Senate Education Committee
The Senate Education Committee held a second hearing on Senate Bill (SB) 34 and heard testimony from proponents of the bill. This legislation would make changes to the law regarding school employee and educator conduct.
The committee also heard SB 89, with Sen. Matt Huffman (R-Lima) offering sponsor testimony. This bill proposes to make changes regarding career-technical education and funding for joint vocational school districts located in enterprise zones.
House Health Committee
The House Health Committee heard proponent testimony on House Bill (HB) 90. This bill would require the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Ohio Department of Health, to create instructional materials on fetal development that could be used by districts.
House Ways and Means Committee
The committee heard proponent testimony on HB 75 from Rep. Derek Merrin (R-Monclovia Township). This bill would require boards of education that contest property values to pass an authorizing resolution for each contest and to notify the property owner
House Primary and Secondary Education Committee
The committee heard sponsor testimony from Rep. Catherine D. Ingram (D-Cincinnati) on HB 111. This bill would require schools to transmit a transferred student’s record within five school days.
The committee also heard sponsor testimony from Rep. Tim Schaffer (R-Lancaster) on HB 121. This legislation would allow an income tax credit to teachers for the purchase of instructional materials.
Rep. Kyle Koehler (R-Springfield) provided sponsor testimony on HB 122. This bill would expand Ohio’s voucher program.
Reps. Glenn Holmes (D-McDonald) and Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville) offered sponsor testimony on HB 123. This legislation would make changes regarding school security and youth suicide awareness education and training.
The final bill before the committee was HB 127, with Reps. Kent Smith (D-Euclid) and Stephen Hambley (R-Brunswick) offering sponsor testimony. This bill would prohibit the creation of new academic distress commissions.
House Transportation and Public Safety Committee
The committee heard sponsor testimony on HB 118 from Rep. Don Manning (R-New Middletown). This bill would make changes to the law regarding student transportation to and from school.
Budget update
The House Finance Committee met and began hearings on the governor’s proposed biennial budget. Ohio Superintendent of Public Instruction Paolo DeMaria provided testimony on the budget proposed for the Ohio Department of Education.
The Ohio Office of Budget and Management has also released estimates of the funding districts are projected to receive under the governor’s proposal. Click here to see those estimates.
The Cupp/Patterson workgroup is expected to release its report next week during a press conference. It is expected they will then present the information before the House Finance Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education.