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8 days ago

Ross Local School District

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EdChoice Voucher Impact

EdChoice Voucher Impact

EdChoice Voucher Impact on Ross Local School District

Over the past decade, Ross Local School District has experienced a significant increase in students utilizing EdChoice vouchers, rising from 16 to 222 students. Notably, only seven students have transitioned from Ross to private schools during this period, indicating that the majority of voucher recipients have never attended Ross schools. This trend results in substantial financial implications for the district, as funds are allocated to private institutions for students not previously enrolled in Ross.​

Understanding EdChoice Scholarships

The EdChoice Scholarship Program provides state-funded scholarships to eligible students to attend participating private schools. For the 2024–2025 academic year, the scholarship amounts are:

  • Grades K–8: $6,166
  • Grades 9–12: $8,408​

Please learn more from the EdChoice Scholarship Program Fact Sheet for 2025-2025 linked here.

Scholarship awards are determined based on household income levels:​

  • Families at or below 450% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) receive the full scholarship amount.
  • Families above 450% FPL receive prorated amounts.​

Please learn more about the EdChoice Expansion at this link.

For example, a family of four at 450% FPL has an income of $140,400. ​Ohio Department of Education

Financial Impact on Ross Local Schools

The expansion of the EdChoice program has led to increased financial strain on Ross Local Schools. Treasurer Steve Castator notes, "The growth in EdChoice participation, predominantly by students who have never attended Ross, redirects essential funds away from our public schools, impacting our ability to serve our current students effectively."​

Superintendent Dr. Bill Rice adds, "Our commitment is to provide quality education to all students in our community. The current trajectory of the EdChoice program challenges this mission by diverting resources to private institutions without a corresponding decrease in our student population."​

Conclusion

The EdChoice program's expansion presents ongoing challenges for Ross Local School District, both financially and in maintaining equitable educational opportunities. The district remains dedicated to transparency and advocacy to ensure that all students receive the quality education they deserve.