IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
House Bill 21 Guidance Available for Schools/Sponsors – Recently passed legislation requires additional steps for schools/sponsors for proof and verification of student residency. The Department has prepared the following guidance: Proof and Verification of Student Residency.
Community School Sponsor Application is Now Available - The Community School Sponsor Application is now available for eligible entities and organizations interested in becoming a community school sponsor. The deadline to submit an application is December 31, 2018.
Sponsors ensure that schools adhere to their contracts, and they make important decisions, such as whether to renew contracts with community schools. The also provide oversight and technical assistance. The contracts between sponsors and schools include provisions required by law and may include specific terms negotiated between the sponsor and the school.
Community schools, which are often called charter schools nationally and in other states, are public schools created in Ohio law; are independent of any school district; and are part of the state’s education program. Community schools are public schools of choice and are state and federally funded. There are two types of community schools in Ohio: start-up community schools and conversion community schools.
Parents in Ohio are empowered with multiple education options that allow them to make informed decisions to best meet their children’s individual needs. This supports the idea that one size doesn’t fit all and Ohio’s children deserve a high-quality education that is tailored to their needs.
Public Documents and Reports
Ohio Revised Code provides guidance for the Ohio Department of Education regarding the posting of documents and reports allowing for full transparency of community school activities, including academic, financial and contractual information. Transparency promotes accountability and provides information about public community schools important for all stakeholders.
Community School Legislation
Since 1997, Ohio has supported the development of community schools as an alternative to the traditional K-12 public schools program. Many legislative actions have changed the landscape of community schools in Ohio since 1997. Statutes applicable for community schools are found throughout the Ohio Revised Code but are primarily found in Chapter 3314.