Northeastern voters should OK new buildings

5:18 PM Saturday, January 30, 2010

Tomorrow, voters in the Northeastern Local School District will vote on a levy to fund new buildings.

The buildings are needed to ease overcrowding and to keep students safe.

By passing the levy now, the district can take advantage of the state program to pay 41 percent, $46 million, of the $125 million cost for the two new campuses.

Many people in the district have argued that they simply can’t afford to pay higher taxes.

These people need to be respected. It’s unfortunate that people struggling on fixed incomes are being pitted against the needs of children.

The Ohio system of funding schools is deeply flawed. But it’s the system we’re stuck with until the state legislature finds its backbone.

Some have said the board should modify its plan to take on less right now. They can’t. The state has set the rules and said none of the local’s buildings should be kept. The board cannot pick and choose. Anyone could come up with an alternative plan, but the board has to work within the state rules.

Others in the district have conflated the issue with national politics or issues with board members and district employees.

If a voter wants to send a message to Washington or Columbus, this is hardly the way. If a voter is angry about pay policies, they shouldn’t be punishing the students. That’s why we have school board elections.

Voters should look past the fog that some have thrown up around this issue.

It’s simple: Do the district’s buildings provide a safe, effective place to learn?

A tour of the school buildings would give any reasonable person doubts that they do.

Voters should support this issue as the best way forward.

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