Nonprofit announces investigation after Ohio gives private schools at least $4.9 million

A Washington-based nonprofit organization is investigating Ohio's funding for private schools, after lawmakers approved at least $4.9 million in state money for private school projects.

Americans United for the Separation of Church and State requested records related to private school funding from the Ohio Office of Budget and Management. The organization advocates against discrimination based on religious beliefs.

Lawmakers approved at least $4.9 million for private school projects as part of the $700 million one-time strategic community investment fund.

“This is all part of the Christian Nationalist playbook for undermining our public education system: Divert public money to private religious schools while imposing their religious beliefs on public schoolchildren,” Rachel Laser, the president of Americans United, said in a news release.

Americans United Associate Legal Director Alex Luchenitser argued in a legal analysis accompanying the request that the funding to religious schools violates Ohio taxpayers' religious freedom by "forcing them to support religious instruction in faiths to which they do not subscribe."

Luchenitser said the funding violates the First Amendment clause against establishing a religion. American United wants Ohio to either stop funding religious schools or restrict the money to only facilities where religious instruction or activity will not take place.

What do Ohio Republicans say?

Ohio Senate Republicans spokesman John Fortney said the money is not a grant but a fund that organizations could apply for to use for projects that would not qualify for the normal capital budget process.

“This is laughable and a lie that the left is using to yet again vilify parents who send their students to a school of their choice," Fortney said.

Ohio Senate Finance Chair Matt Dolan, R-Chagrin Falls, said on the Senate Republicans podcast in June that the fund was a way to give money back to taxpayers.

Dolan said the fund was a way for lawmakers to decide "what projects in my community can we invest in that would produce economic development, more jobs, more revenue and/or improves the quality of life that makes Ohio a more attractive place to live?"

Which Ohio private schools received state money?

• Temple Christian School in Allen County: $250,000
• SPIRE Institute in Ashtabula County: $1 million
• Saint Edwards High School in Cuyahoga County: $800,000
• St. Mary School in Geauga County: $4,000
• Bellefontaine Calvary Christian School in Logan County: $250,000
• Mansfield Christian School in Richland County: $1,500,000
• Special Education Cornerstone Community School in Summit County: $76,393
• Holy Trinity Orthodox Christian Academy and Preschool in Trumbull County: $1,000,000
• Victory Christian School in Trumbull County: $100,000

Erin Glynn is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.