Latest news with #ColumbusCitySchools
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ohio schools face $185 million losses in federal funding freeze
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio school districts are preparing for a new school year with millions less in funding. With just one day's notice before federal education grants were set to be released, state education departments learned five crucial grant programs are frozen until they can be fully reviewed for compliance with President Donald Trump's administrative priorities. As ordered by Congress, the more than $6 billion in grants was supposed to be released on July 1. Not a scam: Postcards seek Ohioans for jury duty A coalition of 24 states and Washington D.C. sued Trump and the Department of Education on Monday over the grants, which provide supportive services like STEM and arts programs, afterschool organizations for economically disadvantaged students or programs for English language learners. Ohio was not a part of the lawsuit, but the federal funding freeze has paused $185 million in education funding for Ohio schools. The funding freeze comes as Ohio's public schools prepare for less state funding, too. Columbus City Schools Treasurer Ryan Cook said the district expects to see a $14 million-$15 million shortage in state funding, compounded by a $15 million-$20 million loss from the federal funding freeze. Columbus is the state's largest school district, and Superintendent Angela Chapman said the district will have to make some 'tough decisions' and adapt to maintain services. According to state records, the district received just under $50 million in federal grants last year, including funds from four of the five paused grants. 'We have to make sure that our classrooms have the resources that they need, our teachers are ready, our staff are ready to support our students when they return regardless of what funding sources are in or out,' Chapman said. How Dept. of Education abolition could affect Ohio Olentangy Schools, Ohio's fourth-largest district, received just under $730,000 in now-paused grants last year, according to the district treasurer. South Western City Schools, Ohio's fifth-largest district with 21,000 students, received roughly $11.4 million in federal funding in 2024. South Western spokesperson Evan Debo said the district already spends less per student than the state average to save taxpayer dollars, and losing federal funds would significantly disadvantage students. Debo said the frozen grants provide support to elementary school math instruction, student support services and the district's nearly 4,000 English language learners. The freeze is also hitting after-school programs and charter schools. The national budget cut funding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers starting in 2026, and the learning center funding is one of the frozen grants. This funding is used to help groups like the Boys & Girls Club or YMCA, which now face possible cuts. Debo and Cook said their respective districts have not heard any updates about when, or if, they will receive their grant funding. With limited time and options, CCS leadership said they have to plan and pivot where necessary. Rep. Jim Jordan to be questioned under oath on Strauss sex abuse scandal 'Any time we lose dollars, it impacts what Dr. Chapman and her team are able to do in the classroom, where these dollars are needed and targeted most,' Cook said. 'We continue to evaluate every way possible to do more with less.' Cook and Chapman encouraged students and families to contact lawmakers to request action on the federal funding freeze. They also encourage community members to reach out to Ohio legislators to protect a series of vetoes by Gov. Mike DeWine that Ohio House members intend to try and overturn. Chapman said these vetoes are important to not lose even more funding. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What's the effect of governor's line-item vetoes on Ohio public school funding?
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — After months of discourse about public school funding and property tax relief, the state has settled on its funding plan. Public school funding in Ohio has been a major talking point this budget cycle, but the state has finally determined how districts will be funded over the next two years. Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed some of the more controversial changes to public school funding, but some public school advocates still say the budget will underfund districts. See previous coverage of the budget in the video player above. 'In signing this budget, I line-item vetoed several provisions related to property taxes. I felt that these ideas were thoughtful, but I was also concerned that imposing them now, all of them at once on our local schools, would create a huge, huge problem,' DeWine said. What the state's new flat income tax will mean for Ohioans 'Regardless of these vetoes, Governor DeWine failed, through multiple steps in this process, to propose and fight for full and fair funding for Ohio's schools,' Melissa Cropper, Ohio Federation of Teachers president, said. Ohio schools are funded through state, local and minimal federal sources, with state funding allocated in the budget and local funding typically coming from property tax levies. State shares for public schools are determined through the Fair School Funding formula, a bipartisan plan introduced in 2022. The formula calculates state funding based on each district's circumstances to try to more equitably fund public schools. Under this formula, a district with more demonstrated financial need should get more state funding. For example, Columbus City Schools, the state's largest district, received $350.1 million in its last state formula payment where the much smaller Bexley City Schools, which benefits from substantial property tax support, received just $20.5 million. In the final budget, the Fair School Funding formula is mostly implemented. Public school advocates said this is a big improvement from the House version of the budget, which scrapped the plan entirely, but it still falls short of the formula's promise to public school districts. Advocates say the plan underfunds districts because the formula inputs will be out of sync. Under the budget, school districts will update the formula using 2025 financial data, but the state will estimate costs using 2022 pricing. By only adjusting school districts' inputs, the formula will calculate schools as demonstrating less financial need, resulting in less state money. Ohio Education Association President Scott DiMauro called the final version a 'knockoff version of the Fair School Funding Plan.' DeWine said it was the largest investment into public schools in the state's history. DeWine signs bill banning police ticketing quotas The final draft allocated $8.15 billion in Fiscal Year 2026 and $8.26 billion in FY 2027 to traditional school funding, making DeWine's claim accurate, although advocates say it lacks key context. The Ohio Education Association, which represents nearly 120,000 Ohio educators, said the bill still underfunds public schools by $2 billion. Although advocates are still concerned about public school funding, DeWine's vetoes eliminated provisions that troubled many districts, including property tax relief proposals. DeWine said property tax relief is a major concern, but the budget items did not guarantee long-term tax relief and would have created significant barriers for districts. 'We must address these legitimate concerns that Ohio voters are talking to us about,' DeWine said. 'Accordingly, I will be convening a working group, to be formalized and announced in the coming weeks, which will make recommendations to the General Assembly and to me about how we can provide meaningful property tax relief to Ohioans and still fund our schools.' DeWine vetoed a limit on how much money school districts could carry over from school year to school year, easing the fears of many districts that rely on long-term financial planning. The budget would have stopped districts from carrying over more than 40% of their general fund expenses, returning the remaining funds to residents as property tax relief. 'I think the short answer here is that while the legislature tried to spin the property tax changes as 'tax relief;' in reality, they (particularly the 40% cash balance cap) would have been extremely destabilizing for schools and very confusing for taxpayers,' Howard Fleeter, a well-established research consultant with the Ohio Education Policy Institute, said in an email. DeWine also removed a 20-mill floor calculation provision, which affects how much property tax revenue schools can collect as home prices rise. Without the veto, State Rep. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) said the 20-mill floor change would have cost districts millions of dollars. DeWine also removed restrictions the budget would have placed on school property tax levies. Before the veto, districts would no longer have the authority to enact several emergency and fixed-sum levies. DeWine said these levies allow for important funding for districts, hence the veto. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
26-06-2025
- General
- Axios
Local LGBTQ+ trailblazers reflect on a decade of marriage equality
Every Valentine's Day, Jimmie and Mindy Beall used to symbolically ask for a marriage license, knowing they'd be denied due to their sexual orientation. Ten years ago today, the answer finally changed. Why it matters: They were familiar faces at the Franklin County Courthouse — and first in its line for a license the day Obergefell v. Hodges legalized same-sex marriages nationwide. Their right to be married feels increasingly threatened, they tell Axios, as LGBTQ+ people face a surge of political and legal challenges. Flashback: That 2015 morning "seems like it was yesterday," Mindy says. Jimmie had been tracking Supreme Court activity, so they arrived before the ruling was even announced with a tray of freshly baked cookies. That's what courthouse staff had often apologetically offered when they stopped by. News outlets nationwide shared their celebration photo and the Columbus City Schools educators quickly became "same-sex marriage pioneers," as one Dispatch story put it. What they're saying: "I never thought that I would see marriage equality in my lifetime, ever," says Mindy, 62. "When it happened, it was obviously a wonderful thing for us. But I didn't foresee what's happening now, either." "It was a question mark for a long time," Jimmie, 65, adds. "Then it was like an exclamation mark. And now it's like ... a comma." Between the lines: Mindy and Jimmie no longer feel that they need to hide their love, as getting married with federal protections "legitimizes" their 22-year relationship to many. But there are also unromantic, yet important, benefits involving paperwork they worry they could lose. Before getting married, something as mundane as a doctor's visit was complicated by only one of them being their child's legal guardian. Since Trump's reelection, Equality Ohio has handled a surge of LGBTQ+ Ohioans seeking legal advice regarding parenting rights, wills, powers of attorney and more, driven by concerns Obergefell could be overturned, executive director Dwayne Steward tells Axios. What's next: The Bealls' 10th wedding anniversary is next Valentine's Day, the date they finally — and fittingly — had their ceremony. But they're celebrating today, too, as the date it all became possible. Mindy's gift to Jimmie: a blanket with the Obergefell decision written in tiny text, forming a rainbow.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Columbus schools, library team up to fight summer literacy slide
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Many students love getting a break from school during the summer months, but it's an easy time for children to fall behind in their literacy and comprehension skills. Children nationwide continue to make up for time lost during the COVID-19 pandemic, making it even more important to stay on track with their reading during summer break. School districts and libraries in central Ohio are still working to close that learning gap. 'Some of the things that happened during COVID prevented our students from those outside learning experiences, those hands-on experiences, so we're seeing some gaps with that knowledge base and that experience within comprehension,' Columbus City Schools Executive Director of Teaching and Learning Kelly Rivers said. Columbus Recreation and Parks offers 'Go, Lunch!' summer program Rivers said simply reading interesting books during the months off is an important step toward improving critical literacy skills. 'Summer learning is one of the most critical points of an entire year, and we don't want to lose sight of that,' she said. Columbus City Schools has created specific programs to help with reading comprehension during the school year and the summer. Besides those programs, Rivers encourages parents and caregivers to visit the Columbus Metropolitan Library, whose Summer Reading Program is aimed at helping kids keep up with literacy skills. 'Taking two months off of anything can be really hard to maintain that level and keep it a strong skill,' Columbus Metropolitan Library Public Services Director Miya Reyes said. Reyes said the loss of those reading skills during the summer slide, putting children at a disadvantage in the fall. Final full moon of Spring, the 'Strawberry Moon,' glows over central Ohio 'Reading is a tough skill, whether it's somebody who's already been reading or they're learning to read, and it can be something that's difficult to learn to do,' Reyes said. 'I think one of the most important things about it is to make it fun.' Whether students get extra reading help and encouragement through their school districts, local libraries or right at home, there are many resources available to parents and guardians to keep their children on track this time of year. 'Reading with your child, giving them opportunities, taking notice of inquiry and things that can increase the learning process, all those things help to decrease those summer learning gaps,' Rivers said. 'Books are so important,' Reyes said. 'Access to books, access to information can only come from being able to read that material yourself over time.' How a small town was revamped into 'Ohio's most loveable downtown' Rivers and Reyes both said literacy is everywhere and practicing can be as easy as reading street signs with children, reading labels on products at the grocery store or checking out a book that interests them. To sign up for the Summer Reading Program or learn more about it, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Yahoo
Columbus paying $210k to settle lawsuit accusing police of excessive force, false arrest
The city of Columbus will pay $210,000 to settle a federal lawsuit with a woman who accused two police officers of using excessive force and arresting her with no reason while she was looking for her kids. The Columbus City Council voted at its meeting on June 9 to approve the settlement with Simmons and a second, unrelated settlement. Sierra Simmons, a Columbus City Schools teacher, alleged in a civil rights lawsuit in U.S. District Court that city police officer Randall Beam and Sgt. Chase Rogers were wrong to arrest her. Simmons also said in the suit that her face was cut when Beam swept her legs and took her to the ground. Simmons was attempting to pick up her 17-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter from her sister's home when she encountered the police officers, according to her suit. Simmons' son had called her to say they wanted to be picked up because their aunt, Simmons' sister, was arguing with a neighbor. Beam and Rogers were investigating a reported stabbing, according to Brian Shinn, deputy chief of staff in the Columbus City Attorney's office. Shinn said during the council meeting that Simmons' sister was a suspect in the stabbing incident. When Simmons arrived at the house, she saw flashing lights on police cruisers and rushed to her sister's front porch, according to her lawsuit. The two officers demanded that Simmons get off the porch while she asked the officers and others where her kids were, the lawsuit stated. Shinn said that Simmons retreated down some steps, but not all the way down, and resisted the officers verbally and physically. After keeping her in a hot cruiser for an hour, police eventually released her with a summons to appear on a misdemeanor charge for misconduct at an emergency, her suit says. City prosecutors ultimately dismissed the charge. More City Hall news: Columbus City Councilmember Barroso de Padilla denounces ICE cruelty, promises to protest In another settlement approved by the council, Columbus will pay $45,000 to Timothy Carreker, a driver injured in 2022 by a city Division of Fire emergency vehicle on the West Side, according to court records. Carreker's lawsuit, filed in Franklin County Common Pleas Court, charges that a city fire ambulance went the wrong way down a one-way street into an intersection and struck the side of Carreker's vehicle. Shinn said that the city is generally immune when it comes to emergency medical situations, but the City Attorney's office was concerned a jury might find this was wanton behavior. Government and Politics Reporter Jordan Laird can be reached at jlaird@ Follow her on X, Instagram and Bluesky at @LairdWrites. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus settles two lawsuits involving police force, ambulance
