Public Funds to Privately Operated Charters Hiked 120 Percent to $2.2M;
With 44.5% of Charters Failing Last Year, Budget Means $1M Giveaway
Your Neighborhood School Gets Sliced by More Than 16 Percent Over 2 Years
Statement by Ohio Federation of Teachers President Sue Taylor:
"The future of this state is in great jeopardy when those who should be focused on helping all Ohioans by creating jobs and improving education are instead enraptured with rewarding political loyalty.
Governor Kasich's plan to increase public dollars to failing charter schools is reckless and irresponsible. He plans to increase charter funding by 120 percent ($2.2M), while he slashes money for your neighborhood school by more than 16 percent over the biennium.
Last year, 44.5 percent of charter schools earned failed ratings in state report cards; 44.5 percent of the inflated $2.2M earmark is $979,000. Why increase funding to failed charters? This plan rewards people whose campaign contributions helped elect Kasich and Taylor - while dismantling public schools and harming children and their families.
Governor Kasich intends to continue this trend of political rewards by creating charter universities.
Doubling the number of vouchers so that more public dollars will pay for private school tuition is wrong.
The vast majority of Ohio's school-age children attend public schools. Increasing funding for vouchers and charters leaves public school students with fewer resources for their education.
Governor Kasich's comments about an outcome-based approach is hollow when it comes to funding charter schools and vouchers. Expanding charter schools increases Kasich campaign contributor profits at the expense of children
Governor Kasich's duty is to support all citizens of this state. However, his budget plan simply outlines how he will return political favors. At a time when we must continue our forward momentum toward a recovering state economy Governor Kasich plans to revert Ohio back to failed policies of the past.
Ohio families need investments to be made that will create jobs and restart the local economy, improve your neighborhood school, and strengthen communities.
