Facts in a Flash

House Leadership
The House Republican caucus met and selected Rep. Derek Merrin (R-Monclova Township) to be the speaker in the upcoming General Assembly that begins January 3, 2023. In addition, the other majority leadership members selected are as follows:

• Rep. Phil Plummer (R-Dayton) as speaker pro tempore;
• Rep. Scott Wiggam (R-Wooster) as majority floor leader;
• Rep. Susan Manchester (R-Lakeview) as assistant majority floor leader;
• Rep. Brian Baldridge (R-Winchester) as majority whip;
• Rep. Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) as…

State Board of Education
The State Board of Education’s (SBOE) Executive Committee passed a resolution that would start the process of selecting a search firm to assist in hiring a state superintendent of public instruction.

Additionally, the SBOE Executive Committee discussed a resolution that would support Ohio’s Attorney General’s participation in a lawsuit challenging proposed federal rules that interpret Title IX as banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender…

State Teachers Retirement Board
The State Teachers Retirement Board (STRS) unanimously voted to direct staff to seek legislation to authorize the STRS Board to increase the employer contribution rate. Click here for the Legislative update presentation and here for the recording.

Federal update
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State Board of Education
The State Board of Education voted 12-7 to send a resolution to the executive committee for further consideration. The resolution opposes the proposed changes to the federal rule that would interpret Title IX as banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Click here to read the resolution.

The Ad…

State Board of Education
The State Board of Education approved a resolution to authorize the Ohio Department of Education to put out a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a search firm with the purpose of finding candidates for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Federal update
Please click here to read the weekly Federal Advocacy Education Report that includes education related information.

Ohio Department of Education
ODE has the…

Ohio Department of Education
The Ohio Department of Education released the 2021-22 Ohio School Report Cards for districts and buildings. The report card includes the modifications from House Bill 82, the bill that revised the state report card. The state report cards will contain stars and descriptors in five of the components for districts and buildings. There will not be an overall star rating until next year, and the College, Career, Workforce and Military Readiness Component will not have a rating until the 2024-25 school year. Click…

NEXUS pipeline settlement challenge
The Lorain County auditor submitted a notice of appeal to the Ohio Board of Tax Appeals regarding the settlement between Ohio Tax Commissioner Jeffrey A. McClain and NEXUS. The settlement significantly reduced the taxable value of the pipeline, impacting 13 Ohio counties and the school districts and local governments within those counties. Under Ohio law, an impacted county, through its county auditor, could file a challenge with the Ohio Board of Tax Appeals. Click…

Computer science plan
The State Committee on Computer Science voted unanimously to approve a final report of the State of Ohio Computer Science Plan, which focuses on K-12 education. The report includes 10 recommendations. Read the final report here. OSBA provided comments during the public comment period, which can be read here.

Federal update
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School Safety Grants
The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) will be holding a webinar on Aug. 31 at 9 am regarding funding for the 2022 applicants of the School Safety Grant Program. Panelists from the OFCC, Ohio Office of Budget and Management and Ohio Department of Public Safety will be available for a Q&A at the end of the session. Click here to register for the webinar.

Additionally, the application for the grant program is due Oct. 3, 2022. Click…

Federal update
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated COVID-19 guidance that removes the quarantine rule for unvaccinated individuals, the screening of healthy students and employees, and the 6-foot social-distancing standard. Click here for a link to the CDC website.

The Consortium of State School Boards Associations’ (COSSBA) federal advocacy firm provided a memo that summarizes the Title IX draft regulation issued by US Department of Education.…