HB110 (Biennial Budget Bill) – The Senate Primary and Secondary Education Committee finished up testimony on HB110 this week. While last week’s hearings were a marathon of testimony, this week included invited-only testimony – once again from the Fair Ohio Schools group – and a few others. OAGC testimony was on May 6th. The committee was interested in our thoughts on funding accountability and asked several questions about that. The testimony can be found at http://www.oagc.com/files/SheldonTestimonyHB110.May.2021.pdf.
The Senate hopes to vote out the budget bill by June 10th.
SB145 (Report Card Bill) – The Senate Primary and Secondary Education Committee accepted a substitute bill for SB145 last week (May 6th). The committee heard testimony from the education management groups and some superintendents who oppose the bill. OAGC provided testimony as a proponent of the bill, which can be found at http://www.oagc.com/files/OAGC%20Testimony%20on%20SB145.pdf. And overview of SB145 can found at http://www.oagc.com/files/TBFI%20Report%20Card%20Reform%20Star%20Ratings%20v6.pdf.
With dueling report cards bills in the House and Senate, what remains to be seen is if common ground can be found between the bills and what, if anything, will be included in the state budget.