Facts in a Flash

Register now for Board Leadership Institute 

OSBA’s 2026 Board Leadership Institute (BLI) takes place on May 8-9! Join fellow board members for a two-day training filled with insights and strategies to lead your district to educational excellence. 

Developed by board members for board members, this event features learning sessions tailored to you. Whether you're a new board member in your first term or a seasoned veteran, you'll benefit from hearing the latest on finances, legislation, school law, board…

SBOE selects Philip Wagner as next superintendent of public instruction 

On Monday, the State Board of Education (SBOE) selected Dr. Philip H. Wagner as Ohio’s next superintendent of public instruction. Wagner, currently superintendent of Johnstown-Monroe Local (Licking) Schools, will start in July. In the meantime, SBOE Chief Legal Counsel Jason Wagner will serve as interim superintendent. Read more about Wagner …

Register now for State Legislative Conference 

Join OSBA, Buckeye Association of School Administrators (BASA) and Ohio Association of School Business Officials (OASBO) in Columbus for our annual State Legislative Conference on March 24, 2026! Register your district leadership team today.  

As legislators consider education policies, it is imperative that school board members, superintendents and treasurers tell legislators what…

House activity  

The chamber passed House Bill (HB) 500, sponsored by Reps. Ty D. Matthews (R-Findlay) and Kevin Ritter (R- Marietta) with a vote of 91-0. This bill would designate a JROTC program offered by a school district as a career-technical education program. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration. 

DCY releases draft ECE Field Guide  

The Department of Children and Youth (DCY) has released a draft Early Care & Education School-Based Preschool Field Guide for public comment. With this guide, the department aims to “give transparency in monitoring regulatory requirements, provide suggestions for best practices in meeting and maintaining compliance, offer…

FY27-28 Capital Budget  

Gov. Mike DeWine, Senate Finance Chairman Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland) and House Finance Chairman Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) confirmed this week that the biennial capital budget process is officially underway. Administrative agencies are working to prepare their requests for the legislature – including the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, which allocates state funding for public school district facilities projects. In addition to funding projects…

We’re back! After a delay caused by Winter Storm Fern, the Ohio House returned from their holiday recess this week. The Senate is slated to return next week, with both chambers holding regular sessions until mid-June.  

Facts in a Flash is designed to keep you up to date on what happens at the Statehouse each week. It’s published every Friday that the General Assembly is in session.    

House…

Governor’s activity  

Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill (HB) 434 into law. Sponsored by Rep. Bernard Willis (R-Springfield) and Brian Lampton (R-Fairborn), this act makes corrections to the transportation and main operating budgets. HB 434 included an emergency clause, so it became effective law immediately upon signature.  

Gov. DeWine …

This week, the legislature completed what many regarded as a “midyear Lame Duck session”. Combined, the House and Senate voted on nearly 40 bills in their final frenzy of legislative activity for the year. Following Wednesday’s session, the General Assembly recessed for the remainder of 2025. We anticipate their return in January or February of 2026.  

Senate activity  

The Senate passed a series…

Senate activity  

The Senate voted 31-0 to pass House Bill (HB) 124, sponsored by Reps. David Thomas (R-Jefferson) and Thomas Hall (R-Madison Township). HB 124 would modify the process for property tax sales-assessment ratio studies. The bill now goes to the governor for signature. 

The upper chamber also voted 31-0 to pass…