Solon Politician Again Blasts Gov. DeWine On School Reopening

SOLON, OH — Families in Solon and throughout state Rep. Phil Robinson's district are anxious about students returning to school.

Robinson and other Ohio House Democrats sent out a back-to-school questionnaire to residents. More than 440 Ohioans responded.

The majority of respondents said they were unhappy with Gov. Mike DeWine's school reopening plan. About half of respondents said they were unhappy with their district's reopening plan too.

“My constituents and other Ohioans have been voicing their anxiety and concerns about students returning to school and needing more help in these difficult times for quite a while now. The respondents of this questionnaire confirm what my fellow Democrats and I have already been saying: Both federal and state government need to provide more support to both schools and families who are struggling from COVID-19 and its economic implications,” Robinson said.

Some Ohioans are also struggling with virtual learning because they have unreliable internet access. About half of parents said they are unable to stay home with their children because they have to report to work.

School districts have also expressed concern about simultaneously having their budgets slashed while trying to pay for increased sanitation and social-distancing measures.

“Regardless of whether schools are instituting virtual, in-person, or hybrid plans for classes; they need more flexibility and funds from all of the additional costs all of these options bring," Robinson said.

Robinson said DeWine and his colleagues in the Ohio legislature should make school funding and reopening plans a statewide priority, equal only to the repeal of House Bill 6.