State of the State
Governor DeWine gave his State of the State speech this week. It was heavily focused on Ohio’s children and their futures. The Governor spoke on the creation of new programs, such as the principal apprentice program to help craft Ohio’s future education leaders, and the creation of more school-based health centers. The Governor also called on the legislature to add career planning to the state’s high school graduation requirements and to expand funding for career-tech education to ensure every student who wishes to participate has the opportunity. He also asked the legislature to require districts to adopt cellphone usage policies to tackle the issue of cellphone disruptions in classrooms. Governor DeWine also highlighted the continued implementation of the science of reading and the impact it is having for Ohio’s children.
Senate Activity
The Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill (SB) 163, sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard), which would create the "Dublin City Schools" license plate. The bill will now head to the House.
Senate Education Committee
The committee amended House Bill (HB) 250, sponsored by Reps. Jessica E. Miranda (D-Forest Park) and Tracy M. Richardson (R-Marysville), which would revise the “military enlistment seal” and would rename it the “military seal.” The committee adopted two corrective amendments. The first fixes a reference to school psychologist licensure requirements. The second corrects references to the Department of Education and Workforce.
The committee held a second hearing on SB 208, sponsored by Sen. Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson), which would require a city, exempted village or local school district to include in its open enrollment policy an exception for military children.
The committee also held a second hearing on HB 147, sponsored by Reps. Sarah Fowler Arthur (R-Rock Creek) and Adam C. Miller (D-Columbus), which would make changes to teacher licensure revocation, teacher hiring practices and conduct unbecoming the teaching profession.
Over the next few weeks the committee will be hearing presentations from Ohio schools regarding what the schools have done and are doing to remediate students. This week the committee heard presentations from Margaretta Local (Erie) and Mariemont City.
House Primary & Secondary Education Committee
The committee heard sponsor testimony on HB 432, sponsored by Rep. Don Jones (R-Freeport), which would make changes regarding the preparation and licensing of educators for career-technical education.
The committee also heard sponsor testimony on SB 29, sponsored by Sen. Stephen A. Huffman (R-Tipp City). This bill would enact laws regulating the use of student data and educational records by technology providers. The bill would require school districts to share certain information regarding the technology providers they use.
The committee held a second hearing on SB 168, sponsored by Sen. Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester), which would make several regulatory changes, including but not limited to the following:
- Allowing school districts to develop and use their own frameworks for teacher evaluation, instead of using a framework developed by the State Board of Education;
- Clarifying that a school district is not required to hold a separate, individual public hearing on a proposed school calendar, but that the calendar may be addressed as part of another public hearing or meeting;
- Modifying license or certificate qualifications for senior or lead professional educators, holders of professional administrator or alternative superintendent licenses, and nonteachers employed as teachers;
- Eliminating seniority as a preference when making reductions in nonteaching staff positions;
- Clarifying when non-licensed individuals working in a school must be entered into the RAPback system and that the RAPback provision will be overseen by the State Board of Education (SBOE).
OSBA, the Buckeye Association of School Administrators, the Alliance for High Quality Education, the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators, the Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators and the Ohio Association of School Business Officials provided joint proponent testimony in favor of SB 168 that can be found here.
House Ways & Means Committee
The committee heard sponsor testimony on HB 378, sponsored by Reps. Nick Santucci (R-Howland Twp.) and Brian Lorenz (R-Powell), which would authorize a full homestead exemption for surviving spouses of members of the uniformed services killed in the line of duty.
The committee also heard sponsor testimony on HB 386, sponsored by Reps. Adam Matthews (R-Lebanon) and Brian Lampton (R-Fairborn), which would phase-out the state income tax on nonbusiness income over six years and repeal the commercial activity tax after 2029.
House Higher Education Committee
The committee passed HB 183, sponsored by Reps. Beth Lear (R-Galena) and Adam Bird (R-New Richmond), which would require schools to designate single-sex bathroom and locker room access in primary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education.
House State & Local Government Committee
The committee amended HB 145, sponsored by Reps. Thomas Hall (R-Middletown) and Brian Lampton (R-Fairborn). The bill expands political subdivision joint purchasing authority to expressly include purchases for construction services. The amendment narrows the scope of the bill by replacing ‘construction services’ with ‘installation, repair, upgrade replacement, and maintenance’ to conform with a recent Attorney General opinion.
State Legislative Conference
There is still time to register for the 2024 State Legislative Conference scheduled for April 23, 2024, at the Sheraton on Capitol Square in Columbus. The agenda for the State Legislative Conference can be found here. The 2024 State Legislative Conference is an opportunity to build relationships with state legislators and engage in public education advocacy efforts. The deadline for registration is Thursday, April 18. Registration information is available here. We look forward to seeing you on the 23rd!
State Board of Education
The State Board of Education (SBOE) met this week and discussed the HB 33 changes that flattened the grade band licensure structure for teachers from three bands to two. The HB 33 changes the grade bands from preK-5, 4-9, and 7-12 to preK-8 and 7-12. The board also discussed preserving the option for private and home school students on Jon Peterson and Autism scholarships to learn remotely as the authority to provide such services is set to expire in FY25. A few individuals have testified before the State Board on this matter; however, the oversight for this lies with the Department of Education and Workforce (DEW). As a result, the State Board will be discussing the matter with DEW.
Study Commission on the Future of Gaming in Ohio
The commission met for a second time this week and heard from several gaming entities. During the last meeting the commission heard recommendations such as lowering the tax rate on sports gaming from 20% to 10% to drive growth opportunities for sports gaming providers. This trend continued this meeting as well, as gaming operators asked for the legislature to reduce regulations to allow for more growth and investment in the industry. 98% of the tax revenue from gaming is set aside to help fund schools and Ohio’s scholarship programs.
Department of Education and Workforce (DEW)
DEW has the following proposed rules open for public comment:
New rules open for comment:
- The Department of Education and Workforce intends to initiate rulemaking regarding the standards for virtual services from registered private providers in the Autism and Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program. The deadline for comments is April 19, 2024.
Click here to view the rules open for public comment.
New Bills Introduced
- HB 485, sponsored by Reps. Tom Young (R-Washington Twp.) and Phil Plummer (R-Dayton), would make changes regarding school internet safety policy and instruction on the effects of social media in public schools.