July 11, 2025

Dear Columbus City Schools Community

On behalf of Columbus City Schools, I want to thank you sincerely for your continued support and strong advocacy for fair school funding. Your voices, your efforts, and your commitment to our students have been critical in moving this conversation forward at the state level.

Thanks to your dedication, through letters, calls, testimony, and community engagement, important steps were taken in the recently passed state budget. The state’s two-year budget includes improvements to how Ohio funds public education and removes provisions that would have undermined local control of school facilities. While the bill still presents challenges to fully funding public schools at the level our students truly deserve, it represents meaningful progress in the right direction.

We are also especially grateful to Governor DeWine for his leadership in issuing key vetoes that respected local control and addressed concerns related to property taxes. His thoughtful actions helped preserve the ability of school districts like ours to make decisions in the best interest of our students and communities.

It is important to note that some state representatives are now working to override these critical vetoes. If successful, this could reverse the progress made and undermine local decision-making and resources for public schools. That’s why we must stay engaged and continue to advocate for our students, our schools, and our communities.

The continuation of the Fair School Funding Plan is a sign that our advocacy is making a difference. However, we must remain realistic about the fact that full and fair funding for public education has still not been realized. Unfortunately, the legislature did not update the cost calculations to reflect the actual, current cost of educating our students today.

For Columbus City Schools, this means we will not receive the additional resources our students need. As a result, we must continue to find ways to use our existing funds more effectively and efficiently. Our focus will remain on prioritizing investments that directly support students, classroom instruction, and academic achievement.

This work is not done. We proudly celebrate the strength of our communities and remain committed to championing a school funding model that fully supports the success of every student, honoring the unique needs, talents, and potential of each child. We will continue to need your partnership and your voice to make that vision a reality.

Your engagement has made a difference, and we are grateful for your commitment. Together, we will keep pressing forward for our community, our staff, and most importantly, our students.

With appreciation,

Dr. Angela Chapman, Superintendent & CEO

Columbus City Schools