Public Forums in Ohio Demonstrate Urgent Need for Action

Over 1200 people attended public forums sponsored by the Ohio Fair Schools Campaign with the support of Ohio ACORN in April and May of 2004. These hearings were organized as a way to allow the public to express their concerns to the Governor's Blue Ribbon Task Force, formed to address the need for school funding reforms in Ohio. Ohio Fair Schools had asked the Task Force to hold public hearings to garner public input, and, when the Commission refused, decided to organize a series of hearings itself. Ohio Fair Schools then invited Task Force members to attend the hearing, and several did attend.

Parents, teachers, students, community members, school board members and numerous others testified about the condition of Ohio's public schools. The forums were very well attended; occasionally, there was not sufficient time for all concerned citizens to express their frustration with the lack of funding support for Ohio's schools. Those that did testify expressed their concern with among other things:

Losses of teachers and other staff
Class size
Funding cuts
Unfunded mandates ("No Child Left Behind" Act)
Unnecessary complications in the school funding formula
Cuts to arts and sports programs

The Ohio Fair Schools Campaign is a coalition of rural, urban and suburban organizations that advocate quality educational opportunities for all children in Ohio, regardless of race or background.

Prepared June 30, 2004