Ohio Superintendent to Appear on Capitol Hill to Advocate for Federal Education Funding
July 23, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
James Minichello
703-774-6953
jminichello@aasa.org
Alexandria, Va. – July 23, 2024 – Michael J. Barnes, superintendent of Mayfield City Schools in Mayfield Heights, Ohio, and a member of AASA’s Executive Committee, is heading to Capitol Hill today in defense of public education funding and to raise the alarm about the possible reduction in non-defense discretionary funding levels (NDD) in Fiscal Year 2025.
Barnes is joining a handful of speakers to detail how the proposed cuts to NDD funding will impact the nation, its schools, its communities and its economy.
“On behalf of the 4,100 students who walk through the doors of my school district every day along with 50 million students who are learning and growing in classrooms across the country, Congress must reject the proposed cuts for FY25 funding,” said Barnes. “NDD funding supports important domestic and international appropriations. It is a small—but mighty and impactful—portion of our government’s budget that includes education and funds a wide range of important services and investments that keep our country strong. Every city, county and state in this nation receives and is supported by NDD funding, and it is imperative that Congress act to preserve and protect these investments.”
Last month, 1,106 local, state and national organizations including AASA, The School Superintendents Association, signed a joint letter addressed to the leaders of the U.S. House and Senate focusing on the harm of insufficient funding and how these cuts would “do little to reduce the national debt and federal deficit but will greatly jeopardize American competitiveness, security, economic strength, and services on which family and individuals rely.”
“I am honored to participate in this meeting in our nation’s capital to represent the nation’s school system leaders who are extremely familiar with the hard work of budgeting with public dollars,” added Barnes.
Additional areas FY25 NDD funding may impact include scientific and medical research, health care for veterans, federal law enforcement, environmental conservation, home energy assistance, housing and childcare assistance for low-income families, humanitarian aid and development, safe drinking water, and much more.
###
For additional information, contact Noelle Ellerson Ng, AASA associate executive director, advocacy and governance, at nellerson@aasa.org.
###
About AASA
AASA, The School Superintendents Association, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders in the United States and throughout the world. AASA’s mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to equitable access for all students to the highest quality public education. For more information, visit www.aasa.org.
