Middletown board approves $11,500 contribution to Ohio Coalition for Equity amid debate

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — During organizational business on Jan. 12, the Middletown City School District Board of Education voted to contribute $11,500 to the Ohio Coalition for Equity’s fund, a decision that followed extended discussion about the coalition’s purpose and whether the board should fund litigation or advocacy.

Discussion and rationale: Board members debated whether to make a flat contribution or a per-pupil payment. Speaker 8 and others described the contribution as supporting public-education priorities; some members expressed reservations about funding a lawsuit that had not yet reached a final appellate stage. One board member noted that voucher funding has grown substantially and framed the coalition’s work as part of a broader response.

Vote: The motion for the full amount ($11,500) was called and seconded; roll-call votes recorded Yes from Anita Schuibert, Doctor Erso and Missus Baker; No from Mister Moore; and an abstention from Miss Ramsey Hunter. The motion carried.

Context and next steps: Board members said the decision was partly symbolic and partly practical; the funds were described as supplemental to larger coalition resources. The board did not alter the district’s day-to-day budget authority but authorized the contribution within its memberships/resolutions agenda.

What was said: "They're working their way through, and there are also other issues within the equity coalition that I don't agree with," one member said, but added the coalition "is gathering a lot of money" and a district contribution would be a modest share. Another member framed the vote as a way to support public education in the face of rising voucher expenditures.

The board recorded the vote and moved on to remaining organizational items.