Issue Position: Public Education

Issue Position

PK-12 SCHOOLS
I have hope for Eastern Ohio's future. I have hope for the kids growing up in our public school systems right now. Hope that they will stay here, work here, raise families here and live fulfilling lives here. If we can put our minds together in an effort to prepare them for local, sustainable job opportunities, we can secure their future and the future of Eastern Ohio. We must continue to gear our curriculum toward immediate employment opportunities outside the school windows, while still preparing our students for traditional secondary education, where necessary.

Oil and gas tax revenues have covered up education funding woes in many of our communities, but not all school districts have had this benefit. The reality is that our state government has cut funding to many school districts. How can this be possible? In National public school rankings, Ohio has fallen from 5th to 22nd. We have our priorities backward. Nothing should matter more than educating our young people.

SECONDARY EDUCATION
College debt is at an all time high. Millions of young adults in college now think there's no other option. Many rack up debt, take their studies semi-seriously because it doesn't fit their real interest, then come home strapped with loans. Thanks to those loans, they often move back in with family and begin to work low-paying, low-skill part time jobs. What they need right at that moment, is the training and certifications required to make a living wage.

That's why state government must do more to support and promote the availability of community college and apprenticeship programs to families. If we don't do that, we're missing a huge opportunity to capitalize on a rapidly growing industry.

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