Help Fight The Loss Of School Funding: Solon Schools

SOLON, OH — The Solon Schools have been leading the fight against a potential blow to public school funding in Ohio. The Tangible Personal Property tax (TPP) and its reimbursement funds have been a major source funding for districts throughout the Buckeye State and the latest budget proposal from Governor John Kasich threatens to eliminate that funding.

The Solon Schools stand to lose $3.5 million in one year, and $8.3 million over several years as a result of the repeal. That's why the district is now asking parents and supporters to write local representatives and urge them to fight the repeal of TPP.

The district posted a sample letter that can be sent to Ohio Congresspeople. The letter reads, in part, "

The schools, businesses and taxpayers in my community will be significantly impacted by the rapid loss of funding if the TPP phase out is not slowed or reversed. This will jeopardize the financial stability of our schools."

The full letter will be printed at the bottom of this article.

Solon is one of several school districts throughout Ohio that are asking supporters for help in fighting the loss of TPP funds. Strongsville Schools recently asked residents to write State Senator Matt Dolan and State Representative Matt Patton to ask them to oppose Kasich's budget. Strongsville Schools said they stand to lose $3.5 million in funding in just one year as a result of the TPP repeal.

Solon Schools went one step further and are asking residents to call or write all 33 Ohio Senators. The district even suggested sending postcards to the Ohio Senate, urging them to fight the loss of TPP funding.

“Our districts have made significant expenditure cuts to deal with TPP funding losses already enacted. These include reductions in staffing and employee benefits such as health care coverage, as well as pay freezes,” Solon Schools' Treasurer Tim Pickana said in an emailed statement. “We respectfully ask the legislators not to make the mistake of believing that the TPP loss districts are ‘rich’ and can easily absorb these crushing losses. We are talking about annual losses in the millions of dollars. These highly impacted districts will not be able to simply make sufficient reductions or pass additional millage through levies to maintain the integrity and quality of their educational programs.”

To learn more about Solon Schools' fight against TPP funding, click here.

Here is the full letter:

SAMPLE LETTER TO SENATORS

Dear Senator {{XXXXXXX}}:

I am a resident of Solon. Without a change in current law, the Solon Schools will experience a devastating loss of $8.3 million a year (which is $1,800 per student) due to the Tangible Personal Property Tax funding phase out.

The schools, businesses and taxpayers in my community will be significantly impacted by the rapid loss of funding if the TPP phase out is not slowed or reversed. This will jeopardize the financial stability of our schools. Highly impacted districts like mine would not be able to make reductions or pass additional operating levies locally to make up for the losses and still maintain the quality and integrity of the educational programs for students in our schools. As I am sure you are aware, my school district has already implemented significant expenditure reductions in the face of continued TPP funding losses, including many of the same cost-cutting and efficiency measures that have been effective in the private sector.

I fully recognize there are many challenges in creating a balanced state budget for the next biennium. At the same time, I urge you to include a change in the current budget bill addressing TPP to reverse or slow the phase out. This issue is critical for our schools and our community. Your action on TPP issue is appreciated.

Sincerely,

{{INSERT YOUR NAME, ADDRESS & PHONE NUMBER HERE}}

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