Benjamin Logan Wraps Up Final “Let’s Talk School” Meeting with Focus on District Goals and Public Education Funding

​The Benjamin Logan Local School District concluded its fifth and final “Let’s Talk School” community meeting of the 2024–2025 school year on Thursday at Rushsylvania Church of Christ. This traveling forum, designed to keep residents informed and engaged, previously made stops in Belle Center, West Mansfield, East Liberty, and Zanesfield.

The meeting opened with an overview of the district’s strategic goals, including maintaining a 4.5-star or higher rating on the Ohio School Report Card, achieving a balanced budget for Fiscal Year 2025, ensuring all educators are trained in the Science of Reading, increasing classroom learning time, and improving community communication.

Attendees also received a breakdown of school finances, including a review of the General and Permanent Improvement funds, which support everything from salaries to school buses. With 60% of the district’s revenue coming from the state and 40% from local taxes, district leaders explained that pending state legislation could significantly affect future funding.

A major topic of the evening was the impact of Ohio’s school voucher program. Community members reviewed a recent article from The Columbus Dispatch and discussed the funding differences and accountability disparities between public and private schools. Many expressed concern over the diversion of public funds to private institutions, especially given that public schools must meet more stringent oversight and testing requirements.

The meeting reflected Benjamin Logan’s ongoing commitment to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and academic excellence as it heads into the next school year.