Highlights
Another Ohio School District Joins EdChoice Lawsuit, Despite Lt. Gov.’s Attempt to Dissuade
Source: https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/
The Upper Arlington City Schools Board of Education decided to join a lawsuit against Ohio’s EdChoice private school voucher program, despite opposition from Lt. Gov. Jon Husted. Husted argued that the case had already been settled by previous court decisions and joining the lawsuit would be a waste of money.
Key Highlight:
- The lawsuit, filed by public school advocates, aims to eliminate the private school voucher program in Ohio, claiming it creates an unequal education system that violates the state constitution. Husted cited previous court cases, including a 2002 U.S. Supreme Court decision and a 1999 Ohio Supreme Court case, to support the program’s legality.
- The Upper Arlington Board of Education was split on the decision, with three members supporting the lawsuit to protect taxpayer dollars and two opposing it due to concerns about time and money.
- Supporters of the lawsuit argue that the voucher program threatens the state’s ability to fully fund public schools, while opponents believe there are better ways to address funding distribution. Data shows that less than 8% of Upper Arlington’s 2024 EdChoice voucher recipients are considered low-income, and only 17% statewide.
- Ohio Value Voters, a conservative advocacy group, supports the voucher program and shared Husted’s letter publicly.
- Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has filed a motion for summary judgment to dismiss the case, arguing that the challengers haven’t shown any constitutional violation and that the state supreme court has already upheld vouchers and school choice principles.
- The debate involves various stakeholders, including conservative advocacy groups supporting the voucher program and coalitions opposing it, highlighting the complex and contentious nature of the issue in Ohio’s education system.
- Vouchers Hurt Ohio, a coalition supporting the lawsuit, calls Husted’s information “misleading and wrong” and is prepared for a trial on November 4. The case is set to be heard in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, with Judge Jaiza Page presiding.
Image source: https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/
