MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2000
Opponents in state senate race disagree over school funding
By Jefferson Wolfe
Staff Writer
While the candidates in Ohio's 26th State Senate District differ on education funding and farm issues, both feel transportation issues in the area are a priority.
Incumbent Republican Larry Mumper of Marion said he is waiting to see what the Governor's Commission on Student Success recommends. The issue statewide has been how to fund schools equitably to meet Ohio Supreme Court criteria.
"We're going to lean on their recommendation heavily," he said. The keys involve decisions about what kids should learn, how to measure performance in each grade, how to hold students and administrators accountable and how to align all parts of the system.
"We've made sure that every school is receiving more money this year than the year before, except those with lower enrollment,' Mumper said.
Since schools are funded by local property taxes, there may need to be a change there, too.
"The question is how do we take on property taxes?" he said. Some legislators do not rule out a tax increase. A state property tax is also a possibility, with communities adding their own if they voters choose.
Mumper said he is waiting to see what the commission recommends before making any decisions.
His opponent, Democrat Mary Fleure of Attica, said she also is in favor of a statewide millage, but she would also support a statewide income tax specifically for schools. The two would be used to ensure that an adequate and equal amount was being spent of every student in Ohio. She said local school district residents could add millage for additional programming, if they chose.
Fleure said the system should collect and distribute the money according to how many children a school has.
She said she disagrees with Mumper on waiting for the commission's recommendations. Fleure wants to hold town hall meetings in the district and discuss the issues with parents and educators.
Mumper said it is important to address the issue of funding for vocational schools, so they can produce students who are ready to walk out of the schools into jobs.
As to proficiency tests, Mumper said he is in favor of change, but wants to wait to see what the commission recommends.
Fleure suggests a temporary moratorium of proficiency testing until statewide curriculum standards can be developed. All too often, she said, teachers are teaching to the test, not educating the students.
Fleure also said the tests were supposed to provide accountability for teachers, but are now being used to determine whether a student is promoted to the next grade or retained.
The candidates disagree on the issue of farm regulations. Mumper is the author of a bill that passed the State Senate, and is moving through the House, that would switch the Ohio EPA's responsibilities for permitting and supervising large animal farms to the Ohio Department of Agriculture. It would standardize and simplify what big farmers are supposed to do. He also said he hopes it will help eliminate chemical and other spills.
Mumper said the number one business in Ohio is agribusiness, and this should have been done a long time ago.
The bill provides a uniform set of rules for operation of facilities with more than 10,000 animals. Those with fewer are encouraged to follow standards as well.
Mumper said this means people can own big farms, but this will make them follow the rules.
"You're going to have to do it right," he said.
Fleure said the EPA should be allowed to do its job. There are EPA rules in place already, and they should be used, she said.
Fleure said these large farms are factory farms, and if the EPA is responsible for factories, it should be responsible for factory farms, too.
"Why train people all over again?" she said.
Fleure said she was a fifth-generation farmer, and Mumper said he was a fourth-generation farmer.
Both candidates agreed that transportation's issues such as iron triangles in Fostoria and Bellevue should be addressed.
"Certainly, those projects are on the front burner," Mumper said.
They both said they would work for bypasses in Fostoria. Fleure also mentioned a bypass in the Bellevue area.
In regard to economic development, Mumper said this area is within 500 miles of one third of the people in the country by interstate and rail.
"This area is ripe for economic development," Mumper said.
Fleure said she would work hard to bring more manufacturing to the district. She said industry helps a community grow, and brings with it ancillary businesses that develop as well.
The candidates also discussed their reasons for running.
"I really have enjoyed representing the 26th District," Mumper said, adding that he has spent a lot of time in the counties of the district. Mumper is a former teacher of 30 years, a fourth-generation family farmer and has served as president of the Marion County Commissioners and the Marion City Council.
"I understand the people of the 26th District because I am one of them," Fleure said. She said she has worked hard all her life and was never spoon fed. She was elected a labor leader in the steel working industry, and served on an EMS squad for a year.
She worked at Mapa Pioneer in Willard, and became a displaced worker when the plant shut down in 1999. Two weeks later, Fleure enrolled in North Central College in Mansfield in the paralegal program.
She said people in this area are looking for a government that will respond to their problems.