Ohio Budget’s School Funding Plan Benefits Suburban Districts
A proposal in the Ohio Senate’s state budget is drawing criticism for favoring wealthier school districts by awarding additional funding to those deemed “high-performing.” These districts, which tend to be located in suburban areas, often already have more resources and higher-income families.
The Senate’s draft budget includes about $100 million more for public schools than the House version, but this increase is targeted only at districts that have earned four or five stars on the state’s report card system, ratings largely based on standardized test scores.
Senate Finance Chair Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland) defended the proposal, saying the funding boost is meant to reward districts that have shown significant academic progress or achieved top ratings. “This was a necessary addition to the funding formula as we move forward and as we expect more and more out of our school districts,” Cirino said.
However, education advocates argue the plan deepens existing disparities in Ohio’s school funding. Scott DiMauro, president of the Ohio Education Association, warns that the approach pits public schools against one another and diverts funds away from districts that need them most.
“Rather than taking some money from an already underfunded system and reallocating it to districts that are already doing well and primarily serve higher-income students,” he said, “why don’t we instead make sure that we are fully funding the formula and directing resources where they’re needed the most?”
Data from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce shows that of the 68 school districts that received a five-star rating, 56 are in suburban areas, 25 are rural, and only one, Steubenville City Schools, could be considered a mix of suburban and urban.
One prominent example is Orange City Schools, which serves parts of Cuyahoga County with median household incomes exceeding $200,000 and just passed a new school levy in May.
Meanwhile, districts serving Ohio’s largest cities, including Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati, all fall below the four-star threshold and would not benefit from the proposed increase. These districts, like many others across the state, continue to face significant financial challenges, especially as costs rise and enrollment fluctuates.
The budget proposal will continue to be debated in the coming weeks, with the Ohio Senate and House needing to reach a final agreement by the end of June.
Until then, the question remains whether Ohio will prioritize equity in education funding or continue a system that some say rewards advantage and punishes need.
