No money tree for schools, who need support

Back in the day when automated teller machines first appeared on the scene of financial institutions everywhere, one of the favorite activities of my two very young sons at the time was to accompany dad to retrieve some money from the nearest machine. The thought of dollar bills appearing out of the ATM like magic fascinated both of them. When I needed cash I would ask them who wanted to accompany dad to "the money tree" to shake some of its branches. While fun, I know now it was bad parenting on my part. A few years later as I tried to teach both of them that "money doesn't grow on trees" they would respond with, "But dad, remember the money tree." Great, I had to teach them how to unlearn a concept both enjoyed as a youth. Who doesn't wish, if only for a minute, that money indeed did grow on trees? I know many school district officials across the region would wish for that, as numerous requests for financial assistance will dot the ballots of their district boundaries in a few weeks. Alas, as adults, we know the money tree does not exist. But financial help does, and that is where you and I come into play. Because of a complicated funding formula in the state, school districts have but very limited ways to secure funding to run their schools. If local support is not there for a district, state officials will then in essence penalize a district by scaling back state support to the district. Over time this could have a devastating effect on the quality of education offered. And that is why so many school requests will be before voters this spring – districts need local support. Take Findlay as but one example. Voters in the fall rejected a request for help, which then triggered a round of cuts in the budget. Without local support, district leaders had no choice but to implement the cuts, much as they hated to. There was no other way to balance the 2025-26 budget. And make no mistake, every cut impacts the quality of education in a district. From transportation to staffing levels, cuts have hurt, and will continue to hurt, unless voters rise up and support the students. I want a school environment in Findlay, for example, where an outstanding program like the Findlay First Edition not only is known locally for its quality, but nationally as well. For example recently FFE members placed third in national Show Choir competition in Florida. I want students to be able to participate in sports and extracurricular activities without having to pay for the opportunity. Findlay has a rich sports history of hall of famers, state champions and students whose participation in athletics also fostered their success in other pursuits as adults. If these students would have had to pay to participate, would they have been able to compete? And I want programs in the schools that teach students the important basics of English, math and science. But I also want classes like economics to be offered as well, so that students can learn the meaning of bad credit, and how misusing a credit card could impact their future. And yes, I want them to learn there is no "money tree" in the back yard. You can't go outside and shake its limbs for dollar bills. You and I will soon have the opportunity to make a difference for our students by voting in favor of Findlay's request. Let's do the right thing across the region and vote in favor of school issues this year. Bill Speer is the former publisher of The Alpena (Mich.) News, and lives in Findlay.