Kasich Cuts Mean $1.3 Billion in New School Levies Since May, 2011
62 “NEW MONEY” SCHOOL LEVIES ON MAY BALLOT Kasich Budget Cuts Cause $1.3 Billion in School Levies Since May, 2011
Columbus — Innovation Ohio, a progressive think tank headquartered in Columbus, released a spreadsheet today showing that voters in 62 different school districts will be asked to approve “new money” school funding levies next month. If approved, the levies — none of which is for replacement, renewal or construction — will raise $147 million.
As a direct result of the $1.8 billion in school funding cuts approved by Gov. Kasich and the Republican-controlled Ohio legislature, local taxpayers have been asked to approve 393 school levies representing $1.34 billion in new operating money since May, 2011. Levies representing $492 million in new operating funds have passed. Said IO President Janetta King: “Given the nearly $2 billion in education funds that Gov. Kasich and his allies slashed from our schools, is anyone really surprised that local levies are growing like mushrooms? “In district after district, school boards, superintendents and other administrators have done everything they can to cope with the cuts. They’ve laid off teachers, frozen wages, increased class sizes, reduced academic course offerings, increased sports participation fees, consolidated purchasing and taken dozens of other steps to save money. But now they have no alternative but to ask taxpayers for help. “Innovation Ohio has warned about this from the very beginning. By cutting taxes primarily for the wealthy at the state level, Gov. Kasich and the Republican-controlled legislature have merely pushed the need for tax increases down to the local level. But Ohioans aren’t stupid. They know a shell game when they see one. They know we can’t continue to fund our schools and local governments through an endless parade of local levies. And sooner or later, they’re going to hold Gov. Kasich and his allies accountable.”House makes changes to education policy in budget amendments
- As we noted earlier, the bill now mandates abstinence-only sex ed.
- Limits districts to spending gifted aid on gifted programs, effectively resulting in another $160 million cut to districts. since the state won’t replace the gifted money for districts.
- Lets homeschoolers participate in the state’s early college entry programs (though it’s not clear if the money will come from district of residence or not)
- Allows e-schools to get Career-Tech money. It remains to be seen how you can teach woodworking remotely.
- Attempts to fund preschool for individuals below 200% of poverty with $5 million given to public or private entities. [Read more…]
Ohio Republicans propose restrictions on sex ed that promotes “gateway activity”
Today, Republicans on the Ohio House Finance Committee voted to adopt changes to the two-year state budget that will significantly restrict the teaching of sexual education in the state, mandating an abstinence-only approach. According to a provided by the Committee Chairman, Representative Ron Amstutz, the measure would:
prohibit the teaching of sexual education coursework that endorses non-abstinence as an acceptable behavior or promotes sexual gateway activity. [Read more…]
House Budget Would Cut 127 School Districts
HOUSE BUDGET WOULD CUT 127 SCHOOL DISTRICTS Think Tank Also Says House Plan Would Give Schools $200 Less Than Kasich Proposal
Columbus — Innovation Ohio, a progressive think tank headquartered in Columbus, released an analysis today showing that under the budget proposed by House Republicans, 127 of Ohio’s 612 school districts would receive less state money in FY 2014-15 than they are currently getting. A separate analysis found that the funding formula in the House plan would provide schools with nearly $200 million less than they would receive under the Kasich proposal. The House’s proposed budget was released last week after school superintendents and newspaper editorial pages condemned the Kasich Administration’s school funding proposal as inadequate. Although the Governor initially claimed his plan would give more money to poorer districts and less money to wealthier ones, independent analyses showed that 60% of districts — including 80% of the poorest — would receive no funding increases at all. [Read more…]House Budget Provides Less Money for Schools than Kasich Plan
House Budget Changes, in a Nutshell
Why poor districts dislike the Kasich school plan
Top school districts, ranked by property tax needed to replace Kasich cuts
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- …
- 24
- Next Page »