Cincinnati Public Schools faces $10M state aid cut in upcoming budget changes

The Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) Board Business Meeting held on February 24, 2025, focused on critical budgetary issues and program expansions aimed at addressing the needs of students, particularly those experiencing homelessness. The meeting underscored the urgency of expanding the Rapid Access Program (RAP) to better serve this vulnerable population, which was identified as a top priority by board members.

In addition to RAP, the board discussed the expansion of career and technical education programs, which were also deemed high priority. Conversely, the expansion of Montessori programs was classified as a lower priority, reflecting a strategic focus on immediate needs over broader educational options.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to updates on the governor's budget bill, which is currently under review. The timeline for the budget process was outlined, with the governor's proposal submitted on February 1 and expected to be finalized by July 1. The board highlighted concerns regarding the funding formula, particularly the base cost factor, which remains tied to 2022 levels despite rising costs in urban districts like CPS. This discrepancy has resulted in a substantial funding gap, with CPS facing a shortfall of approximately $179 million for teacher salaries alone.

The board also raised alarms about potential changes to how economically disadvantaged students are categorized, which could impact funding. Currently, CPS has a higher percentage of economically disadvantaged students compared to the state average, but proposed changes could alter this status, leading to uncertain financial implications.

Further complicating the budget landscape, the board noted that the proposed budget bill includes new restrictions on how certain funds must be spent, particularly regarding literacy programs. Additionally, the rollback of funding guarantees for districts experiencing enrollment declines could result in a loss of $4.8 million for CPS in the upcoming fiscal year.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the pressing financial challenges facing Cincinnati Public Schools and the need for advocacy to ensure adequate funding and support for its diverse student population. The board plans to continue monitoring the budget developments closely and will seek to address these issues in future discussions.