Community activist warns Toledo board of 'school-to-prison pipeline' and federal threats to public education

During public comment at the Toledo Board of Education’s June 25 meeting, community activist Jomaine Ivy urged the board to address school discipline and broader political challenges she said threaten public education.

“I think the Board of Education has a serious threat against it from the federal level,” Ivy said, warning that statements from national political figures and proposed policies could lead to defunding or further attacks on public schooling. Ivy framed her remarks within research she described as related to the school-to-prison pipeline; she told the board that, "According to doctor Kumar at the University of Toledo, 80% of the teachers who are in, marginalized and disenfranchised schools are taught by white teachers," which she said bears on discipline outcomes.

Board members later echoed concerns about vouchers and attacks on public education at state and federal levels, with members urging community engagement and encouraging residents to contact state representatives. One board member identified a recent Akron school board decision to join a lawsuit over vouchers as part of an ongoing statewide debate.

Why it matters: Public comment raised issues that intersect with district discipline practices, teacher demographics and statewide litigation over vouchers—matters that can affect policy choices, community relations and district priorities.

What the record shows: Ivy attributed the statistic to a University of Toledo researcher named in her remarks; the transcript does not include a citation or an on-the-record board reply that verified the cited statistic. The board did not take policy action at the meeting; members discussed outreach and legal developments in general terms.

The meeting proceeded to routine business after public comment.