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Ohio House set to vote on budget

Charter schools face big cuts, as do STEM programs having strong GOP support.

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By Laura A. Bischoff, Staff Writer 11:47 PM Tuesday, April 28, 2009

The Ohio House is expected to vote today, April 29, on a two-year, $53.9 billion state operating budget that revamps school funding over 10 years, makes use of billions of dollars in federal stimulus money, and raises fees but keeps a lid on taxes.

The latest version of the budget plan is the handiwork of Gov. Ted Strickland and his fellow Democrats in the House. The House Finance Committee, which wrapped up its work at 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, accepted only one of about 45 amendments proposed by the GOP.

The cornerstone of the bill, which now runs 4,086 pages, is a proposal to distribute school funding based on what a child needs, not based on what money the state has available, according to state Rep. Steve Dyer, D-Green.

The plan calls for eliminating four of five calamity days, studying ways to add another 16 days to the school calendar, requiring all-day kindergarten starting in fall 2010, and distributing state money based on the demographics and needs of the students. Overall, the state would spend $17 billion over two years on K-12 education.

Charter schools, which enjoyed strong support under a GOP-controlled state government, would see their funding drop from $617 million in fiscal year 2009 to $472 million in fiscal year 2010 and $512 million in fiscal year 2011. Charters have 88,000 students in 320 schools across the state.

Another initiative supported by Republicans — Science Technology Engineering and Math schools and programs — is in line for a dramatic budget cut. Funding is expected to drop from $10 million a year to $3.25 million a year for STEM programs, including 26 K-8 programs and 10 STEM schools in Ohio.

Laurie McFarlin of the Dayton Regional STEM School in Beavercreek said she is concerned that the funding cut would stifle programs just now getting under way.

“We’re ready to go and we’re seeing results statewide,” McFarlin said. “It’d be a shame to not keep that momentum going because these are the (science and technology) skills that employers tell us they need.”

The bill also calls for:

• Freezing tuition at public colleges and universities next year and through 2011 at community colleges and branch campuses.

• Creating new tax credits, including ones to attract filmmakers and sporting events to Ohio.

• Reducing the enrollment waiting period for children in low-income families to sign up for Medicaid health care coverage from six months to three.

• Requiring insurance companies to cover diagnosis and medical treatment for autism, up to $36,000 a year.

• Giving 45 acres of the now closed Twin Valley Behavior Healthcare property at 2611 Wayne Ave. to Dayton Public Schools, which plans to build a high school there to replace Belmont High School. Once the new school is opened, the district will give nine acres where the old school stood to the state. The school district will be responsible for the demolition costs.

Contact this reporter at (614) 224-1624 or lbischoff@DaytonDailyNews.com.