Jan 19, 2018
House Education and Career Readiness Committee
The committee heard sponsor testimony on House Bill (HB) 428 from Rep. Timothy E. Ginter (R-Salem) and Rep. Sarah LaTourette (R-Chesterland). The legislation deals with student religious expression in public schools and titles the bill the Ohio Student Religious Liberties Act of 2018.
Rep. Catherine D. Ingram (D-Cincinnati) offered sponsor testimony on HB 418, which requires public and private schools to transmit the records of a transferred student within five days after receiving a request for records.
The committee also heard HB 246, sponsored by Reps. John A. Boccieri (D-Poland) and Jeffrey S. Rezabek (R-Clayton), which requires the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission to provide funding to county boards of developmental disabilities and state institutions of higher education for the acquisition and renovation of classroom facilities that are to be used for programs for students in grades K-12. There were no witnesses present to testify on the bill.
Finally, Rep. Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green) offered sponsor testimony on HCR 11, a resolution expressing support for Ohio’s consolidated state plan that was submitted to the U.S. Department of Education for implementation of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The committee also announced that the U.S. Department of Education approved Ohio’s consolidated state plan for implementing the ESSA provisions. The approval letter can be viewed here.
Senate Education Committee
The committee heard sponsor testimony on HB 98 from Reps. Mike Duffey (R-Worthington) and Kristin Boggs (D-Columbus). This legislation deals with the presentation of career information to students. It passed the House with vote of 92-0 on Nov. 29.
Senate Government and Oversight Reform Committee
The committee heard sponsor testimony on HB 312 from Reps. Kirk Schuring (R-Canton) and Dave Greenspan (R-Westlake). This legislation deals with the use of credit cards and debit cards by political subdivisions. It passed the House with a vote of 95-0 on Dec. 5.
School Funding Workgroup
An informal workgroup of legislators and school officials met on Jan. 18 to discuss, examine and propose changes to Ohio’s school-funding system. Chaired by Reps. Robert R. Cupp (R-Lima) and John Patterson (D-Jefferson), the workgroup heard reports from subgroups on various topics, including transportation, technology and special education. The workgroup also heard a presentation on determining the “base cost” of funding schools in Ohio.