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Big Walnut board declines OSBA membership after debate over political activity
Summary
The Big Walnut Board considered and ultimately rejected renewing membership in the Ohio School Boards Association and its legal assistance fund. Board members cited concern over political emails and OSBA's perceived lobbying activity. The motion to approve membership failed on a recorded vote.
The Big Walnut Local School District Board debated renewing membership in the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) and the OSBA Legal Assistance Fund during its Jan. 13 meeting. Staff reported the cost as $8,829 for OSBA membership and $250 for the legal assistance fund.
Board member comment during a lengthy discussion cited a Dec. 18, 2024 email from OSBA staff that some members described as political outreach. One board member said: "Our tax dollars should not be used to fund OSBA lobbyists who advocate against parental rights," and described the organization as a 501(c)(4) that had engaged in political outreach in the past. Other members identified benefits to membership, including trainings, access to multiple law firms, and local legislative contacts.
There was a motion to table the matter until a full board could discuss the matter; that motion was later withdrawn. The board then took a recorded vote on approving both OSBA membership and the OSBA Legal Assistance Fund. The motion failed on the board's roll call: members voted "no" and the membership was not authorized.
The failure to authorize membership means the district will not participate in OSBA programs or request support from the OSBA legal fund for matters that the fund might otherwise assist, though the board retains authority to engage private counsel as it did in the meeting by naming multiple law firms for district services.
