OFT President on school funding, labor rights and leadership

Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Ohio’s underfunding of public schools, challenges to labor rights in higher education and the importance of union leadership development.

Ohio's Senate recently released its version of the state budget, claiming to follow the Ohio Fair School Funding Plan. However, Cropper revealed that the budget underfunds public schools by more than $2 billion compared to the fully funded plan from two years ago. She criticized the Senate's approach, which relied on outdated cost data and included a controversial $100 million allocation to reward schools with high performance ratings. Cropper said this method disregards student needs and community resources, effectively reverting to funding based on zip codes rather than equity.

Next, Cropper highlighted the ongoing labor dispute at Central Ohio Technical College, where faculty filed an unfair labor practice charge. According to Cropper, the college's administration attempted to go back on a contract agreement, citing compliance with Senate Bill 1, which limits collective bargaining rights for higher education faculty. Cropper explained that the law doesn't take effect until June 27, making the college's actions premature and potentially illegal.

Finally, the OFT is preparing its members to confront these challenges through its Union Leadership Institute. Cropper described how the institute brings together 60 to 70 union members and leaders for training in negotiation skills, leadership development and strategies to address emerging issues like artificial intelligence in education. The program, she said, emphasizes building solidarity and developing a proactive vision for public education. Cropper also said the program will focus on the importance of political engagement in shaping the future of Ohio's education system.

Listen to Cropper's full episode above for more on Ohio's education system and labor rights for those in higher education.