Holmes Supports Comprehensive School Funding Formula Reform

COLUMBUS – The Ohio House of Representatives last week passed House Bill 305, a bill to comprehensively reform Ohio’s primary and secondary school funding framework. State Representative Adam Holmes (R-Nashport) voted in support of the legislation.

“Ohio House members have been working diligently to create a reformed policy for Ohio’s schools. This is exactly what Ohio’s students, teachers and administrations need and deserve,” said Holmes.

The bill prescribes a unique base cost per pupil for each school district, which is an evidence-based amount that accounts for all of the costs of providing a quality education. The base cost calculation is derived from four components: teachers, students, district leadership and accountability, and building leadership and operations.  HB 305 ensures adequate funding to operate a traditional school district.

The legislation also adjusts the distribution formula for schools with an emphasis on a more accurate measure of school district capacity by using both property and income wealth to determine the local share.

In addition to base cost, H.B. 305 contains categories of aid aimed at creating an equitable system of funding for our schools. These categorical aid components include Gifted Education, Special Education, English Language Learners, Economically Disadvantaged, and Transportation. Each component was modified with input from practitioners and child advocates from across Ohio.

After being fully phased in, school districts in the 97^th house district will receive the following amounts:

• East Muskingum Local: $2,126,544
• West Muskingum Local: $206,462
• Franklin Local: $30,000
• Maysville Local: $3,450,041
• Tri-Valley Local: $178,543
• Zanesville City: $4,673,968
• East Guernsey Local: $154,783
• Cambridge City: $2,061,077
• Rolling Hills Local: $813,350