Funding Fights & Classroom Mandates: Melissa Cropper on the Future of Ohio Schools

Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT) President Melissa Cropper joins the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the legislative "power plays" targeting public education, the pushback against classroom mandates, and the latest union organizing victories across the state. Host Ed "Flash" Ferenc welcomes Melissa Cropper back to the show for a deep dive into the 2026 legislative landscape in Columbus. As Ohio lawmakers propose new ways to centralize control over K-12 and higher education, Cropper explains why these moves threaten the very foundation of local public schools. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: The Funding Penalty (HB 671): Why a new proposal to withhold funds from districts that challenge the state in court is being viewed as an attack on local control. Higher Ed Under Pressure: A look at how colleges are being forced into "compliance certification" or risking their state support. The "Success Sequence" (SB 156): Why the OFT is opposing state-directed classroom messages that oversimplify the root causes of poverty. Organizing Momentum: Celebrating the first-contract victory for Delaware Public Library workers and an update on the resilient fight for workers’ rights at KIPP and Menlo charter schools. The Labor Perspective: Why real student success requires fully funded schools, family-sustaining wages and a seat at the table for educators. Go Behind the Scenes of the Labor Movement. From the statehouse to the schoolhouse, hear how activists are fighting for a stronger future. Subscribe to the America’s Work Force Union Podcast for daily interviews with the leaders building worker power across America.