A proposal to block grant federal education spending might not be a wise choice for Ohioans, according to the Ohio Department of Education. House Resolution 3248, also known as the "Dollars to the Classroom Act," is a block grant to answer the Ohio Supreme Court's 1997 ruling in DeRolph vs. the State of Ohio declaring the state's school funding system inadequate and unconstitutional. U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland, D-Lucasville, released a letter he received from the Ohio Department of Education Sept. 25, urging him to vote against the "Dollars to the Classroom Act." The letter said Ohio would lose about $11.5 million in fiscal year 1999, based on appropriations passed by the House Appropriations Committee, if the bill is passed. Jess Goode, legislative aide to Strickland, said even though the House did authorize more funding for schools if the bill passes, there was no more money appropriated. The letter also said the bill would reduce the amount of technical assistance provided to schools. Strickland said he favors a more reasoned approach to ensure schools in Southern Ohio receive federal support. The money is needed to increase access to technology in classrooms, prepare students with work skills and target educational services to poor children. The bill would send money to the states rather than directly to local school districts, Strickland said. The federal government historically assists local school districts and provides education for students most at risk with special programs, he said. One of the problems with passing a block grant is that some special programs, such as the school to work program, might be cut, Strickland said. However, the school districts have the choice to decide whether or not to cut such programs, he said. "Our part of the state gets a great deal of assistance because the funds are targeted at schools with a high concentration of poverty," he said. Strickland said he voted against the bills for two major reasons. "The state of Ohio would have lost money," he said. "Schools in my district would have lost money." The other reason is the current government has not treated the southeastern area of the state fairly with resources, Strickland said. "Instead of the dollars going to the classroom, the dollars go to government offices (through this bill)," he said.