05/08/2025

Public School Advocates Look to Ohio Senate to Restore Fair School Funding

Districts slated to receive increases had those increases halved, according to OEA

As Ohio lawmakers debate the state budget, advocates for public schools are voicing concerns proposed cuts and policy changes could harm children's education. Critics have charged the state appears to be prioritizing football stadiums over core services for students and families. The House budget does not fully fund the Fair School Funding Plan. The bipartisan plan, adopted in 2020, was designed to ensure all students receive adequate support.

John Stanford, president of the Children's Defense Fund of Ohio, said the plan was created to meet the actual cost of educating every student.

"They want to give $600 million to the Browns for a stadium and now, the Cincinnati Bengals are now saying, 'Well, what about us?'" Stanford said. "It's this cycle of giving money away to people and organizations, to the detriment of children and families."

Please select this link to read the complete article from PNS.