Pickerington Area Taxpayers Alliance

Columbus

Any Mouse,

I thought Columbus recently decided that all further annexations would result in those homes being transferred into the Columbus School District.

It would be worth knowing if this is true. I wonder if they may decide to retroactively conform the school district boundaries with previous annexations?

By Mouseketeer

Nope

No, Columbus hasn't said anything like that and it may very well be against state law anyway.

Second point, the state won't raise state taxes, they'll raise local taxes. As far as the state is concerned that's a winning issue for them. Related to that, if as many people want, the state starts funding through the state income tax (the deRolf decision) then rich school districts like ours will be taxed to support poorer districts. There will be a net shift of wealth from us to places like, well the Columbus School District.

Finally, Columbus can annex into the district from the south. Why do you think they annexed Rickenbacker? They've out flanked Canal Wincester and Lithopolis now. Columbus is now free to annex all the way to Lancaster. And you just think those aren't in the plans. 15000 new jobs at the Rickenbacker logistics center means 10,000 new houses. They aren't going to be built in Delaware Co, they're going to be built here. I wouldn't be surprised to see Columbus become the second largest city in Fairfield Co by the next census. In 15 years Columbus will be the largest city in the county.

By the way, I do live in Columbus, that's why I keep up on such things. If you think Pickerington residents can't get elected, try being from Columbus. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think two school board members live in Pickerington.

By Any Mouse

Expect more from your government


Note Mrs. Reade's quote

Reade summed up the situation for Pickerington schools stating, ?“The district?’s future has always been in our own hands. We can?’t wait for the legislature to ride in like a white knight to fix school funding. They?’re not going to.?”

I could not agree with her more. In the time I have lived in Ohio, the state legislature has done nothing to remedy a broken and unconstitutional school funding system.

HB299 is a great example of a good idea that would have the benefits of slowing growth and providing another funding source. Builders will say the fees will be passed along to the buyers. In a sellers market that would be true, in a buyers market, the builder may have to lower the price and pay part of the charge to move his inventory.

The state legislature has demonstrated it's ability to quickly address problems of great import, like Ken Blackwell's trouble with his TEL issue. Where are children's education is concerned, they are more tuned into the will of their benefactors (BIA) then the people they represent.

State Government should provide the tools the local districts need to solve funding problems. We get a lot of hot air and posturing to ensure their own re-election.

I say throw them all out. The Democrats have two good candidates for Senator, Dennis Lupher and Representative, Kelly Kirk. I say give them a chance.


By damacles