Lawmakers just can’t help themselves when presented with an opportunity to exert more control over local decisions. Among more recent examples is a provision in Ohio Senate Bill 311, which “Regards the operation of public and chartered nonpublic schools.”

There is a lot in the bill — some good, some lawmakers seem to have been hoping no one would notice. So, while it makes sense to more closely monitor “cheating resources” such as organizations that advertise services “with the intention of assisting a learner to cheat,” that probably should not be lumped in with the section that revises how local school districts can dispose of their property.

According to a report by the Ohio Capital Journal, part of SB 311 specifies that a local school district must sell an “unused school facility” at “the appraised fair market value as an educational facility,” and adds private charter schools to the list of entities to which a district must offer its unused buildings before it looks outside the district for a buyer.

SB 311, sponsored by state Sen. Andrew Brenner, R-Delaware, also changes the enrollment line for triggering closure or forcing the sale of a school district building to 60%, according to the Capital Journal.

Canton Superintendent Jeff Talbert spoke to the state Senate Education Committee in an attempt to help them understand control of local school district property should STAY with the districts and their communities.

He gently explained one of the problematic provisions “rejects the stated preferences of local residents and voters that have been asked to decide on the use of and support for school facilities,” according to the Capital Journal.

He was speaking as co-chair of the Ohio 8 Coalition of superintendents and teachers’ union presidents from Canton, Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Lorain, Toledo and Youngstown.

But local school districts across Ohio — of all sizes — are better placed to make decisions about their property (with input from their communities) than anyone with a political agenda in Columbus.

Lawmakers’ hunger for clawing back control of local decisions is an insult to the voters and taxpayers in communities who are far better equipped to make them. Wrapping so many changes into one piece of legislation is a good sign those politicians know it.

Surely common sense will prevail and lawmakers will leave decision-making in the hands of local residents and officials, where it belongs.