More Ohio school districts have joined a lawsuit challenging the state’s EdChoice voucher program, claiming it unfairly redirects public funds to private and charter schools.
The Vouchers Hurt Ohio coalition, which now includes over 300 districts statewide, claims that the program undermines public schools by reducing funding, making it more difficult to provide quality education.
Locally, districts in Trumbull and Mahoning counties—including Bristol, Boardman, Canfield, Youngstown, and others—have joined the lawsuit. According to Bristol Local Schools Superintendent Christopher Dray, the program could result in a significant loss of funding over the next two years.
“Initially, it’s showing, based on reductions, we’re going to lose roughly $160,000 the first year of the budget, which will be this coming year, and then another $190,000 the second year,” Dray told me.
The EdChoice Expansion Program allows families earning up to $150,000 per year to receive state-funded private school tuition assistance.
School officials argue that this change expands vouchers beyond their original purpose of helping low-income families and instead benefits families who already attend private schools.
Supporters of the program argue that it gives parents more control over their children’s education and offers an alternative to struggling public schools.
However, public school officials claim it diverts funds away from the 80-90% of Ohio students who attend public schools, making it more difficult to maintain teacher salaries, student programs, and classroom resources.
“At the end of the day, we just would like to see our schools funded appropriately where they need to be,” Dray told reporters.
The lawsuit, filed in Franklin County Common Pleas Court, is expected to last until 2025 as additional districts join the legal battle.
School leaders hope that the case will force changes in Ohio’s funding system, preventing further losses for public schools.
