(Letter to the Editor - Graphic Illustration/MetroCreativeConnection)

In response to the letter to the editor written over the summer, regarding the schools in Washington County, readers should be aware that the consolidation of districts to save costs is not feasible — financially or geographically.

Comparing Wood County’s system, which is representative of West Virginia’s state funding formula, to Ohio’s school funding of school districts, is not comparing apples to apples. Layered under West Virginia’s one-county superintendent are dozens of administrators and staff members who oversee the county’s departments and schools. Each state organizes and funds its schools differently, with Ohio valuing local control of school districts and, more difficult for southeast Ohio rural communities, relying on local communities to increase property taxes to fund schools.

But Belpre has an unprecedented opportunity: The State of Ohio has pledged $22.3 million toward the project to support our local community. In contrast, consolidation would not only cost taxpayers more money in the long run but also eliminate their ability to hold a local school board accountable for the progress of their schools. Worse yet, any newly consolidated school district would still have to pass a levy to rebuild Belpre’s antiquated facilities – a levy which would depend on that other community’s taxpayers’ willingness to raise their taxes to build Belpre’s schools.

Members of the Board of Education for Belpre City Schools are well aware of the taxation increase (all members are residents of the City of Belpre), but they have the obligation and duty to elevate the educational needs of students who are relying on a community’s commitment to their future.

As previously stated, facts are facts. I encourage the writer of that summertime letter and any members of our community to learn the facts by meeting with the superintendent and treasurer of BCS to better understand the facts of school funding and the proposed initiative on the ballot on Nov. 8.

Cathy O’Donnell

Board Member, Belpre City Schools