GOP bill would extend vouchers to all Ohio schoolchildren
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio parents dissatisfied with their children’s public school education could opt into a program allowing them to use state dollars to send their children to private schools or to take advantage of other educational expenses, under a GOP-backed bill in the House.
The legislation, known as “backpack” funding because money follows children no matter what school they attend, is a kids first approach to education, bill sponsor Rep. Riordan McClain, a Republican from Upper Sandusky, told the House Finance Committee Tuesday.
The legislation is not anti-public school, added bill co-sponsor Rep. Marilyn John, a Shelby Republican. “It is a pro-child, pro-parent, pro-family bill which empowers parents and families to make a choice that is in the best interest of their child,” John testified.
The program would be optional, but parents who choose it would have $5,500 in state funding per K-8 student and $7,500 per 9-12 student placed in an educational savings account managed by the state Treasurer’s Office.
Judge finds New York City in contempt over jail conditions, moves closer to a federal takeover
New York City generates 44 million pounds of garbage a day. The city has a plan to contain the mess
Rats feast on New York’s City's bagged garbage. Can putting it in bins end the smorgasbord?
Harvey Weinstein files legal claim alleging lack of medical care and hygiene at Rikers Island jail
Debate over the bill comes months after the Legislature approved a new school-funding plan years in the making meant to bring more reliability to annual school funding payments to districts. It also follows a January lawsuit saying the existing voucher program is creating an unconstitutional system of separately funded private education.
Democrats say the backpack bill harms already challenged public schools and question how it would align with the new school-funding plan.