Public schools across Ohio have long been calling for increased funding for essential resources such as air conditioning, school supplies, and support for special needs programs. While the U.S. Department of Education provides critical funding for many school facilities, the looming threat of cuts has left teachers deeply concerned.
“I see kids whose families don’t have enough to eat,” said Joe Decker, a middle school teacher. “Kids who have to share beds with siblings.” Decker teaches in Columbus City Schools (CCS), the largest recipient of federal education funding in Ohio. He sees firsthand the struggles of his students, many of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“I already have students who are falling asleep because they’re hungry; I already have students who aren’t coming to school because they have to take care of a sick sibling,” he said. “I have students who are afraid to come to school because of ICE, they think they’re going to be snatched up by law enforcement just because of where their family is from.”
According to the research done by The Ohio State University, more than 50,000 enrolled in CCS in 2018 were labeled “disadvantaged”. That’s every single student enrolled. Additionally, at the time, the average household earning was about $47,000. In response to this, Decker explains how his school is on the lowest end of that average.
A History of School Funding Challenges
The issue of school funding in Ohio dates back decades. In 1997, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled in DeRolph v. State that the state’s reliance on property taxes to fund public schools was unconstitutional. Despite numerous attempts to fix the system, many believe the funding model remains inequitable.
A bipartisan effort led to the passage of the Cupp-Patterson Fair School Funding Plan (FSFP) in 2021, which aimed to overhaul how public funds are distributed. The plan called for an additional $333 million annually for K-12 education, totaling approximately $2 billion. Designed to be implemented over six years, the first two years of which saw partial funding, followed by full funding for the next two. However, with two years remaining, funding inconsistencies persist, leaving many schools struggling to meet basic needs.
Teachers Grapple with Overcrowded Classrooms and Resource Shortages
Due to budget cuts, class sizes have surged, creating additional challenges for educators. “There are no limits on how many special education children could be placed in my classroom—I might have 24 along with like 10, 15 more mainstream kids,” Decker explained. “I’ve had classrooms from 42 to 26, I think.”
Funding shortages have led to program consolidations and school closures, further straining the education system. CCS currently receives about $70 million annually from the federal government, while Ohio as a whole receives $1.5 billion in federal education funding through programs like Title 1 and IDEA, which support low-income and special-needs students.
When asked what would happen if federal funding were reduced or eliminated, Decker responded, “It’s already happening; the boat is sinking. We’re bleeding our schools dry.”
Federal and State Funding Debates Continue
Proposed federal cuts have ignited debates among Ohio lawmakers. Some Republican leaders, including Senate President Rob McColley (R-Napoleon), argue that states should control their own education funding without federal oversight.
“We’re going to have a better idea of what Ohio education needs are than they are in Washington, D.C.,” McColley said. He believes that if states had direct control of the funds, they could allocate resources more effectively. “The problem after the Department of Education was established is it’s now basically legal bribery to the states to say, ‘You have to take this federal money, and you have to do everything that we’re asking you to do.’”
Decker, however, disagrees, arguing that federal funding is essential to supporting marginalized students. “That so-called legal bribery is just money for marginalized students,” he said.
The Shift Toward Private School Funding
Ohio has been a strong proponent of school choice, with significant funding directed toward private school vouchers. Republican leaders, including House Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima), have argued that private schools offer a more cost-effective alternative to public education. “If someone says they’re willing to take a $7,000 scholarship voucher and go to a private school rather than going to the school that… on average in the state, it’s about $15,000—that’s better for the taxpayers,” Huffman stated.
However, critics argue that the expansion of private school funding comes at the expense of public education. According to state data, the number of students receiving EdChoice Expansion vouchers increased from 23,272 in the 2022-23 school year to 82,946 in 2023-24. Yet, private school enrollment only increased by 3,719 students, raising concerns that public funds are being redirected without clear benefits to students.
Decker sees the voucher system as a move toward privatizing education. “Governor DeWine is giving our public school money to families out in New Albany, out in Pataskala, out in Dublin, so that they can hand over tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars to a private school,” he said. “The people at that school are going to turn around and give the money back to Governor DeWine and other people who will just keep that circle going.”
He also raised concerns about equity. “Private schools aren’t fair because they get to pick and choose their students,” Decker said. “Talking about political realities—it’s de facto segregated.”
At Mifflin Middle School, where Decker teaches, the student body is 70% Black, 20% Hispanic, 5% Asian-American, and 5% white. Many students lack the financial resources to attend private schools, even with vouchers, leaving them in underfunded public schools.
“Taking away money from our public schools is demoralizing our public schools, it’s demoralizing our students and just cutting them 1,000 times over and over,” Decker said, tears swelling. “It is heartbreaking to watch day after day.”
The Uncertain Future of Public Education in Ohio
As state lawmakers continue to debate school funding, concerns over both state and federal cuts persist. With the ongoing expansion of private school funding and uncertainty surrounding federal aid, many educators fear that Ohio’s most vulnerable students will be the ones to suffer the most.
For teachers like Decker, the fight for adequate public school funding is far from over. “I know lawmakers won’t do what is right because I’ve watched what they’ve already done,” he said. “It’s going to the private schools.”