General Assembly activity
The General Assembly sent House Bill (HB) 409 to Gov. Mike DeWine. The bill modifies student attendance requirements at certain e-schools; changes education law for the 2020-21 school year to provide school districts continued flexibility and relief during the COVID-19 pandemic; and provides flexibility to school districts regarding educational requirements of substitute teachers for the 2020-21 school year.
The General Assembly sent…
General Assembly activity
The General Assembly sent Senate Bill (SB) 310 to Gov. Mike DeWine. The bill, which originally provided for the distribution of Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to local subdivisions and businesses, was amended in conference committee to include the following changes:
Senate activity
The Senate passed House Bill (HB) 210 by a vote of 29-1. The bill requires preschool programs and other entities licensed by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) to screen and test prospective employees for tuberculosis as well as annually test certain employees for a five-year period. The Senate Health, Human Services and Medicaid Committee revised the bill on Tuesday with an amendment that…
Fair School Funding Plan
The Ohio House passed House Bill (HB) 305 by a vote of 87-9. The bill creates a new school-funding formula. The House Finance Committee amended the bill on Tuesday to make several changes, including transportation modifications and revamping the makeup of the School Funding Oversight Commission to now include three school board members. Jennifer Hogue, OSBA director of legislative services, provided proponent testimony, which can be accessed…
General Assembly activity
The Ohio General Assembly sent Senate Bill (SB) 89 to Gov. Mike DeWine for his approval. The bill originally revised the law regarding career-technical education and joint vocational school districts but was later amended by the House in February to make changes to the eligibility of Educational Choice Scholarship (EdChoice) Program vouchers. The bill was amended in conference committee to alter eligibility criteria for the performance-based program…
Governor activity
Gov. Mike DeWine announced that a revised mask order and new social gathering order will be issued. Links to the orders are forthcoming.
House Finance Committee
The committee accepted a substitute version of House Bill (HB) 305, which creates a new school-funding formula. Testifying in support of the bill were:
Education funding proposal
Sens. Peggy Lehner (R-Kettering) and Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) introduced Senate Bill (SB) 376, a companion bill to a forthcoming substitute bill for House Bill (HB) 305. Click here to view the bill. Click the links below to view the simulations of the Fair School Funding Plan. The educational service centers simulation is forthcoming.
Ohio Department of Education
The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) provided information about the impact of education settings on teacher evaluations. Additionally, ODE released a brief statement regarding the positive efforts of Ohio students and educators in complying with recommended health practices and, in particular, mask-wearing guidelines.
ODE has received inquiries about mask breaks and issued the following…
Education funding proposal
Sens. Peggy Lehner (R-Kettering) and Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) are expected to introduce companion legislation for House Bill (HB) 305 in the coming weeks. The companion bill will be the substitute version of HB 305 that Reps. John Patterson (D-Jefferson) and Gary Scherer (R-Circleville) will also release in the coming weeks.
Pandemic education law flexibility
Senate Bill (SB) 358, which changes education law for the 2020-…
Governor activity
Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 17. The bill allows an enhanced homestead exemption for surviving spouses of public safety personnel killed in the line of duty. Click here to read an analysis of the bill.
State Board of Education
The State Board of Education (SBOE) voted 11-4 on a resolution to approve the SBOE’s fiscal year 2022-23 biennial…
