House Primary and Secondary Education Committee
The committee amended Senate Bill (SB) 49, sponsored by Sen. Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester), which would enact the Religious Expression Days "R.E.D." Act and require school boards to adopt a policy providing students with religious accommodations for up to three days. The substitute bill adds the following:
- Changes the definition of chronic absenteeism to no longer include excused absences.
- Does not count excused absences toward habitual truancy or excessive absenteeism until a student has more than 60 hours of excused absences.
- Provides a list of what must be considered a "legitimate excuse" for absences.
- Updates the state's graduation rate formula so schools and districts are not penalized when students on individualized educational plans defer graduation.
The committee held its second hearing on SB 17, sponsored by Sen. Steve Wilson (R-Mainesville), which would require the State Board to update the standards and model curriculum for financial literacy and entrepreneurship in grades nine-12 to include free market capitalism content.
The committee heard sponsor testimony on House Bill (HB) 235, sponsored by Sarah Fowler Arthur (R-Rock Creek), which looks to make changes regarding membership and election of the State Board of Education and the State Board’s public meetings.
The committee heard sponsor testimony on HB 250, sponsored by Reps. Jessica Miranda (D-Forest Park) and Tracy Richardson (R-Marysville), which revises the Military Enlistment diploma seal.
House Ways and Means Committee
The committee amended HB 187, sponsored by Reps. Thomas Hall (R-Middletown) and Adam Bird (R-Cincinnati), which modifies the procedures used by the Tax Commissioner to conduct property tax sales-assessment ratio studies. The amendment adds a current agricultural use value (CAUV) clause that sunsets after a three-year period.
The committee also held a third hearing on HB 90, sponsored by Tom Patton (R-Strongsville), which would authorize a total property tax exemption for the homesteads of totally disabled veterans and their surviving spouses.
New Bills introduced
HB 263, sponsored by Reps. Dani Isaacsohn (D-Cincinnati) and Thomas Hall (R- Middletown), would authorize a property tax freeze for certain owner-occupied homes.
HB 266, sponsored by Rep. Scott Wiggam (R-Wooster), would require school districts and schools to update emergency management plans to include evacuation procedures for individuals with disabilities.
HB 267, sponsored by Rep. Mike Loychik (R-Cortland), would provide for primary elections for state and school district board of education members and move the election for state and school district board members from the nonpartisan ballot.
SB 153, sponsored by Sens. George Lang (R-West Chester Township) and Terry Johnson (R-McDermott), would temporarily modify the method for valuing farmland and other real property for tax purposes.
Ohio Department of Education
The Ohio Department of Education released the 2022-23 Ohio School Report Cards for districts and buildings. The report card includes the overall star rating this year. The College, Career, Workforce and Military Readiness Component will not have a rating until the 2024-25 school year. Click here for a link to the State Report Card webpage and here for the annual report. For an explanation on the individual components, refer to the guidebook here.
Federal update
Please click here to read the weekly Federal Advocacy Education Report which includes education related information.