Advocate Piet van Lier Sounds Alarm on Ohio School Closures and Children’s Safety
Ohio’s public schools are facing a critical moment, with funding shortfalls, widespread school closures, and the rapid expansion of private school vouchers threatening the ability of schools to safeguard every child’s right to a quality education.
According to Piet van Lier, a parent and education advocate, these policy choices have shifted resources away from schools that serve the majority of Ohio’s children, particularly those from historically marginalized communities. The underfunding of public education not only limits learning opportunities but also undermines the safe, stable environments that children need to thrive.
The Strong Ohio Schools initiative, led by Honesty for Ohio Education, aims to address these inequities by engaging communities in shaping a shared vision for public education. The project emphasizes listening to families, educators, and students themselves through surveys and youth consultations, ensuring that children’s needs and rights are at the center of decision-making.
From a child protection perspective, this approach recognizes that schools are not just centers for academic learning, they are vital spaces where children’s safety, wellbeing, and development are supported. Adequate funding, inclusive policies, and community engagement are all critical to maintaining these protective environments.
Van Lier highlights that longstanding disparities tied to race, class, gender, and geography persist in Ohio schools, and without deliberate action, these inequities continue to compromise children’s ability to access safe, high-quality learning.
By prioritizing the voices of those most affected, Strong Ohio Schools seeks to safeguard children’s rights to education, safety, and equal opportunity. Ensuring stable, well-resourced schools is not just an investment in learning, it is a fundamental commitment to protecting every child’s future.
