Berea school board advocates for equitable funding in Ohio

The Berea City School District in Ohio is advocating for fair funding for public schools. During a recent board meeting on March 17, members passed two important resolutions. The first resolution allows the district to join a lawsuit against the state’s voucher program, which provides funds for private and charter schools. Board members argue that using taxpayer money for these vouchers goes against the Ohio Constitution. They believe the program is harmful to public schools. Board member Ana Chapman highlighted that the state plans to cut $103 million from public school funding while allocating $500 million for these vouchers. Currently, the state provides $2,500 per public school student, but private vouchers give $6,100 for K-8 and $8,400 for high school students. The second resolution calls for more accurate data in creating a fair funding formula under the Fair School Funding Plan (FSFP). Board members pointed out that the state’s budget proposals are based on outdated figures from 2022 and do not consider inflation or increasing costs. They urged Ohio lawmakers and Governor Mike DeWine to ensure fair and adequate funding for schools. Chapman warned that if the budget passes as it is, it would place more financial burden on local taxpayers. Superintendent Tracy Wheeler also expressed concerns over possible last-minute changes in the budget. He questioned whether decision-makers were consulting educators or just politicians.