Letters Criticize Ohio's Voucher Program and Dayton Arts Changes

Public school teachers and residents voice concerns over education funding and performing arts programming cuts.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 8:50am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Two letters to the editor in the Springfield News-Sun criticize Ohio's school voucher program and recent programming changes at the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance. The first letter argues the voucher program has been detrimental to Springfield's public schools, while the second letter from a public school teacher and mayor laments the program's expansion despite budget pressures on public districts. The other letter expresses disappointment over the DPAA eliminating popular concert series, saying it alienates longtime patrons and impacts the local economy.

Why it matters

These letters highlight ongoing debates over education funding and the role of the arts in Ohio communities. The school voucher program has been a contentious issue, with critics arguing it diverts resources from public schools. The DPAA changes also reflect broader challenges facing arts organizations in balancing programming with audience preferences and financial realities.

The details

The first letter writer, E. Darlene Yeley of Springfield, argues the presence of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Haitian residents has been a "detriment" to the city and its culture, claiming their benefit does not outweigh the cost. The second letter is from Jeff Gore, a public school teacher and mayor of Huber Heights, who says Ohio's voucher program was never designed to help struggling students and is now costing every household $20 per month. Gore also criticizes the state legislature for funding vouchers over the Fair School Funding Plan. The third letter comes from Stephen Goldberg, a Dayton resident and longtime arts patron, who expresses disappointment over the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance eliminating popular concert series, saying it alienates longtime supporters and impacts the local economy.

  • The letters were published on March 27, 2026.

The players

E. Darlene Yeley

A resident of Springfield, Ohio.

Jeff Gore

The mayor of Huber Heights, Ohio, and a public school teacher.

Stephen Goldberg

A longtime arts patron and resident of Dayton, Ohio.

Mike DeWine

The former governor of Ohio who expanded the state's voucher program.

George Voinovich

A former governor of Ohio who helped establish the state's voucher program in the 1990s.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Too many articles of outsiders are printed by the media to sway public opinion. These are not the views of the common American citizen who is being sacrificed for the betterment of another country's citizens that were unwilling to make their own country livable. The detriment to Springfield citizens and our culture from the presence of TPS Haitian's far out weights their benefit.”

— E. Darlene Yeley

“A ProPublica investigation published last year revealed what many of us suspected: Ohio's voucher program was never designed to help struggling students. Private letters from former Gov. Voinovich show it was a deliberate strategy — start small, frame it around poor kids, then expand to everyone.”

— Jeff Gore, Mayor, City of Huber Heights; Public school teacher

“Having grown up in New York City and lived in several other major cities, we have always championed Dayton's exceptional dedication to the arts. For decades, we have been loyal season ticket holders for the SuperPops and Rockin' Orchestra series, often boasting to our NYC friends about the world-class, accessible programming available in our own backyard.”

— Stephen Goldberg

The takeaway

These letters highlight the ongoing tensions in Ohio over education funding, the role of school choice programs, and the importance of maintaining vibrant arts and cultural offerings in local communities. The concerns raised reflect broader debates playing out across the state and country over the balance between public and private education, as well as the challenges facing arts organizations in an evolving landscape.