Resolution

1.    Whereas, the deduction of funds from the School District by the Ohio Department of Education and payment of those funds to private schools (Educational  Choice, voucher funds) diminishes the amount of funding and the levels of educational opportunity for the education of the pupils in the district and

2.    Whereas, the deduction of school voucher funds from the School District further reduces the funding available to support the additional needs of district minority pupils, pupils in poverty and pupils with disabilities, and,

3.    Whereas, the deduction of school voucher funds from the School District can result in the involuntary transfer of district local tax revenue, approved by the voters of the District for the support of the District’s operating expenses, to private religious schools for the support of those schools’ programs in violation of the rights of the District taxpayers, and,

4.    Whereas, the deduction of school voucher funds from the School District increases reliance on local tax revenue to maintain school operations in violation of the Ohio Constitution and clear directives of the Oho Supreme Court.

Section 1.  Now, Therefore, The Board of Education finds and determines that the deduction of school voucher funds from the School District is harmful to the district, its pupils, taxpayers voters and staff. 

Section 2. The Board of Education authorizes and directs the School District’s joinder of the Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding (Coalition) and directs the District Treasurer to pay Coalition dues as set forth in Section 3.

Section 3.  Coalition dues for the 2021 school year are the sum of $2.00 per district pupil (enrollment listed on most recent report card), except that for ESC boards of education the dues shall be the sum of $.15 cents per pupil (ADM as of October 2019) or $3,000, whichever is less.  Dues shall be allocated by the Coalition as follows: 1) $.50 per pupil shall be initially allocated to the payment of Coalition operating expenses, and,  2) $1.50 per pupil shall be allocated to the support of the Coalitions efforts in opposition to the deduction of school voucher funds from this, and other school districts.  Coalition dues are payable upon passage of this resolution.