Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE) is a non-profit regional law firm that provides high quality legal assistance in civil matters to help eligible low-income individuals and groups in western Ohio achieve self reliance, and equal justice and economic opportunity.
Advocating for Increased Funding to Support Ohio's Public Schools
Today, March 13, 2025, ABLE’s Managing Attorney, Renee Murphy, submitted testimony to the Ohio House Finance Committee, urging lawmakers to increase funding for public schools. With years of experience serving low-income families, children with disabilities, and English learners, ABLE sees firsthand the challenges these students face due to inadequate resources.
In her written testimony, Murphy emphasized the need to update Ohio’s school funding formula. The current proposal relies on outdated cost data, which results in insufficient funding for schools that need it most. Murphy called for an increase in per-pupil funding, particularly for vulnerable students. She also advocated for the implementation of recommendations from the 2022 Special Education cost study and English Learner student cost study, which highlighted the gap between current funding and the true cost of providing adequate education for these students.
The lack of funding leaves schools struggling to provide necessary services. Students with disabilities often lack the specialized support they need, such as speech therapy or counseling, and schools are unable to hire enough qualified professionals. Children who are learning English miss out on the specialized teaching they need. Murphy’s testimony stressed that increased funding would ensure a “thorough and efficient system of common schools,” as promised in Ohio’s Constitution, and provide equal educational opportunities for all students.
Read ABLE’s full testimony here.