This morning's Advocate offers sobering news about Newark City Schools.  The cuts outlined in the Advocate are severe.  They would significantly damage the fabric of our schools ("further damage" is probably a better term).  But what about Newark as a community?  What happens to a community with a state minimum school curriculum?

The failure to pass operating levies in the district stems from a variety of factors.  The economy, a general backlash against taxes (at a level of government where the citizens still get to vote yea or nea), real concerns over educational initiatives (often mandated on schools from a state or federal level), and a good degree of misinformation that exists in the community.

But as sure as the lack of support stems from a variety of sources, the implications of that missing support are far-reaching:

Industry and Economic Development
Imagine you are looking to invest in a current business?  Imagine you are looking to locate a business?  A key indicator of community vitality is the school system.  Does the community support its schools? 

And before you head down the path of arguing that "throwing money" at schools is not "supporting," take a look at the latest financing information here.  What you will find (under E. Expenditure Per Pupil) is that Newark Schools spend less than average in administrative expense and, in spite of lower (3%) overall spending per pupil (in an increasingly urban-style school district), the district's direct instructional per pupil expenditures are within a half percent of the state average.  So we have a district that spends less than the state average on schools but manages to keep an emphasis on the students rather than administration.

Back to business.  Economic development will be killed by a failing school district.  Businesses will be uninterested in locating in Newark and local businesses will be less interested in investing in Newark plants.  Additionally, companies with multiple locations including Newark will have less interest in the Newark location - a development death spiral.

Housing and the Economy
Do families want to locate in a district with failing schools?  Of course not.  So not supporting the schools will lead to a vitality drain for the community.  Certainly the economy has had an effect on the ability to sell houses in Newark but failure of the school district will result in a real estate standstill.  Enjoy your home in Newark; you'll be in it for a while.

Crime
Give me a community with declining industry, poor schools and a stagnant housing market and I'll give you one with a growing crime rate.  Those who can get out of such a community will do so; those who can't will concentrate, requiring more administrative expenses to manage and not giving a damn about what is taught.  The city will see a continuing decline in tax revenues while demand for services - social, law enforcement, etc. - grows.  The death of a community.

This is an unacceptable future.  Newark has a rich past and great potential.  Our schools have performed surprisingly well under the circumstances but the train is now leaving the station and it is time to get on board before it is too late.

If, like me, you are a parent of student(s) in the district, you have no doubt disagreed with a teacher's decision, board decisions or some action by the district.  But those disagreements pale in comparison to the implications of a failed district.  The need for a vibrant, effective school district is paramount.

It is time to invest in the community by working to ensure that the next levy passes.  Now is the time to explain to neighbors, friends, people without students in the schools, what happens when a school district fails.  For those who call the cuts "scare tactics", ensure them that they will happen.  For those who think that the schools can "get by" with less money remind them that many of the mandates are not in our control but that the funding is.  We are not in a wealthy district that is asking for still more money.  We are in a complicated district that has done well with the less-than-average money it has been given.

Now is not the time to wait on others to act.  Talk to school board members and Keith Richards.  Don't wait.  More info here (I'll update once the new levy information is available).