Gov. Ted Strickland made a brief campaign appearance on Friday at

Etactics, Inc. in Stow to talk about one thing.(SO YOU COULD USE A DASH HERE..–EDUCATION)

THEN, I’D PICK UP THE “WE HAVE PASSED…” USE YOUR IDENTIFICATIONS…TO INSERT MORE FACTS.

STRICKLAND SAID, TALKING FOR 15….(SO IT’S A WAY FOR COPY EDITORS TO TIGHTEN UP ON INFORMATION)

“I’m here today to talk about education,” Strickland said.

Strickland talked for 15 minutes focusing mainly on the positive

changes he has made to Ohio’s educational system.

“We have passed major education reform,” Strickland said. “When I

became governor, Education Week had ranked our state 27th in the

nation in terms of our public education system. As a result of our

reforms, Education Week has us as the fifth strongest.

(USE YOUR COPY EDITING SKILLS HERE…TO KNOW THAT THE EYE CAN’T TAKE ALL THAT IN – SPLIT THE QUOTE INTO TWO PARAGRAPHS.)

“Our goal is to

make it number one. Have we solved all the problems? No. Is our plan

perfect and not in need of change? Absolutely not.”

President of Etactics Michael Teutsch spoke first, setting the theme

of the speakers.

“We must stop the brain drain and obtain the best and brightest minds

in our state,” Teutsch said.

NEW GRAF.

“In order to accomplish this, higher

learning institutes are key in the development of our young minds.

Growth is contagious, and I believe with the right strategies

regarding education, Ohio’s future will be extremely bright.”

Hammering home the point of education, Strickland also invited Russ

Jones, superintendent of Stow and Munroe Falls city schools, Steven

Farnsworth, superintendent of Hudson city schools and Deanna Dunn,

director of engineering, co-op and placement from the University of

Akron, to speak briefly with the crowd.

“The strength of public schools and how we’re able to help with the

workforce and preparing kids for college is paramount in what we do,”

Jones said.

(GOOD YOU SHIFTED SPEAKERS…AND LET US KNOW)

Farnsworth reiterated similar sentiments and also added that community

involvement is more important now than ever.

“We can’t always look to Columbus,” Farnsworth said. “There are times

when local communities must act if they want their schools to be

outstanding. There’s a time when the local people need to step up and

say ‘this is the time. We need to do this ourselves.’”

Strickland made it a point to emphasize how his competitor, Republican

John Kasich, will hurt more than help the state’s education system.

“[Kasich] has a plan to eliminate the state income tax,” Strickland

said. “Obviously none of us would choose to pay more taxes than

necessary, but the state income tax over the last 10 years has

provided 46 percent of all of the general revenue we have to operate

our state with. That includes resources to support our schools,

colleges and universities.

“To contemplate the elimination of 46 percent of our state’s general

revenue fund without talking about anything to replace it is

irresponsible,” he added.

Strickland said that he believes the elimination of the state’s income

tax would result in a dramatic reduction to schools and universities

and that tuition would explode.

“In my first budget, we were the only state in America to freeze

college tuition for two years,” Strickland said. “Tuition will not

increase more than 3.5 percent per year moving forward. During the

years I’ve been governor, I believe Ohio has done more than any other

state in America to constrain the escalation of college tuition, and I

will continue to make that a priority going forward.

“I don’t know that we’ll be able to impose a freeze because of the

economic circumstances, but I believe I have demonstrated my

commitment to higher education.”

Despite all of his efforts, Strickland realizes he still has work to do.

“I don’t have all the answers,” Strickland said. “I never pretended to

have all the answers. That’s why I’ve reached out to professional

educators, teachers, parent groups and business leaders to say what is

it we must do to make sure Ohio is positioned for future economic

growth and development?”