In a surprising turn of events, over 330 Ohio school districts have united to challenge a revised bill that targets the funding of the EdChoice program, a private school voucher initiative. This move comes after a recent ruling by Judge Jaiza Page of Franklin County, who declared the EdChoice program unconstitutional. The state, however, has since appealed the decision, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing debate.
The Vouchers Hurt Ohio group, comprising these public school districts, is taking a stand against what they perceive as an unfair and unconstitutional program. The EdChoice program, which aims to provide vouchers for students to attend private schools, has been a subject of controversy. Critics argue that it diverts much-needed funds from underfunded public schools, leaving them shortchanged and struggling to meet the needs of their students.
The recent development involves a proposed bill by Ohio Representative Jamie Callender, who initially suggested withholding state funds from public schools suing over the EdChoice program. However, Callender later provided a statement changing his stance, indicating that the bill would only withhold the fees districts pay to fund the lawsuit. Despite this adjustment, the Vouchers Hurt Ohio coalition remains steadfast in its opposition.
Eric Brown, a former chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court and a member of the Columbus City Schools Board of Education, emphasizes the unconstitutional nature of the bill, regardless of the amount involved. He advocates for the legislature to heed Judge Page's ruling and address the EdChoice program's detrimental impact on public schools and their children. Brown's concerns are shared by the Vouchers Hurt Ohio group, which believes the program is inadequately and inequitably funded, leading to a blatant problem in state lawmakers' approach.
The controversy extends to the interpretation of the bill's impact on school districts. William L. Phillis, associated with Vouchers Hurt Ohio and the Ohio Coalition for Equity & Adequacy of School Funding, argues that the coalition's lawsuit has exposed an unconstitutional issue. He suggests that the state lawmakers should be grateful for the coalition's efforts in uncovering this problem, as it presents an opportunity to rectify the situation and ensure fair funding for public schools. The coalition's website lists several Mahoning Valley school districts, including Poland, Liberty, Springfield Local, South Range, and Youngstown City, as members since 2021, further emphasizing the widespread support for this cause.
