Hundreds of school supporters from throughout Ohio rallied in Columbus Wednesday to ask Governor Bob Taft to "Fix School Funding - Now!" That phrase is the slogan for Project Chalkboard - a grassroots effort to unite school districts in the fight for concrete school funding.

Locally, representatives from Union Local and Barnesville made the trip to Columbus. They arrived with high hopes that the rally would do some good.

"We're going to get up there and let the Governor know how we feel!" said Union Local Parent Gina Marion.

In Columbus, crowd members displayed signs asking "Why Don't We Matter Anymore" and "What Future?" One middle school student held a sign high with a message for Governor Taft: "You hate schools."

Between 20 and 25 people in the crowd were there representing Belmont County. Marion says she was disappointed with the small local turnout.

"I think there should be more people out here showing their support. There are a lot of people saying things, but they don't bring it to where it should be heard," she said.

But those who did attend Wednesday's rally came with a good reason. Eva Lynn and her husband came representing the Barnesville School District. They were both teachers, but Eva's husband is expected to lose his job. She says their income was cut in half at a time when they are trying to support a son in college.

"It is disgusting that our state has let schools get in the financial situation they are in," she said. "I don't know how they can ignore us. How can they ignore these faces? How can they ignore our future? It's time to make this right."

Another Belmont County representative showed up to make sure the community knows the effects bad school funding will have on school children.

"I just really want people to understand that this funding is hurting our children so bad," said Mickie Fluharty. Fluharty is one of the cutbacks at Union Local High School. "You might not be able to see it now, but our children are going to suffer from this funding."

Belmont County Schools are not the only districts suffering from layoffs and bad equipment. The problem stretches to all corners of the state. Students in Newcomerstown now have to pay to play sports.

"I have to pay $125 to play volleyball, and I have to pay $85 to do marching band," said one student.

"Most of us are just sick of it," said Newcomerstown eighth grader Ashley Johnson. "We want all our sports to be free again so we can just play what we want."

It is a similar situation in the Cloverleaf School District in Medina County. Junior Ryan Molnar says he's counting on sports to help him pay for college, but now he has to pay to play in high school. He says the district is forced to charge $400 per sport.

"Our teachers are also getting laid off," he said. "There are less electives to fill up your class time with so we are sitting in study halls wasting our days. We're not getting an education in anything."

A teacher with the Sheffield-Sheffield School District went so far as to compare districts in her county to the segregated white and black populations in the 1950s.

"We have schools in two neighboring districts that have every bell and whistle possible, and we, on the other hand, have ceiling tiles falling down, broken chairs and split desks," said Betsy Ingram.

Department of Education spokesman JC Benton told News 9 that the State was not commenting on the rally. "It is not our place to make a statement," he said. "Community members should contact their representatives."

Governor Taft says the state is facing a $100 million shortfall in money for schools for the remainder of the year. The Department of Education blames an unexpected increase in enrollment caused by students leaving private schools and by a new enrollment accounting system. The department also says the number of special ed students, who require extra state funding, has also gone up. Taft says the state is looking at ways to make up the shortfall, which must be addressed by the end of the fiscal year in June, but many say lawmakers will continue to turn their backs on education.

"They're ignoring it," said Representative Charlie Wilson. "They're just walking away from it which is totally wrong. I believe there is nothing more important than the education of our children."

"If this doesn't work and things like this don't work then we will take it to the next level. We will do whatever it takes to get the funding issue addressed," added Representative John Domenick.

When Wednesday's rally was over, local representatives left Columbus with a new understanding about school funding problems, and they say they will take their pro-schools stance to the ballot box this November.

"I will encourage everyone to vote for those who are going to educate our children," said Marion.

Those in the Ohio Valley have a chance to talk face to face with Governor Taft's Blue Ribbon Task Force next week. There will be a meeting at Union Local High School at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, May 10, 2004. The Task Force is in charge of finding a new way to fund Ohio schools. Members will be present to hear your comments on the needs, conditions and priorities in the Ohio Valley's schools. The public is welcome. For more information you can call Superintendent Kirk Glasgow at 740-782-1978.

Jill Del Greco, NEWS 9