Facts in a Flash

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:

• Chapter 3301-101: Jon Peterson Special Needs…

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…

Ohio Education Policy Institute: New Reports form Dr. Howard Fleeter 

Dr. Howard Fleeter has updated his report analyzing Ohio’s property tax trends from tax year (TY) 1975 to present. This report, originally published in February of 2024, now includes data from TY23. The updated analysis can be seen on OEPI’s website, linked here.  

Dr. Fleeter has also released a review of Ohio’s state and local share percentages within our school funding…

Governor’s Science of Reading Program Honorees  

Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen D. Dackin recently announced the inaugural group of honorees in the new Governor’s Science of Reading Recognition Program. A total of 47 schools across the state were recognized for their exemplary work aligning their curriculum with the Science of Reading, embracing professional development for teachers and raising literacy achievement among their students. The Governor’s Science of Reading Recognition Program will…

Governor’s activity  

On Wednesday, Governor DeWine gave his annual State of the State address. In his address, the governor recognized students, teachers, principals and superintendents from a multitude of Ohio’s public schools. He highlighted the state’s progress and successes in literacy, the Governor’s Merit Scholarship program, school-based health clinic expansion, student career exploration and workforce development training. Gov. DeWine asked the legislature to support…

Budget Bill - Final Push in the House 

The Ohio House Finance Committee is scheduled to hear testimony next week on March 11, 12, and 13 at 10:30 am in room 313. The legislature is planning an accelerated budget timeline this year, with amendments due March 14, a substitute bill expected April 1, an omnibus bill April 8, and House passage April 9.  

Legislators must hear from you next week! Please continue your advocacy with your communities. We have included resources to help below. In addition, consider testifying in House Finance Committee.…

Register now for State Legislative Conference!  

Registration is now open for the 2025 State Legislative Conference. Jointly sponsored by OSBA, BASA and OASBO, this event will be held on Tuesday, March 18 at the Athletic Club of Columbus from 8:00 am – 1:00 pm, with a legislative luncheon served at noon. Join us for a day of legislative panels on key education issues and the state budget, then meet with your Representative and Senator to share your local story. Click this link…

OEPI Reports on Administrator Expenditures and the Transitional Aid Guarantee 

This week, the Ohio Education Policy Institute (OEPI) published two reports from Dr. Howard Fleeter. The first is an analysis of school administrator expenditures from FY06 – FY24, as they pertain to Fair School Funding Formula base costs considerations. The second report outlines the various factors impacting districts on…

OEPI Review and Summary of Ohio Auditor of State Longitudinal School Finance Study 

In November 2024, the Ohio Auditor of State’s Office released a special report titled Longitudinal School Finance Study. This report analyzed spending, revenue and enrollment in Ohio public schools from fiscal year (FY) 2000 through FY 2022. In the months since, Dr. Howard Fleeter with the Ohio Education Policy Institute (OEPI) has been analyzing the report’s methodology and findings. Dr. Fleeter’s evaluation of this report has been published on the OEPI website,…