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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Just three people' took on Ohio education law — and sparked a movement
Some Ohio colleges and universities fell in line before Senate Bill 1, the 'Advance Ohio Higher Education Act,' even passed through the state legislature. And when it finally did in March, it had a chilling effect. Universities shirked diversity, equity and inclusion programs to comply, and the silence from once-outspoken opponents was striking. Those early signs of kowtowing were bad indicators that the members of Youngstown State University's faculty union just couldn't get behind. 'There was such passion against SB 1 whenever it was being pushed through the legislature, so why isn't that passion still there?' Mandy Fehlbaum, a sociologist and the grievance chair for YSU's chapter of the Ohio Education Association, recalled wondering in a phone interview. 'Some people were saying, 'Oh well, we worked so hard. Now we're tired, and we just have to accept it.' And like, no, we don't have to accept it.' So they set out to reverse it. While other education unions are weighing legal action to overturn the law, which aims to overhaul the state's higher education system, Fehlbaum, YSU-OEA president Mark Vopat and union spokesperson Cryshanna Jackson Leftwich chose to go political. They began an effort in April to get a referendum on the November ballot, starting with gathering signatures from the 1,000 registered Ohio voters necessary to have their petition certified to the secretary of state. They collected over 6,200 signatures from registered voters in just over a week and certified the petition in early May. Now, the petition committee is taking on its greater challenge: gathering more than 250,000 signatures in at least 44 of the state's 88 counties by June 25 — just two days before the law is set to take effect. If their grassroots cause is successful, the law will be paused until Ohioans vote in the general election on whether SB 1 remains law or is ultimately repealed. 'There were three of us that said we are fed up, three individuals… who said, 'We want to do the right thing, and we want to do something,'' Jackson Leftwich, who also serves as a political science professor at YSU, told Salon. Sometimes you just have to do something, she added. 'You can stop or fight against [something] — and you might not always win, but you can make your voice heard. You can have some opposition. You can give these people some pushback to make them think twice.' Republican Gov. Mike DeWine signed the bill into law on March 28, less than 48 hours after it hit his desk. The legislation, a 42-page revival of previous legislation taken from model bills devised by the conservative National Association of Scholars, implements regulations on classroom discussions on 'controversial beliefs,' including climate policy, marriage, immigration and electoral politics. It also strikes diversity, equity and inclusion programs, policies and scholarships as well as related spending; prohibits faculty strikes; and blocks unions from negotiating tenure among other provisions. Proponents of the bill, including Republican sponsor state Sen. Jerry Cirino, argue that it enhances freedom of speech and academic freedom, promotes intellectual diversity, and 'installs a number of other worthwhile provisions,' including establishing post-tenure periodic review and banning political and ideological litmus tests in hiring, promotions and admissions decisions. 'Our Founders treasured diversity of thought so highly they made free speech our very first guaranteed right,' Cirino said in a January news release announcing the bill's introduction. 'It's time to bring that right back to campus.' But that's where the petition committee's qualms come in. They argue the legislation is actually a censorship bill, replete with union-busting measures and a vague maze of anti-DEI stipulations that stymie students' access to social support, financial resources and needed accommodations. Meanwhile, course regulations said to bolster diversity in thought place professors in a confusing bind over the content they can teach and problematic ideas they must entertain in class. 'Students who want to hold views like, 'Slavery was good,' — I shouldn't have to take class time to seriously entertain certain ideas like that,' Vopat, a philosophy professor , told Salon. Vopat, Fehlbaum and Jackson Leftwich also flagged other glaring issues. The law, they argued, effectively ends tenure by folding tenure policy into the purview of each public institution's board of trustees. Plus, it requires the inclusion of a question about whether a professor creates an unbiased classroom environment on student evaluations, the answer to which they fear could spur investigations into faculty as the law regulates discussion of controversial subjects. Altogether, they say the law has the potential to drive students away from Ohio's public universities. 'This bill... at least in my experience, in my 20-plus years at Youngstown State and higher ed, it just dismantles what higher ed's supposed to be,' Vopat added in a phone interview. It makes the university into a business where profit is king and faculty are 'just replaceable.' The term-limited governor's signature began a 90-day timeline for any interested Ohioan to launch an effort to challenge the legislation. After consulting with other education unions and hearing nothing about a ballot referendum in the works, Vopat, Jackson Leftwich and Fehlbaum — with the support of YSU-OEA's executive committee — decided that they would be the ones to take up the charge. Their effort felt like a race against time, one that Vopat said they knew from the beginning they wouldn't be able to win alone. They drafted the initial petition language, had it reviewed by a former YSU student-turned-lawyer and sent calls out to their network of unions to set the process in motion. As more and more people requested access to it, their work to certify the petition to stay SB 1 and get the law on the ballot gained momentum. In just 10 days, they obtained 6,253 signatures across 423 part-petitions, according to the Ohio SB 1 petition website. While Vopat said he initially pegged the ballot referendum a 'long shot' and a 'Hail Mary,' he now regrets that characterization. 'Now, I think we're actually in the game, like there's time, because once we announced, we've had a huge groundswell of support. I mean, it was shocking how many people,' Vopat told Salon. Since their petition was certified on May 5, the group has secured a cohort of more than 1,500 volunteers statewide to help with signature gathering and garnered the backing of more than a dozen organizations, including Blue Ohio, Indivisible and the Ohio Democratic House Caucus. They've also fundraised just under $40,000 and founded the Labor, Education, and Diversity ballot issue political action committee to support the referendum effort. All of the money they've raised thus far goes toward materials, mainly printing the 18,000 petitions and counting currently in circulation across the state. While Fehlbaum said the process has presented a 'steep learning curve' — relying on volunteer help, navigating the particulars of scanning each copy of the petition and starting a PAC for the first time — she, Vopat and Jackson Leftwich have been blown away by the support their effort has received from Ohioans thus far. Fehlbaum, who leads the petition committee's outreach and organizing arm, declined to share exactly how many signatures they've collected since certification because the organizers don't want the numbers to encourage their opposition to push harder. Fehlbaum did say, however, that they've collected signatures in 82 of Ohio's 88 counties — blowing one of the requirements out of the water — and saw huge returns from Memorial Day weekend. Pride events throughout June and Juneteenth present other ripe signature-gathering opportunities they hope to capitalize on. 'It's an uphill battle for sure,' Fehlbaum said, describing the challenge of informing voters about the bill and their petition. 'We realize we are underdogs in this, but we are doing our best to put a concerted effort there, and I think that it's very feasible we'll be able to do it.'Ohio's public academic institutions have been rolling out changes to comply with the law as the state closes in on the deadline for SB 1 to take effect. Much to the dismay of its students and faculty, Ohio State University was ahead of the curve, announcing diversity office closures and staffing cuts in February in compliance with federal directives to slash DEI programs and in preparation for a then-progressing SB 1. In late April, the University of Toledo discontinued nine undergraduate majors — including Africana studies, Asian studies, disability studies, Spanish and Women's and Gender Studies — to adhere to SB 1's low conferral rate requirements. Ohio University also announced a week later that it was sunsetting its Division of Diversity and Inclusion, which housed its Women, Pride and Multicultural Centers, and established six working groups to implement the law's new requirements. The southeastern Ohio institution also generated backlash when it paused a Black Alumni Reunion event in an apparent reaction to the bill. Jackson Leftwich, Vopat and Fehlbaum see these changes in a broader context. The state's upending of Ohio colleges through SB 1, they said, is a microcosm of the Trump administration's battle against higher education, cowing public and private universities into compliance with anti-DEI, anti-immigration and anti-protest measures or slashing funding from institutions that refuse. 'If the federal level held strong, then the state couldn't get away with it, because people could file federal lawsuits against the state,' Jackson Leftwich said. 'But the state sees the weakness in the federal government, and so they're like, 'We can get away with doing the wrong thing.'' But Vopat said he also sees possibilities for nationwide change in that connection. He hopes that seeing their effort to protect higher education — no matter how successful it ends up — will show other Americans that they have the power to fight back, too. 'I'm hoping that people realize that there is a chance that you can do this, that there are other people who feel the same way — that things have gone too far — and [that] we need to pull back and stop some of these things that are happening, not only in Ohio, but in Florida, Indiana, other places across the country.'
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Signature collection can begin to get referendum to repeal higher education law on Ohio's ballot
Ohio college students and protesters rally at the Statehouse on March 19, 2025, against Senate Bill 1, a higher education overhaul that bans diversity efforts and faculty strikes, and sets rules around classroom discussion, among other things. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.) The first major hurdle to get a referendum on the November ballot to repeal Ohio's massive higher education law has been cleared. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost certified the title and summary language for a referendum that would repeal Senate Bill 1, set to take effect at the end of June. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE S.B. 1 bans diversity efforts, regulates classroom discussion, prohibits faculty strikes, creates post-tenure reviews, puts diversity scholarships at risk, and creates a retrenchment provision that blocks unions from negotiating on tenure, among other things. The law affects Ohio's public universities and community colleges. 'My certification of the title and summary… should not be construed as an affirmation of the enforceability and constitutionality of the referendum petition,' Attorney General Dave Yost said in a letter certifying the petition. Members of the Youngstown State University's chapter of the Ohio Education Association are behind efforts to get the referendum on the Nov. 4 ballot. With the title and summary language approval, petitioners can now start gathering signatures. About 248,092 signatures are needed — 6% of the total vote cast for governor during the last gubernatorial election. The signatures must be from at least 44 of Ohio's 88 counties. The signatures would likely be due at the end of June. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose would then have to verify the signatures before the measure is referred to the Ohio Ballot Board to determine the language that would appear on the November ballot. The last time a referendum passed in Ohio was 2011 when voters overturned an anti-collective bargaining law. Some of Ohio's public universities have started making decisions because of S.B. 1. Ohio University announced it will close the Pride Center, the Women's Center and the Multicultural Center. The University of Toledo is suspending nine undergraduate programs in response to a controversial new higher education law that is set to take effect this summer. Follow Capital Journal Reporter Megan Henry on Bluesky. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
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
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How Ohio budget could impact local school funding
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Central Ohio school districts have been speaking out against the state budget, or House Bill 96, for months, but a so-called claw-back provision from the Ohio House-passed version of the bill is causing concern. Public school districts have cash reserves that serve as their savings account or rainy-day fund. This money is carried over each year. But if the budget is approved as is, school treasurers said it could be detrimental to some districts. American comfort food concept to open downtown Reynoldsburg restaurant The claw-back provision would only allow 30% of a district's cash reserve to be carried over. The rest would go back to the taxpayers, which proponents said is a form of property tax relief. Ohio Education Association President Scott DiMauro said this is a short-term solution for property tax relief. 'You could see districts that are otherwise in a healthy fiscal shape be forced into a really negative path that could lead ultimately to fiscal watch or fiscal emergency,' DiMauro said. Olentangy and Westerville are among the districts that would be impacted by this claw-back provision in House Bill 96. Olentangy Treasurer and CFO Ryan Jenkins said the money in the cash reserve right now is being saved for the future as the district continues to grow. 3 central Ohio used-car dealerships being sued by the state for 'shady' practices 'Over the next three to five years, we will grow as a district and we will absorb that carryover as we fund new staff and new schools,' Jenkins said. 'So we believe we have a plan for every dollar in the reserve.' Jenkins said Olentangy could lose up to $100 million. The money would go back to the taxpayers, but the district would then have to go back to the voters almost every year. 'We understand and want tax relief for our community members,' Jenkins said. 'We value that. We also know as a district that we prioritize every dollar that we get from our community.' This could put Olentangy, Westerville and other districts in the fiscal emergency territory. This means the state would appoint a commission that controls all aspects of a district's finances. The commission is in charge of saving money, which could mean programming or staff cuts and larger class sizes. Westerville Treasurer Nicole Marshall said the district would lose around $110 million. 'For us, we'd be looking at fiscal watch,' Marshall said. 'We would have to eliminate a lot of programs and services to students, likely down to state and federal minimum requirements.' ODOT approves $82 million to widen U.S. 33 in southeastern Franklin County Marshall said this could also result in Westerville putting levies on the ballot almost yearly. 'There's lots of needs that our school district has overall and for the state to just take everything away that we have, they would just be putting the district and the community in a really tough spot,' Marshall said. The state budget was passed in the Ohio House and is currently in the Senate. Both school treasurers said they are hopeful the claw-back provision will be changed and that public schools will be fully funded in the final budget. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Youngstown State faculty complete first step for proposed referendum to stop Ohio higher ed law
Ohio college students and protesters rally at the Statehouse on March 19, 2025, against Senate Bill 1, a higher education overhaul that bans diversity efforts and faculty strikes, and sets rules around classroom discussion, among other things. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.) A group of Youngstown State University faculty who are trying to get a referendum on the Nov. 4 ballot to stop a controversial higher education law from taking effect completed a major first step. Members of the Youngstown State University's chapter of the Ohio Education Association submitted 4,500 signatures to Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and a petition summary to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost Monday. The first step to getting a referendum on the ballot is to get an initial written petition signed by 1,000 registered Ohio voters. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX LaRose must verify the number of valid signatures within 10 business days of receiving the petition. Yost must also certify if he believes the petition summary is a 'fair and truthful statement' of the law. The referendum is an attempt to stop Ohio Senate Bill 1 from going into effect, which is set to become law at the end of June. S.B. 1 bans diversity efforts, regulates classroom discussion, prohibits faculty strikes, creates post-tenure reviews, puts diversity scholarships at risk, and creates a retrenchment provision that blocks unions from negotiating on tenure, among other things. The law affects Ohio's public universities and community colleges. A referendum petition can be filed before the law takes effect and the legislation would be paused. S.B. 1 moved quickly through the legislature, but there was much opposition from college students, faculty, and staff. State Sen. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland, introduced the bill on Jan. 22, it passed in both chambers and Gov. Mike DeWine signed it into law March 28. 'S.B. 1 is yet another nail in the coffins of unions and freedom of speech in Ohio,' YSU-OEA President Mark Vopat said in a statement. 'This is a watered-down federal approach to D.E.I. that leaves universities vulnerable because there is no clear guidance on 'controversial topics,' while it also attacks union rights. We expect that other public unions will be next.' If LaRose and Yost approve the signatures and summary, then the signature gathering to get the referendum on the ballot begins. The petitioners would need about 248,092 signatures — 6% of the total vote cast for governor during the last gubernatorial election. The signatures must be from at least 44 of Ohio's 88 counties. The signatures would likely be due at the end of June. It would then be up to LaRose to verify the signatures. If it passes those hurdles, the referendum would be referred to the Ohio Ballot Board to determine the language that would appear on the November ballot. The last time a referendum passed in Ohio was 2011 when voters overturned an anti-collective bargaining law. Follow Capital Journal Reporter Megan Henry on Bluesky. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
