Greene County News
COLUMBUS — The Ohio School Boards Association’s (OSBA) Delegate Assembly today approved a number of amendments and added a plank to the association’s legislative platform. The platform conveys to legislators, policymakers, the public and the media where OSBA stands on issues impacting public education.
The Delegate Assembly is made up of representatives of public school districts from around the state. Delegates held their annual meeting today during OSBA’s 61st annual Capital Conference and Trade Show. More than 9,000 school board members, administrators and other education leaders regularly attend the annual conference at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
Delegates added a new plank to the school governance section of the platform that addresses shortcomings in the operation of academic distress commissions. The new plank supports legislation that: Fully includes locally elected boards of education and district administration in the decision- making process. Calls for the composition of the commission and review team to reflect the demographics of the school district. Provides transparency in the way distress commissions are formed and chaired. Provides a transparent understanding of the goals and purpose for the work of the distress commissions.
School board delegates approve amendments: Provides clear accountability measures for the commissions, the districts and CEOs appointed to the district in collaboration with the locally elected board of education. Places a focus on student achievement. Provides supplemental or additional funding for implementation of commission work. Places an emphasis on identifying and seeking the input of community services agencies.
The new academic distress commission plank opposes legislation that: Allows for the exclusion of the locally elected board members from the discussion and work of the commission.
In other action, delegates approved amendments supporting legislation that: Repeals state law, Ohio Revised Code 3313.534, so that the discipline of students can be dealt with individually in a way that is appropriate to their age, gender, mental health condition, emotional development and special educational needs while appropriately protecting the school’s educational environment. Provides for no appointed board members to the State Board of Education. Directs any and all funds returned to the state by charter schools to traditional public schools of residence
Delegates approved amendments opposing legislation that: Prevents the advancement of a student to the next grade level and graduation based solely on state assessment results. Would adopt the similar student measure. Does not include all students in the baseline beginning in kindergarten and continuing through grade three.
In its 61st year, OSBA leads the way to educational excellence by serving Ohio’s public school board members and the diverse districts they represent through superior service, unwavering advocacy and creative solutions.
For more information, contact OSBA or your local school board members.
