School Funding Alternative Proposed in Chardon (OH)
June 15, 2011
Paul Hederstrom of Claridon Township is proposing an alternative plan to pay salaries of specialist teachers from endowment proceeds in place of tax revenues. He presented the concept of an Ohio Endowment for Art, Music and Physical Education at a recent Chardon City Council meeting.
“In talking with other core teachers, we all feel art, music and PE are necessary,” he said.
Hederstrom pointed to the precedent for endowments in education at colleges and universities, and said a one-time investment by multiple people to fund a teacher on an ongoing basis would likely be more appealing than an additional, continuous tax.
“Returns from the fu nd support salaries and benefits to art, music and physical education teachers in perpetuity, never reducing the capital investment of the endowment or requiring additional taxes, bond issues, etc.,” he said.
“A target endowment of $1 million would provide an investment return adequate to subsidize a single teacher’s annual salary while injecting that same amount into the local economy.”
Implementation would involve creating a board of directors representing each geographic or political division to manage endowment assets. Accountability would be monitored by the endowment managers in cooperation with respective school officials.
Hederstrom hoped to help foster community involvement through public concerts and art shows, and by asking local establishments to donate a percentage of sales on a particular night.
“I want to make Chardon the poster district for the endowment proposal,” he said.
Mayor Phil King said the presentation was informational only until Hederstrom can make his case before local school boards.
“This would be one of the first of its kind in Ohio,” King said.
Hederstrom wants council to eventually endorse the concept and a recommendation to the Better Business Bureau and Chamber of Commerce, for fundraising purposes.
In a letter of support, U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette said, “The Ohio Endowment is unique in its approach to pursuing social and economic benefits. Its prime objective is to ensure that art, music and physical education are retained as integral pieces of the public education curriculum.”
Hederstrom, who retired from Falls Church, Va., schools, said he got the idea after moving back to Geauga County several years ago.
The West Geauga graduate continues to sub and tutor in area schools, and established a scholarship recognizing students for giving back to the community, using proceeds from his tutoring jobs.
“Virginia schools fund things different ways,” he said.
“Coming up here, with tax levies going down the tubes, my mind was spinning, ‘What can be done? There’s something wrong with this.’ “
Hederstrom will make the presentation at Chardon School Board’s July 11 meeting. Superintendent Joe Bergant said he has received only preliminary information, but added, “Anything we can do to support the arts and fine arts, I’m 200 percent behind.”
A school survey last year indicated that the No. 1 item the community would support is fine arts, he added.
“Unfortunately, when you have to make cuts, the arts are on the chopping block because not every child is required to take them,” he said. “It’s typically an elective-type feature.”