Ohio Lawmaker Seeks to Muzzle School Districts Over Voucher Lawsuit

Rep. Jamie Callender's bill would withhold state aid from districts challenging unconstitutional private school subsidies

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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State Rep. Jamie Callender, a Republican from Concord, Ohio, is reportedly considering revising his bill to withhold state aid from any school district that challenges the state's lavish and unconstitutional spending of tax money on private school vouchers. The editorial board of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer argues that Callender should instead aim to end Ohio's unconstitutional subsidy of private, often religious, schools at the expense of the public schools that nearly 90% of young Ohioans attend.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing battle over public education funding in Ohio, where more than 330 of the state's 600-odd public school districts are suing the state to halt its funding of two state school voucher programs that sluice public money to nonpublic schools. The editorial board argues that Callender's bill is an "out-and-out bid to muzzle public school districts" and a "brazen violation of the 'right to a remedy' lawsuit guarantee of Ohio's Bill of Rights."

The details

Callender originally sought to withhold all state aid from school districts challenging Ohio's voucher programs, but is now reportedly moving to change that so only the amount of money a district contributes to the anti-voucher coalition's lawsuit costs would be escrowed. The editorial board argues this is still an attempt to muzzle public school districts that are being sapped of public funds by private school subsidies.

  • In 1995-97, Ohio's experience with vouchers began with a (notionally) pilot program limited to the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.
  • In 2002, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the so-called Cleveland Scholarship program in a 5-4 ruling.
  • Last June, a Franklin County Common Pleas judge outlawed spending Ohioans' tax money on two private-school voucher programs – essentially, the largest ones. The state has appealed that decision to the Columbus-based 10th Ohio District Court of Appeals, where the case (Columbus City School District vs. State of Ohio) is now pending.

The players

Jamie Callender

A Republican state representative from Concord, Ohio who is reportedly considering revising a bill to withhold state aid from school districts that challenge the state's funding of private school vouchers.

Vouchers Hurt Ohio

A coalition of more than 330 of Ohio's 600-odd public school districts that are suing the state to halt its funding of two state school voucher programs that sluice public money to nonpublic schools.

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What’s next

The 10th Ohio District Court of Appeals will rule on the appeal of the Franklin County Common Pleas judge's decision to outlaw spending Ohioans' tax money on two private-school voucher programs.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tension between public education funding and private school voucher programs in Ohio, with the editorial board arguing that Callender's bill is an unconstitutional attempt to muzzle public school districts that are fighting to uphold the principle that no religious or other sect shall have exclusive control over school funds.