Canal Winchester Board Urges Full Funding of Fair School Funding Plan

The Canal Winchester Board of Education has joined school districts across the state to call on Ohio’s legislators to fully fund the Fair School Funding Plan that would address the state’s unconstitutional school funding.
The Canal Winchester Schools Board unanimously approved at a special meeting on Wednesday, May 28, a resolution expressing strong support for the Fair School Funding Plan (FSFP) and opposing certain provisions in the proposed state budget.
Key Points from the Resolution:

• The Fair School Funding Plan was developed to meet Ohio’s constitutional mandate for a thorough and efficient public school system, using research-based methods to ensure adequate and equitable funding across all districts.
• Although the plan was adopted with a six-year phase-in, only about one-third of the needed funding has been provided so far.
• The current state budget proposal threatens the FSFP and would underfund Canal Winchester Schools by over $9.2 million compared to what the plan calls for.
• The Board strongly opposes a proposal in Substitute House Bill 96 that would cap district carryover funds at 30% of prior-year expenses. This provision could destabilize school budgets and impact the district’s ability to fund initiatives like the Indian Trail addition and the upcoming Performing Arts Center without asking taxpayers for additional money.
• The Board calls on the Ohio General Assembly and the Governor to fully fund and update the FSFP, and to consider any property tax proposals separately and with input from education stakeholders.

The resolution urges state leaders to prioritize long-term, predictable, and adequate funding for public education across Ohio.

Click here to learn more about the Board of Education's advocacy for fair school funding.