1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

Ohio students deserve fully funding the Fair School Funding Plan, a bipartisan initiative aimed at providing equitable education opportunities across the state. The House GOP's budget proposal fails to uphold this commitment by stripping away key provisions of the plan and decreasing funding levels. This step backwards undermines years of collaborative efforts to address systemic inequities in school funding. While the budget increases overall K-12 funding, the proposed changes disregard the carefully crafted formula meant to account for district-level factors like enrollment trends and property tax valuations. Capping school district reserves at 25% and mandating refunds above that threshold oversimplifies the complex financial needs districts face. Stability in funding is essential for long-term planning and ensuring resources for unanticipated expenses. Furthermore, prioritizing voucher expansions over fully investing in public education raises concerns about misplaced priorities. The success of Ohio's students should take precedence over subsidizing private institutions or new sports facilities. A strong public education system benefits all Ohioans by cultivating an educated workforce and engaged citizenry. Fully funding the Fair School Funding Plan is a moral and economic imperative. Reversing course now dismisses the diligent work that went into this bipartisan solution and jeopardizes Ohio's future prosperity. Lawmakers must reevaluate their approach and reaffirm their commitment to providing all students with high-quality educational opportunities, as outlined in the state constitution.