Ohio
Gov. DeWine must save cash-strapped school districts like New Philadelphia | Opinion
Students have been forced to attend school in modular classrooms for decades. We can’t accommodate students with disabilities. Some children learn in classrooms without proper walls or doors.
Amanda Fontana and Jennifer Schrock both serve on the board for New Philadelphia City Schools. They are writing as parents and members of the All in for Ohio Kids coalition.
Our families have lived in and around New Philadelphia for generations. We are raising our children here so they can experience the same tight-knit community we did.
We ran for school board to be champions for the district we love. Our children deserve to go to school in safe, modern buildings, to be taught by well-paid professionals and to pursue their passions through extracurricular activities.
Unfortunately, new Ohio Speaker of the House Matt Huffman doesn’t share the same goals for our children.
He has a long track record of lining the pockets of his corporate donors with tax breaks and sending our public dollars to well-off families for private school vouchers. He wants to do more of the same in the 2025-26 state budget.
Soon, Gov. Mike DeWine will introduce his budget proposal. We’re calling on him to protect Ohio’s public schools.
Ohio lawmakers continuously fail our schools and students
For more than 20 years, Ohio policymakers did not live up to the constitutional requirement to “secure a thorough and efficient system of common schools throughout the state.” The funding system relied too heavily on local property taxes, which benefits wealthy districts with high property values and shortchanges working-class communities like ours.
Last year, we joined a group of educators, parents and community leaders called the All in for Ohio Kids Coalition. Four years ago, they pushed state lawmakers to include the Fair School Funding Plan in the 2022-23 budget. The bipartisan plan changed the funding formula to account for the different needs of Ohio’s small towns, suburbs, big cities and rural communities.
New Philadelphia is located in the middle of predominantly rural Tuscarawas County.
About 30% of our students qualify as economically disadvantaged. Our dedicated educators and administrators work miracles with inadequate materials and outdated buildings. New Philadelphia’s most modern school was built in the 1970s.
Students have been forced to attend school in modular classrooms for decades. We don’t have the facilities to accommodate students with disabilities. Some children learn in classrooms without proper walls or doors.
Although Quaker pride runs deep, voters rejected the district’s November bond request to upgrade our severely outdated school buildings. Most told us they simply could not afford to pay more in property taxes.
We were not alone.
More than half of Ohio’s school district levies failed last fall. For a district like ours that derives more than half our revenue from local property taxes, we live in a constant state of uncertainty. The Fair School Funding plan helps provide the stability we need.
Ohio public schools need funding
If lawmakers don’t include the Fair School Funding Plan in the next state budget, they will be responsible for taking about $900,000 away from New Philadelphia City Schools in 2027.
That could force our district to cut staff, slash extracurricular activities or reduce support services.
A few weeks ago, Huffman called the Fair School Funding Plan “unsustainable.”
What seems more unsustainable is forcing cash-strapped districts to continuously go back to the ballot so he can give away our schools’ money to his rich friends and supporters. If he has his way, high-quality education will be out of reach for more Ohio children.
Many of his fellow Republican lawmakers stood up to Huffman and defended our public schools.
From increasing mental health services in our schools to expanding Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library across the state, DeWine has always prioritized Ohio’s children.
As he moves into the back end of his second term, we’re asking him to cement his legacy by protecting the Fair School Funding Plan.
Amanda Fontana and Jennifer Schrock both serve on the board for New Philadelphia City Schools. They do not speak for the school board, but are writing as parents and members of the All in for Ohio Kids coalition.
Piketon, Ohio (WSAZ) – Folks in southern Ohio are waking up to power outages and road closures.
Route 32 in Pike County is down to one westbound and one eastbound lane due to debris on the roadway.
Drivers are also dealing with tree limbs on roadways.
The Athens County 911 dispatcher told WSAZ that it’s not believed a tornado touched down, but there is storm damage.
The dispatcher said storm damage from flooding and trees being knocked down has affected US 50.
Power outages are being reported in Athens, Pike, Vinton, Scioto and Meigs Counties and even as far south as Boyd County, Ky.
If you’re in a tornado warning area, you’re urged to get to the lower part of your home.
Keep checking the WSAZ app for the latest.
Copyright 2026 WSAZ. All rights reserved.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Clarence Burley, II, affectionately known as “Lil Man,” entered eternal rest on Thursday, June 5, 2026, at the age of 60, at Summa Health Akron City Hospital in Akron, Ohio.
Born on May 22, 1966, in Youngstown, Ohio, Clarence was the beloved son of Clarence L. Burley and Jacqueline Wilkinson-Burley.
He attended Ursuline High School and graduated with the Class of 1984.
Clarence was a hardworking and dedicated man who spent many years employed at Classic Optical Corporation as a Lens and Frame Specialist. Known for his skill and precision, he was recognized as one of the top lens shapers during his tenure with the company. He also worked for Goodwill Industries, where his exceptional work ethic earned him recognition and awards for outstanding service.
A devoted fan of the Oakland Raiders, Clarence enjoyed football, boxing, roller skating, and bowling. In his younger years, he was also an accomplished swimmer. He loved life and cherished spending time with family and friends. Whether enjoying a cruise vacation, visiting the lake to admire the water, debating sports statistics from A to Z, or simply sharing laughter with loved ones, Clarence brought joy wherever he went.
Known for his impeccable style, Clarence was often dressed to perfection. He was especially proud of his many Cadillacs, but none more than his beloved Cadillac Seville, affectionately known as “the baby caddy.” He could often be found cruising through the city, listening to music and enjoying the ride. His infectious smile, strength, humor, and generous spirit will forever be remembered by those who knew and loved him.
In 1999, Clarence met the love of his life, the former Cathy Winphrie. Their friendship blossomed into a lasting bond, and they were united in holy matrimony in 2015. Together they shared a life filled with love, companionship, and cherished memories.
Clarence leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Cathy Burley; his children, Shannie (Meisha) Burley of Atlanta, Georgia; DeShawn Burley (fiancée Ziah) of Warren, Ohio; Eddie W. Matthews; and Montell Cochrane; his beloved grandchildren, Zaira, DeShawn, Jr., Deondra, Audrionna, Eddie, Jr., Quiara, Azel, Anyia, Marquel, Aiden, Adalese, Meadow, and Amatureas; five great-grandchildren; his mother-in-law, Eula Winphrie; brothers-in-law, James (Jamie) Winphrie and Timothy (Kori) Winphrie; sisters-in-law, Regina Winphrie and Azella Burley; niece Helleenia Winphrie; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence L. Burley and Jacqueline Wilkinson-Burley; his brother, Wesley Burley; and his grandmother, Carrie Davis.
Though Clarence’s earthly journey has ended, his legacy lives on through the lives he touched, the family he loved, and the countless memories he leaves behind. His strength, perseverance, laughter, and love will continue to inspire all who were blessed to know him.
“To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”2 Corinthians 5:8
A homegoing celebration will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday June 20, 2026 at Jerusalem Baptist Church , a visitation with the family will be 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. at the Church.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Gregory-Martin Funeral Home. For additional information, please call (330) 743-4098.
To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) – A couple that was charged after investigators say they abandoned two dogs and a cat at an apartment in Warren entered guilty pleas in Warren Municipal Court this week.
Courtney Iser pleaded guilty to three counts of abandoning animals and two counts of cruelty to companion animals, and Isaiah Gilbert pleaded guilty to two counts of cruelty to companion animals. Sentencing is set for July 7.
The two were charged in May after the animals were found in unsafe and unhealthy conditions without food or water at an apartment on South Street SE. Police were called to the apartment on reports that the animals had been left without care. Iser was charged first, and Gilbert was charged a short time later.
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