OSBA Today

Employee Background Checks: What Ohio School Districts Need to Know

Hiring decisions begin with student safety. In this episode, OSBA attorneys Dustin Koslen and Jennifer Hardin explain Ohio's employee background check requirements, absolute bar offenses, rehabilitation provisions and what school districts should consider before hiring applicants with past criminal convictions. They also preview updated OSBA legal fact sheets and the upcoming Attendance, Tuition and Custody Law Workshop. For more resources, training and advocacy updates from the Ohio School Boards Association, visit ohioschoolboards.org.

Wearing Two Hats: Board Service and School Support Organizations

Many school board members are also active in booster clubs, PTOs, alumni associations and other organizations that support their schools. But when does volunteer service begin to overlap with board responsibilities? In this episode of Leading the Way, OSBA board consultants Teri Morgan and Quinn Maceyko discuss how board members can stay involved while maintaining strong governance. They explore common situations, the importance of public perception and best practices for avoiding governance challenges while continuing to support students and schools. Whether you're considering a leadership role in a booster organization or simply want to better understand your responsibilities as a board member, this episode offers timely guidance for governing effectively. For more resources, training and advocacy updates from the Ohio School Boards Association, visit ohioschoolboards.org.

The Legislature's Summer Send-Off

What happens when a bill about school psychologists suddenly becomes the vehicle for some of the most debated education proposals at the Statehouse? That's just one example of the fast-moving legislative action that unfolded before the Ohio General Assembly recessed for the summer. In this episode, OSBA's Jennifer Hogue, Nicole Piscitani and Malania Birney unpack the major education bills now awaiting action from Gov. Mike DeWine, including Senate Bill 276, House Bill 455 and Senate Bill 19. The conversation explores new sports mobility legislation, the Success Sequence graduation requirement, math achievement initiatives, capital budget investments and property tax changes. The team also shares what districts should expect when lawmakers return to Columbus after the November election, and why now is the time to strengthen relationships with legislators back home. Whether you're a board member, superintendent, treasurer or education advocate, this episode provides a good look at the legislation that could affect your district in the months ahead. 00:00 Introduction: The legislature's summer send-off 01:05 Senate Bill 276 takes an unexpected turn 02:15 Sports mobility legislation explained 04:05 The Success Sequence requirement 04:55 Transportation and testing provisions 06:20 What's next for Senate Bill 276? 06:55 House Bill 455 deregulation bill 08:45 Senate Bill 19 and math achievement 10:55 Academic interventions and curriculum requirements 12:05 Diagnostics and accelerated learning pathways 14:15 Additional education provisions added to Senate Bill 19 15:45 Capital budget investments for schools 17:15 House Bill 479 and facilities funding updates 17:55 Property tax legislation: What passed and what didn't 21:45 Looking ahead to lame duck 24:00 Why districts should engage legislators now 25:05 Closing thoughts For more resources, training and advocacy updates from the Ohio School Boards Association, visit ohioschoolboards.org.

Understanding School Levies and Community Engagement

What role do school levies play in supporting public education? In this episode of Report to the Office, host Mary Cleveland welcomes community advocate Tracey Artis for a conversation about school funding, community involvement and the importance of staying informed. Together, they discuss: • How school levies affect local communities • The relationship between public schools and community well-being • Why informed civic participation matters • Ways residents can become involved with their local schools • The importance of accountability and transparency in public education This episode offers valuable perspective for parents, community members, school leaders and anyone interested in understanding the connection between strong schools and strong communities. #PublicEducation #SchoolFunding #CommunityEngagement #SchoolBoards #OSBA For more resources, training and advocacy updates from the Ohio School Boards Association, visit ohioschoolboards.org.

Ten Commandments in Schools: Why Courts Are Reaching Opposite Conclusions

Can a state require every public school classroom to display the Ten Commandments? Federal courts are currently answering that question in different ways, and the disagreement could eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court. In this episode of Legal Ledger Sidebar, OSBA attorneys Sara Clark and Jennie Hardin break down recent court decisions from Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas involving laws requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms. They explain how the Supreme Court's decision in Kennedy v. Bremerton changed the legal framework for church-state cases, why courts are now focused on "history and tradition," and how two courts reviewing nearly identical issues reached opposite conclusions. The discussion also explores: • The end of the Lemon test. • The role of Stone v. Graham in modern court decisions. • What lawyers mean by a "circuit split." • Whether the U.S. Supreme Court could eventually weigh in. • Why Ohio school leaders should pay attention, even though Ohio does not currently have a similar law. Legal Ledger Sidebar is a podcast from the Ohio School Boards Association that examines legal developments affecting public education and school governance. For more resources, training and advocacy updates from the Ohio School Boards Association, visit ohioschoolboards.org.