| The OEA Wellness Cadre has created another year of opportunities to connect, collaborate, and celebrate with fellow educators. Attend the last virtual event designed to ignite your creativity and inspire your soul.
The next session is EOY Let it Go Party on May 27, 2026 from 6:00pm -7:00pm. |
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER |
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You may have seen people collecting signatures to eliminate property taxes in Ohio. Before you sign — or before someone you know does — it’s important to understand what is really at stake for public education.
The petition, called AxOHTax, would permanently ban property taxes in Ohio if it passes. While it’s being promoted as tax relief, the impact on schools and communities would be severe.
Property taxes are the largest source of local school funding in Ohio. In FY 2024, Ohio’s 611 public school districts collected approximately $13 billion in property taxes statewide, often more than 60% of local operating revenue for some school districts. This funding pays for teachers, support staff, classroom supplies, building operations, and student programs. Eliminating that revenue with no credible replacement plan would be devastating.
This threat comes as the state continues to shrink its share of school funding. Since 1997 — the same year the Ohio Supreme Court ruled the state’s school funding system unconstitutional — the state has dropped its contribution from about 44% to 37%, with proposals to cut it even further. Over that same period, statewide property tax collections have more than doubled, from roughly $9.7 billion to $22.6 billion, and local communities have had to rely heavily on property taxes to fill the gap; the state left behind.
AxOHTax would eliminate the revenue source Ohio’s communities have been forced to depend on — without any plan for what comes next. The result would not be tax relief–it would larger class sizes, staff cuts, school closures, and fewer programs for Ohio’s students.
Property taxes also fund libraries, fire and EMS services, counties, and townships. Eliminating them would cost approximately $24 billion annually in lost revenue, nearly equal to Ohio’s entire General Revenue Fund. There is no realistic way for the state to replace that funding.
What you can do:
Our students, schools, and communities are worth protecting. Thank you for standing with us to Protect Ohio Schools.
NEOEA-R-Mar2026 Newsletter (PDF 1.33 MB 2 Pages )
The Ohio Educator of the Year will be recognized on the court during the pregame and several educators will have the opportunity to hold the Big Flag during the National Anthem.
Every educator that purchases a ticket will receive a Cavs/Ohio Educator Co-Branded Hat.
Other games included for discount for educators are:
Sunday, Match 8th vs Boston Celtics
Sunday, March 15th vs Dallas Mavericks.
Come out and support Ohio Educators and cheer on our Cleveland Cavaliers. Limited time offer – secure your seats now
A retirement system for public employees in the state of Ohio.
Join us for an online presentation on Zoom to learn more about how SERS works for
you to help you prepare for retirement.
SPEAKER: Cameron Vaughan, Member Education Coordinator, School Employees Retirement System (SERS) of Ohio
DATE: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
TIME: 5pm
WHERE: Online, you can join on your phone or your computer
Register at https://tinyurl.com/y2ct22a8
All OEA members are welcomed to attend.
OEA-R SERS webinar flyer_Jan 2026
Sponsored by OEA-Retired https://oea-r.ohea.us
Kick off Read Across America, led by naturalist and educator Aaron Campbell, with an inspiring and interactive session that connects reading, curiosity, and care for our planet! Join us for “Save Our Earth —It’s Up to Us! Be a Nature Nerd”, a lively presentation that encourages students and educators to explore the natural world, ask big questions, and take small actions that make a real difference.
This session blends storytelling, science, and real-world experiences to spark environmental awareness and a love of learning.
On Wednesday, October 29, 2025, OEA testified in opposition to House Bill 473, sponsored by Representative David Thomas (R-Jefferson). The bill would prohibit public employers from paying any portion of an employee’s pension contribution to a state retirement system. You can read OEA’s opposition testimony to HB 473 here.
HB 473 is an attack on the collective bargaining rights of Ohio’s public employees. A prohibition on this type of compensation narrows the scope of bargaining and creates needless disruption for locals who have bargained a pension pickup. This would lead to labor disputes. OEA was joined in opposition by other labor allies such as the Ohio Federation of Teachers, the Ohio Association of Professional Firefighters, and the Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio.
Another argument against the bill is that it would increase costs to taxpayers just to pay an employee the same effective pay rate. If pension pickups are no longer permissible, salaries would need to increase to avoid a de facto pay cut. However, increased salaries also increase other costs to the public employer (employer pension contributions, Medicare taxes, and other salary-based payments).
Urge your state representative to oppose House Bill 473 and reflect how this issue affects you and your school district.
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American Education Week, is about celebrating educators like you—and also about fighting for the excellent public education system that our students deserve. That we deserve. Together, we can and will do both.
Thank you for all that you do every day.
In solidarity,
Becky Pringle, President
National Education Association
