Bill > HB294

This bill amends Ohio's school district intradistrict open enrollment policy to provide more transparency and structure for students wanting to attend alternative schools within their district. The bill requires school districts to adopt an open enrollment policy that includes clear application procedures, establishes district capacity limits for each grade level and school building, and mandates that these vacancy numbers be posted online every twelve weeks. The policy must ensure that students currently enrolled in or living in a school's attendance area receive preference, while prohibiting discriminatory admission practices based on academic ability, disability, language proficiency, disciplinary history, residential address, race, gender, religion, or socioeconomic status. Transportation requirements are clarified, with districts not being obligated to provide transportation unless specific conditions are met. The bill also requires school boards to publish their open enrollment policy on their website, provide information to parents and the public, and not charge additional tuition or fees for students transferring to alternative schools. Furthermore, the bill establishes an appeals process for denied applications and mandates that school districts report comprehensive data about open enrollment applications to the Department of Education and Workforce, which will then publish this information online to increase transparency.

Education

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb294