Elyria Board of Education Takes Stand for Fair School Funding

At the February 4, 2026 Elyria City Schools Board of Education meeting, EEA President Linda Aguiñaga stood before the Board and made a clear, urgent ask: stand with educators, students, and the community by advocating for fair and fully funded public schools.

On May 6, 2026, the Board answered that call.

The Elyria City Schools Board of Education unanimously adopted a Resolution in Support of the Fair School Funding Plan, formally affirming what educators and our community have been saying all along—Elyria’s financial challenges are not the result of local decisions, but of a state funding system that has failed to keep pace with the real cost of educating students.

Why This Matters

This resolution is more than a symbolic gesture—it is a critical step in aligning our district’s leadership around the truth:

• The Fair School Funding Plan was designed to ensure every student receives the resources they need, regardless of zip code.
• However, without updated cost inputs and full funding, the plan falls short of its promise.
• Outdated funding calculations and potential cuts to guaranteed funding threaten to destabilize districts like Elyria, forcing impossible decisions that ultimately impact students.

The Board’s resolution directly calls on state leaders to:

• Fully fund the Fair School Funding Plan
• Update cost calculations to reflect current economic realities
• Reject funding cuts that would harm districts and communities
• Continue building a system that is equitable, adequate, and sustainable

A Unified Message

This action sends a strong and unified message:
The solution is not fewer educators—it is fair funding.

For months, EEA members have voiced concern about the long-term financial outlook and the very real impact it could have on classrooms, staffing, and student supports. This resolution reinforces that our district leadership recognizes the root cause of the issue and is willing to advocate alongside us.

Moving Forward—Together

We applaud the Elyria Board of Education for taking this important step and for standing with educators, students, and families in calling for a funding system that truly works.

This is what advocacy looks like.

Now, the work continues.

We encourage our members and community to stay engaged as this resolution is shared with state lawmakers and education leaders across Ohio. Real change will require continued pressure, collaboration, and a unified voice. 

Elyria has made its position clear.
Now it’s time for the state to listen.