OLBCF’s Response to Franklin County Ruling Declaring Ohio’s EdChoice Voucher Program Unconstitutional

On Tuesday, June 24th, Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Jaiza Page issued a landmark ruling declaring Ohio’s EdChoice school voucher program unconstitutional.

This ruling is a long-overdue acknowledgment of what so many public education advocates, parents, and community leaders have known for years: Ohio’s EdChoice program diverts critical public funds from our schools and undermines the constitutional promise of a thorough and efficient system of public education for every child.

The Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Foundation has consistently called for equitable, well-resourced public schools that meet the needs of Black students and underserved communities. The court's decision affirms that public dollars belong in public classrooms—not in a system that exacerbates racial and economic disparities.

As the state prepares to appeal, OLBCF stands ready to fight alongside public education advocates to ensure that every child, regardless of zip code or background, has access to a high-quality public education.

“This ruling is more than a legal victory — it’s a moral reckoning. For too long, Ohio’s leaders have prioritized private interests over public good, strategically funneling resources from schools that serve our most vulnerable children to fund private, often exclusionary institutions. That is not equity. That is not justice. And today a Judge proved that it's unconstitutional.”

—Shayla L. Davis, President & CEO, Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Foundation

While Ohio lawmakers are negotiating the state budget, this decision reaffirms what communities across our state have been demanding for years — equitable, fully funded, and accountable public education. The time to reinvest in Ohio’s public schools is now.

We demand that state lawmakers listen to the courts, the communities they serve, and the educators on the frontlines. OLBCF will continue to monitor developments in this case and advocate for policies that advance equity, fairness, and justice in Ohio’s education system.