Latest news with #FutureFarmers
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ohio educators rally for school funding at Statehouse ahead of budget announcement
Attendees of a rally to support public education hold up signs at the Ohio Statehouse. Photo by Morgan Trau/WEWS Ohio educators held one last rally to urge the state Senate to fully fund public schools ahead of the chamber's budget proposal. Teaching at Jefferson Area High School in Ashtabula County was only supposed to be a temporary job while John Patterson finished graduate school. 'I discovered that teaching was my calling, and it was my mission,' said Patterson, a retired teacher of 29 years. Like him, education is a passion for many teachers. Dozens made their way to the Ohio Statehouse to show their support for public school funding. 'It's important for Ohio's kids, it's important for Ohio's future, to get the school funding formula totally in place so there's predictability and sustainability for all of our schools in every corner of the state,' Patterson told me. The educators protested against the House's passed budget, one that slashes hundreds of millions of dollars from the expected school spending. The program currently in place, the Cupp-Patterson Fair School Funding Plan (FSFP), was a bipartisan formula that Patterson helped create when he was a state representative. 'I spent a great deal of time with my dear friend (former Republican House Speaker) Robert Cupp to come together to put something out there for the legislature that is sustainable, that is transparent, and that is good for the future,' Patterson said. But Speaker Matt Huffman says that funding level is 'unsustainable.' Now the future of the education budget is in Senate Finance Chair Jerry Cirino's (R-Kirtland) hands. 'When we make a move in the budget for school systems, it impacts different systems in different ways,' Cirino said during the start of the budget process. 'That's what makes it complicated.' Senate President Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) warned that the funding formula could actually decrease the amount of money for schools this year. 'There's a chance that schools would see negative numbers as a result of that formula going into place,' he said. According to lawmakers who work closely with schools, including state Rep. Jamie Callender, R-Concord, about 5% of districts would have less money this year than they did last year because they have fewer students enrolled. 'Are you fine potentially seeing negative numbers for some of these school districts?' McColley asked. Patterson said that this makes the funding breakdown more equitable for public schools across the state. With the House's budget, every school would receive significantly less money than they planned for, which districts have already said could lead to staff and program cuts. 'Shop classes or (Future Farmers of America) classes or art, music and gym that aren't necessarily required, those sorts of programs could get put on the chopping block,' Patterson continued. The retired teacher is hoping that the Senators hear him before the budget amendments are announced this week. 'To help kids, that's who I am,' Patterson said. Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on Twitter and Facebook. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Heyworth agriculture program earns prestigious state honor
HEYWORTH, Ill. (WMBD) — A central Illinois school district was given an enormous honor for their achievement in agriculture. Heyworth's Junior and Senior High School Agriculture and Future Farmers of America program was recognized as the 2024-2025 Illinois Association of Vocational Agriculture Teachers Outstanding Middle/Secondary Agricultural Education Program. This award is dedicated to agricultural programs that are the toughest and most creative of all and reflects Heyworth's agriculture program achievements and growth from 2020 to 2025. 'Having the opportunity to provide these experiences for the students has always been the highlight of my career.' said Kara Barling, director of Heyworth's agricultural program. 'We are creating industry leaders by exploring careers and encouraging students to be involved in our local community.' Fine Art Fair returns to Peoria Heights The recognition is through the National Association of Agricultural Educators Outstanding Middle/Secondary Program initiative and highlights exceptional agriculture programs that provide robust experiential learning and dynamic leadership opportunities for students. Over the past year, Heyworth FFA collected 228 pounds of food and raised $1,400 for the village's food bank. They also volunteered 340 hours in community service projects. There are more than 160 students ranging from 8th grade to 12th grade involved in the agricultural department, which is almost 40% of their school's population. Enrollment in the school's ag program has gone up by 43% in the last five years, the school said in a news release. In the coming years, the district said, students could have a chance to earn dual credit in Ag Economics and Horticulture classes through Heartland Community College Students involved learn skills such as agribusiness, plant science, power and technical systems and animal science along with career-preparing activities. The Heyworth agriculture program will now represent Illinois in the NAAE Region IV competition for the Outstanding Middle/Secondary Agricultural Education Program Award, a national-level recognition scheduled to be awarded later this year Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
