Here is a compendium of current issues that affect Ohio’s public entities, plus McGown & Markling news of note.
On January 2, 2019, the Ohio Department of Education released its plan “to lift aspirations, create hope and excitement, guide development of state-level education policies and promote high-quality educational practices across the state.” Each Child Our Future Ohio Strategic Plan For Education: 2019-2024, at 4 (#EachChildOurFuture). The plan includes ten strategies to help increase the […]
On January 1, 2019, as required by the Ohio Constitution, the Ohio minimum wage rate increased to $8.55 from $8.30 for non-tipped employees and $4.30 from $4.15 for tipped employees. These rates apply to any business with gross annual receipts exceeding $314,000 per year. Smaller businesses or employees aged 14 to 15 are subject to […]
House Bill 502 creates a mandatory two-year cycle for suicide awareness training for nurses, teachers, counselors, school psychologists, administrators, and any other appropriate personnel employed by a school district, educational service center, community school, or STEM school. The previous version of R.C. 3319.073 did not require suicide awareness training on a recurring basis. Under the […]
On December 21, 2018, the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Education issued a Dear Colleague Letter withdrawing all prior recommendations regarding the Rethink Discipline Guidance from the 2014 Obama Administration. This letter came in response to the Federal Commission on School Safety’s report and recommendation (which we blogged about here) that the […]
On December 19, 2018, Governor John Kasich issued Executive Order 2018-12K taking a significant step in ensuring that all Ohioans, including LGBTQ Ohioans, are protected from discrimination in state employment. This executive order explicitly prohibits discrimination in state employment on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and other protected bases such as […]
House Bill 491 makes significant changes to the potential liability of school district and educational service center treasurers for the loss of public funds. The Act limits a treasurer’s liability so long as the treasurer performed all official duties with reasonable care. The Act still permits treasurer liability where the loss of public funds results […]
House Bill 491 makes significant changes regarding the provision of substitute teaching licenses to specified pupil services personnel. The Act allows the State Board of Education to issue substitute licenses to speech-language pathologists, audiologists, registered nurses, physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, occupational therapists, occupational therapist assistants, and social workers. An individual seeking such a substitute […]
House Bill 291 permits counties, townships, municipal corporations, school districts, community schools, and libraries to use an “employee dishonesty and faithful performance of duty insurance policy” in place of surety bonds. This insurance policy can cover any specified officers, employees, and appointees that would traditionally be covered by a surety bond – e.g., superintendents and […]