Dear CH-UH Community,

Ohio lawmakers voted today to postpone the EdChoice Scholarship Program application start date, moving it from February 1 to April 1. After deliberating for days on various proposals to modify EdChoice, both chambers ultimately decided they need more time to determine the right solution to the school funding issues that EdChoice has caused for our district and many others in the state. It is expected that Governor DeWine will sign Senate Bill 120 into law by the end of today. (UPDATE: Governor DeWine signed the bill into law on Friday evening, January 31.)

SB 120 also sets aside $10 million to help schools cover the costs for first-time voucher students during the 2020-2021 school year. It’s unclear what portion CH-UH would receive of that appropriation. What is clear, however, is that this bill does absolutely nothing to assist us with the nearly $7 million in state funding we have already lost this fiscal year alone due to EdChoice vouchers. It also does nothing to assist with the costs we will incur for future vouchers taken by students currently receiving them.

While we are hopeful that a more comprehensive solution for EdChoice funding is agreed upon in the coming weeks, Issue 26 remains a necessity for our district, primarily due to the financial damage already caused by the state’s unfunded mandates in these vouchers. Watch this video to get the full picture of how the current system drains our district funds. News5 has also published an investigative report on EdChoice, in which I express my thoughts on needed changes. 

Ironically, we are disproportionately affected by EdChoice because of the very attributes that make our community great: our diversity and inclusion. Our community has always offered a vast array of school choice with the many private and religious schools that have made their home in the Heights. But the current funding formula is unsustainable for our public schools, and it must be changed.

We want to thank our state representatives and senators, especially Sen. Sandra Williams and Rep. Janine Boyd, who steadfastly defended our district’s interests in light of this bill.

Thank you for your continued support of our schools, our mission, and most importantly, our students.

Liz Kirby

CH-UH City School District Superintendent