Let Your Voices Be Heard!

Let Your Voices Be Heard!

The Charter Schools are under attack by some Ohio lawmakers. They want to cut state funding to the Charter Schools which would effectively shut them down. These lawmakers want to take away a choice for your children's education. From the responses I have received from some lawmakers, it is apparent that Charter Schools must go; even those that are effective.

Charter Schools only exist in certain cities; usually the cities where the municipal school system has failed the taxpayers. Yet the lawmakers have allowed the failed municipal school systems to continue operations without any worry of consequences. Yet some Charter Schools have been closed by the attorney general, and more are in his sights.

If your children attend a successful charter school; a school that meets your needs and expectations, then you should be concerned that it may be closed by lawmakers who are against allowing you to choose which school you would like your state tax dollars to support.

So, what can you do?

You contact the lawmakers. You get other parents from your charter schools to contact the lawmakers as well.

Rally your support at your charter schools and get the word out.

If your charter school has a booster club, get them involved.

Fill the lawmakers' mailboxes with your concerns that if your children’s charter school closes, you will be left with no other choice but to send your children to the poor performing municipal school in the neighborhood. Tell the lawmakers that this is unacceptable.

Ask these lawmakers why the municipal schools are exempt from any consequences and are still allowed to operate when they are rated unsatisfactory by the Ohio Department of Education. You deserve an explanation.

Let the lawmakers know that you will hold them accountable with your vote.

Here is a list of the Education Committee members from both Ohio House and Senate.

Let them know who you are. Let the lawmakers know you are paying attention to the attacks on charter schools. Tell them about your successful charter schools.

Email them. Take the time, pay for a stamp and send them letters by regular mail as well.

Ohio House Education Committee

Representative Jon Peterson

Representative Gerald Stebelton

Representative Jennifer Brady

Representative Tom Patton

Representative Ted Celeste

Representative Tracy Heard

Representative Arlene Setzer Charter School Supporter

Representative Clayton Luckie

Representative Brian Williams

Representative John Widowfield

Representative Stephen Dyer

Representative Vernon Sykes

Representative Shawn Webster

Representative Matt Lundy

Representative Ronald Gerberry

Representative Mark Okey

Representative John Adams

Representative Jeff Wagner

Representative Steve Reinhard

Representative John Schlichter

Representative Clyde Evans

Representative Thom Collier

Representative Jennifer Garrison

Representative Fred Strahorn
(House Finance Committee - Primary and Secondary Education)

Representative Bill Coley
(House Finance Committee - Primary and Secondary Education)


Ohio Senate Education Committee

Senator Joy Padgett Charter School Supporter

Senator Gary Cates

Senator John Carey

Senator Randy Gardner

Senator Jeff Jacobson

Senator Larry Mumper

Senator Tom Roberts

Senator Sue Morano

Senator Tom Sawyer

Senator Eric Kearney
(Senate Finance Committee)

Senator Steve Austria
(Senate Finance Committee)

Senator Keith Faber
(Senate Finance Committee)

Senator Tom Niehaus
(Senate Finance Committee)

Senator Ray Miller
(Senate Finance Committee)

Senator Steve Stivers
(Senate Finance Committee)

Senator Ron Amstutz
(Senate Finance Committee)

Senator Dale Miller
(Senate Finance Committee)