Rep. Glassburn Introduces Bill to Update Base Costs Used in the Public School Financing System

COLUMBUS - State Rep. Chris Glassburn (D-North Olmsted) today announced the introduction of House Bill (HB) 884, focused on restoring the state's commitment to the Fair School Funding Plan (FSFP). HB 884 would require updates to the base cost variables in the state's funding formula, ensuring that the state's financial contribution reflects the current cost of education in Ohio.

"This legislation is about restoring the integrity of the Fair School Funding Plan and reducing the property tax burden on Ohio homeowners," said Rep. Glassburn. "The Fair School Funding Plan only works if we are accurately measuring the true cost of educating a child in Ohio. The last state operating budget failed to properly update the formulas' cost inputs, causing the state share of education funding to drop to a historic low of 32%. This bill would ensure we are meeting our constitutional responsibility."

The bill would use the most current data available, including teachers' salaries, building costs, and learning materials like student textbooks, to calculate the cost of educating an average student in Ohio, also known as the "base cost."

While the FSFP is designed to automatically account for inflation to reflect the actual resources required to operate schools, the legislature chose to rely on outdated metrics that undervalue the state's required portion. By codifying that funding must be based on actual resource requirements and updated regularly to account for inflation, the legislation would restore the appropriate balance between local property taxpayers and the state.

"An updated funding formula is the most effective tool we have to provide meaningful property tax relief to Ohioans," added Rep. Glassburn. "When the state pays its fair share, we decrease the reliance on local property taxes. It's how we protect the fundamental right of every Ohio child to a quality education while also lowering the property tax burden on Ohio families."

The bill now awaits referral to a House Committee for further consideration.