The United Methodist Church and Ohio Public Education

A Pastoral Statement by:

Bishop John L. Hopkins, East Ohio Conference, The United Methodist Church
and Bishop Bruce R. Ough, West Ohio Conference, The United Methodist Church

We, the United Methodist bishops of the East and West Ohio Conferences of The United Methodist Church, are deeply concerned for the future of public education in the State of Ohio.

We believe that children are a sacred trust. The church, along with families and the government, are responsible for their well-being and development. We are informed by Jesus who rebuked his disciples when he said: “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the Kingdom of God belongs.” (Mark 10:14, NRSV)

We are aware of the growing inequities in Ohio’s education system and the increasing financial disparity between school districts. Those who are poor are more likely to attend schools that are under-funded and overcrowded. Public education in Ohio has become a mirror of the rapidly increasing split between the communities that have and those that have not. The clearest path out of poverty is a quality education. It is a human tragedy and moral failure that those who most need education have the least access. A strong and just public education system is the best tool available for fighting poverty and stimulating improved and sustainable economic growth for all of Ohio’s citizens.

We are informed by the historic commitment of The United Methodist Church to quality public education. The Social Principles of the Church state:

• We believe that every person has the right to education. We also believe that the responsibility for education of the young rests with the family, faith communities and the government. In society, this function can best be fulfilled through public policies that ensure access for all persons to free public elementary and secondary school and to post-secondary schools of their choice. (page 120, The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, 2004)
• We support the development of school systems and innovative methods of education designed to assist every child toward complete fulfillment as an individual person of worth. (page 106, The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, 2004)
  
• We affirm and embrace these historic statements and the advocacy for quality public education they encourage.

Our concern led us to call The United Methodist Church in Ohio to engage in non-partisan, civil discourse about

1. the value a strong and just public education system brings to fighting poverty,
2. the challenges faced by Ohio in establishing such a system and
3. the implications this holds for the work and witness of The United Methodist Church.

Accordingly, a team composed of East and West Conference members united to create a series of conversations across Ohio to address the following questions:

• What would a strong and just public school system look like in Ohio?
• What are some of the barriers that are keeping us from having a just and strong public school system?
• What do you think The United Methodist Church in Ohio needs to do in the future to remove these barriers so we can achieve the just and strong public school system we value?

It became clear from these conversations that the membership of our churches share the belief that public education in Ohio is neither strong nor just. Such a system would integrate learning, health, safety and recreational needs for all children. It would respect all human diversity, and it would become a pathway for higher and life-long education. To be strong, the public education system must be supported financially. To be just, it must genuinely seek to educate all children – every single child. Strong and just go hand in hand.

It also became clear that the participants in these discussions believe that it is the church’s responsibility to become involved in the removal of the barriers to a strong and just public education system. Involvement in this issue is at the very heart of the church’s mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Solutions ranged from prayer to activism. There was equal concern for involvement at the local school districts and state levels. There was strong affirmation for parents to become or remain actively involved with their children’s education and local schools.

The United Methodist Church now joins many other individuals and organizations in Ohio that believe a strong and just public education system is critical to the state’s future and that it is good economic policy to invest in public education. There are no “throw away” children, and there are no children more deserving than others. Our shared goal is that every child in the state receives a quality education. Anything less is unsatisfactory and immoral.

To this end, we call upon every United Methodist congregation to become informed and engaged in the public education of our children. The conversations that have begun should be continued and expanded to include more of our membership as well as those outside of our church. The discussions should be driven by the local membership to include all aspects of education. The best place to start is with the local school district. In many cases, an understanding of the local situation brings about a greater understanding of the complex nature of the challenges our state faces. Individuals and congregations are encouraged to become involved with their local schools. This might include volunteering, running for the school board, participating in tax levy campaigns, being a critical questioner of current practices and policies, or adopting a student, a class or school. All are important and productive activities. Any of these activities will provide strength, direction and meaning to a local church’s witness.
Beyond these local conversations and local investment in public education, there is a role for The United Methodist Church where the interests of all Ohio school districts come together – at the state and national levels of policy development. The State of Ohio has responsibility for all of its public schools, and the policies that are enacted at this level impact every district. One of the most significant and talked-about of these is funding – how much money will be allocated and where it will go. Many organizations are currently advocating for a change in this system, either by petitioning the legislature or through a statewide referendum.
Thus, we also call upon every United Methodist congregation to become informed of this debate and engaged in advocating for a funding plan that provides for a strong and just system of public education in Ohio. This advocacy will require continual conversations with state legislators and the governor, the education community and other interested Ohioans. Ultimately, we need to resolve the impasse over funding for public education and develop a plan that will ensure that all public schools, which do not have the luxury of picking and choosing students, have the necessary resources to address the needs of all children whether they are poor or rich, disadvantaged or privileged, minority or majority, disabled or gifted.

The United Methodists of Ohio are a generous and faithful people. We embrace the United Methodist Way – do no harm, do good, stay in love with God. We love our children and embrace all of God’s children as our own. We are in a unique and blessed position to move the discourse on public education to a higher plain. We, the United Methodist bishops in Ohio, invite you to join us in this holy work. Join us in seeking a strong and just public education system. Join us in saving the children from poverty and inadequate education. Join us in ensuring that no child is abandoned or left behind.

Additional Information: Download The Bishop's Task Force on Public Education Brochure

Hard Times for Fairless District Schools -Video presentation by Mona Fair, superintendent of the Fairless District school system.