In an Unprecedented Move, Ohio is Funding the Construction of Private Religious Schools

Ohio is taking the unprecedented step of providing taxpayer money directly to private, mainly Catholic, religious schools for building and renovation projects. A recently passed bill allocates millions in grants for improvements like new classrooms and playgrounds. According to Matt Huffman, the bill’s main architect, the aim is to expand private school capacity to accommodate more students using school vouchers.

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Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman highlighted that addressing capacity issues is crucial for expanding voucher programs. While federal funds have previously supported private K-12 schools after events like Hurricane Katrina and the COVID-19 pandemic, experts note that Ohio’s direct allocation of taxpayer money to religious schools for expansion is a significant departure from typical funding practices.
Experts are warning that Ohio’s decision to use taxpayer funds for building new voucher schools represents a significant shift in education funding, with potential risks. Josh Cowen from the Education Law Center noted that churches have historically relied on private donations for school construction, but this marks the first time public money is being used explicitly for this purpose.
David Pepper, a former Ohio Democratic Party chairman, emphasized that while courts have previously allowed voucher programs under the premise of parental choice, Ohio’s actions directly fund a religious education system. He cautioned that if this goes unnoticed, other states may follow suit.
The Ohio Constitution mandates that the General Assembly provide a thorough public education system without granting exclusive rights to any religious group over school funds. However, Troy McIntosh of the Ohio Christian Education Network stated that public dollars are now being used to expand private Christian schools to ensure those options are available to families.
Ohio’s voucher program, initially limited to underfunded public school students in Cleveland in the 1990s, has gradually expanded to include all families, culminating in the recent statewide extension of the EdChoice program. This victory for school-choice advocates faces challenges, as many parents, especially in rural areas, struggle to utilize these vouchers due to a lack of nearby private school options or existing capacity limits.
The expansion of Ohio’s voucher program has become a political issue, particularly among rural conservatives who are frustrated that taxpayer dollars are funding vouchers for families in urban areas with more private school options. The Buckeye Institute, a conservative think tank, acknowledged the need for more classroom space and recommended using state funds for private school construction.
Consequently, Ohio lawmakers allocated at least $4 million in grants to private schools, primarily Catholic institutions, within a larger budget bill, with little debate due to the size of budget bills and Republican supermajorities. Although this amount may seem small, advocates like William L. Phillis warn that it could set a precedent for significantly larger funding in the future, potentially leading to hundreds of millions allocated for private school construction.

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