Catholic Conference of Ohio
Sunday, January 12, 2025

Education

About

In collaboration with the diocesan Catholic school offices in Ohio, the Associate Director for Education advocates for public policies to support Catholic elementary and secondary schools and families. 

Examples of education issues include:

  • EdChoice & State Scholarships
  • School Operating Standards
  • School Regulations & Requirements

Education News:

Governor DeWine Establishes the Ohio School Safety Center to Help Prevent School Violence

Executive Order creates a specialized division of Ohio Homeland Security devoted exclusively to the safety of Ohio’s students and schools

The Ohio School Safety Center will assist local schools and law enforcement in preventing, preparing for, and responding to threats and acts of violence, including self-harm, through a holistic, solutions-based approach to improving school safety.

Governor DeWine stated: “Given that schools are often targets of violence, school safety proposals are a prominent part of STRONG Ohio, my 17-point plan to reduce violence with dangerous weapons and increase mental health treatment.”  “Having one office where the staff solely focuses on keeping our students safe and our schools secure, will allow analysts to nimbly assess threats, proactively address potential issues, and expertly train and support school faculty in a more streamlined manner.”

 Click here for Resources on School Safety

Governor Signs Budget Bill

Bill Supports At- Risk Children & Families, Expands School Choice Programs, Increases Support for Hunger, Housing, and Crisis Pregnancy Programs

The Catholic Conference of Ohio commends Governor DeWine, Speaker Householder, President Obhof, House Minority Leader Sykes, Senate Minority Leader Yuko, OBM Director Murnieks, Senate Finance Chairman Dolan, House Finance Chairman Oelslager and all the legislators and staff for passing a responsible and compassionate state budget.

We commend this legislation’s focus on children; foster care; multi-system youth; interventions for at-risk infants, youth, families, victims of human trafficking, and seniors; education and early learning; clean water; lead abatements; hunger and housing responses; disaster assistance; jobs, and tax reductions to name a few.

HB 166 Summary Documents

Governor's Veto Message

Education Provisions Helpful to Catholic Schools and Students

Human Services Provisions Helpful to Persons in Need

Ohio House Passes Budget Bill

Bill Receives Strong Bipartisan Support

Substitute HB 166 as passed by House

Comparison Document

Catholic Conference of Ohio Budget Backgrounder for the Senate

Catholic Conference of Ohio Budget Page 

Ohio House Considers State Budget: HB 166

Action expected by early May

HB 166: State Budget
House Budget Language
Governor's Proposal
LSC Analysis



Catholic Conference of Ohio Budget Backgrounders

Health and Human Services
Defend and Protect Human Life
Promote Care for Creation
Support Families Who Choose Catholic Schools

Catholic Conference of Ohio Page on the State Budget

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State Scholarship Programs

Learn about the various Scholarship Programs available to Catholic Schools in Ohio.

Learn more

Links

Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Catholic School Office

Diocese of Cleveland
Catholic Schools Office

Diocese of Columbus
Catholic School Office

Diocese of Steubenville
Office of Christian Formation and Schools

Diocese of Toledo
Department of Catholic Education

Diocese of Youngstown
Office of Catholic Schools


The Ohio Catholic School Accrediting Association

Department Contacts

Tom Rhatican
Associate Director, Department on Education

Convenes and staffs the Superintendents of Catholic Schools 

 

Theresa Bowser
Director, OCSAA

Convenes and staffs the Ohio Catholic School Accrediting Association (OCSAA)

Brian Hickey
Executive Director, Catholic Conference of Ohio