Arts Education Action Alert

Ohio Alliance for Arts Education March 7, 2013   Ohio Alliance for Arts Education 77 South High Street, Floor 2 Columbus, Ohio 43215-6108 614.224.1060   www.OAAE.net The Ohio House Finance and Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education, is continuing to hear testimony on the education components of House Bill 59 (Amstutz), Governor Kasich's state operating budget for FY14-15. We urge you to contact legislators now and emphasize the need for changes in the HB59. Use this link to find your legislator's name and email. Click on your House members name and compose your email message. It's just that easy!  Advocacy Message School Funding System *The state's school-funding system should include sufficient resources to ensure that all students have access to a complete curriculum that includes the arts - dance, drama/theatre, music, visual arts, and media arts. The base cost per pupil included in HB59 as introduced is not based on the actual cost of a complete education program. The state should conduct a study to determine a base cost that would support a complete curriculum, and fund that amount. *Ohio's school-funding system should direct state resources for education through a formula that works rather than funding guarantees. Expansion of the Sales Tax *The OAAE opposes the expansion of the state's sales tax to services in the nonprofit sector. Operating Standards *The OAAE opposes changes in laws and rules that weaken the purpose of Operating Standards to ensure that all students have access to a "high quality education." (Section 3301.07 (D)(2)). Educational Service Centers (ESC) *The OAAE opposes the reduction in funding for educational service centers included in HB59. Gifted Education *Ohio's system for funding schools should provide sufficient funds and accountability measures so that school districts and community schools identify and serve students who are gifted.  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- More information - Click here