From the Statehouse 2007 No. 18
by Jennifer Garrison
Aug. 11, 2007
FROM THE STATEHOUSE – August 10, 2007
As the children head back to school, I want to give you an update on education issues in Ohio addressed in the 2 year budget which was signed into law at the end of June. Whether you are a new parent sending your first child to pre-school or a parent sending your last child off to college, the state’s 2 year budget has made all levels of education more affordable.
Public pre-school received the largest expansion of funding in two decades, ensuring that Ohio children are receiving intellectual stimulation at the most critical stage of their brain’s development. Investing in a child’s education early, makes certain the child is ready for kindergarten. When all children come to kindergarten ready to learn, the entire class will benefit and the child is more likely to be a successful life long learner.
In regard to kindergarten through high school education, Ohio’s budget bill increases the state aid to some southeastern Ohio schools. The Governor adopted in part my proposal to increase parity aid for lower wealth districts. This change and an increase in per-pupil spending, and an increase in poverty aid will help some of the school districts in southeast Ohio.
Schools that did not receive additional state funding have had decreasing enrollment. The state of Ohio funds school districts on a per pupil basis. So, if a school districts enrollment is declining, even though the per pupil funding increases, there may be no overall increase to the district.
This is also a time when many of our young adults are heading off to college. Families with students attending college were not forgotten in this budget.
Over the next two years, public colleges and universities will freeze their undergraduate tuition rates. Over the last several years college tuition has increased an average of 9% a year. The cost of a college education in Ohio was going through the roof. Governor Strickland and the Legislature made it their priority to make a public education in Ohio more affordable.
Additionally, Ohio college students who receive the Ohio College Opportunity Grant will receive twice as much funding support in 2008, and three times as much support in 2009. The budget also set aside $8.5 million in state resources as seed money to help raise over $100 million in matched private scholarships.
Further, $100 million will be set aside for the brand-new “Choose Ohio First Scholarship,” which encourages Ohio students to study science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) or become teachers in those fields. This budget authorizes five new experimental STEM schools to be created for grades 6 through 12, and increases funding for current STEM programs.
The budget bill also created the Ohio Research Scholars program. The Legislature dedicated $50 million in the budget to lure world-class scholars to the state in order to develop high-tech jobs in Ohio.
This budget is the lowest growth spending budget passed in 42 years. The Legislature under the leadership of Governor Strickland accomplished this in a bi-partisan manner. We made good strides in this budget to invest in education and I look forward to continuing the effort over the next year for your families.
You can reach Jennifer Garrison at her Columbus office at 614-644-8728 or in the district at 740-373-2414 or by e-mail at jennifer@jennifergarrison.com. Her website is Riffe Center | 77 South High Street | Columbus Ohio 43215-6111 | (800) 282-0253 | District93@ohr.state.oh.us
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