Chapter 3357 | Technical Colleges

Section 3357.01 | Technical college definitions.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

As used in this chapter:

(A) "Technical college" means an institution of education beyond the high school, including an institution of higher education, organized for the principal purpose of providing for the residents of the technical college district, wherein such college is situated, any one or more of the instructional programs defined in this section as "technical college," or "adult-education technical programs," normally not exceeding two years' duration and not leading to a baccalaureate degree, except as provided in section 3333.051 of the Revised Code.

(B) "Technical college district" means a political subdivision of the state and a body corporate with all the powers of a corporation, comprised of the territory of a city school district or a county, or two or more contiguous school districts or counties, which meets the standards prescribed by the chancellor of higher education pursuant to section 3357.02 of the Revised Code, and which is organized for the purpose of establishing, owning, and operating one or more technical colleges within the territory of such district.

(C) "Contiguous school districts or counties" means school districts or counties so located that each such school district or county shares at least one boundary or a portion thereof in common with at least one other such school district or county in the group of school districts or counties referred to as being "contiguous."

(D) "Technical college program" means a post high school curricular program provided within a technical college, planned and intended to qualify students, after satisfactory completion of such a program normally two years in duration, to pursue careers in which they provide immediate technical assistance to professional or managerial persons generally required to hold baccalaureate or higher academic degrees in technical or professional fields. The technical and professional fields referred to in this section include, but are not limited to, engineering and physical, medical, or other sciences.

(E) "Adult-education technical program" means the dissemination of post high school technical education service and knowledge, for the occupational, or general educational benefit of adult persons.

(F) "Charter amendment" means a change in the official plan of a technical college for the purpose of acquiring additional lands or structures, disposing of or transferring lands or structures, erecting structures, creating or abolishing technical college or adult education technical curricular programs.

(G) "Baccalaureate-oriented associate degree program" means a curricular program of not more than two years' duration that is planned and intended to enable students to gain academic credit for courses comparable to first- and second-year courses offered by accredited colleges and universities. The purpose of baccalaureate-oriented associate degree coursework in technical colleges is to enable students to transfer to colleges and universities and earn baccalaureate degrees or to enable students to terminate academic study after two years with a proportionate recognition of academic achievement through receipt of an associate degree.

(H) "Applied bachelor's degree" has the same meaning as in section 3333.051 of the Revised Code.

Section 3357.02 | Technical college district.

• Effective: July 2, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 48 - 128th General Assembly

A technical college district may be created with the approval of the Ohio board of regents pursuant to standards established by it. Such standards shall take into consideration such factors as the population of the proposed district, the present and potential pupil enrollment, present and potential higher education facilities in the district, and such other factors as may pertain to the educational needs of the district. The Ohio board of regents may undertake a study or contract for a study to be made relative to its establishment or application of such standards.

The attorney general shall be the attorney for each technical college district and shall provide legal advice in all matters relating to its powers and duties.

A proposal to create a technical college district may be presented to the Ohio board of regents in any of the following ways:

(A) The board of education of a city school district may by resolution approved by a majority of its members propose the creation of a technical college district consisting of the whole territory of such district.

(B) The boards of two or more contiguous city, exempted village, or local school districts or educational service centers may by resolutions approved by a majority of the members of each participating board propose the creation of a technical college district consisting of the whole territories of all the participating school districts and educational service centers.

(C) The governing board of any educational service center may by resolution approved by a majority of its members propose the creation of a technical college district consisting of the whole territory of such educational service center.

(D) The governing boards of any two or more contiguous educational service centers may by resolutions approved by a majority of the members of each participating board, propose the creation of a technical college district consisting of the whole territories of such educational service centers.

(E) Qualified electors residing in a city school district, in a county, in two or more contiguous school districts, or in two or more contiguous counties may execute a petition proposing the creation of a technical college district comprised of the territory of the city school district, educational service center, two or more contiguous school districts or educational service centers, or two or more contiguous counties, respectively. Such petition shall be presented to the board of elections of the most populous county in which the technical college district is situated and shall bear the signatures of at least two per cent of the total number of resident electors who voted in the most recent election for governor in the territory of such proposed district. Such petition shall set forth the necessity for the district, a demonstration that it will be conducive to the public convenience and welfare, and a description of the territory to be included in the proposed district.

Upon receiving a petition duly executed pursuant to division (E) of this section, the board of elections of the most populous county shall certify the fact of such petition to the boards of elections of the other counties, if any, in which any of the territory of the proposed district is situated. The proposal to create a technical college district shall be placed on the ballot by the board of elections and submitted to vote in each affected city school district, county, or group of contiguous school districts or counties, at the next primary or general election occurring more than ninety days after the filing of such petition. If there is no primary or general election occurring within one hundred five days after the filing of such petition, the board of elections of the most populous county shall fix the date of a special election to be held in each affected city school district, county, or group of contiguous school districts or counties, such date to be not less than ninety days after the filing of the petition. If a majority of electors voting on the proposition in the proposed technical college district vote in favor thereof, the board of elections of the most populous county in which the proposed district is situated shall certify such fact to the Ohio board of regents.

Section 3357.021 | Expansion of district.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

As used in this section, "technical college district" means a district created under division (A), (B), (C), or (D) of section 3357.02 of the Revised Code the voters of which have not authorized the levy of a tax outside the ten-mill limitation.

The board of education of any city or exempted village school district that has territory in or that is contiguous to a technical college district may by resolution adopted by a majority of the members of the board request the inclusion of all of the school district's territory in the technical college district. The governing board of an educational service center whose service area contains the whole territory of a county or that is contiguous to a county that is contiguous to or that has territory in a technical college district may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the members of the board, request the inclusion of all of the county's territory in the technical college district. A copy of the resolution shall be certified to the board of trustees of the technical college district.

The board of trustees of a technical college district to which a resolution has been certified may by resolution adopted by a majority of the members of the board propose the expansion of the technical college district to include all of the territory described in the resolution, and certify a copy of the resolution to the chancellor of higher education, who may approve or disapprove the expansion and designate the date on which the expansion shall take effect. If a college district board of trustees has received more than one resolution requesting inclusion in the district, the board's resolution may propose the expansion to include the territory of more than one school district or one county, provided that all such territory is contiguous either to the college district or to territory described in the board's resolution.

The expansion of a technical college district under this section does not affect the terms of district trustees serving on the date of such expansion. If expansion of the technical college district requires the appointment of two additional trustees pursuant to section 3357.05 of the Revised Code, the additional trustees shall meet the requirements set forth in such section and shall be appointed within ninety days of the effective date of the expansion. One such trustee shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate for a term ending the same day of the same month of the year as the terms of other trustees appointed by the governor end, in the first year during which the term of no other trustee appointed by the governor ends. For appointments made prior to January 1, 2024, one trustee shall be initially appointed by the presidents or their representatives of the city and exempted village school district boards of education and the educational service center governing boards whose territories are embraced by the expanded technical college district. Prior to the appointment of the trustee the president of the board of education of the city school district having the largest pupil enrollment shall call a caucus of the presidents of the foregoing boards at a time and place designated by such president. At such caucus the board presidents or their representatives shall select the trustee by majority vote of those attending. For appointments made on or after January 1, 2024, one trustee initially shall be appointed by the technical college's trustee selection committee in the manner set forth under division (A)(2) of section 3357.05 of the Revised Code, except for the required term of office length. The initial appointments of trustees not appointed by the governor shall be for a term ending the same day of the same month of the year as the terms of trustees not appointed by the governor in the first year during which the term of only one such trustee ends. Thereafter, all appointments of trustees shall be made in the manner set forth in section 3357.05 of the Revised Code.

Last updated September 22, 2023 at 2:08 PM

Section 3357.022 | Summit County added to technical college district of Stark county.

• Effective: November 2, 2018
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 216 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) The provisions of this section prevail over conflicting provisions of this chapter; however, except as otherwise provided in this section, the stark state college district and its board of trustees shall comply with the provisions of this chapter.

(B) The territory of Summit county is hereby added to the territory of the technical college district of Stark county, creating a new technical college district to replace the former technical college district of Stark county. The district created under this section shall be known as and operate under the name of "stark state college district," and its charter shall be amended to reflect this name. The Stark county campus is hereby part of the stark state college district and shall remain in operation unless otherwise specified by the board of trustees of the technical college.

(C) On the effective date of this section, the government of the stark state college district shall be vested in a board of nine trustees. Appointees shall be qualified electors residing in the stark state college district and shall not be employees of the college. No new trustee may be appointed who is a member of any board of education or educational service center governing board. The term of office shall be three years. Each trustee shall hold office from the date of appointment until the end of the appointed term. Any trustee appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which the trustee's predecessor was appointed shall hold office for the remainder of such term. Any trustee shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of the trustee's term until a successor takes office, or until a period of sixty days has elapsed, whichever occurs first.

(1) Three trustees shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate.

The governor shall appoint members of the board of trustees that are residents of the stark state college district. Not more than one member of the board of trustees appointed by the governor shall be an employee of a government agency. The members of the board of trustees of the former technical college district of Stark county shall remain members of the board until the expiration of their terms as each existed prior to the effective date of this section.

(2) Six trustees shall be appointed by the presidents, or their representatives, of the city and exempted village school district boards of education and of the educational service center governing boards whose territories are included in the stark state college district. Prior to the appointment of trustees, the president of the governing board of the educational service center serving Stark county or, if more than one service center serves the county, the president of the governing board of the educational service center serving the largest portion of Stark county shall call a caucus of those board presidents at a time and place designated by the service center board president. At such caucus, the board presidents or their representatives shall select trustees by majority vote of those attending. Not more than one member of the board of trustees selected in this manner shall be a resident of Summit county, and not more than two members of the board of trustees selected in this manner shall be employees of government agencies. The members of the board of trustees of the former technical college district of Stark county shall remain members of the board until the expiration of their terms as each existed prior to the effective date of this section.

(D) The board of trustees of the stark state college district shall continue to comply with division (G) of section 3357.09 of the Revised Code regarding tuition for students who are residents of Ohio, but not residents of the district, and for students who are nonresidents of Ohio. The tuition rate shall be based on the student's county of residence and shall apply to all stark state college district classes in all district locations.

(E) Each member of the board of trustees shall have full voting rights on all matters that come before the board.

Section 3357.03 | Copy of certification or resolution creating district to be filed with secretary of state.

• Effective: February 17, 1972
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 396 - 109th General Assembly

Within thirty days after approval by the Ohio board of regents of a technical college district proposed pursuant to section 3357.02 of the Revised Code, such board shall file with the secretary of state a copy of its certification or resolution creating the district. Such copy shall be filed and recorded in the office of the secretary of state in the same manner as articles of incorporation are required to be filed and recorded under the general law concerning corporations.

Section 3357.04 | Powers and duties of district - place of business.

• Effective: February 17, 1972
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 396 - 109th General Assembly

A technical college district organized pursuant to section 3357.02 of the Revised Code shall be a political subdivision of the state and a body corporate with all the powers of a corporation, and shall have perpetual existence, with power to sue and be sued, to incur debts, liabilities, and obligations, to exercise the right of eminent domain and of taxation and assessment, to issue bonds, and to do all acts necessary and proper for the carrying out of the purposes for which the district was created and for executing the powers with which it is invested.

A technical college district established pursuant to section 3357.02 of the Revised Code, shall have as its temporary office or principal place of business the office of the board of education of the most populous school district in such technical college district until a permanent place of business is established pursuant to section 3357.06 of the Revised Code.

Section 3357.05 | Appointment of board of trustees.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

Within ninety days after a technical college district is created pursuant to section 3357.02 of the Revised Code, trustees shall be appointed to serve as a board of trustees of the technical college district. Appointees shall be qualified electors residing in the technical college district and shall not be employees of that technical college. No new trustee may be appointed who is a member of any board of education or educational service center governing board. The term of office shall be three years with the exception of initial appointments as provided in this section and section 3357.021 of the Revised Code. Trustees shall be appointed in the manner and for the terms provided by this section. Each trustee shall hold office from the date of appointment until the end of the appointed term. Any trustee appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which the trustee's predecessor was appointed shall hold office for the remainder of such term. Any trustee shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of the trustee's term until a successor takes office. A majority of the sitting members of the board at the time of a meeting constitutes a quorum.

(A) If a technical college district embraces the territory of one or more school districts and more than half of the territory of each such district is in the same county, seven trustees shall be appointed. Two trustees shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. Not more than one of such trustees appointed shall be an employee of a governmental agency. Of the initial appointments, one shall be for a term ending two years after the date upon which the technical college district was created and one for a term ending three years after that date. The successive terms of trustees appointed by the governor shall be for three years, each term ending on the same day of the same month of the year as did the term which it succeeds.

(1) For trustees not appointed by the governor who are appointed prior to January 1, 2024, five trustees shall be appointed by the presidents or their representatives of the city and exempted village boards of education of school districts and the governing boards of service centers whose territories are embraced in the technical college district. Prior to the appointment of the trustees, the president of the board of education of the city school district having the largest pupil enrollment shall call a caucus of the presidents of the aforementioned boards of education at a time and place designated by such president. At such caucus, the board presidents or their representatives shall select five trustees by majority vote of those attending. Not more than two of such trustees selected shall be employees of any governmental agency. Of the initial appointments, two shall be for one year terms, two shall be for two year terms, and one shall be for a three year term. If there is a vacancy, such vacancy shall be filled by the authority making the original appointment for the balance of the unexpired term.

(2) For trustees not appointed by the governor who are appointed on or after January 1, 2024, five trustees shall be appointed by a trustee selection committee.

The executive committee of the technical college's board of trustees shall appoint the members of the trustee selection committee. The trustee selection committee shall consist of either three or five members who are local business, civic, or nonprofit leaders and who are not current sitting members of the technical college's board of trustees. The board of trustees shall nominate individuals to be considered by the trustee selection committee. The trustee selection committee may select new trustees from the individuals nominated by the board of trustees or other applicants. To the greatest extent possible, trustees appointed by the trustee selection committee shall be individuals who hold leadership positions within significant industries in the technical college district. Trustees appointed by the trustee selection committee shall reside within the technical college district. The terms of office for trustees appointed by the trustee selection committee shall be for three years. Trustees shall be appointed with the advice and consent of the senate.

(B) If a technical college district embraces territory other than described in division (A) of this section, nine trustees shall be appointed. Three trustees shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. Not more than one of such trustees appointed shall be an employee of a governmental agency. Of the initial appointments, one shall be for a term ending one year after the date upon which the technical college district was created, one for a term ending two years after that date, and one for a term ending three years after that date. The successive terms of trustees appointed by the governor shall be for three years, each term ending on the same day of the same month of the year as did the term which it succeeds.

(1) For trustees not appointed by the governor who are appointed prior to January 1, 2024, six trustees shall be appointed by the presidents or their representatives of the city and exempted village boards of education of school districts and the governing boards of service districts whose territories are embraced in the technical college district. Prior to the appointment of the trustees, the president of the board of education of the city school district having the largest pupil enrollment shall call a caucus of the presidents of the foregoing boards of education at a time and place designated by such president. At such caucus, the board presidents or their representatives shall select six trustees by majority vote of those attending. Not more than two of such trustees selected shall be employees of any governmental agency. Of the initial appointments, two shall be for one year terms, two shall be for two year terms, and two shall be for three year terms. If there is a vacancy, such vacancy shall be filled by the authority making the original appointment for the balance of the unexpired term.

(2) For trustees not appointed by the governor who are appointed on or after January 1, 2024, six trustees shall be appointed by a trustee selection committee.

The executive committee of the technical college's board of trustees shall appoint the members of the trustee selection committee. The trustee selection committee shall consist of either three or five members who are local business, civic, or nonprofit leaders and who are not current sitting members of the technical college's board of trustees. The board of trustees shall nominate individuals to be considered by the trustee selection committee. The trustee selection committee may select new trustees from the individuals nominated by the board of trustees or other applicants. To the greatest extent possible, trustees appointed by the trustee selection committee shall be individuals who hold leadership positions within significant industries in the technical college district. Trustees appointed by the trustee selection committee shall reside within the technical college district. The terms of office for trustees appointed by the trustee selection committee shall be for three years. Trustees shall be appointed with the advice and consent of the senate.

(C) A board of trustees of a technical college district established prior to November 5, 1965, may, by a resolution approved by a majority of the members of the board, abolish such board. Immediately thereafter, a new board shall be appointed under division (A) of this section, except that the persons serving on the board at the time of its dissolution shall be appointed to initial appointments which most nearly coincide in length with the time remaining in their terms at the time those terms were terminated under this division.

Last updated September 22, 2023 at 2:08 PM

Section 3357.06 | Board of trustees - oath, election of officers.

• Effective: February 17, 1972
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 396 - 109th General Assembly

Each member of the board of trustees of a technical college district, before entering upon his official duties, shall take and subscribe to an oath that he will honestly, faithfully, and impartially perform the duties of his office. The board shall meet upon call by the trustee first appointed by the governor. The trustee who calls the meetings shall serve as temporary chairman. Members of the board shall proceed immediately to elect from among them a chairman of the board and such other officers as they deem necessary. The board shall elect a secretary of the technical college district, to serve at its pleasure. The board shall adopt a seal, and shall keep records of all its proceedings, which records shall be open for public inspection. A majority of the board shall constitute a quorum, and the board may act on any matter by majority vote of its whole membership. The board may designate in its rules and regulations matters of an administrative nature which may be acted upon by a vote of a majority of those present when a quorum is in session. The trustees shall serve without compensation, but may be paid for their necessary expenses when engaged in the business of the board.

The board of trustees of a technical college district may adopt rules and regulations governing its own proceedings, and shall designate the permanent principal place of business of the district.

Section 3357.07 | Official plan for college - approval, issuance of charter.

• Effective: February 17, 1972
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 396 - 109th General Assembly

The board of trustees of a technical college district shall prepare an official plan for a technical college within the district. Such official plan shall include, but not be limited to, a demonstration of need and prospective enrollment, a description and locations of lands, buildings, facilities, and improvements proposed to be occupied by such college; a proposed schedule for acquisition of such lands or improvements, for construction or improvements, and for operation of the college; estimates of cost of lands and improvements; proposed organization and program of such college, consistent with the proposed lands and improvements; and a proposed budget for the first two years of operation of such college.

In preparing such official plan, the board of trustees of a technical college district may retain consultants in the fields of education, architecture, law, engineering, or other fields of professional skill which may be needed in the preparation of plans for a technical college.

Upon completion of the official plan, the board of trustees of the technical college district shall file a copy thereof with the Ohio board of regents which may approve or disapprove any provisions thereof and with the board or boards of education of school districts whose territories are included in the technical college district. If the Ohio board of regents disapproves the official plan or any provisions thereof, the board of trustees of the technical college district may prepare a new plan or may present amended provisions of the plan. If the Ohio board of regents approves the official plan, it shall certify a copy of its action to the board of trustees of the technical college district and issue a charter creating the technical college to be known by the name set forth in the official plan. The official plan shall be appended to and shall become a part of such charter, and such charter shall not thereafter be changed except by charter amendment with the approval of the Ohio board of regents. A proposal for a charter amendment shall be filed with the Ohio board of regents and with local boards of education as provided in this section for an official plan.

Last updated May 26, 2021 at 1:54 PM

Section 3357.08 | Official plan financing.

• Effective: February 17, 1972
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 396 - 109th General Assembly

For the purpose of preparing the official plan for a technical college, pursuant to section 3357.07 of the Revised Code, the board of trustees of a technical college district may receive and expend gifts, grants, bequests, or devises, or public funds appropriated for such purpose pursuant to law.

Section 3357.09 | Powers and duties of board of trustees.

• Effective: September 30, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly

The board of trustees of a technical college district may:

(A) Own and operate a technical college, pursuant to an official plan prepared and approved in accordance with section 3357.07 of the Revised Code;

(B) Hold, encumber, control, acquire by donation, purchase, or condemnation, construct, own, lease, use, and sell, real and personal property as necessary for the conduct of the program of the technical college on whatever terms and for whatever consideration may be appropriate for the purposes of the institution;

(C) Accept gifts, grants, bequests, and devises absolutely or in trust for support of the technical college;

(D) Appoint the president, faculty, and such other employees as necessary and proper for such technical college, and fix their compensation;

(E) Provide for a technical college necessary lands, buildings or other structures, equipment, means, and appliances;

(F) Develop and adopt, pursuant to the official plan, any one or more of the curricular programs identified in section 3357.01 of the Revised Code as technical-college programs, or adult-education technical programs, and applied bachelor's degree programs or nursing bachelor's degree programs under section 3333.051 of the Revised Code;

(G) Except as provided in sections 3333.17 and 3333.32 of the Revised Code, establish schedules of fees and tuition for: students who are residents of the district; students who are residents of Ohio but not of the district; students who are nonresidents of Ohio. The establishment of rules governing the determination of residence shall be subject to approval of the chancellor of higher education. Students who are nonresidents of Ohio shall be required to pay higher rates of fees and tuition than the rates required of students who are residents of Ohio but not of the district, and students who are residents of the district shall pay smaller tuition and fee rates than the rates for either of the above categories of nonresident students, except that students who are residents of Ohio but not of the district shall be required to pay higher fees and tuition than students who are residents of the district only when a district tax levy has been adopted and is in effect under the authority of section 3357.11, 5705.19, or 5705.191 of the Revised Code.

(H) Authorize, approve, ratify, or confirm, with approval of the chancellor, any agreement with the United States government, acting through any agency designated to aid in the financing of technical college projects, or with any person, organization, or agency offering grants-in-aid for technical college facilities or operation;

(I) Receive assistance for the cost of equipment and for the operation of such technical colleges from moneys appropriated for technical education or for matching of Title VIII of the "National Defense Education Act," 72 Stat. 1597 (1958), 20 U.S.C.A. 15a-15e. Moneys shall be distributed by the chancellor in accordance with rules which the board shall establish governing its allocations to technical colleges chartered under section 3357.07 of the Revised Code.

(J) Grant appropriate associate degrees to students successfully completing the technical college programs, appropriate applied bachelor's degrees to students successfully completing applied bachelor's degree programs, appropriate bachelor's degrees to students successfully completing nursing bachelor's degree programs offered pursuant to section 3333.051 of the Revised Code, and certificates of achievement to those students who complete other programs;

(K) Prescribe rules for the effective operation of a technical college, and exercise such other powers as are necessary for the efficient management of such college;

(L) Enter into contracts and conduct technical college programs or technical courses outside the technical college district;

(M) Enter into contracts with the board of education of any local, exempted village, or city school district or the governing board of any educational service center to permit the school district or service center to use the facilities of the technical college district;

(N) Designate one or more employees of the institution as state university law enforcement officers, to serve and have duties as prescribed in section 3345.04 of the Revised Code;

(O) Subject to the approval of the chancellor, offer technical college programs or technical courses for credit at locations outside the technical college district. For purposes of computing state aid, students enrolled in such courses shall be deemed to be students enrolled in programs and courses at off-campus locations in the district.

(P) Purchase a policy or policies of liability insurance from an insurer or insurers licensed to do business in this state insuring its members, officers, and employees against all civil liability arising from an act or omission by the member, officer, or employee, when the member, officer, or employee is not acting manifestly outside the scope of the member's, officer's, or employee's employment or official responsibilities with the institution, with malicious purpose or bad faith, or in a wanton or reckless manner, or may otherwise provide for the indemnification of such persons against such liability. All or any portion of the cost, premium, or charge for such a policy or policies or indemnification payment may be paid from any funds under the institution's control. The policy or policies of liability insurance or the indemnification policy of the institution may cover any risks including, but not limited to, damages resulting from injury to property or person, professional liability, and other special risks, including legal fees and expenses incurred in the defense or settlement of claims for such damages.

Any instrument by which real property is acquired pursuant to this section shall identify the agency of the state that has the use and benefit of the real property as specified in section 5301.012 of the Revised Code.

Last updated August 2, 2021 at 11:20 AM

Section 3357.10 | Election of treasurer of district.

• Effective: September 29, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 119 - 127th General Assembly

(A) The board of trustees of a technical college district shall elect a treasurer, who is not a member of the board, to serve at its pleasure. The treasurer may be the person serving as secretary under section 3357.06 of the Revised Code. The treasurer shall be the fiscal officer of the district and shall receive and disburse all funds of the district under the direction of the board. No contract of the board involving the expenditure of money shall become effective until the treasurer certifies that there are funds of the board otherwise unappropriated sufficient to provide therefor.

When the treasurer of the district ceases to hold such office, the treasurer or the treasurer's legal representatives shall deliver to the board or to the treasurer's successor all moneys, books, papers, and other property of the district in the treasurer's possession as treasurer. In case of the death or incapacity of the treasurer, the treasurer's legal representatives shall, in like manner, deliver all moneys, books, papers, and other property of the district to the board or to the person named as the treasurer's successor.

(B) All funds under the control of a board of trustees of a technical college district, regardless of the source of the funds, may be deposited by the board to its credit in banks or trust companies designated by it. The banks or trust companies shall furnish security for every deposit to the extent and in the manner provided in section 135.18 of the Revised Code, but no deposit shall otherwise be subject to sections 135.01 to 135.21 of the Revised Code. Funds deposited in a bank or trust company may be disbursed by the board of trustees for the uses and purposes of the district.

(C) The board may provide for the investment of district funds. Investments may be made in securities of the United States government or of its agencies or instrumentalities, the treasurer of state's pooled investment program, obligations of this state or any political subdivision of this state, certificates of deposit of any national bank located in this state, written repurchase agreements with any eligible Ohio financial institution that is a member of the federal reserve system or federal home loan bank, money market funds, or bankers acceptances maturing in two hundred seventy days or less which are eligible for purchase by the federal reserve system, as a reserve. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any provision of the Revised Code to the contrary, the board of trustees of a technical college district may provide for the investment of district funds in any manner authorized under section 3345.05 of the Revised Code.

Section 3357.101 | Liability for loss of public funds.

• Effective: September 13, 2022
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 15 - 134th General Assembly

The treasurer or other fiscal officer of a technical college district shall not be held liable for a loss of public funds when the treasurer or officer has performed all official duties required of the treasurer or officer with reasonable care, but shall be liable only when a loss of public funds results from the treasurer's or officer's negligence or other wrongful act.

Last updated June 30, 2022 at 5:14 PM

Section 3357.11 | Determination by board of trustees to issue and sell bonds or necessity of tax levy.

• Effective: July 2, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 48 - 128th General Assembly

For the purposes of purchasing a site or enlargement thereof, and for the erection and equipment of buildings, or for the purpose of enlarging, improving, or rebuilding existing facilities, the board of trustees of a technical college district shall determine the amount of bonds to be issued and such other matters as pertain thereto, and may when authorized by the vote of the electors of the district, issue and sell such bonds as provided in Chapter 133. of the Revised Code. Such board of trustees shall have the same authority and be subject to the same procedure as provided in such chapter in the case where the board of education proposes a bond issue for the purposes noted in this section.

At any time the board of trustees of a technical college district by a vote of two-thirds of all its members may declare by resolution the necessity of a tax outside the ten-mill limitation for a period of years not to exceed ten years, to provide funds for one or more of the following purposes: for operation and maintenance, for purchasing a site or enlargement thereof, for the erection and construction or equipment of buildings, or for the purpose of enlarging or improving or rebuilding thereon. A copy of such resolution shall be certified to the board of elections of the county or counties in which such technical college district is situated, for the purpose of placing the proposal on the ballot at an election to be held at a date designated by such board of trustees, which date shall be consistent with the requirements of section 3501.01 of the Revised Code, but shall not be earlier than ninety days after the adoption and certification of such resolution. If a majority of the electors in such district voting on such question vote in favor of such levy, the resolution shall go into immediate effect. The trustees shall certify their action to the auditors of the county or counties in which such technical college district is situated, who shall annually thereafter place such levy on the tax duplicate in such district in the amount set forth in the proposition approved by the voters.

After the approval of such levy by vote the board of trustees of a technical college district may anticipate a fraction of the proceeds of such levy and from time to time, during the life of such levy, issue anticipation notes in an amount not to exceed seventy-five per cent of the estimated proceeds of such levy to be collected in each year over a period of five years after the date of the issuance of such notes, less an amount equal to the proceeds of such levy previously obligated for each year by the issuance of anticipation notes, provided, that the total amount maturing in any one year shall not exceed seventy-five per cent of the anticipated proceeds of such levy for that year.

Each issue of notes shall be sold as provided in Chapter 133. of the Revised Code and shall mature serially in substantially equal amounts, during each remaining year of the levy, not to exceed five, after their issuance.

All necessary expenses for the operation of such technical college may be paid from any gifts, from grants of the state or federal government, from student fees and tuition collected pursuant to division (G) of section 3357.09 of the Revised Code, or from unencumbered funds from any other source of the technical college income, not prohibited by law.

Section 3357.112 | Acquisition of auxiliary or education facilities - issuance of bonds.

• Effective: March 31, 2005
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 224 - 125th General Assembly

(A)(1) Each technical college district may acquire, by purchase, lease, lease-purchase, lease with option to purchase, or otherwise, construct, equip, furnish, reconstruct, alter, enlarge, remodel, renovate, rehabilitate, improve, maintain, repair, and operate, and lease to or from others, auxiliary facilities or education facilities, except housing and dining facilities, and may pay for the facilities out of available receipts of such district. To pay all or part of the costs of auxiliary facilities or education facilities, except housing and dining facilities, and any combination of them, and to refund obligations previously issued for such purpose, each technical college district may issue obligations in the manner provided by and subject to the applicable provisions of section 3345.12 of the Revised Code.

(2) Notwithstanding division (A)(1) of this section, a technical college that is not co-located with another institution of higher education also may acquire, by purchase, lease, lease-purchase, lease with option to purchase, or otherwise, construct, equip, furnish, reconstruct, alter, enlarge, remodel, renovate, rehabilitate, improve, maintain, repair, and operate, and lease to or from others, housing and dining facilities, and may pay for the facilities out of available receipts of the district. To pay all or part of the costs of housing and dining facilities, and to refund obligations previously issued for such purpose, the technical college district may issue obligations in the manner provided by and subject to the applicable provisions of section 3345.12 of the Revised Code.

(3) A technical college may not use division (A)(2) of this section to purchase any real property that the technical college is using as a dormitory as of the effective date of this amendment.

(B) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the definitions set forth in section 3345.12 of the Revised Code apply to this section.

(C) Fee variations provided for in division (G) of section 3357.09 of the Revised Code need not be applied to fees pledged to secure obligations.

(D) The obligations authorized by this section are not bonded indebtedness of the technical college district, shall not constitute general obligations or the pledge of the full faith and credit of such district, and the holders or owners thereof shall have no right to require the board to levy or collect any taxes for the payment of bond service charges, but they shall have the right to payment thereof solely from the available receipts and funds pledged for such payment as authorized by section 3345.12 of the Revised Code and this section.

The bond proceedings may provide the method whereby the general administrative overhead expense of the district shall be allocated among the several operations and facilities of the district for purposes of determining any operating and maintenance expenses payable from the pledged available receipts prior to the provision for payment of bond service charges, and for other purposes of the bond proceedings.

(E) The powers granted in this section are in addition to any other powers at any time granted by the Constitution and laws of the state, and not in derogation thereof or restrictions thereon.

Section 3357.12 | Technical college ownership vested in board of trustees.

• Effective: July 1, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 51 - 130th General Assembly

The ownership of a technical college, created and established pursuant to section 3357.07 of the Revised Code, including all right, title, and interest in and to all property, both real and personal, pertaining thereto, shall be vested in the board of trustees of the technical college district in which such college is situated. The board may acquire by appropriation any land, rights, rights-of-way, franchises, easements, or other property necessary or proper for the construction or the efficient operation of any facility of the technical college district, pursuant to the procedure provided in section 5537.06 of the Revised Code, with respect to the Ohio turnpike and infrastructure commission, and insofar as such procedure is applicable.

Any instrument by which real property is acquired pursuant to this section shall identify the agency of the state that has the use and benefit of the real property as specified in section 5301.012 of the Revised Code.

Section 3357.13 | Baccalaureate-oriented associate degree program.

• Effective: September 29, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 119 - 127th General Assembly

As used in this section, "state institution of higher education" has the same meaning as in section 3345.011 of the Revised Code.

A technical college regardless of its co-location with another state institution of higher education may offer any baccalaureate-oriented associate degree program, provided however that any new or expanded programs at co-located campuses must be approved by the chancellor of the Ohio board of regents. In reviewing such programs, the chancellor shall determine whether the proposed program would promote cooperation and collaboration between co-located institutions while minimizing duplication.

Section 3357.131 | Creation of degree program in Fairfield county by community college.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Community college" has the same meaning as in section 3333.168 of the Revised Code.

(2) "County board" means the board of county commissioners of Fairfield county.

(3) "Degree or program" means any of the following:

(a) An academic program that grants a student college credit;

(b) A certificate program that grants a student college credit;

(c) An associate's degree issued pursuant to section 3333.04 of the Revised Code;

(d) A bachelor's degree issued pursuant to section 3333.051 of the Revised Code.

(4) "Qualifying university" means a state university, as defined in section 3345.011 of the Revised Code, that operates a branch campus in Fairfield county;

(5) "Workforce advisory board" means an advisory board established by the county board to address workforce issues in Fairfield county. The advisory board shall consist of the following members:

(a) An individual appointed by the county board, who shall serve as chairperson of the advisory board;

(b) A representative of the local board of the local area that includes Fairfield county, who shall be appointed by the county board. As used in this division, "local area" and "local board" have the same meanings as in section 6301.01 of the Revised Code.

(c) A representative of a technical college established under this chapter that is not co-located with an institution of higher education, who shall be appointed by the county board;

(d) A representative of the educational service center that has a majority of the territory of Fairfield county, who shall be appointed by the county board;

(e) The vice provost for regional higher education and partnerships of a qualifying university.

A member of the advisory board appointed by the county board serves at the pleasure of the county board.

A member of the workforce advisory board may designate an individual to serve in the member's place on the advisory board.

(B) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this chapter, subject to the approval of the chancellor of higher education, a community college that is not co-located with an institution of higher education may develop and offer a degree or program in Fairfield county if all of the following apply:

(1) The college creates a document that demonstrates there is a workforce need in the county, which shall include a request for a degree or program.

(2) The college submits the document to the workforce advisory board. The workforce advisory board shall review the document and vote on all of the following:

(a) Whether the document demonstrates a legitimate workforce need in Fairfield county;

(b) Whether to support an institution of higher education offering the degree or program in Fairfield county;

(c) Which institution of higher education to recommend to the chancellor to offer the degree or program in Fairfield county.

(3) If the advisory board unanimously votes that the document demonstrates a legitimate workforce need in Fairfield county and to support an institution of higher education offering the degree or program in the county, it shall transmit that fact and its recommended institution to the chancellor.

(C) Nothing in this section precludes a qualifying university from developing or expanding degrees or programs at the university's branch campus in Fairfield county.

Nothing in this section replaces or supersedes existing processes for the development and approval of degrees or programs.

Last updated September 25, 2023 at 5:36 PM

Section 3357.14 | Exemption from taxes or assessments.

• Effective: February 17, 1972
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 396 - 109th General Assembly

The exercise of powers granted by sections 3357.01 to 3357.19, inclusive, of the Revised Code, shall be in all respects for the benefit of the people and for the increase of their knowledge, prosperity, morals, and welfare. A technical college district shall not be required to pay any taxes or assessments upon any real or personal property acquired, owned, or used by it pursuant to sections 3357.01 to 3357.19, inclusive, of the Revised Code, or upon the income therefrom, and the bonds issued pursuant to such sections and the transfer of the income therefrom, including any profit made on the sale thereof, shall at all times be free from taxation within the state.

Section 3357.15 | State financial aid.

• Effective: February 17, 1972
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 396 - 109th General Assembly

Financial aid to a technical college from the state, to be used for the payment of operating costs of such college, shall be paid to the board of trustees of the technical college district in which such college is situated, only upon certification by the Ohio board of regents that such college is in condition to receive students and is operable and upon approval of its official plan and the issuance of a charter to such college as provided in section 3357.07 of the Revised Code. Financial aid for equipment may be paid to the board of trustees after approval of its official plan and issuance of a charter to such college.

Section 3357.16 | Contracts requiring bidding - biennial adjustment.

• Effective: September 29, 2011
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 153 - 129th General Assembly

(A) When the board of trustees of a technical college district has by resolution determined to let by contract the work of improvements pursuant to the official plan of such district, contracts in amounts exceeding a dollar amount set by the board, which dollar amount shall not exceed two hundred thousand dollars, shall be advertised after notice calling for bids has been published once a week for three consecutive weeks or as provided in section 7.16 of the Revised Code, in a newspaper of general circulation within the technical college district where the work is to be done. The board of trustees of the technical college district may let such contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, in accordance with section 9.312 of the Revised Code, who meets the requirements of section 153.54 of the Revised Code. Such contract shall be in writing and shall be accompanied by or shall refer to plans and specifications for the work to be done. Such contract shall be approved by the board of trustees and signed by the president of the board and by the contractor.

(B) On the first day of January of every even-numbered year, the chancellor of the board of regents shall adjust the two hundred thousand dollar contract limit set forth in division (A) of this section, as adjusted in any previous year pursuant to this division. The chancellor shall adjust the limit according to the average increase or decrease for each of the two years immediately preceding the adjustment as set forth in the United States department of commerce, bureau of economic analysis implicit price deflator for gross domestic product, nonresidential structures, or an alternative if the federal government ceases to publish this metric, provided that no increase or decrease for any year shall exceed three per cent of the contract limit in existence at the time of the adjustment. Notwithstanding division (A) of this section, the limit adjusted under this division shall be used thereafter in lieu of the limit in division (A) of this section.

(C) Before entering into an improvement pursuant to division (A) of this section, and except for contracts made with a construction manager at risk, a design-build firm, or a general contracting firm, as those terms are defined in section 153.50 of the Revised Code, the board of trustees of a technical college district shall require separate and distinct proposals to be made for furnishing materials or doing work on the improvement, or both, in the board's discretion, for each separate and distinct branch or class of work entering into the improvement. The board of trustees also may require a single, combined proposal for the entire project for materials or doing work, or both, in the board's discretion, that includes each separate and distinct branch or class of work entering into the improvement.

(D) When more than one branch or class of work is required, no contract for the entire job, or for a greater portion thereof than is embraced in one such branch or class of work shall be awarded, unless the separate bids do not cover all the work and materials required or the bids for the whole or for two or more kinds of work or materials are lower than the separate bids in the aggregate.

Section 3357.17 | Cooperation with other board or agencies.

• Effective: February 17, 1972
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 396 - 109th General Assembly

The board of trustees of a technical college district, and its agents, shall cooperate with boards of county commissioners of the county or counties comprising the district, with boards of education in the district, and with other public agencies representing the people of the district, in providing for educational, social, civic, and recreational activities, in buildings and upon grounds under control of the board of trustees, provided that such cooperation shall not interfere with the principal purpose of such district which is to provide technical educational service beyond the high school for the people of such district. The board of trustees shall prescribe such rules and regulations for occupancy of buildings and grounds as will secure fair, reasonable, and impartial use.

Section 3357.18 | Approval of official plans.

• Effective: February 17, 1972
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 396 - 109th General Assembly

The Ohio board of regents shall approve or disapprove proposed official plans of technical college districts, prepared and submitted pursuant to sections 3357.01 to 3357.19, inclusive, of the Revised Code, and issue or decline to issue charters for operation of technical colleges, pursuant to section 3357.07 of the Revised Code.

The board shall approve an official plan, and issue a charter, only upon the following findings:

(A) That the official plan and all past and proposed actions of the technical college district are in conformity to law;

(B) That the proposed technical college will not unreasonably and wastefully duplicate existing educational services available to students and prospective students residing in the technical college district;

(C) That there is reasonable prospect of adequate current operating revenue for the proposed technical college from its proposed opening date of operation;

(D) That the proposed lands and facilities of the technical college will be adequate and efficient for the purposes of the proposed technical college;

(E) That the particular proposed curricular programs, being one or more of the programs defined in section 3357.01 of the Revised Code, as "technical college," and "adult-education technical programs," are the programs for which there is substantial need in the territory of the district.

The employment and separation of individual personnel in a technical college and the establishment or abolition of individual courses of instruction shall not be subject to the specific and individual approval or disapproval of the Ohio board of regents, but shall occur in the discretion of the local management of such college within the limitations of law, the official plan, and the charter of such college.

The Ohio board of regents may make such study as it deems advisable or contract for such study to be made relative to the application of divisions (A) to (E), inclusive, of this section in its approval or disapproval of official plans of the technical college districts or the issuance of charters for the operation of technical colleges.

Last updated May 26, 2021 at 1:55 PM

Section 3357.19 | Powers and duties of chancellor.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

The chancellor of higher education shall:

(A) Promulgate rules, regulations, and standards in conformity with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code relative to the qualifications of teaching personnel in technical colleges, and require conformity to all such rules, regulations, and standards as a condition upon the issuance of a charter to any technical college and upon the continued operation of such colleges;

(B) Promulgate rules, regulations, and standards relative to the quality and content of instructional courses in technical colleges, and relative to the awarding of certificates of achievement or degrees to students in such colleges, and require conformity to all such rules, regulations, and standards as a condition upon the issuance of a charter to any technical college and upon the continued operation of such college;

(C) Conduct studies and examinations of the operation and facilities of technical colleges, and require reports from such colleges, from time to time as the chancellor deems necessary, and revoke or suspend pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, the charter of any technical college found to be in substantial violation of law, of rules, regulations, or standards of the chancellor, or of the approved official plan of such college;

(D) Employ such professional, administrative, clerical, or secretarial personnel as may be found necessary to assist the chancellor in the performance of the chancellor's duties;

(E) Perform biennial examinations of the budget requirements of the technical colleges in the state, and present recommendations to the governor with respect to such budget requirements;

(F) Perform research studies relative to technical college education.

Last updated May 26, 2021 at 1:57 PM