Should Ohio students go to school year-round? Candidate for governor suggests they should
TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – Should Ohio students go to school all year round? A gubernatorial candidate suggests it could be a way to address the state’s educational challenges.
Republican Vivek Ramaswamy made the suggestion in a now-deleted video posted to social media.
His Democratic opponent, former Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton, posted her original video, which has been viewed millions of times online.
“Alright Republicans, if we’re serious about winning in 2026, here’s how to do it,” the video begins.
Ramaswamy then offers several ideas for reducing costs.
“I’m a dad. Make parenting more affordable by schooling all year round and going to 4 years instead of 3 years so you don’t have to pay for child care,” he said.
Some Republicans initially reacted by claiming the video was generated by AI. The video was real, although the Ramaswamy campaign told the Columbus Dispatch that it was not a deployment of policy but simply a casual back-and-forth on TikTok.
Year-round school calendars typically shorten summer vacations and increase the length of other vacations during the year.
In a follow-up video, Ramaswamy criticized Acton for COVID-era school closures and said leaders need to get creative to address educational inequality.
“We want an education system that elevates every child. We’re going to think creatively about how we implement it. That’s the answer. If Democrats want to misrepresent my position, let them do so. My opponent, Amy Acton, has absolutely no vision for how to help education in Ohio,” Ramaswamy said.
Acton’s campaign website calls for reducing Ohio’s private school voucher system, fully funding public schools and investing in math and literacy programs.
Acton and Ramaswamy are set to face off in the 2026 general elections for the governorship.
Former Congressman Tim Ryan announced last week that he would not seek the Democratic Party nomination for governor, clearing the way for Acton to run unopposed in the primary. The state Republican Party has already endorsed Ramaswamy.
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