House Education and Career Readiness Committee
The committee heard sponsor testimony on House Bill (HB) 438 from Reps. Stephen D. Hambley (R-Brunswick) and Darrell Kick (R-Loudonville). The legislation deals with the composition of educational service centers and local school districts.
Rep. Niraj J. Antani (R-Miamisburg) offered sponsor testimony on HB 442, which permits international students possessing an F-1 visa to participate in interscholastic athletics.
The committee conducted a second hearing on House Concurrent Resolution 11, sponsored by Rep. Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green). The resolution expresses 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. There were no witnesses present to testify on the resolution.
Finally, the committee heard proponent testimony on HB 224 from Rachel Tilford, food service director at Little Miami Local (Warren). Sponsored by Rep. Catherine D. Ingram (D-Cincinnati), the bill permits schools to re-serve time- and temperature-controlled foods that were served or sold to students but were not used or opened.
House Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee
The committee accepted a substitute version of HB 58, sponsored by Reps. Andrew Brenner (R-Powell) and Marilyn Slaby (R-Copley). While initially opposed to the legislation, OSBA is no longer against the bill due to its elimination of the requirement for school districts to provide cursive handwriting instruction to students in grades kindergarten through five. Now, the revised version simply requires the State Board of Education to adopt a model curriculum for cursive handwriting instruction for students in those grades. A synopsis of the changes can be viewed here. The committee expects to vote on this legislation during its hearing next week, and a possible amendment may be offered by the Ohio Department of Education at that time.
House Government Accountability and Oversight Committee
The committee passed HB 87, sponsored by Rep. Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson). The legislation requires funds that are returned to the state because of a community school enrollment audit to be credited back to certain public school districts.