Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

September 23, 2025

Good Tuesday morning,

As we travel the state, we are asked questions about our lawsuit. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions.

What is Vouchers Hurt Ohio?

Vouchers Hurt Ohio is a growing coalition of more than 300 public school districts that have come together to sue the state over the unconstitutional and harmful private school voucher program.

How do the EdChoice private school vouchers hurt Ohio?

The EdChoice private school voucher program hurts our schools and our kids by funneling $1.7 billion in tax dollars in the next two years away from our public schools into private schools. Anti-public school lawmakers have implemented a universal voucher program making all parents, including millionaires and billionaires, eligible for at least a partial voucher.

Parents, the vast majority whose children were already enrolled in private schools, are receiving tax dollars as a refund or a rebate to pay for a private education. The private school voucher program has exploded with more than 91,000 vouchers.

Are private school operators receiving tax dollars for the construction of private, religious schools?

Lawmakers spent at least an unprecedented $4 million in tax dollars for construction grants for private schools.

What is the amount of money for a private school voucher per student?

When it started as an experiment, the private school voucher program was $1,229 per voucher. Now, high school vouchers are $8,407 and K-8 vouchers are worth $6,165. The vast majority of public schools receive far less money per pupil for K-8 and high school students from the state.

Why do you think Vouchers Hurt Ohio can be successful?

Franklin County Judge Jaiza Page ruled the EdChoice private school voucher program is unconstitutional on three counts. Her ruling was appealed to the 10th District Court of Appeals.

What are the three counts of unconstitutionality?

1. Edchoice vouchers use our tax dollars to create a separate and unequal system of private schools not open to all children. The Ohio Constitution clearly states lawmakers are responsible for funding a single system of common schools open to all children.
2. Edchoice vouchers siphon $1.7 billion in our tax dollars away from public schools while public schools are underfunded with an unconstitutional funding formula.
3. The Ohio Constitution clearly states “no religious or other sect, or sects, shall ever have any exclusive right to, or control of, any part of the school funds of this State.” More than 90 percent of the EdChoice voucher schools are religious.

What impact do private school vouchers have on my property taxes?

The funding for private school vouchers comes out of the same line-item in the state budget that pays for public schools. A dollar more for private schools is a dollar less available for public schools. Local school districts, losing tax dollars to private schools, are being forced to go back to local taxpayers more and more often with levy requests. There is tremendous pressure on property owners to fill the hole in local public school district budgets created by state tax dollars lost to private school vouchers.

Is your district part of our historic lawsuit? Check here.

If not, why not? Learn more here.

Sincerely,

Vouchers Hurt Ohio