Ohio House Democrats Announce $4.66M for State Board of Education, Temporarily Staving Off Increase in Teacher License Fees

COLUMBUS - Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington), Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Westlake) and Rep. Beryl Brown Piccolantonio (D-Gahanna) today announced the Controlling Board's approval of over $4.66M to support the operations of the State Board of Education. This funding is a crucial lifeline that staves off a potential 75% increase in mandatory teacher licensure fees by stabilizing the Teacher Certification and Licensure Fund, which supports educator licensure activities, the educator disciplinary process, and management of the Retained Applicant Fingerprint Database (RAPBACK).

The State Board of Education has been grappling with severe financial challenges due to changes in its funding structure recently imposed by the Republican Majority as well as the GOP's 2017 decision to take $10M in teacher fee revenue out of the Teacher Certification and Licensure Fund to fund other state obligations (see HB 49 of the 132nd General Assembly).

"I'm proud that, because of the work of House Democrats reaching across the aisle, we can more fully support teachers throughout Ohio and ensure children are in safe, supportive learning environments so they can reach their full potential," said Leader Russo. "Though there is still more work to do, today's investment means a future where teachers aren't burdened with increased costs, parents know qualified professionals are in the classroom, and students are better positioned to become the next generation of workers, leaders, and innovators."

"Today's cash infusion is a step in the right direction, but I am alarmed at the lengths it took to enact this stopgap measure. The fact that the General Assembly forced the State Board to consider such a drastic fee increase is a slap in the face to Ohio's teachers," said Rep. Sweeney. "Lawmakers should be focused on ensuring that public schools have the resources necessary to recruit and retain the next generation of teachers - especially amid a teacher shortage - and to keep bad actors out of the classroom. Instead, the General Assembly has been holding teachers hostage and putting students at risk by threatening the Board with an impossible choice: Impose an astronomical fee increase in order to meet its obligations for teacher licensure and student safety, or shirk those responsibilities by skimping on background checks and cutting staff. The next state budget must include a permanent, long-term solution that supports the essential work of the State Board, fully replenishes the $10 million that was taken from it, and stops overburdening our teachers."

"For the past several months I have heard an outpouring of concerns from teachers in Ohio who have genuine concerns that funding for our State Board of Education (SBoE), including crucial school employee background checks, might come out of their pockets," said Rep. Brown Piccolantonio. "As a new school year begins, I am glad to support our teachers by ensuring that their license fees are not subject to unfair increases. I appreciate the service of our teachers who dedicate their professional careers to making sure Ohio's children are prepared to be contributing members of our communities. I look forward to addressing the remaining SBoE budget uncertainty on a more permanent basis in the next budget."

The Teacher Certification and Licensure Fund consists of fees on teacher, principal, superintendent, school district treasurer, and business manager licenses.

Thanks to the Controlling Board's action today, this funding will be instrumental in temporarily stabilizing the Board's finances and ensuring that Ohio's educators are not subjected to an excessive and burdensome increase in license fees in the near future.