Rep. Brennan Raises Concerns Over Proposed State Education Waiver That Could Undermine Local School Control

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan (D–Parma) recently sent a letter to Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen D. Dackin expressing serious concerns about proposed changes included in Ohio’s draft federal education waiver request that could dramatically expand state authority over locally governed public schools.

The proposal, submitted as part of Ohio’s request for flexibility under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), would authorize the Department to impose a series of aggressive interventions on schools identified for comprehensive support and improvement if they fail to meet state-established benchmarks within three years.

Among the proposed interventions are state-directed curriculum and assessment decisions, mandated instructional materials and professional development, staffing changes, conversion of public schools to charter schools, contracting with outside operators, and even school closures.

“These proposals represent a major shift in education policy that has not been authorized by the Ohio General Assembly,” said Rep. Brennan. “Decisions as significant as school closures, charter conversions, staffing mandates, and curriculum requirements should be debated openly through the legislative process—not implemented administratively through a federal waiver request.”

In his letter, Rep. Brennan notes that waiver requests have traditionally been used to address technical or administrative issues arising from legislative changes. He argues that the current proposal goes far beyond that practice by creating new policy mechanisms that would significantly affect local school governance and educational decision-making.

Rep. Brennan also highlighted that portions of the proposed language closely resemble provisions that appeared in the as-introduced version of Senate Bill 127 but were ultimately removed during the legislative process.

“When concepts are considered and then removed by the General Assembly, it raises legitimate questions when those same ideas reappear through administrative action,” continued Rep. Brennan. “The legislature’s role in shaping education policy must be respected.”

The proposed waiver comes as Ohio seeks flexibility from certain federal education requirements. While state officials have described the proposal as an effort to reduce bureaucracy and provide greater flexibility, public education advocates have expressed concerns that the plan could open the door to increased privatization of public education and diminish local control.

Rep. Brennan emphasized that accountability and student achievement remain important priorities but said meaningful reforms should be developed through a transparent process that includes legislators, educators, parents, school leaders, and community stakeholders.

“Ohio’s locally elected school boards and educators deserve a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their schools and communities,” concluded Rep. Brennan. “We can pursue educational excellence without bypassing the public process or diminishing local control.”

In his letter, Rep. Brennan urged the Department to remove the proposed intervention language from the waiver request and instead pursue any desired reforms through legislative consideration and public engagement.

A copy of the letter was sent to Director Dackin on behalf of Ohio House District 14.