OEA lays out bold vision for 135th General Assembly
“This legislative session presents a tremendous opportunity to address school funding, the educator shortage, the well-being of our students and staff, and other issues that affect our members and the learners we serve,” OEA President Scott DiMauro wrote in a letter to state lawmakers and the governor laying out OEA’s legislative priorities for the 135th General Assembly.
“OEA looks forward to working collaboratively with lawmakers in both chambers and on both sides of the aisle to achieve these important goals for our students and the dedicated teachers, support professionals, and faculty members who work with them every day,” DiMauro said.
Priority education issues for this General Assembly to address include the following:
- Fully funding the Fair School Funding Plan
- Alleviating school staffing shortages
- Ending the expansion of private school voucher programs
- Repealing mandatory student retention under the Third Grade Reading Guarantee
- Supporting student and staff wellbeing
- Protecting the voice of educators by supporting unions and defending collective bargaining rights
More information about each of these legislative priorities can be downloaded here
All in for Ohio Kids responds to Gov. DeWine’s proposed budget
OOC Co-Executive Director Molly Shack, PMO Executive Director Hannah Halbert, OFT President Melissa Cropper, and OEA President Scott DiMauro released the following joint statement:
“No matter where they live or what they look like, all of Ohio’s kids deserve a public school that inspires their creativity, unlocks their potential, and nurtures their dreams. But according to the EdWeek Research Center, Ohio is among the least equitable states for education resource distribution in the country. While we recognize Governor DeWine’s commitment to continuing implementation of the Cupp-Patterson school funding formula, also known as the Fair School Funding Plan, we are calling on Ohio’s lawmakers to take bold action and implement full funding for that plan.
Fully and fairly funding Ohio’s public schools will give school districts a permanent, adequate, stable funding stream that will allow them to make necessary investments to meet the needs of students and address education staffing shortages. Legislators should also avoid competing funding obligations, such as an expansion of private school vouchers or charter schools, that would hinder our ability to fully fund the public schools that 90% of Ohio students attend.
For decades, Ohio policymakers had allowed unconstitutional funding guidelines to determine how resources flow to our public schools. The Fair School Funding Plan created a student-centered school funding formula which put us on the path toward finally meeting our constitutional obligation to Ohio’s students. However, without fully phasing in the necessary funding levels we are still falling short of what our children deserve.
Ohio’s students can’t wait any longer for lawmakers to deliver on the promise of world-class opportunities for all. We urge legislative leaders to finish what they started, refine the components of the school funding formula, and finally dedicate the resources needed for each and every Ohio student to succeed.”
All in for Ohio Kids represents a broad group of concerned organizations and individuals who are working together to fully and fairly fund our schools.
OEA Applauds Governor’s Proposal to Expand Student Wrap-around Services
March 15, 2019 • COLUMBUS — Ohio Education Association President Becky Higgins said she is encouraged by Governor Mike DeWine’s pledge to invest in Ohio’s public schools and to do what it takes to support the students they serve.
“We are particularly pleased with the Governor’s proposal to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in a special fund for schools to form community partnerships to help at-risk students,” said Higgins. “As the Governor noted, educators believe that these so-called wrap-around services are critical to meeting student needs. By acknowledging the need to address student health, trauma and related issues, the Governor has demonstrated that he has listened to Ohio’s educators.”
“We of course need to see the details of the Governor’s budget to evaluate more fully his other proposals”
Higgins added: We are heartened by what he had to say today and we look forward to working with the administration and the legislature to ensure that adequate funds are provided to meet the needs of all K-12 students.”
The Ohio Education Association represents 122,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals in Ohio’s public schools, colleges and universities.
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OEA Applauds Governor’s Proposal to Expand Student Wrap-around Services
March 15, 2019 • COLUMBUS — Ohio Education Association President Becky Higgins said she is encouraged by Governor Mike DeWine’s pledge to invest in Ohio’s public schools and to do what it takes to support the students they serve.
“We are particularly pleased with the Governor’s proposal to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in a special fund for schools to form community partnerships to help at-risk students,” said Higgins. “As the Governor noted, educators believe that these so-called wrap-around services are critical to meeting student needs. By acknowledging the need to address student health, trauma and related issues, the Governor has demonstrated that he has listened to Ohio’s educators.”
“We of course need to see the details of the Governor’s budget to evaluate more fully his other proposals”
Higgins added: We are heartened by what he had to say today and we look forward to working with the administration and the legislature to ensure that adequate funds are provided to meet the needs of all K-12 students.”