Latest news with #FairSchoolFundingPlan
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ohio Senate GOP budget increases school funding, gives Browns $600M grant, creates flat tax
Senate President Rob McColley, R-Napoleon, speaks at the Ohio Senate Republican Budget Press Conference. Sen. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland, the chair of the Senate Finance Committee, stands in the background. Photo: Morgan Trau, WEWS The Ohio Senate has announced its version of the state budget, one that provides a slight increase in public school funding, gives a $600 million grant to the Cleveland Browns for their new stadium and creates a flat income tax of 2.75%. Senate President Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) and Finance Chair Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland) announced their proposed amendments to the state's biennial operating budget on Tuesday afternoon. House Bill 96, the number for the House's budget bill, passed in April. The senators increased the amount of money going to public schools compared to the House's proposal. The Senate budget gives public schools about $100 million more than the House. Although it follows most of the House's proposed budget – which only gives schools about $226 million for school funding, or $550 million total – the Senate changed the funding 'guarantee' amount. Right now, some districts have guarantees that a portion of their funding will not be reduced, even if their enrollment goes down. However, to be fully funded, based on statistics from the Fair School Funding Plan from 2021, schools would need an additional $666-800 million, compared to the $226 million given by the House. They also raised the House proposal's cap on districts' rainy day funds to 50%, instead of 30%. This would mean that the schools would have to refund anything above that back to the taxpayer in a method legislators want to use to provide property tax relief. The Senate's budget proposal still includes $600 million for a new Cleveland Browns stadium in Brook Park. However, the funding structure differs from what the Browns proposed and what the House approved earlier this year. The House proposed borrowing $600 million by issuing bonds and repaying the debt, with interest, over 25 years, at a cost of about $1 billion. The Senate is proposing a $600 million grant for the stadium using unclaimed funds. That money is property of Ohioans held by the state, things like forgotten bank accounts, rent or utility deposits or uncashed insurance policies. The Ohio Department of Commerce's website says the state is sitting on $4.8 billion in unclaimed funds. The Senate believes the state will more than recoup that investment through sales tax, income tax and commercial activity tax revenues from the 176-acre Brook Park stadium district. The budget also includes a 2.75% flat income tax. This mirrors a bill currently in the House, which would eliminate the separate brackets of the non-business income tax. People making more than $102,400 would have their taxes reduced from 3.5% to 3.125% in 2025 and then down to 2.75% in 2026. The lower bracket would stay at 2.75%. Now, the Senate and House leaders will enter a conference committee, a closed-door negotiation period to create a final budget. Once a decision is made, both chambers must pass the combined bill. If it passes through both sides, it will be sent to Gov. Mike DeWine for review. In the past, he issued dozens of line-item vetoes on operating budgets. Line-item vetoing is the ability for the governor to pick and choose which policies within a larger piece of legislation get to stay or must go. DeWine is adamantly against giving the bond package to the Browns, and we have asked repeatedly if he plans to veto it. He says he hopes it doesn't get to that point. The budget must be passed by the end of June. This is a developing story and will be updated. Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on Twitter and Facebook. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Appalachian Ohio's public schools face tough choices with potential state, federal funding cuts
Ohio school children in a classroom. (Photo by Morgan Trau.) Public school leaders in Appalachian Ohio say that state and federal funding cuts would cause suffering for schools and the students they serve. An analysis of the Ohio House Republican budget proposal shows it would result in more than $565 million in lost funds for Appalachian school districts over the next two years and a loss of $2.75 billion for public schools statewide, compared to the Fair School Funding Plan that's been in place the past two budget cycles. The Ohio Senate is currently working on a state operating budget draft that would spell out, among other things, how the chamber thinks public and private education should be funded by the state. The big question right now is whether Ohio Republican lawmakers will keep to the Fair School Funding Plan that was passed with bipartisan support four years ago and included a six-year phase-in, or whether they will abandon it before the third and final phase. Republicans control supermajorities in both chambers of the Ohio Statehouse. Ohio House Republicans have already laid out their proposal. It does not include a continuation of the Fair School Funding Plan, which distributes support based on a funding formula that takes into account individual district needs, student demographics, and poverty rates, among other categories. The House budget proposal gives schools an additional $226 million, which House Finance Chair Rep. Brian Stewart, R-Ashville, said would be an increase from 2025 funding. Democrats and Fair School Funding Plan advocates say that with inflation schools need much more than that to be fully funded, based on the needs identified as part of the funding plan's data. A fully-funded increase would be between $666 million and $800 million, they say. School board members from across the state signed on to a letter organized by advocacy group All In for Ohio Kids, asking that the legislature go back to the Fair School Funding plan. The members write that the funding formula 'is working as intended,' and that it 'provides an equitable and transparent foundation for a shared responsibility between the state and local communities to support public education for the nearly 90% of Ohio students attending public schools.' 'Alarmingly, provisions in the current state budget for (fiscal year) 2026-2027 threaten the integrity of the (fair funding plan), leaving many districts, especially those with limited local tax bases, struggling to meet rising costs and educational demands,' the letter stated. 'These changes risk stalling progress, undermining the formula's effectiveness and disrupting local school districts' ability to plan responsibly for the long term.' School districts from urban, suburban, and rural regions all stand to be impacted. But the Appalachian region's districts could face cuts that would dramatically change the way education is provided in an area with limited resources as it is. Tom Gibbs, Ph.D., superintendent of the Athens City School District, has spent two decades of his career in education working in Appalachian districts, and during that time, he's seen several 'funding mechanisms' put in place for public education, but he's also seen the different challenges schools and districts face, specifically Appalachian schools. 'Obviously, two of the biggest challenges are, one, poverty … and the other is that you're spread out, so everything is hindered by transportation (needs) and technology access,' Gibbs said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX He said Athens is unique with its location near and connection to Ohio University, but the district still has its share of needs. He's in favor of the Fair School Funding Plan because it's 'research-based,' and based in the local-level facts of each school district, he said. 'I do have some concerns that we're moving away from a formula again,' Gibbs said, adding that he's worried about plans to reduce taxes that help school districts, and talks of requiring schools to return carryover funds after a cap. An analysis by the Ohio River Valley Institute found that the Ohio House budget proposal would result in more than $565 million in lost funds over the next two years for Appalachian public schools, 'yielding the lowest state share of school funding in Ohio's history,' the institute said. Because it 'ignores inflation and eliminates targeted funding for districts with wealth disparities or districts that lose students to private schools,' the analysis found the Ohio House Republican plan would underfund public schools statewide by $2.75 billion. 'We're risking putting our students and teachers even further behind other states,' said the study's author, Nick Messenger, an economist and senior researcher for the Ohio River Valley Institute. Messenger used state budget data and funding projections from think tank Policy Matters Ohio to focus his analysis on counties in Ohio served by the Appalachian Regional Commission. The biggest change over fiscal years 2026 and 2027 would be seen in Mahoning County, according to Messenger's research. Using the Fair School Funding Plan, schools there would receive $262.5 million. Under the House proposal, the district would only see $166.6 million. Athens County would receive $72.45 million under the Fair School Funding Plan model, the analysis found. Under the House proposal, schools there would see $52.8 million. In addition to state uncertainty, Gibbs also said any change in funding on the federal level to public education, for which Athens receives about $1 million from 'various funding streams,' would impact their ability to provide tutoring and specialized programs, like special education. Policy Matters Ohio said the state's public schools receive $3 billion per year in federal funding, about 11.6% of public school revenue. Much of the federal funding schools like Athens receive is based on their participation in the free and reduced-lunch programs, eligibility for which is based on the income level of a student's household. Athens has higher levels of eligibility for the program than some other districts, therefore their funding can be used for 'school-wide' programs, according to Gibbs. 'We have some flexibility to implement programs, which means reading intervention, math intervention,' Gibbs said. 'Any reduction in that funding stream is going to have a negative impact on the additional tutoring support services we provide.' Seeing decreases in state aid and federal aid, along with possible limits in how districts can raise local funding would be challenging, he said, 'and we could be creating an environment where more schools have to go back to the ballot more often.' Ohio Statehouse lawmakers have until the end of June to develop a final budget draft to send to the governor for his signature. The Ohio Senate's Finance Committee, which leads the chamber's budget development, is hearing from not only school districts, but Ohioans speaking on behalf of topics like public libraries, disability rights, parks and recreation, and food banks throughout the week, with hearings currently scheduled through Friday. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Columbus school leaders fight for fair school funding
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — As lawmakers in Ohio debate the state budget, public school advocates say proposed cuts and policy changes could harm children's education. 'What's at stake is education for not just every single student who lives in Columbus, but every single child who lives in the state of Ohio,' Ohio Rep. Beryl Brown Piccolantonio (D-District 4) said. Which school issues central Ohio voters approved in May 2025 election Columbus City Schools held a town hall meeting Wednesday night to bring together educators, lawmakers, and members of the community for a vital conversation about the state of public education and the proposed biennial state budget, including its direct impact on Columbus City Schools. Leaders made it clear that the conversation was grounded in a simple but urgent truth: fair school funding is not just a policy issue, but a justice issue. 'It is incredibly important that our legislators do their constitutional duty to fund our public schools,' Columbus Board of Education Vice-President Jennifer Adair said. 'Without that, we are really, really devastated in what we can do for our students here in Columbus City schools, as well as across the state.' The Fair School Funding Plan was passed in 2021. It was a bipartisan overhaul of Ohio's K-12 funding system and was created to meet the actual cost of educating every student and have the state contribute more fairly. That formula, though, is now under threat. 'This is detrimental not only to CCS, but to be honest, all public education in this state,' Adair said. 'So, the budget, it includes issues around vouchers. It includes the ability not to fund. It makes us give away our cash balances, our cash reserves.' Southwest Licking rejects levy; board member says another attempt likely In its new budget proposal, the Ohio House announced it would abandon the Fair School Funding model entirely. 'A lot of people focus on, well, this school district in this area or this school district in this area,' resident Sonja Nelson said. 'But if they all do not have the opportunity to thrive, then we are not competitive as a country and that's our fault and we need to fix that.' About 90% of Ohioans send their children to public schools and around 47,000 children attend Columbus City Schools. According to leaders, those students and future generations are at stake. 'It is incredibly detrimental,' Adair said. 'It is very difficult then to plan and budget for what it is our children need. And it's really an opportunity to continue to just push an agenda that devalues our children and public education.' The state budget has already passed the House and is now in the Senate's hands, but leaders said it's not too late to advocate for public education. They said it's not just about numbers on a spreadsheet; it's about making sure every student has the support and resources to thrive. According to Adair, the district could lose $123 million in funding. Whitehall residents successfully take council-approved tax breaks to a citizen vote 'Just to put that into context, our voters did what they needed to do and pass our levy, which is only 35 million,' she said. 'I don't want to say only; it was a sacrifice, $35 million a year, which pays for various essential services.' Lawmakers and educators stressed there are severe consequences if the state doesn't invest on the front end of a life. 'If we don't do that, what that means is that we are going to pay more and it's going to be invested in things that we don't want to be invested in, things like incarceration and in Medicaid, because we are not investing in education so that children can have opportunity to become productive and contributing members of our communities,' Piccolantonio, said. Leaders are urging the community to take action in support of fair school funding by calling and writing to state lawmakers, even challenging residents to take it a step further and educate others around them on what's at stake. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rally at Ohio Statehouse protests education funding cuts
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — More than 1,000 people gathered outside the Ohio Statehouse Thursday to show their support for public education while protesting what they believe are attacks on the educational system. The planned demonstration was just one of many May Day protests across the country. Despite heavy rain at times, hundreds came out holding signs and marching around Capitol Square. The protest was organized by local chapters of the Ohio Education Association. While turnout expected to be low, officials urge Ohioans to vote The sounds of chanting and horns honking could be heard for hours outside the statehouse as protesters stood along South High Street holding signs reading, 'Fighting for Public Education.' 'We're out here protesting the constant defunding of public education and all public services,' Kelsey Gray, an English teacher and member of the Columbus Education Association, said. Gray said that since Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine introduced his version of the state budget, educators believe that the spending plan would cut money from public schools across the state. 'The people working in the schools and the students and families that are part of the public schools know what's best and we need politicians to start making decisions for us because they're never made for the people,' she said. 'They're always made for the 1%, the billionaires, the upper class.' What's the difference between a bond issue and a levy? Gray said the organization is also calling for the Fair School Funding Plan, an Ohio bill that aims to make school funding more equitable, to be put into action. Other educators at the protest said it's important for teachers to speak out because they feel the whole education system is under attack. 'We teach kids who are immigrant students, we have LGBTQ students, we've got kids that feel like they're not welcome in our classrooms, and we can't have it,' educator Jen Pfeiffer-Ward said. 'We're here because we feel like education is going the wrong way and it has to stop, it has to stop,' educator Sarah Nottingham said. 'It can't be about an agenda, it can't be about a party, it needs to be about kids. Period.' Training teaches law enforcement to recognize people with autism President Donald Trump has called the U.S. Department of Education wasteful and feels it's polluted by liberal ideology that is being taught in schools. Many of the demonstrators at the Statehouse on Thursday said that power should be in the hands of the educators, not the lawmakers. 'I love those kids,' Pfeiffer-Ward said. 'I'm going to teach those kids.' The protesters said they will continue to fight until their voices are heard. Columbus police estimate 1,500 people turned out for the demonstration. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ohio schools making cuts after levy failures now face possible loss in state funds
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Ohio House passed a budget opponents say will dramatically cut funds for public school districts, some of which are already facing tough financial decisions. The Ohio House elected not to implement the third and final phase of the Fair School Funding Act in House Bill 96, the state budget. The bipartisan act created a formula for school funding that would weigh individual school's demographics and needs to equitably disperse funds. Without Fair School Funding, the Ohio League of Women Voters estimates public schools will lose out on $400 million. Debate over Ohio's property tax relief continues More than half of Ohio's school district levies failed in November, including levies to support Reynoldsburg, Marysville and Westerville schools. All three districts are facing major budget cuts without levy funds, and representatives said losing the Fair School Funding Plan could cost them crucial funds. Reynoldsburg communications director Valerie Wunder said the district has not received new funding in 15 years and is examining how state budget proposals could affect the schools. Left-leaning nonprofit Policy Matters Ohio estimates Reynoldsburg could lose more than $31 million over the next two years without the Fair School Funding Act. See previous coverage of Reynoldsburg's budget cuts in the video player above. 'We are not making any definitive statements about future budgets; however based on preliminary information, H.B. 96 may result in revisiting district expenditures and expenses,' Wunder said. 'We anticipate it would not be favorable.' Reynoldsburg has already had to revisit its expenses in recent months. After November's levy failed, Reynoldsburg schools had to cut $8.5 million from its budget. The district has cut $8.3 million so far by reducing support staff, cutting 51 teachers and increasing pay-to-participate fees. Licking County superintendents get more time to prepare after Intel, Microsoft delays Marysville Treasurer and CFO Todd Johnson said Marysville has a very low cost per pupil, and has not passed a new levy in 17 years. It's not for lack of trying; Marysville has had two levies fail since the last state budget was under consideration, including a close vote in November that failed by less than a 2% margin. On March 20, Marysville Board of Education approved two dozen staff cuts in subjects like art, music and gym, joining previously approved pay-to-play fee increases. These cuts would hopefully be restored if voters approve the emergency operating levy in May, but Johnson said reductions in state funding would only intensify budget trimming. 'Quite frankly, it doesn't matter where the money comes from whether it be state funding or a local levy, we will need additional funds to maintain our level of service which has already been decreased,' Johnson said. Marysville and Reynoldsburg are just two of many Ohio districts making difficult financial decisions. Westerville already has to cut 30 teachers next school year to address a funding shortfall after a levy failure. Ohio budget plan renews high-speed rail chances Several Westerville district representatives testified against H.B. 96, including Superintendent Angie Hamberg. Hamberg said the district would quickly run out of cash without adequate state funding, requiring hefty programming cuts. She said their only option would be to pass a series of small levies to offset the costs, but she was not optimistic that would be feasible. The House budget is not final and now goes to the Senate for consideration. Local school districts have encouraged families to request more funding in the state budget during legislative hearings. 'I'm sure legislators are hearing a lot from people that don't like paying taxes, but I hope they balance that with those people that want a quality school system for their kids with the same level of opportunities that we had growing up,' Johnson said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
