Governor activity
Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 458 into law. The bill eliminates the August special election, except in instances when the August special election is to nominate or elect candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives or if a school district is under a fiscal emergency. The bill also allows a school district whose entire territory is located within the congressional district that is on the August ballot to put certain levies on the August ballot. The bill also makes changes to election law, including voter identification, absentee voting, in-person voting and drop boxes.
Senate activity
Senators introduced over twenty bills this week, including Senate Bill (SB) 1, sponsored by Sen. Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin) which would rename the Department of Education as the Department of Education and Workforce and would create the position of Director of Education and Workforce. The bill also would reform the functions and responsibilities of the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The Senate Education Committee has sponsor testimony scheduled for Jan. 17.
State Board of Education
The State Board of Education voted 11-7 to elect Paul LaRue as president and 11-7 to elect Martha Manchester as vice president. Additionally, the following members were sworn in to their elected or appointed terms:
- Walt Davis serving an appointed term;
- Teresa Fedor serving an elected term;
- Katie Hofmann serving an elected term;
- John Hagan serving an elected term;
- Tom Jackson serving an elected term;
- Mark Lamoncha serving an appointed term;
- Paul LaRue serving an appointed term;
- Charlotte McGuire serving an elected term;
- Jim Mermis serving an appointed term.
Federal update
Please click here to read the weekly Federal Advocacy Education Report that includes education related information.
Posted by Nicole Piscitani on 1/13/2023