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Proposed law could force parents to volunteer for their child's school |
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Friday, 25 April 2008 |
By KAY LOUTH
Staff Writer
ST. MARYS — Several county educators say they think a proposed law that would require parents to volunteer at their child's school or face a fine is a bad idea.
State Rep. Sandra Williams, D-Cleveland, introduced a bill that would require parents to volunteer a specific number of hours at their child's school or face a fine. Parents would have to volunteer for at least 13 hours or be fined $100.
School districts would have to report non-compliant parents to the Ohio Department of Education. The fine would be deducted from their state income tax returns.
In addition, the bill also provides for state employees to receive paid leave to participate in their child's educational activities and a non-refundable credit against the corporate franchise or commercial activity tax for employer-paid leave enabling employees to participate in school-related activities.
It also would require school districts to establish mentoring programs for students. The bill is attached to a much larger bill dealing with documentation of certain criminal information.
Attempts to contact Williams were unsuccessful.
Auglaize County Superintendent of Schools Pat Niekamp said he thinks the bill will not get passed. Niekamp called into question the difficulties that could face parents if they were forced to volunteer.
"Sometimes things are proposed for a dramatic effect," Niekamp said. "I don't think it will get much support."
St. Marys Director of Curriculum and Instruction Bill Steinbrunner said he wouldn't want to force parents to volunteer against their own will.
"To be honest If they are forced to be there I don't want them," Steinbrunner said.
Steinbrunner also said he is concerned about the financial burden that could be placed on parents. Some parents, he said, work at jobs that would dock their pay or even fire them if they took time off.
"Every school has a problem with people not paying their fees either because they can't or don't want to," Steinbrunner said. "Levying another fine on top of that would be pointless."
East Elementary Principal Sue Sherman said she thinks forcing volunteerism would be detrimental to the school's relationship with the community. Sherman said doing so could result in resentment among parents toward the district.
"I would hate to see our parents forced to do something or that they were unable to do," Sherman said. "That wouldt force bad feelings in the community and that's not something we want to do."
East and West Elementaries each have approximately 20 volunteers on a regular basis. At East Elementary, many of those volunteers work with the kindergarten students.
"As the kids get older you less of it, but then as they get older they need less of it," Sherman said.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 30 April 2008 )
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