House activity
Rep. Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin) introduced House Bill (HB) 512, which creates the Department of Learning and Achievement by combining the Ohio Department of Education with the Ohio Department of Higher Education and the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation. The bill also transfers much of the duties and authority of the State Board of Education and superintendent of public instruction to the newly created Department of Learning and Achievement.
A copy of OSBA’s press release on the legislation can be accessed here.
House Education and Career Readiness Committee
The committee heard sponsor testimony on HB 477, sponsored by J. Kyle Koehler (R-Springfield). The bill eliminates nonoperational and outdated provisions that relate to the Ohio Department of Education and the operation of primary and secondary schools.
The committee adopted two amendments to HB 438, sponsored by Reps. Stephen D. Hambley (R-Brunswick) and Darrell Kick (R-Loudonville). The legislation deals with the composition of educational service centers (ESCs) and local school districts. The amendment makes the following changes:
• authorizes ESCs to establish local professional development committees to serve educators who are not employed in Ohio schools;
• eliminates the bill’s requirement for appointed board members of an ESC to be elected officials whose service does not conflict with the board, as determined by the attorney general or a court.
Finally, the committee heard proponent testimony on HB 442, sponsored by Rep. Niraj J. Antani (R-Miamisburg). The legislation permits international students possessing an F-1 visa to participate in interscholastic athletics.
House Higher Education and Workforce Committee
The committee heard proponent testimony on HB 110, sponsored by Reps. Christina Hagan (R-Marlboro Township) and Bill Dean (R-Xenia). The legislation establishes a subprogram of the College Credit Plus Program that permits students to participate in certified apprenticeship programs. The committee adopted an amendment that makes the following changes:
• begins the subprogram in the 2019-2020 school year;
• delays by one school year all deadlines in the bill;
• eliminates items that the bill requires be included in the operation of the subprogram, including funding formula methods and methods for payment to businesses.