FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 15, 2026
Contacts: Neil Bhaerman, Ohio Federation of Teachers, nbhaerman@oft-aft.org
Ben Stein, Policy Matters Ohio, bstein@policymattersohio.org
Bria Bennett, Ohio Organizing Collaborative, bria@ohorganizing.org
Katie Olmsted, Ohio Education Association, olmstedk@ohea.org
Public Education Advocates Respond to Voucher Ruling
COLUMBUS, OH — Today, leaders from the All in For Ohio Kids coalition responded to the unanimous Court of Appeals decision affirming Ohio’s voucher scheme is unconstitutional. Ohio Organizing Collaborative Co-Executive Director Molly Shack, Policy Matters Ohio Executive Director Hannah Halbert, Ohio Federation of Teachers President Melissa Cropper, and Ohio Education Association President Jeff Wensing released the following joint statement:
“Ohio’s universal voucher scheme diverts more than $1 billion per year to unaccountable private schools while legislators fail to fully and fairly fund our public schools, as they are legally required to do. The Court of Appeals correctly found this to be unconstitutional. Now it’s up to legislators and state officials to address this by returning to the Fair School Funding Plan, the bipartisan funding formula that is based on the actual costs of educating Ohio students. Public education families, educators, and other stakeholders will be mobilizing in 2027 to make sure the incoming General Assembly and Governor understand this is a priority of a broad coalition of public school supporters. Our students are counting on state leaders to finally do their job and deliver on the promise of the great public schools they all deserve – no exceptions.”
Mary O’Boyle, a public school parent from Wilmington, Ohio added:
“Ed Choice and Ed Choice Expansion are a clear violation of the Ohio Constitution. Public education in Ohio is underfunded, and the voucher program is draining over 1 billion dollars annually from the public education budget. I am thankful the courts sided with working families and students across Ohio.”
While the All in for Ohio Kids coalition celebrates the Court of Appeals ruling, it recognizes the fight is not over. AOK commends the work of all the public school advocates who have brought the case to this point, and will continue to do so as it likely heads to the state Supreme Court.
ABOUT ALL IN FOR OHIO KIDS
The All in For Ohio Kids Coalition formed in 2021 to ensure that every child in Ohio, no matter their race, zip code, or how much money their family has, can attend a great public school that prepares them for a bright future. The coalition is anchored by the Ohio Education Association, the Ohio Federation of Teachers, the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, and Policy Matters Ohio.