Legislature back in action
The Ohio General Assembly
returned from spring break with a
full plate. OSBA testified on several
bills as legislators geared up for a
busy session before summer recess.
Strike legislation
OSBA presented interested-party testimony on Senate Bill (SB) 264, sponsored by Sen. John Carey (RWellston). The bill is currently being heard in the Senate Education Committee. SB 264 would prohibit classroom teachers from striking and instead require the parties to enter into binding arbitration to settle their unresolved collective bargaining disputes. It also requires the Legislative Service Commission to study the effect of the binding arbitration requirement upon school districts.
OSBA supports the prohibition of strikes by school employees; however, we do not support mandatory binding arbitration, because it takes away local control from school districts and may bind districts financially into an agreement they cannot afford. Decisions like this need to be made on the local level and school boards should be the ones making these decisions for communities. To view a copy of OSBA’s testimony on the bill, visit www.osba-ohio.org/advocacy.htm.
Educator misconduct bills
SB 270, sponsored by Sen. Gary Cates (R-West Chester), would automatically revoke the license of any educator who commits one of more than 80 offenses, including such crimes as murder, rape, unlawful sexual contact with a minor, gross sexual imposition and many drug and firearm offenses. The bill also would require school districts to remove an employee from the classroom if he or she is arrested for any of the disqualifying offenses.
OSBA presented interested-party testimony on SB 270 to the Senate Education Committee, along with other education organizations, including the Buckeye Association of School Administrators (BASA), Ohio Association of School Business Officials (OASBO), Ohio Education Association and Ohio Federation of Teachers.
The testimony requested changes to the bill and other educator misconduct issues. OSBA supports protecting the safety and wellbeing of students at all times, while balancing the need for due process rights for school employees who may be falsely accused of misconduct. OSBA also included a request for accountability measures for school leaders and others responsible for reporting that are appropriate, fair and reasonable. The organizations also requested changes to parts of the Ohio Department of Education’s Web site that provides information on school employee misconduct offenses. To view a copy of the testimony on SB 270, visit www.osba-ohio.org/advocacy.htm.
SB 270 follows in the footsteps of House Bill (HB) 190, previous educator misconduct legislation passed in November. We anticipate amendments to the legislation, including language to clarify certain provisions included in HB 190. SB 270 also has a companion bill in the House, HB 428, sponsored by Rep. Arlene Setzer (R-Vandalia). SB 270 is being deliberated in the Senate Education Committee and HB 428 is being heard in the House Education Committee.
Electricity legislation
The House Public Utilities Committee continues to hold hearings on Gov. Ted Strickland’s electricity plan, SB 221. The governor introduced the plan to re-examine electric utility deregulation after Ohio failed to develop the benefits of a truly competitive market for electric power. With the approaching sunset of Ohio’s laws that allowed for the transition from a regulated utility industry to a market-based system (Dec. 31, 2008), there are
fears about uncontrolled rate increases for consumers.
OSBA, BASA and OASBO presented joint testimony on the legislation and pointed out specific concerns with the bill. SB 221 does not go far enough to allow school districts to realize the full potential of purchasing electricity on the open market. It also doesn’t protect districts from significant increases in electricity costs.
Schools districts are public entities that purchase goods and services to be able to provide educational opportunities to Ohio’s children. Districts pay for these goods and services, including electricity, by using state and local tax dollars. Because state and local taxes pay for the energy used by school districts, taxpayers will be forced to pay twice under the bill as it is currently written. They will pay as consumers and as taxpayers supporting schools.
The groups urged the legislature to include in the bill the following proposals for schools:
- For districts that can benefit from purchasing power on the open market, allow them to bypass all charges not related to transmission and distribution.
- For districts that won’t be able to enjoy savings on the open market, recognize their favorable load characteristics by discounting their “demand” for purposes of their rate calculation.
To view a copy of the testimony on SB 221, visit www.osbaohio.org/advocacy.htm.
For the latest legislative updates, please contact the OSBA legislative division at (614) 540-4000; or (800) 589-OSBA.
Editor's Note: All information in this article was current as of March 28, 2008.
