Senate Finance Committee
The committee heard testimony on House Bill (HB) 166, which makes appropriations for the state operating budget for fiscal years 2020 and 2021, including the school-funding formula.
The following school district representatives offered testimony:
• Terry Armstrong, superintendent, Lordstown Local (Trumbull);
• Laura Mitchell, superintendent, Cincinnati Public;
• Dr. Neil Gupta, director of secondary education, Worthington City;
• Christa Krohn, k-8 instructional mathematics coach, Orange City.
A substitute version of the bill is expected to be released next week.
House Primary and Secondary Education Committee
The committee conducted a second hearing on HB 239, sponsored by Reps. Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville) and Erica C. Crawley (D-Columbus), which reduces the number of required high school state tests and requires school districts to form work groups to evaluate the amount of district-required testing and make reduction recommendations.
OSBA, the Buckeye Association of School Administrators (BASA), the Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators (OAESA) and the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators (OASSA) testified in support of the bill, which can be accessed here.
Other witnesses included Dan Heintz, board member, Cleveland Heights-University Heights City.
The committee also conducted a second hearing on HB 165, sponsored by Reps. Beth Liston (D-Dublin) and Tavia Galonski (D-Akron), which requires the adoption of health education standards, which may be utilized by public schools.
OSBA, BASA, OAESA and OASSA testified in support of the bill, which can be accessed here.
House Health Committee
The committee passed HB 90, which requires public schools to implement instructional programs regarding the humanity of the unborn child.
House activity
The House passed HB 4, which requires the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation to act as a liaison between the business community and the state education departments with regard to industry-recognized credentials and certificate programs. The bill now goes to the Senate.
House Economic and Workforce Development Committee
The committee passed HB 2, which permits a collaboration of school districts, among others, and multiple industry sector partnerships to act as a regional sector partnership and be eligible for state grants. The bill later was referred to the House Finance committee where it also received a hearing.
House Commerce and Labor Committee
The committee conducted a second hearing on HB 220, sponsored by Rep. Rick Carfagna (R-Genoa Township). It permits school districts, among others, to utilize blockchain technology.