Legislative Watch – March 31, 2023
Take Action Against Proposals to Weaken Voice of Ohio’s Voters; Ohio Senate Bill 49: Senate Education Committee Approves Student Religious Expression Days
Protect the Voice of Ohio Voters
Two proposed constitutional amendments seek to weaken the voice of voters. It’s time to stand up and fight back. Two proposed issues would make it much harder to pass citizen-initiated constitutional amendments in our state by requiring a supermajority of 60% of the vote.
Legislative Watch – March 24, 2023
OEA President DiMauro Testifies on State Budget Bill; First Hearing Held on Proposed Constitutional Amendment to Weaken Voice of Ohio Voters; Senate Eyes August Special Election; U.S. House GOP Public Education Attack Bill Heads to the U.S. Senate
Urge Legislators to Update and Fully Fund the Fair School Funding Plan
Full implementation and updates to the funding plan will ensure that all of Ohio's students, regardless of their zip code, their race, or their family income, receive the resources needed to thrive and succeed.
March 2023 OEA Retirement Systems Update
Report to the OEA Board of Directors — the State Teachers Retirement System, the School Employees Retirement System, & the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System.
Legislative Watch – March 17, 2023
Draconian Higher Education “Catch-All” Bill Introduced in Ohio Senate; House Joint Resolution (HJR) 1 to Receive Sponsor Testimony Next Week
2023 OEA Minority Leadership Training Program
June 9-10, 2023: The Minority Leadership Training Program provides participants, particularly OEA members of color, with the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully serve as leaders at all levels of the Association - local, district, state and national.
Legislative Watch – March 3, 2023
Legislature Considering Harmful Voucher Expansion Proposals; Senate Passes Bill Changing Powers and Duties of State Board of Education; School District Funding Spreadsheets Released
Urge your legislators to oppose voucher expansion
Several proposals in the Ohio legislature propose massive expansions in eligibility for school vouchers. Voucher programs use public taxpayer money to pay for private school tuition for students. This comes at the expense of the approximately 90% of students who attend Ohio’s public schools. Contact your legislators and urge them to say no to voucher expansion.
ALL IN FOR OHIO KIDS: Funding projections highlight need for up-to-date school funding formula now
District-by-district finance data highlights urgent need to fully implement an up-to-date Fair School Funding Plan
Annual Student Art Contest
Ohio Schools Magazine is looking for some creative cover ideas... and students' thoughts on what makes their school great! The contest deadline has been extended to March 31, 2023.
Hunger-Free Schools Ohio calls for immediate relief for child hunger crisis
Hunger-Free Schools Ohio Coalition calls on lawmakers to provide immediate relief for growing child hunger crisis
February 2023 OEA Retirement Systems Update
Report to the OEA Board of Directors — the State Teachers Retirement System, the School Employees Retirement System, & the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System.
Legislative Watch – February 17, 2023
House Leadership Announces “Priority Bills”; Senate Bill 47; Senate Bill 49; Congressional Bills Push for Teacher Pay Increases
Legislative Watch – February 7, 2023
Budget Edition #2 - On Tuesday, January 31, 2023, Governor DeWine unveiled his budget priorities during his State of the State address. Following the speech, he released his Executive Budget Blue Book for Fiscal Years (FY) 2024 and 2025. This is OEA's review of the governor’s proposal for the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Department of Youth Services, Deaf and Blind Education Services, and the State Library.
OEA lays out bold vision for 135th General Assembly
Ohio Education Association lays out bold vision for 135th General Assembly (OEA) and calls on state leaders to prioritize supporting Ohio’s educators and public school students.
Legislative Watch – February 3, 2023
Budget Edition # 1 - On Tuesday, January 31, 2023, Governor DeWine unveiled his budget priorities during his State of the State address. Following the speech, he released his Executive Budget Blue Book for Fiscal Years (FY) 2024 and 2025. DeWine stated that his goal in this budget is to ensure that all Ohioans are educated and have the tools needed to live up to their potential.
All in for Ohio Kids responds to Gov. DeWine’s proposed budget
Public Education Supporters Respond to Governor DeWine’s Proposed Biennial Budget
Student Debt Relief
On January 10, 2023 the Department of Education released a proposed regulation that delivers on the plan President Biden announced in August to provide millions of borrowers with more affordable monthly student loan payments
Celebrate Ohio’s exceptional educators. Nominate an educator in your community today!
Ohio’s educators make a difference in their students’ lives every day. From classroom teachers to paraeducators, professors, bus drivers, school secretaries, custodians, and more, Ohio’s public school employees have dedicated their lives to serving our kids and making our schools great. Help recognize an Education Champion by nominating a special educator!
Public Sector Employment and Political Activism: Using Your Voice While Protecting Your Job
The First Amendment protects all citizens of the United States by limiting the government’s ability to abridge freedom of speech. However, when the government is also a person’s employer things can become a bit more complicated.
OEA Congratulates 2022 National Teacher of the Year Kurt Russell
Oberlin High School teacher Kurt Russell has been named the 2022 National Teacher of the Year by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). Russell had been in the running for this prestigious honor after being selected as the 2022 Ohio Teacher of the Year.
OEA Endorses Arthur Lard for STRS Board
The OEA Board of Directors has endorsed Arthur Lard as a candidate for the STRS Board.
Putting Education First – Messaging Guidance for Local Leaders
This content is for OEA members only.
OEA on the Issues | OEA Legislative Scorecard | Find My Ohio Legislators
Protect Your Students. Protect Your Contract. Protect Your Profession.
OEA 175th Anniversary Video
Since 1847, the Ohio Education Association has been proud to lead the way for great public schools for every child. As OEA marks its 175th anniversary, members and leaders have been sharing their memories from the last several decades of …
Public Sector Employment and Political Activism: Using Your Voice While Protecting Your Job
The First Amendment protects all citizens of the United States by limiting the government’s ability to abridge freedom of speech. However, when the government is also a person’s employer things can become a bit more complicated.
Urge your legislators to oppose voucher expansion
Several proposals in the Ohio legislature propose massive expansions in eligibility for school vouchers. Voucher programs use public taxpayer money to pay for private school tuition for students. This comes at the expense of the approximately 90% of students who attend Ohio’s public schools. Contact your legislators and urge them to say no to voucher expansion.
Urge Legislators to Update and Fully Fund the Fair School Funding Plan
Full implementation and updates to the funding plan will ensure that all of Ohio's students, regardless of their zip code, their race, or their family income, receive the resources needed to thrive and succeed.
Protect the Voice of Ohio Voters
Two proposed constitutional amendments seek to weaken the voice of voters. It’s time to stand up and fight back. Two proposed issues would make it much harder to pass citizen-initiated constitutional amendments in our state by requiring a supermajority of 60% of the vote.
OEA/NEA MEMBER-ONLY BENEFITS
Your OEA membership is there to support you in the important, life-changing work that you’re doing. Visit OEA ACCESS to unlock even more dining, travel, auto, retail, and recreational discounts.
OEA Legal Services — Protecting Your Rights
The high cost of hiring an attorney to protect employment rights should not be a deterrent to an OEA member. Each year, the OEA-NEA Legal Services Program provides paid legal representation to members who are forced to take legal action in a matter relating to their job.
Wellness Issues and Resources
There is currently an increased need to provide OEA members with information and resource offerings in relation to stress/wellness. This is a roundup of resources to support student and staff mental health.
EdPro Connect
Ohio Education Association’s Education Professional Connection (EdPro Connect) provides background and resources on the most current topics in public education. Each EdPro Connect entry features insights from OEA professionals as well as links to additional resources
Month-at-Glance — Featured Events
OEA Master Calendar
- Online Master Calendar — (How to submit and use the calendar portal.)
Additional Events
February – March 2023 Ohio Schools
February – March 2023 Ohio Schools
COVER STORY: Finding a voice – Union involvement empowers Ohio’s Education Support Professionals. FEATURE: Family Ties part II – As the number of students pursuing education declines, and districts throughout the state find it increasingly difficult to fill positions, a …
2023 OEA Minority Leadership Training Program
2023 OEA Minority Leadership Training Program
June 9-10, 2023: The Minority Leadership Training Program provides participants, particularly OEA members of color, with the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully serve as leaders at all levels of the Association – local, district, state and national.
2023 Summer Leadership Academy
2023 Summer Leadership Academy
The OEA Summer Leadership Academy is designed to help members at all levels of the association realize and develop skills and talents as leaders of their profession and their association while building relationships and organizing for power.
