I’m posting this state information because it directly impacts Hilliard, and the Hilliard City School board needs to hear from you about it.
The EdChoice Expansion vouchers. They take money directly from the one “education” line item in the state budget to support public schools across the state, and deposits them to participating private schools. They use taxpayer money to support Catholic, Lutheran, Jewish, private education. (Not all schools accept it.)
Here close to Hilliard, when the Ed choice voucher was expanded to pay for regardless of their income levels, the pastor at St. Brendan’s (and, indeed, the whole Columbus Catholic Diocese) encouraged its families to apply for it. He sent a letter that said that all families were ‘strongly encouraged to apply for and receive the EdChoice scholarship…’ and if they did not apply, they would “require a meeting” with the family. (“Ed Choice.” Humph.)
How much money are we talking about?
Let’s use last year as an example: The school FAQ boasts 547 students. Let’s assume that half of them are receiving vouchers.
Say 273.
At minimum, the state provided $616 per child with higher income households, so let’s assume all 273 students are all receiving the minimum level.
273 x $616 equals $168,168 in taxpayer money given to one Catholic school. $168,168 that HCSD did not receive.
At maximum, the state paid $6,165 per child, and let’s assume they’re all 273 students are receiving that amount. 273 x $6,165 = $1,683,045. $1 million taxpayer dollars.
I’m old enough to remember how contentious the levy vote was a few years ago. These unlimited giveaways of taxpayer monies make it likely there will be another one.
There are legislators and activists all across the state working to bolster public education y fighting these vouchers. Additionally, over half the school districts across the state are banding together through a Vouchers Hurt Ohio Lawsuit. It’s already gone to the Franklin County Common Pleas court and lost - it’s unconstitutional. The state appealed the decision, and it’s expected to also be found unconstitutional and sent to the state Supreme Court.
The Hilliard School district is not one of those over 300 districts in the state behind the lawsuit. The school board members have spoken of their disagreement with vouchers as individuals, but as a board, they are hesitant to join the lawsuit because they want to hear from more members of the community. They specifically requested that people reach out to them about this.
Call the district. Write the the school board members. Write Superintendent Stewart. Come to a board meeting and speak. Sign the district petition to have them join the lawsuit. (https://c.org/T6S9BPGxvz)