“Support Public Education and Constitutional Government: A Tribute to President Jimmy Carter” • Ohio Capital Journal

As younger Americans learn about former President Jimmy Carter, they discover he was a pioneer. He lived to be the oldest U.S. president at 100 years and also had the longest time in post-presidency. Carter was the first president to graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy and the first to be born in a hospital.

One of his significant contributions was serving on a local school board. In 1955, Carter joined the Sumter County Board of Education, eventually becoming its president. His commitment to public education didn’t stop there.

As president, Carter made history by sending his daughter, Amy, to public school—the first presidential child to do so in decades. This decision reflected his belief in the value of public education, which he supported enthusiastically throughout his life.

Carter’s dedication culminated in the creation of the U.S. Department of Education in 1979. Because of his track record, many consider him the “education president.” His administration prioritized education at a time when I was just starting as a school administrator, overseeing federal programs in my district.

After Carter’s presidency ended in 1980, the new administration proposed changing Title I, a major federal education program, into block grants. This shift could have diverted funds away from students who needed support, something many federal program directors opposed.

This experience taught me to be cautious about calls to reduce “government red tape.” More than 40 years later, those arguments are still echoed by politicians today. Notably, former President Trump suggested eliminating the U.S. Department of Education, threatening the legacy that Carter built to support American children’s education.

Today, the issues around public versus private education funding continue. Over 30 states now support non-public education financially, which shifts resources away from public schools. This trend raises concerns about the future of community-based education that Carter valued.

While President Carter believed in equitable education for all, many current policies risk fragmenting this vision, pushing public funds into private and religious schools instead.

In Ohio, there’s an ongoing effort, led by some lawmakers, to shift resources toward private education. This goes against the Ohio Constitution, which mandates a common school system open to everyone without religious bias. These moves raise questions about educational equity and priorities.

As people look back on Carter’s life—a devoted Sunday School teacher and advocate for open public education—it’s important to uphold his vision. Funding for education should come from community support and not the public treasury.

Ohioans must pay attention to legal battles ensuring that public funds support public education only. Organizations like the Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding are working hard to uphold constitutional promises. It’s essential for citizens to voice their concerns and advocate for the future of public education, maintaining the ideal of unity rather than division.