MASTER PLANNING FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Ohio's public education system is a cornerstone of the state's success, providing the foundation for the future of its students and communities. However, to ensure the continued excellence and relevance of the education system, the establishment of a Pursuit of Educational Exceptionalism Master Plan, subject to periodic public votes, is essential. This legislation aims to empower the general public and local advisory committees to contribute to the vision and goals of their school districts.

Transparency and Accountability:

• A Pursuit of Educational Exceptionalism Master Plan, subject to public votes every 8 to 12 years, guarantees transparency and accountability. It ensures that educational goals and priorities are regularly reviewed and aligned with the evolving needs of students and communities.

Community Engagement:

• By allowing multiple stakeholders to submit master plans, including the school board and Public Education Advisory Committees, the process encourages community engagement. It recognizes that those directly affected by educational policies should have a say in shaping them.

Utilizing Modern Technology:

• Allowing electronic and smartphone app-based petition gathering for master plan submissions reflects the realities of the digital age. It facilitates broader participation and ensures real-time identification of signatories, enhancing the integrity of the process.

Financial Accessibility:

• By capping the fee for Public Education Advisory Committees at $5,000, the plan promotes financial accessibility. This ensures that a diverse range of community organizations can actively participate in shaping educational goals.

Residency Requirement:

• Requiring members of Public Education Advisory Committees to be residents of the school district or have a child enrolled within the district ensures that those participating have a genuine stake in the success of the local schools. It helps maintain a strong connection between the committee members and the community they serve.

Conclusion:

The implementation of a Pursuit of Educational Exceptionalism Master Plan, subject to periodic public votes and informed by input from various stakeholders, is a crucial step in shaping the future of Ohio's public education system. It fosters transparency, community engagement, and inclusivity while ensuring that the education provided to Ohio's students remains exceptional and adaptable to the changing needs of society. Such a plan would ultimately strengthen Ohio's public schools and benefit generations of students to come.

Pursuit of Educational Exceptionalism Master Plan Act

Section 1: Purpose and Scope

(a) The purpose of this Act is to establish a Pursuit of Educational Exceptionalism Master Plan for Ohio public schools, subject to periodic public votes, and to provide a mechanism for community input through Public Education Advisory Committees.

(b) This Act applies to all public school districts within the State of Ohio.

Section 2: Pursuit of Educational Exceptionalism Master Plan

(a) The State Board of Education must require all public schools to develop and maintain a Pursuit of Educational Exceptionalism Master Plan for Ohio public schools.

(b) Master Plans shall outline the vision, goals, and priorities for the respective school district.

(c) Master Plans shall be voted on by the general public at least every 8 years and no more than 12 years, in even-numbered presidential years, as decided by the State Board of Education.

(d) The school board of each district may submit up to two Master Plans for consideration.

Section 3: Public Education Advisory Committees

(a) Public Education Advisory Committees, representing local stakeholders, may submit a Master Plan for consideration by a school district if they receive support from an amount equal to or greater than 2% of all voters in the last gubernatorial race within their respective school district in the form of a petition approved by the Joint Committee on Education.

(b) All members of Public Education Advisory Committees must be residents of the school district or have a child enrolled and attending public school within the district.

Section 4: Petition Gathering Methods

(a) Petitions for Master Plan submissions must be made accessible to the public through electronic means via the internet or smartphone app, allowing for real-time identification of signers.

(b) The petition method, whether electronic or physical gathering, must be provided by the local school district and approved by the Joint Committee on Education.

(c) A fee of no more than $5,000 shall be charged to Public Education Advisory Committees to recoup the cost of the petition-gathering platform.

Section 5: Implementation and Guidelines

(a) The Ohio Secretary of State shall develop and promulgate guidelines, procedures, and forms necessary for the implementation of this Act.

(b) The Ohio Board of Elections shall coordinate with local election officials to ensure the proper administration of the public votes on the Master Plan.

Section 6: Severability

(a) If any provision of this Act or its application to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this Act that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.

Section 7: Effective Date

(a) This Act shall take effect on [Date] and shall apply to all subsequent Master Plan elections.