We live in a time where there are unprecedented attacks on public education from extreme politicians and special interest groups in Columbus and Washington, D.C.
It’s no secret that the nominee for the Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, and the Trump Administration are seeking to dissolve the Department of Education. This unprecedented act will gut billions in federal public education funding for lower-income students in rural, suburban, and urban areas and students with disabilities.
And in Ohio, stable and adequate funding for our schools is also at risk. Leaders in the Ohio General Assembly have signaled that they do not intend to fully update and phase in the Fair School Funding Plan (FSFP). In fact, in the current proposed budget (Ohio House Bill 96), their plan will cut public school funding in Ohio by over $100 million while increasing funding to unaccountable private school vouchers and shifting the responsibility to funding our schools to local communities.
Both federal and state cuts to public education funding will devastate our students, potentially increasing class sizes, ending critically essential programs, and forcing districts to cut staff.
OEA asks that members wear “Red for Ed” and share their pictures on social media on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, during the national Protect our Kids Day of Action. On this day, we will stand with educators, parents, community members, and allies across Ohio and the country to oppose education funding cuts at the federal and state levels.
As a reminder, we are asking members to:
- Gather before school on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in a statewide “Red for Ed” day in conjunction with the Protect our Kids Day of Action.
- We ask that you please take group photos with your colleagues and post them to your social media using the hashtags:
- For Facebook and X: #ProtectOurKids and #ProtectOurKidsOH
- For Instagram: #ProtectOurKids and #ProtectOurKidsOH
- Take OEA’s pledge to protect our students and schools!