Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the state budget proposed by the Ohio Senate. Cropper also discussed a workforce development educational program in New Lexington and a book festival in Columbus.
After receiving an approved budget from the Ohio House of Representatives, the state’s Senate has overhauled the state spending plan, and proposed a new budget with major cuts to education and more. Among the cuts are $300 million to public school funding and a percent of private school vouchers for all students regardless of family income. Along with the budget cuts comes the funding for Senate Bill 1 and Senate Bill 83. The OFT is requesting legislators remove these provisions and pass a final budget closer to the House’s version, Cropper said.
In New Lexington, IBEW Local 1105 is partnering with the OFT and the local school district to provide workforce development as part of the students' learning. There are multiple parts to the development program, with a farm and crops. They are also working on a program for students to gain credentials that can take time off an apprenticeship program after graduation. Cropper believes this is a perfect example of how the education system can better prepare students for life after school.
On July 15 and 16, the OFT, a state affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers, will team up with the Columbus Metropolitan Library and participate in the AFT’s Reading Opens the World Festival. They will distribute books to children at the library and at Topiary Park in Columbus. The AFT has plans to distribute over 1 million books to children this summer and the festival will help achieve that initiative. Cropper added that along with the books, they will also hand out information on the Local Unions.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more.