The Ohio House of Representatives is set to vote today on Substitute (Sub.) House Bill (HB) 110, the state budget bill. The House Finance Committee last week adopted a substitute version of the bill, and yesterday accepted an omnibus amendment and passed the bill. Included in the House’s changes is HB 1, the Fair School Funding Plan, with modifications. A full discussion of the House’s education-related changes to the bill can be accessed by clicking here.
Simulations on the bill’s funding formula, which were distributed to members yesterday, can be accessed by clicking here.
Below is a discussion of key changes made by the House. Our organizations are hosting a webinar on Friday, April 30 at 1:00 p.m. to discuss the bill in its entirety and answer members’ questions. Stay tuned for event and registration details!
Funding Formula Changes
- Sub. HB 110 incorporates HB 1 into the bill with several changes, including:
- Establishing a general phase-in amount for the plan’s increases at 16.67% for fiscal year (FY) 2022 and 33.33% for FY 2023;
- Phasing in the increases for disadvantaged pupil impact aid (DPIA) at 0% for FY 2022 and 14% for FY 2023;
- Eliminating HB 1’s priority to fully fund the increases in DPIA and educational service center (ESC) funding before funding other increases for the formula’s components;
- Establishing a temporary guarantee for FY 2022 and FY 2023 for school districts to ensure that no school district receives less than its combined funding for FY2021 from (1) foundation aid before state funding reductions, net of transfers, (2) Student Wellness and Success Funds and enhancement funds, and (3) enrollment growth supplement funds;
- Maintains the proposed $1.1 billion in SWSF spending, but redirects its purpose to DPIA and the base cost components;
- Requiring districts to develop plans for utilizing DPIA in coordination with both (1) an ADAMH board and (2) one other community partner, including an ESC, county board of developmental disabilities, community-based mental health treatment provider, or other specified entity;
- Providing community and STEM schools 100% of the base cost amount, instead of 90% under HB 1.
Policy Changes
- The bill makes several policy changes, including:
- Maintaining Gov. Mike DeWine’s executive proposal regarding computer science education;
- Removing the executive version’s requirement for high school students to complete the FAFSA in order to graduate;
- Providing an opt-out from the requirement to take ACT or SAT tests beginning with the Class of 2026;
- Extending the ability for public bodies, including boards of education, to meet via electronic technology through December 31, 2021;
- Maintaining the executive version’s prohibition on districts utilizing mass transit for transportation of students in grades K-8;
- Maintaining the executive version’s prohibition on the establishment of new academic distress commissions through the 2022-23 school year;
- Requiring a cost study on the effectiveness of the College Credit Plus Program by Jan. 1, 2023;
- Increasing the nonpublic administrative cost reimbursement per-pupil amount to $475 from $446;
- Establishing a new per-pupil subsidy for career awareness and exploration funds;
- Establishing new funding for gifted professional development based on per pupil amounts;
- Incorporating the provisions of HB 2 which addresses broadband expansion in the state and appropriates more than $200 million in support grants for the program;
- Appropriating $45 million in each fiscal year to support bus purchase grants.
Important Links
Legislator Contact Lookup Resources: