by Nicole Piscitani, deputy director of legislative services • June 23, 2025
OSBA remains committed to ensuring that every student in Ohio has access to a high-quality education. That’s why I recently testified before the House Ways and Means Committee in opposition to House Bill (HB) 335 — legislation that, if passed, would have a devastating impact on public school students across the state. A summary of that testimony is below.
This bill threatens to take nearly $2 billion in funding away from school districts by eliminating inside millage, a key piece of Ohio’s property tax system. That revenue supports everything from classroom instruction to student counseling to safe transportation. According to an analysis from the Ohio Education Policy Institute, losing this funding could mean the loss of nearly 20,000 teaching positions — approximately 20% of all full-time public school teachers in Ohio.
When we talk about school funding, we are ultimately talking about student opportunity. Fewer teachers means larger class sizes, less individualized attention, reduced course offerings and reduced support for students with special needs. These are not abstract budget decisions — they are decisions that affect students’ daily lives and futures.
HB 335 also changes how the 20-mill floor is calculated, including emergency and substitute levies in a way that would further reduce district revenues. The result? Districts may be forced to make cuts to essential student services or return to voters for new levies, potentially at a greater cost to families.
Additionally, the bill proposes to cap revenue growth for school districts at the rate of inflation, a move that may seem reasonable but in practice could limit districts’ ability to keep up with real costs, especially when enrollment grows or inflationary caps don’t match rising student needs.
Other parts of the bill allow county budget commissions to reduce school funding based on a district’s cash balance, essentially punishing districts for good financial management. For students, this could mean midyear program cuts, fewer extracurricular opportunities or delayed investments in learning materials and technology.
Let’s be clear: Students are the ones who bear the burden when funding is cut. Whether it’s access to a school nurse, a reading interventionist or simply a stable and supportive school environment, these are the things that hang in the balance with HB 335.
The Ohio Constitution and tax system were built to support local schools, and inside millage has been part of that framework for nearly a century. Changes of this magnitude require careful thought, long-term planning and input from those most affected — especially the students whose futures are at stake.
Our 1.7 million public school students deserve more than rushed decisions and sweeping changes. They deserve stability, support and every opportunity to succeed.