$20 billion going to Ohio schools from new state budget
As a part of the new state budget, in what DeWine is nicknaming "The Children's Budget," over $20 billion will be going to Ohio schools.
"This budget will invest over $20 billion for state funding for K-12," DeWine said Thursday. "$20.6 billion. This is record investment."
As Valley schools expect to receive millions, superintendents tell 21 News they plan to put the money towards many entities
"Obviously upkeep of buildings and continuously trying to better your technology," said Damon Dohar, Superintendent of Weathersfield Local Schools. "There's so many things that we can use it for. It's going to just help us in the bottom line of running our schools a little bit more efficiently and better."
DeWine said the budget will also provide families with more educational choice options than before.
Youngstown City Schools said to 21 News, "We expect to evaluate how to use the funds to best meet scholar's needs although no decisions have been made at this point."
"Physical and mental services, after school programs, family support," explained DeWine. "All just examples of ways this funding can be used. All of these are vital to the success of our children."
"It's a big deal for us because it's a little bit better of a funding package overall than we've had in the past," Dohar said. "It makes us a little bit less reliant upon our local taxpayers to constantly keep footing the bill for things."
Warren City Schools Superintendent, Steve Chiaro, told 21 News they've been fiscally conscious in their spending through the pandemic and plan to put their funds to student wellness and success such as nursing services, counseling and support of student social emotional learning.
"Now more than ever our students need support in these areas to best prepare them for the academic rigor before them," Chiaro said.
Smaller districts like Struthers City Schools tell 21 News they won't be getting as much funding compared to bigger districts. They say that state funding will be put into their general fund to be used for general operations.
