Ohio bill includes $7M for Sandusky Schools

SANDUSKY — A state budget bill the Ohio House approved Wednesday has more than $7 million earmarked to help the career tech program for Sandusky Schools. The bill also includes funding for the Ohio Veterans Home and for Kelleys Island infrastructure improvements, and includes a tax cut for people making less than $92,000 a year. State Rep. D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron, listed appropriations that will benefit Erie County. Swearingen said the measure includes about $7.6 million in fiscal year 2024, which starts in July, for the construction of culinary and welding facilities for Sandusky High School's career tech program. The budget for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 now goes to the Senate, but Martha Murray, the president of the Sandusky school board, told the Register it will be great news if the funding for Sandusky Schools goes all the way through the process and reaches Gov. Mike DeWine's desk. "I'm super excited," Murray said. "It's a big deal." Murray said the construction plans call for expanding and modernizing the welding program, allowing more students to learn welding and get good jobs with local companies. New equipment, better ventilation and other improvements are needed, she said. The district has lacked a true culinary program since the 1990s, and the funding will help open a kitchen and a restaurant to help students snag jobs at Kalahari, Cedar Point and local restaurants, as well as giving them skills to open eateries of their own, Murray said. The school board president said she's been assured students won't just learn how to be line cooks but will learn how to run restaurants and be entrepreneurs. "We appreciate the continued support from Rep. Swearingen for career technical education in the Sandusky City School District," said Brandy Bennett, director of the Sandusky School District Career Tech Center. "We look forward to continuing our high-quality career technical education for our Sandusky High School students." Bennett worked hard developing the proposal and getting it ready for funding, Murray said, including working with Firelands Forward to develop programs that match local job vacancies. Swearingen predicts the Sandusky Schools funding also will be OK'd in the Ohio Senate. "I hope that it will and like our chances," he said. Swearingen said the budget measure includes $2 million for sewer and water infrastructure for Kelleys Island. "The Village of Kelleys Island is grateful to Rep. Swearingen for his efforts in funding the design and planning of a public sewer system for our community," said Mayor Ron Ehrbar. "Kelleys Island is home to many Ohioans and a key destination for many tourists. Making sure our infrastructure is good for our residents and visitors, as well as protecting the waters of Lake Erie, is important." The measure also includes $65 million for Ohio's veterans homes. Swearingen has said he expects the state funding to attract additional federal matching funds. He said Erie County's veterans home is projected to get about two-thirds of the funding. The measure also includes a provision cutting the state income tax down to 2.75% for individuals making up to $92,000 a year. "One of my priorities is to alleviate economic burden on Ohioans," said Swearingen. "This tax cut will provide relief to the larger part of our state." Ohio lawmakers also have discussed changing the state income tax to a flat tax, and that proposal still may be discussed, Swearingen said. "I think those conversations will continue," Swearingen said.