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Teachers, unions and residents urge action as speakers warn of federal and state education funding cuts
Summary
At the board’s hearing of the public, teachers, union leaders and community members urged the board and community to oppose federal proposals to abolish or cut the U.S. Department of Education and warned of state budget measures redirecting funds to vouchers and charter schools. Speakers promoted a national day of action and local events.
Dozens of speakers at Cincinnati Public Schools’ March 3 hearing of the public urged the district and community to resist proposed federal and state cuts to public education and promoted a national day of action on March 4.
Public commentators included classroom teachers, union officers, district staff and community leaders who described multiple threats: a reported federal plan to reduce or eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, proposed state budget shifts that increase private‑school vouchers and charter funding while reducing state formula aid to public districts, and related proposed changes to how the State Board of Education is governed. Many speakers linked those policy moves to potential reductions in Title I and IDEA funding, Medicaid supports, and services for students with disabilities.
Renee Avia, a classroom educator, told the board she opposed Ohio Senate Bill 1 and called it “an attack on local control” that would move power to appointive officials in Columbus. Dr. Winona Oliver, special‑education liaison, warned of cuts she said would hit special education, breakfast and lunch programs, preschool intervention and mental‑health services. Several speakers urged the board to join parents, teachers and unions in a March 4 “clap‑in” and press conference calling for action; President Sellers of the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers announced the district‑wide event and urged attendance.
Speakers from labor organizations and union locals—Cincinnati Federation of Teachers, Cincinnati Federation of Teachers leadership, Cincinnati AFL‑CIO, ASME Local 232 and others—emphasized the impact of cuts on staffing, classroom size and student services and urged parents and residents to contact legislators. Clayton Adams, a CPS teacher, urged the board to “fight back” against privatization and to partner with labor; Ryan Shear, vice president of CFT, referenced historic statements in defense of public education and asked citizens to contact legislators. Multiple speakers, including Nancy Sullivan and Brad Smith, cited Ohio funding history and the DeRolf case while warning public dollars were being redirected toward vouchers.
Speakers described local examples of potential harm: reductions in tutors, counselors, early‑learning supports, and specialized services for students with disabilities, and increased pressure on local property taxpayers. Several speakers asked the board to pass resolutions, mobilize the community and help support the March 4 events. The board received the comments; no board vote followed the public comment period.
