Rep. Grim Announces $22.2 Billion for Schools Under the Fair School Funding Plan

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Michele Grim (D-Toledo) today announced that the Ohio Controlling Board has released a $22.2 billion funding appropriation for school districts across Ohio. The Fair School Funding Plan is continuing to be implemented with updated 2022 data, increasing the state’s commitment to public education.

“Full funding of the bipartisan Fair School Funding Plan was a hard-won victory in the state budget that will make a profound difference for students and educators in our communities,” said Rep. Grim, who serves on the Ohio House Finance Committee. “Specifically, it increases state funding for Toledo Public Schools by $21.8 million and increases funding for Washington Local Schools by $14 million.”

“Ohio’s new budget makes smart investments in healthy kids by expanding free school meals for eligible K-12 students and making free period products available to students in grades 6-12,” said Rep Grim, who advocated for these priorities in the budget process. “The increased state funding for school meals means around 80,000 more kids will eat for free. It’s an important step in the right direction but leaves out many kids living in homes facing hunger. Ending child hunger is a bipartisan priority and we need to make school meals free for all students.”  

The Fair School Funding Plan has been a Democratic priority for six years, and finally became law in the FY22-23 state operating budget. 

The Democratic Caucus also succeeded in funding a study to determine the true additional cost of educating an economically disadvantaged student. Nearly half of Ohio’s children are considered to be economically disadvantaged.