Register for our webinar on House Bill (HB) 335
Last week, the Ohio House introduced House Bill (HB) 335, a sweeping property tax reform bill that removes the ability to levy inside millage and combines elements from several prior proposals (HB 129, HB 186, and HB 309). It would fundamentally change how property taxes are levied, limited and allocated in Ohio, with devastating implications for public school districts.
Dr. Howard Fleeter of the Ohio Education Policy…
ODEW Division of Primary and Secondary Education Deputy announced
Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) Director Stephen D. Dackin announced Monday his recommendation of Dr. Diane M. Allen to be appointed the first deputy director of the Department’s Division of Primary and Secondary Education. Allen most recently served as superintendent of Marysville EV, leading the district since 2012. Restructured in the fiscal year (FY)24-25 state operating budget, ODEW now encompasses two separate divisions: one centered on primary and secondary…
The House unanimously passed House Bill (HB) 127, sponsored by Reps. Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) and Mike Odioso (R-Green Township). This bill would permit schools to withhold directory information and exclude it from the public record definition. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
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Budget Testimony Opportunity
The Senate Finance committee will hear public testimony on all provisions of the state budget on May 27, May 28, May 29 and May 30. Each hearing will begin at 9:00 a.m. in the Finance Hearing Room and is scheduled to run throughout the day. These are open testimony hearings, meaning testimony can be submitted on any aspect of the budget bill — there is no specific day dedicated to education funding or policy provisions.
As a reminder, if you plan to testify in person for the Finance committee between May 27 and May…
Governor’s activity
This week, Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill (HB) 15, sponsored by Rep. Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland), into law. This bill makes changes to the competitive retail electric service law and electric company property taxation. HB 15 will become effective law in 90 days on August 12, 2025.
The Senate passed…
Budget Testimony Opportunity
Next week, the Senate Education committee will continue to hear public testimony on the education provisions of the state budget. We encourage districts to submit testimony for the Senate Education Committee hearing on May 14 at 9:00 am.
The work you've already done -- sharing your district's story with staff, your community, and legislators -- can serve as a strong foundation for your testimony. Simply highlighting how proposed changes impact your students and schools is powerful and should be a part of the…
Budget Testimony Opportunity
Next week, the committee will begin to hear public testimony on the education provisions of the state budget. We encourage districts to submit testimony for the Senate Education Committee hearings on either May 7 at 4:00 pm or May 14 at 9:00 am.
The work you've already done -- sharing your district's story with staff, your community, and legislators -- can serve as a strong foundation for your testimony. Simply highlighting how proposed changes impact your students and schools is powerful and should be a…
Both chambers of the Ohio General Assembly are on spring break, having recessed the weeks of 4/14 and 4/21. Without sessions or committees, legislative activity on Capital Square will slow significantly before picking up again the week of 4/28. When the General Assembly returns the last week of April, the Senate will formally begin budget deliberations and public testimony opportunities will resume.
Rules activity
The Department of Education and Workforce has the following rules open for public comment:
Auditor of State’s Financial Health Indicators for School Districts
Nine years ago, the Auditor of State’s Office (ASO) launched Financial Health Indicators (FHI) for counties and cities to help identify and monitor signs of fiscal stress. On May 1, 2025, AOS will be making the same tools available to the traditional and joint vocational school districts in Ohio. These FHIs will provide early warning signs of fiscal distress so that potential issues can be addressed before they develop into major problems.
The FHI are data driven indicators formulated from…
Governor’s activity
On Monday, Governor Mike Dewine signed House Bill (HB) 54, Ohio’s FY26-FY27 transportation budget. The budget, which goes into effect on July 1, includes funding for transportation infrastructure projects across the state as well as policy tweaks pertinent to K-12 education. HB 54 allows for the creation of school zones outside of preschools run by Educational Service Centers, authorizes the use of vehicles that can carry up to 12 passengers for student…
