Parents Call On House Education Committee To Fully Fund Public Schools

Members of All In For Ohio Kids Coalition Submit Testimony

Today, members of the All in for Ohio Kids (AOK) Coalition testified before the House Education Committee to urge members to pass a budget that makes good on the state’s promise to its children. 

Four years ago, AOK pushed state lawmakers to include the Fair School Funding Plan in the 2022-23 State Budget – putting the state on a path to correct  decades  of an unconstitutional and unfair public school funding system. The Fair School Funding Plan calculates the actual cost of educating a child and ensures the state fulfills its constitutional obligation to deliver its fair share of that. The plan was set to be phased in over six years, with the final two in FY 2026-27.  But recent reporting shows that Gov. DeWine’s budget proposal cuts $103 million from public schools – in part because he bases his proposal on 2022 costs. 

AOK member and mother of eight Nicole Lesnick submitted written testimony about the need to pass a budget that calculates funding for public education using up-to-date costs. 

“Eggs cost about $3.60 a dozen in 2022. Today that same dozen if I could even find them in my grocery store [are] at least $4.95 and that is a January 2025 price,” said Lesnick, whose children attend Berea City Schools in Cuyahoga County. “It is necessary for Ohio to be realistic in the education needs of our students and give our schools the money they deserve and require to help create the next generation of Ohioians.” 

DeWine’s budget also fails to update “categorical weights,” which the Fair School Funding Plan requires to ensure students with special needs, those from disadvantaged backgrounds and English language learners have the support they need to learn. 

Amanda Fontana, AOK member and mother of three from New Philadelphia in Tuscarawas County, testified that all of her children have required special education services. Without those supports they would not have been able to thrive. 

“As we know, only public schools are required to accept students with disabilities, and/or provide them with needed accommodations and interventions to obtain an education,” said Fontana who also sits on the New Philadelphia School Board.  “My son was able to acquire a public education with the support provided for low income families by public schools. My youngest daughter, who is Autistic and Dyslexic needed additional support that was provided by our public schools. She was able to excel, no longer needing interventions, and as a result, out performed all of her peers on the Ohio State Tests. However, we are losing access to teachers and staff as costs go up, and funding goes down.”

Vella King, a parent in Hillsdale Local Schools in Ashland County testified that her district failed to pass a renewal levy in November. The budget currently under consideration by the House will put additional pressure on their district. 

“If you continue down this path of the proposed educational line items in the HB96 budget bill, many schools including mine, will be forced to either make cuts to student programming and staff or go back to voters for a new levy,” said King, who also sits on the Hillsdale School Board. 

In all, 10  community members of AOK submitted testimony to the House Education Committee. They were joined by Scott DiMauro, President of AOK founding partner, the Ohio Education Association. The committee announced that they anticipate hearing more testimony on Tuesday, March 4. Additional AOK members, including Ohio Federation of Teachers President Melissa Cropper, are planning to testify then.

“It’s time to fulfill Ohio’s commitment to the students who attend public schools and our communities by updating and fully funding the Fair School Funding Plan,” DiMauro said. “Failure to do so will result in consequences at the local level such as larger class sizes, loss of academic programs and supports, and loss of educators. All of this has a harmful effect on Ohio’s public school students.”

Read additional AOK member testimony here:

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The All in For Ohio Kids Coalition formed in 2021 to ensure that every child in Ohio, no matter their race, zip code, or how much money their family has, can attend a great public school that prepares them for a bright future. The coalition is anchored by the Ohio Education Association, the Ohio Federation of Teachers, the Ohio Association of Public School Employees, the Ohio Organizing Collaborative and Policy Matters Ohio.

• Abigail Drennan, Akron parent
• Colleen O’Connell, former educator of Columbus
• Jennifer Schrock, New Philadelphia parent and school board member
• Brittany Baker, School Social Worker, Columbus City Schools
• Lindsey Wyckoff, North Canton Board of Education
• Carla Blackmar Rice, parent in the Talawanda School District
• Nicholas Starvaggi, parent in Akron Public Schools