The bill introduced by Representative Fowler Arthur establishes a small district magnet community school pilot program in Ohio, targeting school districts with fewer than 1,000 students. It amends sections 5705.03, 5705.215, and 5705.31 of the Revised Code and enacts new sections 3314.31, 5705.316, and 5748.11. The program, which will last three to five school years, aims to enhance educational flexibility by allowing multi-grade classrooms, personalized teacher assignments, and alternative instructional methods that align with local industry needs. The Department of Education and Workforce will oversee the program, providing state funding similar to that for community schools. Additionally, participating districts will be exempt from certain tax resolution requirements under section 5705.03, and educational service centers will be allowed to submit tax levies to support increased expenses due to participation.

The bill also introduces amendments regarding the taxation authority of county school financing districts and property tax levies. It allows school district boards within these financing districts to propose reductions in property tax rates when submitting a tax levy for voter approval, with specific details required in the resolution. The process for certifying this information to the tax commissioner and county auditor is outlined, along with requirements for ballot language that combines tax levy questions with proposed reductions. If a county school financing district tax is approved, any proposed reductions in school district property taxes will also be approved, allowing districts to tailor their tax rate reductions independently. The bill streamlines the legal framework by repealing existing sections of the Revised Code related to these provisions.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 5705.03, 5705.215, 5705.31