District leaders advocate for state public school funding at community forum
As state leaders debate how to structure Ohio's biennial budget, Talawanda administrators are calling on locals to advocate for funding of public schools.
Roughly 50 people turned out Monday for a community forum to learn about school funding at Talawanda High School.
The event, co-hosted by the Talawanda School District and the Oxford League of Women Voters, focused on Ohio’s state budget process and how legislators’ biennial budget this year may impact public schools. The state must pass its two-year budget by June 30, and some Republican representatives have suggested significant cuts to public K-12 educational funding.
Governor Mike DeWine made his budget proposal in early February, and the Ohio House is currently working on its version of the budget. Under DeWine’s proposal, Talawanda Treasurer Shaunna Tafelski said the district could lose $332,000 in the next two years.
Several other bills currently being debated in state government could also impact Talawanda’s funding. House Bill 96, the house’s appropriations bill, would require the district to offer its buildings that aren’t used for at least 60% instructional purposes to community schools and charter schools. That would include the Nelson Morrow Building and the board office at 131 W. Church St.
Senate Bill 66, sponsored by area State Senator George Lang, would change the way property tax floors are calculated to incorporate school district income taxes, which Talawanda collects. If that bill passes as-is, Talawanda could lose $3.4 million per year. Senate Bill 116 would also reduce the benefits school districts get if pipelines run through their boundaries. The Rockies Pipeline Express passes through the Talawanda School District.
If all pending legislation and DeWine’s budget proposal passes, Tafelski said, Talawanda would be looking at a loss of $3.9 million per year.
Superintendent Ed Theroux spoke at the meeting about how to advocate for public schools when reaching out to state lawmakers. He advised attendees to call legislators’ offices or testify in person rather than just emailing, and to highlight the unique challenges facing Talawanda as one of the largest geographic school districts in the state. Talawanda also receives the least state funding as a percentage of its budget, Theroux said.
“It takes all of us,” Theroux said. “We elect our officials … Personal stories have a huge impact.”
The forum was recorded and posted to the Talawanda YouTube channel, including Tafelski’s breakdown of how state education funding allocations are determined.
