Governor Jeb Bush, Dee Haslam: Ohio Budget Will Create Brighter Futures for Students

Governor Jeb Bush, Founder and Chairman of the Foundation for Excellence in Education (ExcelinEd), released the following statement on the signing of Ohio’s education budget, which includes funding to expand public community schools, private education choice and industry certification incentives. 

“Ohio’s budget wisely invests in student-centered policies by supporting programs that expand educational opportunities and develop critical career skills. As families shift to a post-pandemic world Ohio’s students will be better equipped with the critical skills and knowledge needed to compete in a rapidly changing economy.

“I applaud Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, Senate President Matt Huffman, Speaker Bob Cupp, and all of the legislators who supported this student-centered budget for their continued dedication to improving the lives of Ohio students.”

Statement from Dee Bagwell Haslam, a member of the ExcelinEd Board of Directors and one of Ohio’s leading education philanthropists, on the budget unlocking more opportunities for disadvantaged students.

“I have seen first-hand how access to more high-quality learning options can change the lives of students and families.

“This budget will provide more families with access to opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach. It also takes important steps to ensure successful charter schools receive more equitable funding so additional students can benefit from these options.”

Student-centered features of House Bill 110:

• Dedicates $108 million over two years to attract high-quality community school networks with proven success to serve Ohio students and eliminates geographic limitations on the creation of new community schools.
• Increases funding for community school facilities from $250 to $500 per pupil, meeting an additional 11.2 percent of the facility needs of community schools.
• Creates an Afterschool Child Enrichment (ACE) education savings accounts to provide $500 grants to students in low- and middle-income families for various enrichment and educational activities and services. 
• Increases student access for the popular EdChoice scholarship program by removing the cap on enrollment.
• Increases the maximum scholarship awards for the EdChoice and Cleveland Scholarship programs to provide families with additional resources to meet the needs of their students, from $4,650 to $5,500 for grades K-8 and from $6,000 to $7,500 for grades 9-12, while also securing predictable annual funding for the programs.
• Authorizes a new program providing a tax credit of up to $750 for taxpayers who donate to a nonprofit organization that awards scholarships to primary and secondary school students and that prioritizes low-income students.
• Invests $41 million over two years to incentivize students to earn industry-recognized credentials prior to graduation so they are prepared for higher-skill, higher-wage careers that are in demand.
• Adds $367 million in additional funding over the next two years for public school students and makes changes to the formula for distributing funds, including weights based on student characteristics. 
• Includes $250 million for a broadband grant program to increase access and connectivity.
• Requires the Ohio Department of Education to develop a state plan for primary and secondary computer science education and update the standards and model curriculum for computer science in grades K-12 within one year.