Antonio Statement on Dissolution of the Ohio Department of Education

Today, Senate Minority Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) released the following statement regarding the governor’s decision to dissolve the Department of Education, despite a court order blocking the move:

“I am disappointed to see these changes go forward, despite a Franklin County judge extending a temporary hold until noon Wednesday,” said Antonio. “The decision to ignore the authority of the court is a dangerous precedent to set at a time when public trust in the institution of government is at an all-time low. Ohio’s students and families deserve an organized and effective department and state board. Until the court decides how to proceed, the state should not interfere.”

In September, members of the State Board of Education filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the K-12 education overhaul which passed as part of the state operating budget, House Bill 33. This provision of the operating budget was similar to Senate Bill 1, a politically motivated takeover of public education, transferring almost all powers of the democratically elected State Board of Education to the governor and the newly-created Department of Education and Workforce (DEW).