Latest news with #MorganTrau
Yahoo
2 days ago
- 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
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ohio rated 'weak' on math elementary level policy instruction by new report
Ohio school children in a classroom. (Photo by Morgan Trau.) Ohio is 'weak' on policies to strengthen elementary teachers' math instruction, according to a new report by the National Council on Teacher Quality. Ohio is one of 25 states that received a 'weak' rating by the NCTQ report that was released Tuesday. Only Alabama received a strong rating and seven states earned an unacceptable rating — Arizona, Hawaii, Maine, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, and New Hampshire, according to the report. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The states earned their ratings based on these five policies — Set specific, detailed math standards for teacher preparation programs. Review teacher preparation programs to ensure they are providing robust math instruction. Adopt a strong elementary math licensure test. Require districts to select high-quality math curricula and support skillful implementation. Provide professional learning and ongoing support for teachers to sustain effective math instruction. A weak rating means a state has some of those policies in place, but not all. Ohio was strong in teacher preparation programs and received a moderate ranking in having a strong elementary math licensure program, according to the report. 'Ohio's made significant investments in professional learning for teachers in reading, but much fewer investments in financially supporting professional learning in math instruction,' said NCTQ President Heather Peske. This past school year was the first year Ohio school districts were required to teach the science of reading curriculum, which is based on decades of research that shows how the human brain learns to read and incorporates phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Some of the Ohio's 2023 two-year budget went toward the science of reading — $86 million for educator professional development, $64 million for curriculum and instructional materials, and $18 million for literacy coaches. 'You can do two things at once,' Peske said. 'It's really important to kids that they have strong reading instruction and strong math instruction, so it's high time that Ohio focused on improving math instruction, especially at the elementary level.' Student math scores predict future earnings better than reading scores, Peske said. 'Strong math skills add up to better reading scores, stronger college readiness, and eventually even higher earnings for students,' she said. Ohio math scores are below pre-pandemic levels, according to the Nation's 2024 Report Card. Approximately 235,000 fourth-graders from 6,100 schools and 230,000 eighth-graders from 5,400 schools participated in the 2024 math and reading assessments between January and March of last year. In Ohio, the average fourth-grade math score was 239, two points higher than the national average and one point higher than the state's fourth grade math scores in 2022. The scale for NAEP scores is 0-500. The state's average eighth-grade math score was 279, seven points higher than the national average and three points higher than the state's 2022 test. 'If we want to improve student math outcomes, we really need to better prepare and support elementary teachers in their math instruction,' Peske said. Ohio lawmakers are paying attention to student math scores. Ohio Senate Bill 19 would require school districts or individual schools to come up with a math achievement improvement plan if they don't have at least 52% of students receive a proficient score in math comprehension. The bill has had three hearings so far in the Senate Education Committee. Follow Capital Journal Reporter Megan Henry on Bluesky. 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
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ohio Representative says he was asked to resign following criminal allegations
Ohio state Rep. Rodney Creech, R-West Alexandria. (Photo by Morgan Trau, WEWS.) Ohio Republican Representative Rodney Creech has been removed from his leadership role at the request of House Speaker Matt Huffman, he said, adding that the leader asked him to resign following criminal allegations and an investigation that led to no charges in 2024. Creech, of West Alexandria, was formerly the chair of the Agriculture Committee, but the state website shows that he is no longer in that role. The lawmaker gave us a statement, saying, in part: 'These allegations have been found to be demonstrably false, and I have already begun pursuing legal action against those who are pushing this filth.' We reached out to Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman's team for a statement and clarification, but did not hear back. 'I do not think the pressure on me to resign was justified, but I do believe Speaker Huffman is doing what he believes to be in the best interest of the Ohio House,' Creech said. Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on X and Facebook. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ohio teachers' pension board votes to reduce years needed to retire, gives bump in monthly payments
An advocate for increasing the cost of living adjustment for retired Ohio teachers. (Photo by Morgan Trau, WEWS.) The Ohio teachers' pension fund board has voted to increase the money in the monthly checks given to their retirees, as well as reduce the number of years active educators need to work before retiring with full benefits. With the cost of everyday essentials going up, every dollar counts. 'We're all trying to keep up with inflation, right?' retired educator Melissa Cropper, who is also the president of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, said. The education system's retirees will get some relief this summer. Cropper cheered that the majority of the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) board voted to increase the cost-of-living adjustments, or COLA, from 1% to 1.5% for eligible pensioners. 'Having a COLA means that there's more money in your pockets to be able to keep up with inflation, when paying your everyday bills, buying your everyday groceries, all those types of things,' she said. 'It's a move in the right direction.' Due to a new funding policy adopted in 2024, roughly $2 billion was able to be allotted under the board's sustainable benefit plan. In a board meeting last week, the board's advisor informed them of the available money, but also explained how a temporary option could include a future increase in retirement eligibility requirements. Former STRS Chief Actuary Brian Grinnell, who handled risk management, warned that this could put the nearly $100 billion fund in jeopardy. 'They've gone ahead and committed to spending this $2 billion on enhanced short-term benefits, and they're doing this in the face of financial markets that are looking very, very challenging for this year,' Grinnell said. Since January, the state's pension funds have lost a significant amount of money due to the volatility in the global economy, he said. He doesn't trust the STRS board to handle this situation carefully. 'It's reasonable to question how much faith you should put in this board at this point in time,' he said. For the past year, we have dug into — and exposed — the controversy swirling inside STRS, which is the fund for more than 500,000 active and retired public educators in Ohio. In summary, there has been constant fighting, two board resignations, and allegations of both a public corruption scheme and the mishandling of funds. There has been a senior staff dismissal and at least two senior staff resignations. Attorney General Dave Yost is currently suing to remove the board chair for allegedly colluding with an investment firm startup attempting to 'contract steer' billions in a scheme that would benefit him. 'I don't think this board has inspired a lot of confidence that they are thinking about the long term and are taking their fiduciary responsibilities to all of the pension members seriously,' Grinnell continued. He also argued that this move by the board won't truly benefit educators, since it only gives an additional $50 per month for each retiree. 'There needs to be a COLA for these retirees in some form,' he said. 'That COLA needs to be funded, though.' The board is setting a precedent of raising benefits while losing money, he said, which will actually hurt the majority of the pensioners. 'There is an imbalance where the funding to pay the retiree benefits is, in part, coming at the expense of the active teachers,' he said. Cropper argued that the active teachers are getting a fair deal, since the board also voted to reduce the number of years to get full retirement benefits from 33 to 32. 'We have board members who are looking to still keep the system stable, but to find a way that they can restore benefits among both actives and retirees, so that they're equally sharing the loss and equally sharing the gain in this process,' she said. The STRS board is also trying to lobby the state lawmakers to increase the contribution rates from employers. But with the controversy, and with the board's choices lately, several Republican legislative leaders say they don't trust the board to use the proposed additional money wisely. 'I think that the state needs to make sure that the funds are valid or sustainable and that they're not just blowing money — if there's any indication that they're making bad decisions right now,' Ohio Senate Education Chair Andrew Brenner, R-Delaware, said. State Rep. Adam Bird, R-New Richmond, is the chair of the Ohio Retirement Study Council, and doesn't think any request to the legislature will be fruitful. 'I feel pretty confident in saying that an employer contribution rate doesn't have any support in the General Assembly — or enough support,' Bird said. He continues to monitor the STRS situation closely, he added. 'I think it's important for my colleagues and I to remember that we established a pension system and we are in charge of it — and if we decide there needs to be changes, as a body, we should make changes,' Bird said. 'I think it's important for the General Assembly to always keep a close eye on what the five pension systems are doing.' In previous reports, Brenner and other Statehouse leaders suggested changing the STRS board structure. Asked whether he has any interest in reforming the pension systems and how they function as a board, Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman, R-Lima, said in March, 'The short answer to that question is yes.' He proceeded to explain that the G.A. did pension reform in the early 2010s, and it is likely the time for another fix. 'The question is, are the folks who are serving on those boards, are they truly experts in pensions?' Huffman said. 'I think those are all things that need to be reviewed on those five pension boards.' Asked if he was looking at changing the STRS board, Bird responded, 'No comment.' Previously, the state's other pension funds rejected any change within their structure. Officers within the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund (OP&F) told the lawmakers to leave them out of STRS' WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on Twitter and Facebook. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
