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Board presses community to contact state lawmakers as district flags voucher expansion and funding shift
Summary
Superintendent Jeff outlined how the governor's proposal and voucher expansion could reduce state school funding and shift costs to local property owners; the board approved sending an informational email to the community and agreed to consider joining an ongoing lawsuit challenging voucher use.
Brecksville-Broadview Heights City Schools Superintendent Jeff (last name not specified) told the board Wednesday that the state biennial budget under development appears to increase funding for private-school vouchers while reducing the net state share of K–12 funding, a change he said would shift a greater tax burden onto local property owners.
“The state budget is under development right now,” Jeff said, adding that the district’s analysis shows the state share of school funding falling and “this will result in a tax increase on our property owners.”
Why it matters: Superintendent Jeff said the proposal would reduce the statewide state contribution and expand vouchers, producing a projected statewide reduction of roughly $103,400,000 to public education in the administration’s proposal. The board discussed the potential effects on local levies and the district’s five‑year forecast, and directed district leaders to inform residents and encourage contact with legislators.
Key details and local data: Jeff presented district-level voucher data showing a rapid rise in families using EdChoice vouchers. He said 297 families used EdChoice in 2024 and 402 in 2025 while the district lost 34 students overall between 2024 and 2025. Jeff argued the numbers show many voucher recipients were already enrolled elsewhere and are now taking state money to attend nonpublic options.
Board action and next steps: The board agreed to distribute a draft community email prepared by the district explaining the funding situation and asking residents to contact state lawmakers. Several board members voiced support during the meeting; one speaker urged, “Fund our schools. Fund our schools.” The board did not vote on litigation Wednesday but instructed the superintendent and district staff to prepare a resolution for consideration at the next meeting on whether to join the long‑running “Vouchers Hurt Ohio” legal challenge. Treasurer Greg (last name not specified) and Superintendent Jeff said the proposed resolution would be revisited annually.
What board members said: Board members voiced varied views but a shared concern about transparency and accountability for voucher dollars. One board member noted that vouchers now can apply to households at much higher income levels than originally intended and that private schools receiving public dollars are not subject to the same reporting and regulatory requirements as public schools.
Context and timing: Jeff walked the board through the legislative timeline: the House budget was expected in early April, Senate hearings in April–May, and a final biennium budget target of June 30. He and board members urged timely outreach to the district’s state legislators, and said the district would host briefings (including a coffee chat) to help residents and staff understand the issues.
Ending: The board directed staff to distribute the prepared communication to households and agreed to place a resolution about joining the voucher lawsuit on the April agenda for formal consideration.
