Buckeye RINO

Governor’s School Funding Council Gives Failing Grade

Columbus—State Representative Gerald Stebelton (R-Lancaster), ranking member on the House Education Committee, today issued the following concerns with the projected $1 billion shortfall that Governor Strickland’s School Funding Advisory council voiced earlier this week.

“It is unfortunate that as recently as this week, the governor’s “evidence-based model” education plan has fallen short yet again by underfunding an estimated $1 billion annually.  For the first time since the DeRolph decision, Ohio’s schools saw a direct slash to their funding and multimillion dollar mandates, such as all-day kindergarten, on already-overwhelmed district–which believe they don’t need it and they don’t have the necessary classroom space.

Moreover, this Democratic majority imposed a cut to school funding for public and parochial schools by approximately $90 million. This education model has placed our entire education system at risk by preventing our children from receiving the high-quality, competitive education they deserve. It is my sincerest hope that the governor updates the school funding formula to more-accurately reflect the needs of our schools, teachers and children.”