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CMSD Stakeholders,
Following the passage of the FY 22-23 Biennial Budget (Sub HB 110) in the Senate Chamber last week, we wanted to alert you to some urgent concerns as it enters Conference Committee negotiations.
***ISSUES TO BE RESOLVED***
Changes to “Unused School Facility” Definition (R.C. 3313.411, Sec. 812.10)
- Adds to the definition, any school building that has been used for direct academic instruction but less than 60% of the building was used for that purpose in the preceding school year
The district has a large number of school buildings that could be vulnerable to sale or lease even though they are in use or part of a facilities plan
Creation of Educational Savings Account Program (R.C. 3310.70, Sec. 733.60)
- Establishes the Afterschool Child Enrichment (ACE) Educational Savings Account Program to provide $500 to families at or below 300% of Federal Poverty Guidelines for secular or non-secular purposes
Diverts additional state and federal dollars away from traditional public schools
Transportation for community and nonpublic school students – limit on the use of mass transit (R.C. 3327.017)
- Would prohibit a district from providing transportation services via a mass transit system to the community or chartered nonpublic students in grades K-8 unless the district enters into an agreement with the school authorizing it
CMSD students grades 7-8 are transported via mass transit and should be providing the same transportation for non-public students equivalent to transportation for public school students
- Require a district to ensure the student’s route does not require more than one transfer
CMSD can provide suggestions for routes that accommodate students but there is no reasonable way the district can enforce the proposed transfer requirement
Cleveland Scholarship Program Building Eligibility (R.C. 3313.976)
- Qualifies a chartered nonpublic school located outside CMSD that serves grades K-8 to accept students with Cleveland Scholarships if the school is both located within five miles of the district border and within a municipal corporation having a population of at least 15,000
If these schools are being provided state dollars via “scholarships” they too should be held to the same accountability standards as public schools
***ISSUES WE SUPPORT***
- Direct Funding for Community Schools and Voucher Programs
- Online/Blended Learning Requirements
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns. We’re happy to discuss these issues in more detail at your earliest convenience.
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