We live in a time where there are unprecedented attacks on public education from extreme politicians and special interest groups in Columbus and Washington, D.C.
It’s no secret that the nominee for the Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, and the Trump Administration are seeking to dissolve the Department of Education. This unprecedented act will gut billions in federal public education funding for lower-income students in rural, suburban, and urban areas and students with disabilities.
And in Ohio, stable and adequate funding for our schools is also at risk. Leaders in the Ohio General Assembly have signaled that they do not intend to fully update and phase in the Fair School Funding Plan (FSFP). In fact, in the current proposed budget (Ohio House Bill 96), their plan will cut public school funding in Ohio by over $100 million while increasing funding to unaccountable private school vouchers and shifting the responsibility to funding our schools to local communities.
Both federal and state cuts to public education funding will devastate our students, potentially increasing class sizes, ending critically essential programs, and forcing districts to cut staff.
To defend against these attacks and advocate for our students, we are asking all members to act in solidarity with their students and fellow educators across the state by:
- Gathering before school on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in a statewide “Red for Ed” day in conjunction with the Protect our Kids Day of Action.
- We ask that you please take group photos with your colleagues and post them to your social media using the hashtags:
- For Facebook and X: #ProtectOurKids and #ProtectOurKidsOH
- For Instagram: #ProtectOurKids and #ProtectOurKidsOH
Please join me in advocating for our students and fellow educators of Ohio, by participating in Red for ED next Tuesday.
We encourage you also to take further action to protect students and public schools by: