Dear Editor:

Make it make sense. In a stressful time when school districts struggle to meet budgetary needs, while consistently losing funds from Ohio and federal government funding, Ohio lawmakers propose extending the academic school year without an increase in funding.

Lawmakers will say it is to catch up on student performance losses due to Covid. However, if there is true concern, why dismantle crucial services designed to meet the educational needs for students with disabilities? Do they really care? Make it make sense?

Once again, Southwest Ohio school districts face challenges in providing services, teachers, counselors and staff due to inadequate government funding. Administrators and school community stakeholders must make budget cuts as academic demands on students increase, despite shrinking budgets.

Lawmakers say dismantle the Department of Education along with crucial federal funding. This is not the solution. Certainly, all children in all states and territories should have access to [high]quality education. However, these efforts could result in differences in educational quality between states. Make it make sense.

State and federal tax dollars should be allocated to provide all children with quality educational experiences. It’s hard to believe that these same lawmakers care when they support requiring public school students to register for the armed services, but do not require the same for students attending private schools. Say it with me, “Make it make sense.”

Please engage with your local government representatives. Advocate for our youth by holding government officials accountable. It’s time for a local town hall meeting to address lawmakers on how they can better support our schools. We demand that our children be given priority. Let’s hold their feet to the fire.

Charlene Cleveland
A former teacher and principal

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