BBH Board signals support for fair school funding, moves to prepare resolution joining challenge to voucher expansion

The Brecksville-Broadview Heights City School District Board on March 19 heard a detailed presentation about the proposed state budget and the Fair School Funding Plan that emphasized concerns about using outdated FY2022 base costs. The presentation said Ohio ranks 35th in state-level school funding and warned that relying on FY2022 base costs could shift additional costs to local taxpayers.

The presentation also highlighted an increase in voucher use within the district and supplied local numbers: "402 EdChoice vouchers vs. 27 low-income vouchers in FY25," which the district said indicates the expansion primarily subsidizes families already choosing private options rather than helping students exit failing public schools. Superintendent Jeffrey D. Harrison led the communications urging community engagement and recommended the board prepare a resolution to join a legal challenge to the voucher expansion.

Board members reached a consensus to prepare a resolution for the next meeting to join the "Vouchers Hurt Ohio" lawsuit, with the plan to review participation annually. The board also approved sending a community communication encouraging residents to contact state legislators and urging full phase-in of the Fair School Funding Plan with updated 2024 base costs.

Superintendent Jeffrey D. Harrison's written message to the community framed the request as a call to action: "We implore you to join the Board of Education and administrative team in contacting our state representatives and encouraging them to fully phase-in the Fair School Funding Plan with updated base costs." The board said the intent is to seek accountability and fair funding, not to oppose school choice generally.