OHIO — For months, the State Board of Education has been looking for ways to address a budget shortfall in order to continue its work. 

What You Need To Know

  • The State Board of Education has been looking for ways to address a budget shortfall in order to continue its work after House Bill 33 stripped away dollars
  • State Superintendent Paul Craft said previously that the board was looking at a shortfall of four to five million dollars by the end of the biennium budget, which would require cuts to be made
  • Board member Paul LaRue said stakeholders, including the legislature, are working to come to a solution 

That's after House Bill 33 stripped away dollars.

The state superintendent of public instruction is expected to give an update on the state board of education’s financial situation. Board member Paul LaRue said, when the restructuring of the State Board of Education occurred, he believes there were some unintended consequences.

“There were some things that were taken on, some responsibilities that weren't funded before, under the teacher licensure funds," LaRue said. "So, it really was a matter of kind of, you know, getting the dollars to fill that gap.”

While the alarm was sounded months ago by State Superintendent Paul Craft about running out of dollars to operate, LaRue said everyone including the stakeholders, governor's office and the general assembly wants to make this work.

"So it's not as though we're fighting an uphill battle," LaRue said. "It's really just about how to make this happen.” 

The next meeting is set for 9 a.m. Tuesday in the William Green Building.