1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

Ohio is failing our children in many ways, but the immediate concern I am noticing in my family specifically relates to education. We live in Reynoldsburg, where my daughter attends elementary school. This school had to cancel many programs and classes such as art and music in the past due to state and district budget cuts. Now, extra curricular activities such as marching band and sports, which have been pay-to-play for years, costs more than ever. They had to close and consolidate schools. The list of required school supplies parents have to buy is bigger than ever, too, because the schools can provide fewer supplies. Schools can't afford to feed hungry children. Our district is laying off a further 51 teachers this year and we certainly don't pay teachers enough, either. Despite the quality of education in Ohio plummeting, the state still insists the dwindling budget for education must be cut further. Why are our children's futures under attack at the federal level and also in our state?! Ohioans deserve better and surely you know that. I hope that you will decide to stand up for our children and put forth a budget that values education as the extremely important resource it is.