Policy Matters Ohio director shares insights on School Funding Crisis

Hannah Halbert, Executive Director of Policy Matters Ohio, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Ohio's scrapped fair school funding plan, the implications of prioritizing stadium funding over education and the potential impact on local communities.

The Fair School Funding Plan was a bipartisan effort to address Ohio's unconstitutional school funding system. Halbert explained that the plan aimed to calculate the actual cost of educating students based on their needs, ensuring equitable distribution of resources across school districts. This approach would prevent disparities between wealthy and poorer communities, providing every child with a constitutionally adequate education. However, the plan is now being dismantled, with lawmakers citing unsustainability as the reason, despite its critical importance for future prosperity.

Halbert highlighted the troubling prioritization of stadium funding over education. She pointed out that while the state claims it cannot afford the $3 billion needed for schools, it has proposed allocating significant funds for stadium projects. If approved by the state legislature, it would reflect a backward set of priorities, as stadiums historically do not generate the promised economic benefits. In contrast, investing in education is crucial for long-term prosperity, as it develops a well-educated workforce that attracts businesses and fosters innovation, Halbert said.

The impact of these funding decisions extends to local communities, where the burden of school funding may shift to local taxpayers. Halbert noted that as state support dwindles, communities might face increased pressure to pass local levies to fund their schools. This shift in responsibility could lead to further inequities, as wealthier areas may be better equipped to support their schools than poorer ones. Halbert urged Ohioans to engage with their lawmakers and advocate for fair school funding to ensure all children receive the education they deserve.

Hear more from Halbert by listening to the episode above.