Strickland developed funding plan "secretly and privately"

Dennis Willard at the Akron Beacon Journal writes:

Ted Strickland and his administration's inclination to work secretly and privately have backfired regarding the governor's plans to overhaul Ohio's unconstitutional school funding plan.

As the governor and his aides met with group after group to construct his evidence-based model for education funding, it became clear to his invited guests that the conversations would be one-way.

The governor and his staff would listen attentively, seem to agree accordingly and then usher everyone out the door without providing any insight into the administration's true thoughts. ...

The governor unveiled the plan and his worst fears were realized. His problems were exacerbated because the governor failed to vet much of the new formula with the groups and individuals that trekked to his office to supposedly work on the plan.

No one bought into the plan early because no one knew the details. More importantly, the governor did not foresee glaring weaknesses in the new funding formula because he didn't trust anyone enough outside his small circle to speak truth to power."

(Source: Akron Beacon Journal, 03/29/09)