House Finance Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education
The committee continued to hear testimony on House Bill (HB) 166, which makes appropriations for the state operating budget for fiscal years 2020 and 2021, including the school-funding formula.
The following school district representatives testified on the bill:
• Dr. Philip Wagner, superintendent, Licking Heights Local (Licking);
• Dan Grothause, transportation supervisor, St. Marys City;
• Paul Craft, superintendent, Delaware City;
• Terry Armstrong, superintendent, Lordstown Local (Trumbull);
• Dr. Guy Parmigian, superintendent, Benton-Carroll-Salem Local (Ottawa);
• Dr. Jan Osborn, superintendent, Putnam County ESC;
• Lewis Galante, treasurer, Perry Local (Lake);
• Dr. Renee T. Willis, superintendent, Richmond Heights Local (Cuyahoga);
• Jocelyn S. Rhynard, board member, Dayton City;
• Eric S. Gordon, chief executive officer, Cleveland Municipal;
• Lindy Douglas, superintendent, Alexander Local (Athens);
• Rick Brooks, superintendent, Vinton County Local (Vinton);
• Eric Resnick, board member, Canton City;
• Harry Snyder, superintendent, Great Oaks Career Campuses;
• Matthew Ketcham, treasurer, Madison-Champaign ESC;
• Darren C. Jenkins, superintendent, Bellaire Local (Bellaire);
• Kathy Demers, superintendent, Monroe Local (Butler);
• Emily Hatfield, treasurer, Olentangy Local (Delaware);
• Cajon Keeton, treasurer, Benton-Carroll-Salem Local (Ottawa).
Click the names above to read their testimony. OSBA also offered testimony on the legislation, which can be accessed here. Finally, the Buckeye Association of School Administrators (BASA), Ohio Association of School Business Officials (OASBO) and the Ohio Educational Service Centers Association offered testimony, which can be accessed by clicking here and selecting “April 09, 2019.”
Senate Education Committee
The committee amended Senate Bill (SB) 110 during its third hearing, which would modify the composition of Lorain City’s academic distress commission, to require evaluations of the commission’s chief executive officer (CEO) and to require the CEO to appear before the school board when requested. OSBA, BASA and OASBO offered testimony on the bill, which can be accessed here.
The committee also conducted a fourth hearing on SB 34, which revises school employment policies and procedures regarding educator licensure and conduct. No witnesses were present to testify.
House Primary and Secondary Education Committee
The committee adopted a revised version of HB 127 during its third hearing. The bill now would dissolve the academic distress commissions for Youngstown City, Lorain City and East Cleveland City and repeal the laws regarding academic distress commissions. OSBA, BASA and OASBO offered testimony on the bill, which can be accessed here.
The committee also adopted a revised version of HB 154 during its third hearing. The bill now would dissolve the academic distress commissions for Youngstown City, Lorain City and East Cleveland City, repeal the laws regarding academic distress commissions and require school districts to assemble an improvement team and create an improvement plan for low-performing school buildings.
House Ways and Means Committee
The committee passed HB 75, which requires school boards to pass a resolution approving a property valuation complaint or counter-complaint prior to filing that complaint and send written notice to property owners indicating intent to file complaints.
The following school district representatives testified in opposition of the bill:
• Timothy Ryan Jenkins, treasurer, Pickerington Local (Fairfield);
• Jeremie L. Hittle, treasurer, Piqua City;
• Randy Drewyor, treasurer, Bright Local (Highland)
• Ryan Stechschulte, treasurer, Toledo City;
• Kerri L. Johnson, treasurer, Anthony Wayne Local (Lucas);
• Dick Smith, board member, Marysville EV.
Click here and select “April 09, 2019” to read their testimony. OSBA, BASA and OASBO offered opposition testimony on the bill, which can be viewed here.
The committee also amended and passed HB 76. The bill modifies the form of election notices and ballot language for property tax levies. The bill’s amendment prohibits ballot language from using varying font text sizes.
OSBA, BASA and OASBO offered opposition testimony on the bill, which can be viewed here.
House Economic and Workforce Development Committee
The committee heard proponent testimony on HB 149, sponsored by Rep. Derek Merrin (R-Monclova Township). The bill exempts from property tax the increased value of unimproved land that has been subdivided for residential development for eight years or until construction begins or the land is sold.
House Health Committee
The committee accepted a revised version of HB 90 during its third hearing, which would now require, instead of permit, public schools to implement instructional programs regarding the humanity of the unborn child. Click here for a description of the changes.
Senate Judiciary Committee
The committee heard sponsor testimony on SB 118, sponsored by Sen. Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson). The bill increases the penalty for assault if the victim is acting as a sports official or the assault is committed in retaliation for the victim's actions as a sports official.