Ever since the DeRolph vs State of Ohio supreme court case almost 20 years ago, critics have been asking Ohio to even out the funding between rich and poor school districts. The court ruled that the state should reduce the disparity. At his budget announcement Monday Governor Kasich gave some support to that notion, saying the wealthier districts should see some cuts in state funding so poor districts can get extra help.
The Republican also called for more funding for high quality preschool proposing an extra $40 million that would provide access to 6000 more low income pupils for a total number of 17 thousand in the state.
Kasich also called for limiting college tuition hikes next year to 2% and allowing no increases for 2017. He says college costs have risen too fast and he warned school presidents that “costs savings are coming.”
“You’re going to do things like separate your non-academic assets. If you own parking garages or golf courses or whatever you’re going to have to look at it. You’re going to have to figure out exactly what you’re going to want to do to keep your costs down. Because we’re not driving anymore of these increases around here. It’s time for you to stand up and manage your operation.” :21
The governor also promised to crack down on bad charter schools saying the state will use strict criteria to approve new charter sponsors and ban those who have been doing a bad job.