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The Catholic Conference of Ohio's Department on Education serves those involved in Catholic elementary and secondary schools.
Legislative Report on Education Policy & Budgetary Report - Winter & Spring 2022
Legislative Report on Items in HB 110 (State Budget) Impacting Chartered Nonpublic Schools - Summer 2021
Fact Sheet on Catholic Schools in Ohio with Summary of Programs of Tax-Supported Assistance for Students, Families and Educators- 2021
Special Needs Children:
In a letter sent to public officials regarding the state budget bill, HB 110, the Catholic Conference of Ohio offered areas of support and concern. It states:
"Thank you for your careful consideration of this important legislation. We appreciate how each version of this bill built upon the excellent frameworks of the others. Overall, we find the versions before you to be child-friendly and family-friendly. We especially appreciate the additions in the Senate that enhance care for both the unborn and newly born, provide further conscience protections, and incorporate school choice provisions within the broader framework of school funding reforms.
We offer several recommendations to the Conference Committee..."
The Ohio Senate unveiled their version of the State Budget (HB 110). It builds upon the Governor's and House proposals that promote children, families and persons in need. The Senate added additional provisions that further promotes school choice. The Conference commends such additions and especially recognizes the excellent leadership that Senate President, Matt Huffman, provided in this area.
Highlights in the Education line items include:
A full Senate vote is expected on Thursday, June 10, 2021. A Conference Committee will meet shortly afterwards to reconcile differences between the Executive, House and Senate versions. A balanced budget must be enacted by July 1, 2021.
The Conference testified on the following legislation:
Sub SB 17: Placing additional requirements for receiving public assistance benefits. Testimony
HB 75: Possible amendment denying workers' compensation to undocumented workers. Testimony
HB 110: Education provisions in the budget impacting Catholic schools and students. Testimony
The Ohio House Finance Committee added additional support for two programs helping Catholic school students. The House Ominbus Amendment increased GRF appropriation for nonpublic administrative cost reimbursement by $816,000 in FY22 and $1.6 million in FY23. It also increased the maximum per-pupil amount of administrative cost reimbursement payments to nonpublic schools for each of FY22 and FY23 from $466 to $475.
The amendment also increased GRF appropriation to Auxiliary Services by $1.8 million in FY22 and $3.65 million in FY23.
The full House is expected to pass this substitute version of the budget bill (HB 110). Action and advacacy will now occur in the Ohio Senate. Emphasis will be upon maintaining gains made in the House version, while encouraging improvements in the EdChoice programs, school transportation, and funding for housing and hunger programs. A balanced budget must be enacted by July 1, 2021.
Learn about the various Scholarship Programs available to Catholic Schools in Ohio.
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Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Diocese of Cleveland
Diocese of Columbus
Diocese of Steubenville
Diocese of Toledo
Diocese of Youngstown
Tom Rhatican Associate Director, Department on Education
Convenes and staffs the Superintendents of Catholic Schools
Superintendents of Schools Chair: Deacon Paul Ward, Diocese of Steubenville
Theresa Bowser Director, OCSAA
Convenes and staffs the Ohio Catholic School Accrediting Association (OCSAA)
Chair: Frank O'Linn, Diocese of Cleveland
Brian Hickey Executive Director, Catholic Conference of Ohio
Convenes and staffs the Directors of Religious Education