I was happy to see that Columbus Board of Education had voted to stick with the Win-Win formula now over 20 years old, avoiding a funding war that nobody but the legal profession would profit from.

But some of the reaction comments to the city board's proposal from parents of children in potentially affected districts were disturbing -- "I'll move tomorrow if my children have to be in a Columbus school district," among other variations on the NIMBY theme.

Why is it impossible for Columbus City Schools to achieve the same level of perceived educational quality as suburban districts? I find it hard to believe it's because the children are not as intelligent or that teachers in Columbus are less well trained or capable than teachers in Worthington, which has a separate arrangement with Columbus, allowing schools in its boundaries to remain in the local school district.

I really believe and have said so many times that all school districts in Ohio should receive an equal amount of public funding per pupil from the state, with local districts not allowed to add funding above that amount. I know this means more state funding, but state powers of taxation are greater than local and, hopefully, more equitably administered.

I also know every state in the nation will be raising tax rates soon to meet new mandates imposed by federal legislation, and that our courageous, far-seeing and, unfortunately, term-limited legislators are looking forward to meeting this challenge.

Of course, I'm aware that lower income urban areas -- which every major city has, including Columbus -- are producing children from split families with little or no parental supervision who quickly become educational challenges. They might benefit from well-trained, well-paid teachers assigned to a smaller number of pupils, or even team taught.

If you follow this logic, Columbus deserves more money per pupil than Worthington, but is not about to get it from the current funding system. Our General Assembly members, who now spend major portions of time gathering campaign funds to help them move into another category of state service, do not give deep thought to solving such problems.

I was delighted to see from our recent primary election that the two-party system is still working and so-called independents (read: Tea Party) had little influence. They are going to need much more organization, and probably alignment with a major party , such as the Republicans, in order to gain influence.

This country has a near even split between conservative and moderate/liberal followers; a sensible reapportionment of electoral districts in Ohio would demonstrate this and force a more nonpartisan approach toward needed legislative accomplishment.

Let's stop glorifying voters who declare themselves independent in the belief they rise above the crowd toward achieving the greater good. They don't. Most are going to be greatly disappointed and become disillusioned because so little happens, even while their actions stop progress.

While screaming about forward progression on such major problems as health care, financial reform, climate change and immigration, most badly needed for the last 25-50 years, they have placed themselves on the sidelines so far as any real influence, other than negative.

Unfortunately, the majority party will undoubtedly suffer in the fall elections. By 2012, if the economy continues to improve, much will be forgotten -- and forgiven.

Bill McNutt is a Worthington area resident and a longtime contributor to Suburban News Publications.