Governor activity
Gov. Mike DeWine signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 18. The bill expressly incorporates changes in the Internal Revenue Code into Ohio law as it relates to changes in federal adjusted gross income that impact school districts that levy income taxes.

Senate Primary and Secondary Education Committee
The committee held sponsor testimony on SB 145, sponsored by Sen. Andrew O. Brenner (R-Powell), which would revise the state report card.

Senate Ways and Means Committee
The committee held sponsor testimony on SB 120, sponsored by Sens. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) and Nathan H. Manning (R-North Ridgeville), which increases the personal income tax deduction for qualified educator expenses from $250 to $1,000.

Senate Local Government and Elections Committee
The committee held a second hearing on SB 112, sponsored by Sen. Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls), which requires abandoned land to be forfeited to the state, instead of a school district as under current law, if unsold after the first foreclosure sale; and eliminates the requirement to notify a school district upon receiving certification that a property has been offered for sale and is unsold.

Ohio Department of Education
The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) provided information about Remote Learning Pathway Considerations for the 2021-2022 school year. Click here to read that information.

Additionally, ODE has updated its website to include Extended Learning Plans for school districts in Ohio. Click here to view that information.

The White House
President Joe Biden announced the American Jobs Plan, an overall $2 trillion infrastructure proposal. Included in the plan is $100 billion to upgrade and build new public schools. The funding would allocate $50 billion in direct grants and $50 billion through bonds. The plan also includes $100 billion to improve broadband infrastructure. Click here for a link to a fact sheet on the plan.

Posted by Nicole Piscitani on 4/02/2021