July 14, 2009

How will the Ohio State Budget Bill Affect Ohio Charter Schools?

For those of us like the members of Ohio Charter Partners (OCP) who care deeply about the charter school community in Ohio, this year’s state budget process has been a roller coaster ride. While the future of school choice in Ohio hangs in the balance of government gridlock, leaders in the Ohio House of Representatives and Governor’s office are squaring off against leaders in the Ohio Senate who are fighting to keep charter schools alive.

When both houses of the legislature were unable to produce a state budget bill by their June 30th deadline, based largely on the debate over charter school funding, a temporary state budget was produced while both sides return to their corners and attempt to reach a compromise. Everyone in the state legislature involved in the negotiations is abiding by a voluntary gag rule, so the governor's office and lawmakers are not talking about a potential compromise. However, OCP has learned that a compromise is in the works. Both sides are giving a little to get a little…

It seems that Ohio Senate Republicans may have agreed to allow a House Democrat supported evidence-based model of school funding as long as it was tied to a per-pupil amount. In return, Governor Strickland and House Democrats have agreed to restore most of the charter school funding, particularly to online or e-schools that faced up to 70 percent cuts under the governor's plan.

While Charter schools, and traditional public schools, would see as much as a 1 percent to 2 percent funding reduction in the next two years, but Charter schools in Ohio would live to fight another day. All indications are that the Governor’s Budget cuts will reduce the amount of funding your school will receive over the next two years. Now is the time to review your school’s budget and develop effective strategies for recruiting and retaining students. OCP can help…

With our low-cost student recruitment and marketing services Ohio Charter Partners can add to your schools’ student enrollment so you can replace the hole in your budget caused by state cutbacks. Let Ohio Charter Partners help you so your school can concentrate on educating your students, and not just on paying the bills.

June 29, 2009

The Ohio Senate has made dramatic improvements to the state’s biennial budget bill (H.B. 1), restoring funding for the education of public charter school students. While this marks an encouraging step forward in the process, it’s far too soon to declare victory in the ongoing debate.

As the budget process continues, Gov. Ted Strickland and charter school critics in the House Majority are likely to maintain their misguided view that charter schools can survive at dramatically reduced funding levels as previously proposed in their versions of the bill.

Please contact key members of the Senate and House to share your support for charter schools -- Ohio’s charter school students are counting on you to speak up on their behalf. Click here.

March 15, 2009

Ohio’s Governor has made it no secret that he is not a supporter of Charter schools. In this biennium state budget the Governor produced language to cut charter school funding for the 2009-2010 school year by more than 40% from the current funding level.