BREAKING NEWS: Backpack Bill Introduced at Ohio Statehouse
COLUMBUS—Today, the Ohio House of Representatives introduced the “Backpack Bill” (HB 290), sponsored by Rep. Riordan McClain (R-Upper Sandusky) and Rep. Marilyn John (R-Richland County). This highly anticipated, CCV-backed bill empowers families to choose the educational option that best meets their needs by ensuring that every child in the state is eligible for a scholarship to attend the K-12 school of his or her choice.
The bill is introduced as a “Legislative Intent Bill” while lawmakers debate Ohio’s education funding formula. Finalized language will be amended into HB 290, and will ensure any child that chooses to opt into the Backpack Bill program can access a scholarship to attend the school that best meets his or her needs.
“Ohio lawmakers should be focusing on funding teachers and students, not buildings and bureaucrats,” said Aaron Baer, President of Center for Christian Virtue, formerly known as Citizens for Community Values. “The Backpack Bill will ensure every Ohio student is able to access the education that best meets his or her needs.”
Currently in Ohio, only students who are at or below 250% of the federal poverty or attend a failing school are eligible for an EdChoice Scholarship. The Backpack Bill will ensure every student can access a scholarship, if so desired. The money will follow the child… like a backpack.
“Ohioans deserves an educational system as diverse as our students—not a one-size-fits-all approach. Too many schools are failing too many students by either not preparing them academically or by pushing radical and harmful political ideologies in the classroom. The Backpack Bill is about bringing true accountability to Ohio schools by empowering parents to direct the taxpayer dollars dedicated to their children to the schools they attend,” said Baer.
According to the Ohio Department of Education’s Cupp Report, Ohio spends over $8.5 billion on education every year, which does not include the billions of dollars that flow to Ohio schools from the federal government and local governments. On average, Ohio public schools receive $14,539.15 from taxpayers per student. In some other school districts, that number is much higher:
Columbus Public: $18,342.74
Cincinnati Public: $21,939.18
Cleveland Public: $23,233.27
To help Ohioans move the Backpack Bill through the General Assembly, Center for Christian Virtue launched BackpackBill.com. On this website, parents, students, teachers, and advocates for a brighter future for Ohio can read more about the Backpack Bill, and use the Action Center to contact their lawmakers in support of students and academic choice.
“The COVID-19 pandemic exposed that too many education bureaucrats are less concerned with the well-being of children, and more concerned with raking taxpayer dollars. It’s time to reimagine how we educate children. This requires bold action, and grassroots support. I am grateful for the leadership of Rep. McClain and Rep. John, and call on all Ohioans to stand up for our children’s futures by supporting the Backpack Bill,” said Baer.
For more information, contact CCV at 513-733-5775 or info@ccv.org.
As Ohio’s largest Christian public policy organization, Center for Christian Virtue seeks the good of our neighbors by advocating for public policy that reflects the truth of the Gospel.
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