Many schools began the year using remote, hybrid, or blended models of instruction for the first time this year.  These new educational settings caused schools and districts to rethink educator evaluations.

Ohio Department of Education
The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) provided information about the impact of education settings on teacher evaluations. Additionally, ODE released a brief statement regarding the positive efforts of Ohio students and educators in complying with recommended health practices and, in particular, mask-wearing guidelines.

It has been said many times: 2020 has been an extraordinary year. Given the multitude of unique challenges that schools have met since the beginning of the year, it is sometimes difficult to focus on those laws that were in place before March 2020 and still affect school board members and staff.

Education funding proposal
Sens. Peggy Lehner (R-Kettering) and Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) are expected to introduce companion legislation for House Bill (HB) 305 in the coming weeks. The companion bill will be the substitute version of HB 305 that Reps. John Patterson (D-Jefferson) and Gary Scherer (R-Circleville) will also release in the coming weeks.

At its Oct. 2 meeting, the Ohio Ethics Commission issued formal Advisory Opinion No.

Governor activity
Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 17. The bill allows an enhanced homestead exemption for surviving spouses of public safety personnel killed in the line of duty. Click here to read an analysis of the bill.