Senate Finance Committee
The committee continued to hear testimony on Amended Substitute House Bill (HB) 49, the biennial budget bill. We expect the committee to make changes to the bill next week.
The following school district representatives offered testimony on the budget bill:
• Josh T. Straus, technology coordinator, Logan-Hocking Local (Hocking)
• G. Ira Wentworth, superintendent, Indian Valley Local (Tuscarawas)
• Craig Burford, Ohio ESC Association
• Melcie Wells, treasurer, Warren Local (Washington)
• Mark T. Raiff, superintendent, Olentangy Local (Delaware)
• Jeffrey T. Snyder, superintendent, Lincolnview Local (Van Wert)
House Education and Career Readiness Committee
The committee passed HB 170, which calls for developing optional academic content standards and curriculum for computer science. It also would address educator qualifications for computer science.
The committee also heard proponent and opponent testimony on HB 200. This legislation would eliminate the EdChoice and Cleveland scholarship programs to create the Opportunity Scholarship Program.
Rep. Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green) offered sponsor testimony on HB 235. This bill outlines procedures for the General Assembly’s approval or disapproval of the state’s Every Student Succeeds Act plan.
Additionally, the committee heard sponsor testimony on Senate Bill (SB) 8 from Sens. Randy Gardner (R-Bowling Green) and Lou Terhar (R-Cincinnati). This legislation would require the Ohio School Facilities Commission to establish a program assisting school districts in purchasing technology and making alterations to improve technology infrastructure and school safety and security.
Senate Ways and Means Committee
The committee heard sponsor testimony from Reps. Andrew Brenner (R-Powell) and Rick Carfagna (R-Genoa Township) on HB 124. This bill would allow joint vocational school districts to submit a renewal tax levy to voters who did not have an opportunity to vote on the levy at the last election because the levy was placed on the ballot in only one of several counties in which the district has territory.
House Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee
The committee heard HB 58, which would require instruction in cursive handwriting. OSBA, the Ohio Association of School Business Officials and the Buckeye Association of School Administrators offered opponent testimony. Click here to review the testimony.
Additionally, the committee heard proponent testimony on HB 166 and SB 3. These bills would revise the laws governing the state’s workforce development system and the programs schools may offer. The bill also would designate the first week of May as In-Demand Jobs Week.