School administrators are looking through the latest estimates from a new school funding formula proposal. While many lawmakers and some larger education groups, such as the Ohio Association of School Business Officials, have come out in support of the plan, there are individual school districts that are still not on board.
The Cupp-Patterson school funding formula, HB305, proposes an increase of more than $600 million in extra money to schools. Supporters say the plan, sponsored by Rep. Bob Cupp (R-Lima) and Rep. John Patterson (D-Jefferson), gets closer to figuring out how much it costs to educate a child.
But Eric Resnick, vice president of the Canton City School board, says there are variables that adversely impact low-income districts, such as basing funding off attendance which can vary more for an urban student than a suburban student.
“This formula is very, very dependent on average daily attendance, so if you have any slippage on that, you’re not going to get what those numbers tell you that you’re gonna get,” says Resnick.
The legislature is expected to hold hearings on the bill later this year.
About two-thirds of the Ohio House have signed on as co-sponsors of the bill. House Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) has said this will be a priority for the chamber after they pass a two-year budget. The state is currently operating off a temporary budget plan that ends July 17.
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