Ohio bill would require increased accountability for schools using private school vouchers

Ohio Senators Kent Smith, a Democrat from Euclid, and Bill Blessing, a Republican from Colerain Township, introduced Senate Bill 443, dubbed the Take the Dough, We Gotta Know Act, to increase oversight of private schools participating in the Education Choice and Education Choice Expansion voucher programs. The bill aims to ensure transparency by requiring annual audits of voucher-funded schools, conducted by Ohio’s auditor, and mandating the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce to create standardized report cards for these institutions. Under the proposed legislation, private schools accepting EdChoice vouchers would need to submit weekly attendance records, conduct criminal background checks for employees, disclose tuition and fee trends over five years, and report the number of students with Individualized Education Programs. Schools would also be required to publish dropout and graduation rates to allow for comparisons with public schools. The bill’s sponsors argue that taxpayer-funded programs must meet basic accountability standards, particularly as Ohio’s voucher system has expanded dramatically. The EdChoice expansion, approved in the 2023 state budget, raised eligibility to 450% of the poverty line, effectively making vouchers near-universal. In fiscal year 2025, Ohio spent over $1 billion on private school vouchers, with $492.8 million allocated through the EdChoice expansion. K-8 students receive a $6,166 scholarship, while high school students get $8,408 annually under the program. Critics, including Ohio House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn, argue that billions in taxpayer dollars are being spent without adequate oversight, particularly in areas where private schools are scarce or nonexistent. Ten Ohio counties—Carroll, Champaign, Hardin, Harrison, Holmes, Meigs, Morgan, Noble, Preble, and Vinton—had no private schools during fiscal year 2025, leaving residents without access to voucher-funded alternatives. Representative Justin Pizzulli, a Republican from Scioto County, noted that rural communities lack private school options, leaving public schools as the only choice. He criticized the voucher system for diverting funds from public schools without benefiting areas where private schools do not exist. Enrollment in nonpublic schools rose 4.6% in 2025, reaching 181,244 students, reflecting growing demand amid expanded voucher availability. Supporters of the bill emphasize that accountability is necessary to justify public funding of private education. Blessing, a Republican, framed the measure as a conservative principle, arguing that taxpayer dollars should not be spent without oversight. Meanwhile, opponents like Smith, a Democrat, highlight concerns that the voucher system underfunds public schools while benefiting wealthier families who can afford private education. The debate underscores broader tensions over school funding, equity, and the role of public dollars in private education.