Heights Schools Hosting EdChoice Voucher Presentation

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — The Heights Schools will host a presentation on the EdChoice voucher program and school funding on Jan. 9. The meeting comes amid a contentious debate on a proposed levy for the district.

The event will be held at 7 p.m. in the Heights High auditorium. Members of the Heights Board of Education, along with district administrators, will discuss the mechanics of school funding, how the EdChoice voucher program impacts that funding, and why the district will head to the ballot in March.

Prior to the event, community members can submit questions for officials. The district promised to address as many questions as possible during the session. Any questions left unanswered will be addressed online through the district's website.

However, there will be no public comment or questions taken during the event itself.

The EdChoice voucher program offers private school vouchers to families in districts with under-performing public schools, as designated by the state. The program makes it easier for students to forego public education and attend private schools.

There are nine Heights Schools' on the EdChoice list, and district officials argue a statewide freeze on education spending means districts' must eat the cost of the EdChoice vouchers.

The proposed levy for the Heights Schools has met resistance from the Tiger Nation 4 Lower Taxes citizen group. Members of the group argue Heights Schools already benefit from one of the highest property tax rates in the state, and further raising taxes could threaten low-income residents in Cleveland Heights and University Heights.