{"id":12904,"date":"2025-12-10T20:44:54","date_gmt":"2025-12-10T20:44:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/?p=12904"},"modified":"2025-12-10T20:44:54","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T20:44:54","slug":"editorial-our-children-deserve-better-than-a-reverse-robin-hood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/10\/editorial-our-children-deserve-better-than-a-reverse-robin-hood\/","title":{"rendered":"Editorial:\u00a0Our Children Deserve Better Than a Reverse Robin Hood"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>By Dr. Linda Alvarado-Arce<\/strong><\/p>\n

The proposed changes released by TPS are alarming, but what is even more alarming is why they are required in the first place. Yes, we have every right to feel deeply concerned about the proposed cuts. But like with any strong emotion, we also have a responsibility to understand the root cause instead of reacting only to the surface.<\/p>\n

In 2021, the Ohio Legislature approved the Fair School Funding Plan. It was designed to roll out over several years, yet it has never been fully funded. The plan also included incentive funding for districts that perform well on the state report card. That decision was labeled as \u201cfair,\u201d even though school funding has already been ruled unconstitutional four times by the Ohio Supreme Court because of the vast inequities between wealthy and low-income districts.<\/p>\n

Public school funding is not the place to introduce performance-based rewards. Any educator can tell you that school performance strongly correlates with neighborhood income. Wealthier areas generate more money through local property taxes, and that money directly influences school resources. Despite this, the state created a model that rewards higher performing districts which are often higher income districts to begin with.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the final phases of the Fair School Funding Plan were scheduled for 2023 and 2025, but they were never delivered. And in June 2025, instead of completing the rollout, the state eliminated Supplemental Targeted Assistance. This support was specifically designed to stabilize funding for students in low-income communities and to counter the imbalance created by property tax wealth in suburban areas.<\/p>\n

The result is clear. The budget cuts TPS is proposing are not a sign of mismanagement. They are the direct consequence of a state funding model that now prioritizes already advantaged districts. This is happening across Ohio, not just in Toledo. Cleveland, Canton, Columbus, Akron, Dayton, Youngstown, and Lorain are all preparing for drastic reductions under this so-called fair funding model.<\/p>\n

In plain terms, these cuts do not show failed district leadership. They show what happens when the State Legislature takes on the role of a reverse Robin Hood, shifting resources away from those with the greatest need and toward those with the most wealth.<\/p>\n

So the anger directed at TPS is understandable, but it may also be misdirected. TPS is responding to severe funding shortfalls created at the state level, and it is important to recognize that the district is also a victim of regressive policy choices.<\/p>\n

If frustration with TPS will not solve the problem, what can we do? We can hold state lawmakers accountable. Ask for a transparent explanation of why Supplemental Targeted Assistance was removed. Ask for data showing how the decision impacts high poverty districts compared to wealthier suburban systems. Ask them to restore meaningful support for districts with the highest needs, shift away from performance-based funding, and reduce the reliance on local property taxes to fund essential educational services.<\/p>\n

This moment calls for advocacy, clarity, and truth, not blame. It is the only way forward for students and families in Toledo and across Ohio.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Editorial<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Nuestros Ni\u00f1os Merecen Algo Mejor que un Robin Hood Inverso<\/strong><\/p>\n

Por la Dra. Linda Alvarado-Arce<\/strong><\/p>\n

Los cambios propuestos por el TPS son alarmantes, pero lo que es a\u00fan m\u00e1s alarmante es por qu\u00e9 son necesarios en primer lugar. Y s\u00ed, tenemos todo el derecho a sentirnos profundamente preocupados por los recortes propuestos. Pero, como con cualquier emoci\u00f3n intensa, tambi\u00e9n tenemos la responsabilidad de comprender la causa ra\u00edz en lugar de reaccionar solo superficialmente.<\/p>\n

En 2021, la Legislatura de Ohio aprob\u00f3 el Plan de Financiamiento Escolar Justo. Fue dise\u00f1ado para implementarse a lo largo de varios a\u00f1os, pero nunca se ha financiado por completo. El plan tambi\u00e9n incluy\u00f3 fondos de incentivos para los distritos con un buen desempe\u00f1o en el informe estatal. Esta decisi\u00f3n se calific\u00f3 de “justa,” a pesar de que la Corte Suprema de Ohio ya ha declarado inconstitucional la financiaci\u00f3n escolar cuatro veces debido a las enormes desigualdades entre los distritos con altos y bajos ingresos.<\/p>\n

La financiaci\u00f3n de las escuelas p\u00fablicas no es el lugar para introducir recompensas basadas en el rendimiento. Cualquier educador puede afirmar que el rendimiento escolar est\u00e1 estrechamente relacionado con los ingresos del vecindario. Las zonas m\u00e1s ricas generan m\u00e1s ingresos a trav\u00e9s de los impuestos locales sobre la propiedad, y ese dinero influye directamente en los recursos escolares. A pesar de ello, el estado cre\u00f3 un modelo que recompensa a los distritos con mejor rendimiento, que a menudo son, de entrada, distritos con mayores ingresos.<\/p>\n

Mientras tanto, las fases finales del Plan de Financiamiento Escolar Justo estaban programadas para 2023 y 2025, pero nunca se implementaron. Y en junio de 2025, en lugar de completar su implementaci\u00f3n, el estado elimin\u00f3 la Asistencia Suplementaria Dirigida. Este apoyo se dise\u00f1\u00f3 espec\u00edficamente para estabilizar la financiaci\u00f3n para los estudiantes de comunidades de bajos ingresos y contrarrestar el desequilibrio creado por la riqueza generada por los impuestos sobre la propiedad en las zonas suburbanas.<\/p>\n

El resultado es evidente. Los recortes presupuestarios que propone el TPS no son una se\u00f1al de mala gesti\u00f3n. Son la consecuencia directa de un modelo de financiaci\u00f3n estatal que ahora prioriza a los distritos ya de por s\u00ed favorecidos. Esto est\u00e1 sucediendo en todo Ohio, no solo en Toledo. Cleveland, Canton, Columbus, Akron, Dayton, Youngstown y Lorain se est\u00e1n preparando para dr\u00e1sticas reducciones bajo este supuesto modelo de financiaci\u00f3n justa.<\/p>\n

En pocas palabras, estos recortes no demuestran un liderazgo distrital fallido. Muestran lo que sucede cuando la Legislatura Estatal asume el papel de un Robin Hood inverso, desviando recursos de quienes m\u00e1s lo necesitan a quienes tienen mayor riqueza.<\/p>\n

Por lo tanto, la ira dirigida contra el TPS es comprensible, pero tambi\u00e9n podr\u00eda estar mal dirigida. El TPS est\u00e1 respondiendo a graves d\u00e9ficits de financiaci\u00f3n creados a nivel estatal, y es importante reconocer que el distrito tambi\u00e9n es v\u00edctima de decisiones pol\u00edticas regresivas.<\/p>\n

Si la frustraci\u00f3n con el TPS no resuelve el problema, \u00bfqu\u00e9 podemos hacer? Podemos exigir responsabilidades a los legisladores estatales. Pedir una explicaci\u00f3n transparente de por qu\u00e9 se elimin\u00f3 la Asistencia Suplementaria Dirigida. Pedir datos que muestren c\u00f3mo la decisi\u00f3n afecta a los distritos con alta pobreza en comparaci\u00f3n con los sistemas suburbanos m\u00e1s ricos. Pedirles que restablezcan un apoyo significativo a los distritos con mayores necesidades, que abandonen la financiaci\u00f3n basada en el rendimiento y que reduzcan la dependencia de los impuestos locales sobre la propiedad para financiar los servicios educativos esenciales.<\/p>\n

Este momento exige defensa, claridad y verdad, no culpar. Es la \u00fanica salida para los estudiantes y las familias en Toledo y en todo Ohio.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Dr. Linda Alvarado-Arce The proposed changes released by TPS are alarming, but what is even more alarming is why they are required in the first place. Yes, we have every right to feel deeply concerned about the proposed cuts. But like with any strong emotion, we also have a responsibility to understand the root<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":10928,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_rtcl_gb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"wf_post_folders":[289],"class_list":["post-12904","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles"],"aioseo_notices":[],"rttpg_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/linda1.jpg",700,525,false],"landscape":["https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/linda1.jpg",700,525,false],"portraits":["https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/linda1.jpg",700,525,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/linda1-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/linda1-300x225.jpg",300,225,true],"large":["https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/linda1.jpg",640,480,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/linda1.jpg",700,525,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/linda1.jpg",700,525,false],"rtcl-gallery":["https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/linda1-700x462.jpg",700,462,true],"rtcl-thumbnail":["https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/linda1-320x240.jpg",320,240,true],"rtcl-gallery-thumbnail":["https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/linda1-150x105.jpg",150,105,true],"psacp-medium":["https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/linda1.jpg",500,375,false],"rpwe-thumbnail":["https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/linda1-45x45.jpg",45,45,true]},"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"LaPrensa Newspaper","author_link":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/author\/laprensa\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"Articles<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"By Dr. Linda Alvarado-Arce The proposed changes released by TPS are alarming, but what is even more alarming is why they are required in the first place. Yes, we have every right to feel deeply concerned about the proposed cuts. But like with any strong emotion, we also have a responsibility to understand the root","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12904","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12904"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12904\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12905,"href":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12904\/revisions\/12905"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10928"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12904"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12904"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12904"},{"taxonomy":"wf_post_folders","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wf_post_folders?post=12904"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}