07/02/2025

School Board Elections Could Get More Political under Newly Approved Budget Bill

The budget includes a provision requiring school board candidates to list their political party

The Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA), the Ohio Association of School Business Officials (OASBO) and the Buckeye Association of School Administrators (BASM) — which represents superintendents across the state — are petitioning Governor Mike DeWine to line-item veto several provisions of the recently passed state budget bill, including one that would make big changes to local school board races.

Hidden in the budget bill is a measure that would require candidates for school board to appear on the ballot with a political party designation, ending decades of nonpartisan races. Supporters of the change say it will help voters stay informed about the candidates’ beliefs, and make elections more transparent.

In the letter, the OSBA, OASBO and BASA argued that introducing party labels shifts the focus away from a candidate’s qualifications and individual platform. 

Please select this link to read the complete article from WFMJ.