Ohio Education Funding Legal Landscape & Policy (2026)

Ohio Education Funding: The Legal Landscape in 2026

Analyzing the impact of DeRolph and the 2025 Voucher Ruling on Akron Public Schools

The Two Pillars of 2026 Funding

The Foundation: DeRolph

The 1997-2002 rulings that established reliance on property tax as unconstitutional, driving current reform efforts.

The Conflict: Vouchers

The June 2025 Franklin County ruling declaring EdChoice unconstitutional, currently under appeal.

DeRolph v. State of Ohio (1997-2002)

Core Ruling: The state funding system was ruled unconstitutional four separate times.

The Problem: Over-reliance on local property taxes created vast disparities between wealthy suburbs and districts like Akron.

Legacy: While the court relinquished jurisdiction in 2003, this case remains the legal bedrock for the Fair School Funding Plan.

The Disparity: Local Property Valuation Per Pupil

The DeRolph ruling highlighted how one mill of property tax generates significantly different revenue depending on the district's wealth.

The Current Mechanism: Fair School Funding Plan

To address the Constitutional issues found in DeRolph, Ohio implemented the Fair School Funding Plan (FSFP). This formula calculates the 'base cost' of educating a student based on actual components (teachers, technology, operations) rather than arbitrary residuals.

June 2025: A Landmark Ruling on Vouchers

Columbus City Schools et al. v. State of Ohio

The Franklin County Common Pleas Court ruled the EdChoice voucher program unconstitutional.

Akron Public Schools is a key plaintiff alongside 250+ other districts.

Argument: The state is funding a separate, private system of education at the expense of the mandated public system.

The Financial Argument: Explosion of Voucher Spending

Note: In 2023, eligibility was expanded universally, causing the sharp spike in 2024-2025 costs shown above.

Impact on Akron Public Schools

Budget Uncertainty: With millions tied up in the voucher dispute, long-term planning for APS facilities and staff is difficult.

Resource Drain: Fixed costs (transportation, building maintenance) remain high even as funding follows students to private institutions.

Legal Status in 2026: The Appeals Process

June 2025: Ruling Issued

Franklin County Court declares program unconstitutional.

Current Status: Stay Granted

Vouchers continue to be funded while the state appeals the decision.

Next: Ohio Supreme Court

A final binding decision is expected later this year or early 2027.

Scenarios & Outcomes

If Ruling is Upheld

State voucher funding stops or is drastically restricted. Millions in revenue could return to the public school funding pool, allowing APS to stabilize operations and invest in student services.

If Ruling is Overturned

The universal voucher system becomes permanent. Districts like Akron will continue facing budget erosion, likely forcing further consolidation of schools and reduction of staff.