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 here.
The selection process for the 41st superintendent of public instruction began after outgoing Superintendent Paul Craft was announced as the next director of the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity, the federal school system serving more than 61,000 children of military service members and civilian employees of the agency.
On Tuesday, Gov. Mike DeWine gave his final State of the State address. In addition to highlighting his administration’s accomplishments, DeWine announced additional resources to embolden his legacy programs during his speech. Announcements related to public education programs include:
- The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) will be creating regional "Science of Reading Instructional Implementation Teams." The teams will be made up of trained experts whose sole focus will be on helping K-12 schools fully execute the Science of Reading in their classrooms. These teams will also be available to assess schools that have already implemented the Science of Reading to ensure they have done so effectively.
- The department will add 50 more ReadOhio coaches this fall, extending the program’s reach to at least 70 more schools. Currently, 97 coaches in 151 schools work side-by-side with teachers to help them instruct the Science of Reading in their classrooms.
- ODEW, with the help of regional educational service centers, will offer free ReadOhio coach training and credentialing to literacy coaches who are already employed by a school district.
- ODEW will launch a new "Statewide Attendance Dashboard" on April 15, providing real-time attendance data. This new tool will provide parents and the public with simple, fast and transparent attendance data each week for every district and school.
During his speech, DeWine also encouraged the legislature to pass House Bill (HB) 304, sponsored by Reps. Tom Young (R-Washington Twp.) and Melanie Miller (R-Ashland), particularly for the provisions of the bill that would double the amount of recess time for schools from 30 minutes to 60 minutes per day and would require these recess periods for all students in kindergarten through eighth grade, except on days when the student has physical education class. DeWine’s address can be read in full or viewed.
Senate Bill (SB 19), sponsored by Sen. Andrew O. Brenner (R-Delaware), received its fourth hearing. SB 19 would require districts and schools to develop a mathematics improvement and monitoring plan for each student who qualifies for math intervention services, beginning with the 2025-26 school year. The committee accepted an amendment to update outdated revised code references before hearing opponent and interested party testimony on the bill.
The committee held its fourth hearing on HB 661. Sponsored by Reps. Adam Bird (R- New Richmond) and Mike Odioso (R-Green Twp.), this bill would prohibit a middle or high school athlete from earning compensation from the athlete's name, image or likeness. The committee accepted written opponent testimony on the bill.
The committee unanimously passed HB 125, sponsored by Reps. Thomas Hall (R-Madison Twp.) and Rodney Creech (R-West Alexandria). This bill would expand the law on excused absences from school. The committee accepted written proponent testimony on the bill.
The committee held its third hearing on HB 531, sponsored by Reps. Jonathan Newman (R-Troy) and Kevin Ritter (R-Marietta). This bill would enact the School Chaplain Act to permit public schools to engage volunteer chaplains to provide support services. The committee heard opponent and interested party testimony on the bill.
The committee also held its second hearing on HB 674 from Rep. Kevin Miller (R-Newark). HB 674 would authorize a public or private school to transport students using a transportation network company. The committee heard proponent testimony on the bill.
The committee held a third hearing on SB 328, sponsored by Sen. Kyle Koehler (R-Springfield). The bill would create the Education and Workforce Return on Investment Initiative, a middle school career-exploration course requirement with student academic and career plans. OSBA, along with the Buckeye Association of School Administrators, Ohio Association of School Business Officials and Association for High Quality Education provided joint interested party testimony. Also providing interested party testimony was the Ohio Association of Career-Technical Superintendents, Ohio Association for Career and Technical Education and Ohio CCS.
The committee passed SB 318, sponsored by Sen. Al Cutrona (R-Canfield), which would authorize a law enforcement agency to provide school resource officer services to a chartered nonpublic school.
The committee held its third hearing on HB 462, sponsored by Rep. Tracy Richardson (R-Marysville). HB 462 would allow students to possess and use a nasal epinephrine delivery device in public and private schools, in addition to an epinephrine autoinjector as already permitted under law. No witnesses were present to testify on the bill.
The committee heard sponsor testimony on a series of House bills, including:
- HB 326, from Reps. Ritter and Newman. This bill would make changes regarding the Classic Learning Test entrance exam.
- HB 500, from Reps. Ty D. Matthews (R-Findlay) and Ritter. This bill would designate a JROTC program offered by a school district as a career-technical education program.
- HB 485, from Rep. Melanie Miller . This bill would enact the Baby Olivia Act to include human growth and development instruction in grades five through 12.
- HB 486, from Reps. Gary Click (R-Vickery) and Mike Dovilla (R-Berea). This bill enacts the Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act to permit teachers in public schools and state institutions of higher education to provide instruction on the influence of Judeo-Christian values on history and culture.
House Children and Human Services Committee
The committee held its fourth hearing on HB 647, sponsored by Reps. Young and Phil Plumber (R-Dayton). This bill would revise the law governing the publicly funded child care program. The committee heard opponent testimony and accepted two amendments. The first requires the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (ODCY) to recognize a child as absent if they could not attend a full day at a publicly funded child care (PFCC) facility for reasons beyond the provider’s control. The second amendment requires ODCY to determine, through prescribed criteria rather than have reason to suspect, the misuse of public funds before withholding money or suspending or terminating contracts.
The committee held its fourth hearing on HB 649, sponsored by Reps. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Twp.) and D.J. Swearingen (R-Huron). This “Child Care Fraud Prevention Act” would require ODCY to establish standards and procedures for recording and verifying PFCC center attendance and require investigations of waste, fraud and abuse allegations relating to providers of PFCC. The committee accepted a substitute version of the bill, removing many of the previous video surveillance requirements before hearing proponent and interested party testimony.
House Workforce and Higher Education Committee
The committee held a hearing on the Science of Reading, including presentations from:
- Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Mike Duffey
- The Meadows Center Chief Operating Officer Dr. Jennifer B. Schnakenberg
A related panel discussion was conducted with:
- Dr. David Brobeck, research associate at the University of Cincinnati
- Dr. Melissa Weber-Mayrer, ODEW chief academic officer
- Brett Tingley, founder and president of Parents for Reading Justice
- Dr. Rebecca Tolson, director of the Akron University Center for Structured Literacy
House Arts, Athletics and Tourism Committee
The committee held its second hearing on HB 697, sponsored by Rep. Mark Hiner (R-Howard). This bill makes changes to the law concerning broadcasts of middle and high school post-season interscholastic athletic contests. The following school districts offered proponent testimony:
- Allen East Local (Allen)
- Bath Local (Allen)
- Fairless Local (Stark)
- Indian Valley Local (Tuscarawas)
- East Muskingum Local (Muskingum)
- Perry Local (Allen)
- Minerva Local (Stark)
- Newcomerstown EV
- Franklin Local (Muskingum)
- Tuscarawas Valley Local (Tuscarawas)
- Wapakoneta City
- Waynesfield-Goshen Local (Auglaize)
- Ontario Local (Richland)
The committee held its third hearing on SB 320, sponsored by Rep. Kristina D. Roegner (R-Hudson), that would enter Ohio into the Athletic Trainer Compact. No witnesses were present to testify on the bill.
House Ways and Means Committee
The bill held a second hearing on HB 209, sponsored by Rep. Brian Lorenz (R–Powell), which would exempt tips from state, municipal and school district income taxes. The committee heard proponent testimony on the bill.
The committee held sponsor testimony on HB 598, introduced by Reps. Mark Sigrist (D-Grove City) and James M. Hoops (R-Napoleon). This bill would authorize local governments to create residential stability zones where homeowners may qualify for a partial property tax exemption.
The committee held its third hearing on HB 443, sponsored by Reps. David Thomas (R-Jefferson) and Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon). This bill would prohibit enforcement of delinquent property tax liens against certain owner-occupied homesteads. The committee heard opponent testimony on the bill.
The committee also held sponsor testimony on HB 613. Introduced by Reps. Gary Click and David Thomas , the bill would:
- impose a one-year deadline for the Ohio Board of Tax Appeals to issue decisions on tax appeals;
- make several changes to the procedures for taxpayers to challenge certain tax commissioner decisions;
- add new requirements related to the duties of the Ohio Department of Taxation (TAX) problem resolution officers;
- modify the information required in the TAX’s annual report.
The committee held their first hearing on HB 693, with Reps. Click and Josh Williams (R- Sylvania Twp.), offering sponsor testimony. This bill would enact the “Affirming Families First Act” and protect the right to affirm a minor child's sex.
The committee held its second hearing on HB 690, sponsored by Reps. Young and Andrea White (R-Kettering). This bill would establish penalties for failing to obey a school crossing guard and other associated offenses. The committee heard proponent testimony on the bill.
Senate Local Government Committee
The committee held a third hearing on SB 42, sponsored by Sen. Tim Schaffer (R-Lancaster). The bill would authorize local governments to create residential stability zones where homeowners may qualify for a partial property tax exemption. No witnesses were present to testify on the bill.
Recently introduced legislation
- HB 737 — Sponsored by Reps. Bill Roemer (R-Richfield) and Hall, this bill would require that cash payments to state and local governments be rounded to the nearest nickel.
- HB 745 — Sponsored by Reps. Tex Fischer (R-Boardman) and Plummer, this bill would enact the “Student-Athlete Publicity Rights and Fair Compensation Act” to address name, image and likeness compensation for high school athletes.
- HB 746 — Sponsored by Rep. Thomas, this bill would allow a political subdivision to participate in the same state health plan offered to state employees.
- HB 747 — Sponsored by Rep. Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill), this bill would make the tax commissioner a statewide elected office.
- SB 377 — Sponsored by Sen. Teresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green), this bill would make changes regarding the sale of school district property and programs to support educational service center facilities projects.
Rules activity
SBOE has the following rules open for public comment:
- Chapter 3302-24: Licensing and education programs
- OAC 3302-24-01: Glossary/definitions
- OAC 3302-24-04: Teacher residency
- OAC 3302-24-11: Alternative principal license
- OAC 3302-24-19: Alternative resident educator licenses for teaching in grades kindergarten to 12
- OAC 3302-24-23: Resident educator license renewal and extension
- OAC 3302-24-24: Alternative resident educator license renewal and extension
View the SBOE rules open for public comment.
ODCY has the following rules open for public comment:
- Five-Year Review and Renumber of School-Based School Age Program Rules
- (New) 5180:2-19-01, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, and 10
- (Rescind) 5180-32-01, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, and 11
- Five-Year Review and Renumber of School-Based Preschool Program Rules
- (New) 5180:2-20-01, 02, 03, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, and 12
- (Rescind) 5180-37-01, 02, 03, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, and 12
View the ODCY rules open for public comment.
ODEW does not have any rules open for public comment at this time.
Federal update
Please click here to read the most recent Federal Advocacy Report, which includes up-to-date information on federal education efforts. Click here to read the most recent Federal Court Report.