his
sales-tax proposal. |
| Sept.
18, 1997 |
|
As state
lawmakers grapple with court-ordered changes in the state's school-funding system, the
Ohio Public Expenditure Council reports that property owners will pay a record $ 5.9
million to run schools. |
| Oct.
4, 1997 |
|
The Ohio
Poll shows 63 percent of those surveyed support raising the state sales tax to 6 percent
from 5 percent to aid schools. Thirty-five percent were opposed and 2 percent didn't
have an opinion. |
| February,
1998 |
|
General
Assembly approves new formula for funding schools. It increases basic aid per pupil
and state money for school buildings, buses and special services, but falls short of
recommendations by a national school-finance consultant. The General Assembly revives the penny sales tax plan but changes the way the
proceeds would be spent. If voters approve, the $ 1.1 billion raised annually by
Issue 2 would be split evenly between schools and undefined property tax breaks for
homeowners.
Lawmakers also put Issue 1 on the ballot. The proposed
constitutional amendment would allow the state to lower its borrowing costs by issuing
general obligation bonds to finance school construction and repairs. |
| March,
1998 |
|
Responding
to complaints from constituents, lawmakers rush to approve a proposed tax credit of up to
$ 275 for property taxes charged if Issue 2 passes. |
| May
5, 1998 |
|
Ohio
voters defeat Issue 2. |
|
