For decades Ohio has had a funding formula that was unconstitutional because it relied too heavily on local property taxes and did not guarantee an equitable education for all Ohio students.
Now, we no longer have an unconstitutional funding formula. We have no funding formula at all. That’s because the most recent state budget eliminated the formula, based school funding on previous funding levels, and tacked on additional funding for student wellness programs. Without a funding formula, school districts are unable to plan for the future and make needed investments in our students’ education.
Tell your legislators that Ohio students have waited long enough: it’s time for an equitable school funding formula.Along with a new funding formula, the Ohio legislature must also end the voucher deductions that are draining local school budgets. These deductions from local public funds have ballooned in recent years because of a failed report card system and a rushed expansion of the program.
Ohio House Speaker Bob Cupp has been a longtime champion for education funding and will soon begin holding hearings on HB 305, which he co-authored with Representative John Patterson.
HB 305 would:
Increase state funding for public schools.
Institute a funding formula based on the school district’s actual enrollment.
Fund charter schools and vouchers separately from public schools, ending the devastating deductions that are in place in the current system.
In Solidarity,
