Ohio Department of Education and Workforce

Analysis of the latest financial forecasts submitted by Ohio's public schools shows that close to 10% of districts will experience severe financial strain by the end of the current fiscal year. By the 2030 fiscal year, that number is projected to jump to over 63%.

The Cincinnati Public Schools levy on the upcoming ballot cannot be part of the financial plan the state is requiring from the district by the end of November.

It's the first time the district has met state standards since the education department began using the star rating system.

Though the financial recovery plan has been approved, there's still more work left for district leaders.

Many area school districts met or exceeded the state's overall standard benchmark of three stars, while 10 local districts far exceeded the standard, earning the highest rating possible.

Twenty-four states with Democratic governors and Washington, D.C., filed a lawsuit against the administration, and soon after, another lawsuit was filed by the advocacy group Democracy Forward on behalf of several education organizations across the country, three school districts in Alaska, and Cincinnati Public Schools.

Early Friday afternoon, the White House's Office of Management and Budget told WVXU it had completed its programmatic review for grants used to fund 21st Century Community Learning Centers and will be releasing funds to states.

The Trump administration froze more than $6 billion in grant funding nationwide for K-12 schools last week.

The freeze is likely to have a significant impact on the region's largest school district, Cincinnati Public Schools, which runs several programs for immigrant students, English language learners, and adult learners.

The request comes shortly after the U.S. Department of Education said it was immediately ending an extension of COVID-related grant funding offered under the Biden administration.