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Home : Voices eNewsletters : August 2009 eNewsletter : Education Update-Superintendent Delisle Testifies

Education Update-Superintendent Delisle Testifies

Superintendent of Public Instruction, Deborah Delisle, testified before the House Finance and Appropriations Committee, chaired by Representative Sykes, on July 2, 2009 along with other state agency and program directors. The purpose of her testimony was to highlight the impact of additional budget cuts on the Ohio Department of Education and school districts. Additional budget cuts may be needed to close a spending gap of approximately $900 million in Am. Sub. HB 1, the proposed budget for FY10-11, if lawmakers reject a proposal to raise state revenue by placing video lottery terminals (VLTs) at seven Ohio racetracks.

In her testimony Superintendent Delisle shared two scenarios for reducing funding for K-12 education if another round of cuts is necessary to balance Am. Sub. HB1. She noted that the ODE has already made significant cuts ($158 million), which have reduced or eliminated funding for literacy initiatives, STEM grants, bus purchases, etc. Approximately 94 percent of the ODE's budget is passed through to school districts through Foundation Funding; 4 percent provides direct subsidies to educational entities; and 2 percent is used to operate the ODE and all of its programs. 50 percent of ODE staff is supported by General Revenue Funds, and 50 percent by federal funds.

The first scenario would reduce funding for the ODE by another $290 million by reducing all line items except Foundation Funds. This reduction would have a significant impact on several programs including public pre-school; career tech/tech prep; accountability($18.5 million in reductions); gifted education (up to $47 million); nonpublic schools (up to $42 million); technology ($13 million); performance audits by the Auditor of State; community school oversight; etc. It would also mean a one-third reduction in ODE staff supported by the GRF.

In some cases the state-required match for federal dollars could not be met if this scenario is implemented. This would jeopardize federal funding for other education programs, federal stimulus dollars, and compliance with state and federal laws. Ohio's participation in national initiatives, such as the Common Core State Standards Initiative, would also be affected.

In general the result of these cuts would mean that local school districts would be required to assume additional responsibilities and costs for state education mandates required by law.

The second scenario reduces funding for the ODE by $345 million, including Foundation Funding (line item 200-550); Special Education enhancements; transportation, etc.

Again, this scenario would mean that Ohio could not match federal funds or maintain state spending levels for some programs. Superintendent Delisle noted that this scenario would jeopardize federal funding, including $845 million in federal budget Stabilization Funds; $373 million in federal stimulus funds (ARRA) for Title 1; $438 million in ARRA funds for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; $512 million for Title 1; and $416 million for IDEA.