OH educators welcome vetoes to state budget, call for funding reform

By Farah Siddiqi

Ohio educators said Gov. Mike DeWine’s decision to veto more than 60 provisions in the new state budget is a win for public schools but does not go far enough.

Jake Streeter, executive director of Cleveland Freedom Schools of Ohio, said his organization works closely with schools across northeast Ohio, where funding gaps are still hurting students and programs.

"It not only impacts them but it impacts a lot of the programming that we have, which means ultimately it impacts the scholars," Streeter explained. "We want to make sure that the education that these scholars have access to is a quality education and not just something that's offered to students whose parents are of a more affluent background."

DeWine used his line-item veto to remove a total of 67 provisions from the state budget bill, including a 40% cap on school district carryover funds and a partisan label requirement for school board candidates. He also blocked a provision to expand private school vouchers.

Some Freedom School students are now advocating directly at the Ohio Statehouse. Streeter said more than 250 students from across Ohio will travel to Columbus on July 23 for a National Day of Social Action to encourage lawmakers to support education across the state.

"We're talking about public education. It's a public good," Streeter emphasized. "We have conversations with the scholars about how they feel about public education. Do they think it should be a right? Do they think every child should have access to a high-quality education?"

Ohio lawmakers have signaled they may revisit property tax reform and public school funding in upcoming legislative sessions. Meanwhile, students and educators continue pushing for long-term investments designed to go beyond budget cycles.