Chapter 3315 | School Funds

Section 3315.01 | Crediting of investment earnings.

• Effective: June 30, 2011
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 153 - 129th General Assembly

(A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section and notwithstanding sections 3315.12 and 3315.14 of the Revised Code, the board of education of any school district may adopt a resolution requiring the treasurer of the district to credit the earnings made on the investment of the principal of the moneys specified in the resolution to the fund from which the earnings arose or any other fund of the district as the board specifies in its resolution.

(B) This section does not apply to the earnings made on the investment of the bond retirement fund, the sinking fund, a project construction fund established pursuant to sections 3318.01 to 3318.20 of the Revised Code, or the payments received by school districts pursuant to division (E) of section 3317.024 of the Revised Code.

Section 3315.02 | Board to provide funds - control - purpose - commissioners of sinking fund.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 361 - 100th General Assembly

The board of education of every district shall provide by a tax levy for the payment of the annual interest on its bonded indebtedness, for the payment of its serial bonds as they mature, and for a sinking fund for the extinguishment of its other bonded indebtedness, which funds shall be managed and controlled by a board of commissioners designated as the "board of commissioners of the sinking fund of ______________", inserting the name of the district, which shall be composed of five electors thereof, and be appointed by the court of common pleas of the county in which such district is chiefly located, except that, in city districts the board of commissioners of the sinking fund of the city may be the board of sinking fund commissioners of the school district. The members of the board of commissioners of the sinking fund shall serve without compensation and give such bond as the board of education requires and approves. Any surety company authorized to sign such bonds may be accepted by such board of education as surety. The cost thereof, together with all necessary expenses of the board of commissioners of the sinking fund, shall be paid by it out of the funds under its control.

Section 3315.03 | Investment of sinking fund.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The board of commissioners of the sinking fund shall invest that fund in bonds of the United States, of Ohio, of any municipal corporation, county, township, or school district of any state, or in bonds of its own issue. All interest received from such investments shall be deposited as other funds of such sinking fund, and reinvested in like manner. For the extinguishment of any bonded indebtedness included in such fund, the board may sell or use any of the securities or money of such fund.

Section 3315.04 | Report of commissioners of sinking fund.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The board of commissioners of the sinking fund shall make an annual report to the board of education giving a detailed statement of the sinking fund for each year ending with the thirty-first day of December.

Section 3315.05 | Payment of bonds and interest.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The board of education shall appropriate to the use of the sinking fund any taxes levied for the payment of interest on its bonded indebtedness, together with the sum provided for in section 3315.02 of the Revised Code. Sums so appropriated shall be applied to no other purpose than the payment of such bonds, interest thereon, and necessary expenses of the board of commissioners of the sinking fund.

Section 3315.06 | Governing board of service center - powers and duties.

• Effective: September 29, 1995
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 117 - 121st General Assembly

As used in this section "expenses" includes the cost of meals served to educational service center governing board members and members of the boards of local school districts within the territory of the service center at meetings of the governing board and meetings authorized by this section, if a resolution to that effect has been adopted by a majority of the members of the governing board.

The governing board of each service center may provide programs, examinations, school records, diplomas, and other necessary supplies and equipment for the use of the service center superintendent in furthering the instructional program of the service center. The governing board of each service center may pay the expenses of all educational meetings called by such governing board and may call and pay the expenses of conducting a meeting of the members of the boards of all local school districts within the territory of the service center at least once each year for the purpose of discussing the matters relating to the schools, for which each member shall be paid from the general fund of the local school district, the same compensation as authorized by section 3313.12 of the Revised Code. The governing board of each service center may allow the superintendent and assistant superintendent of schools a sum to be determined by the board for traveling expenses and may employ stenographers and clerks for such superintendent.

Section 3315.061 | Funds for studies and surveys.

• Effective: August 9, 1963
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 99 - 105th General Assembly

The board of education of any school district may expend funds for the purpose of conducting, or entering into contracts for, studies or surveys pertaining to school district organization and building needs, curriculum and instructional needs, and needs for improved or additional services that may be rendered by such board. The board of education of any school district may publish reports prepared in connection with such activities.

Section 3315.062 | Student activity programs - accident insurance or self-insurance for athletic programs.

• Effective: November 15, 1995
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 223 - 121st General Assembly

(A) The board of education of any school district may expend moneys from its general revenue fund for the operation of such student activity programs included in the program of each school district as authorized by its board of education. Such expenditure shall not exceed five-tenths of one per cent of the board's annual operating budget.

(B) If more than fifty dollars a year is received through a student activity program, the moneys from such program shall be paid into an activity fund established by the board of education of the school district. The board shall adopt regulations governing the establishment and maintenance of such fund, including a system of accounting to separate and verify each transaction and to show the sources from which the fund revenue is received, the amount collected from each source, and the amount expended for each purpose. Expenditures from the fund shall be subject to approval of the board.

(C) The board of education of any school district may purchase accident insurance for pupils participating in school athletic programs for which the school district is authorized to expend public money. The board also may, to the extent it considers necessary, establish a self-insurance plan for the protection of such pupils against loss or expense resulting from bodily injury or death by accident, or for the payment of any deductible under a policy of accident insurance procured pursuant to this division.

Section 3315.07 | Instructional program for employees - supplies and equipment for local school districts.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

(A) The board of education of each school district may provide an instructional program for the employees of the district. The board may provide the necessary bulletins and instructional material in connection with the program and pay the cost of meetings held for the purpose of carrying out the program.

(B) The board of any district or educational service center may provide bulletins or other materials necessary for the effective administration of the schools of the district or programs of the educational service center and may compile, make available, or publish any of the following materials not inconsistent with division (C) of this section: student handbooks, dress codes, curriculum guides, school policy bulletins, newsletters, board meeting summaries or minutes, financial reports, annual reports, and other reports concerning the operation of the schools of the district or programs of the service center. Such materials shall be published for the purpose of furthering public awareness of all aspects of the board's educational program and operation including:

(1) Board policies and actions, procedures, administration and finance, and state and federal requirements;

(2) The board's programs, activities, and plans;

(3) Student achievements and information concerning employees;

(4) Any other information the board considers helpful in keeping students, parents, employees, and residents aware of the operation of the school district. The board may assign to employees the duty of producing the information authorized by this division as a part or all of their jobs.

(C)(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (C)(2) of this section, no board of education shall use public funds to support or oppose the passage of a school levy or bond issue or to compensate any school district employee for time spent on any activity intended to influence the outcome of a school levy or bond issue election.

(2) A board of education may permit any of its employees to attend a public meeting during the employee's regular working hours for the purpose of presenting information about school finances and activities and board actions, even if the purpose of the meeting is to discuss or debate the passage of a school levy or bond issue.

(D) The board of education of a school district that has entered into an agreement under section 3313.843 or 3313.845 of the Revised Code to receive any services from an educational service center may authorize the service center to purchase or to accept upon donation supplies and equipment for such school district and to pay the transportation, handling, and storage charges involved in securing such supplies and equipment. Upon such authorization, the governing board may make such purchases or accept such donations and pay from the service center fund the cost of such supplies and equipment and the transportation, handling, and storage charges involved. The district board shall reimburse in full the service center governing board for all such expenditures on its behalf.

Section 3315.08 | Salaries of employees and officers of board of education - payroll account - deposits.

• Effective: September 29, 2015
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 64 - 131st General Assembly

In any school district the salaries of all employees and officers of the board of education and all payrolls may be paid in such manner as the board may authorize. To provide money for such payment if made in cash, the president and the treasurer of the board shall, upon receipt of the proper payroll and warrant, issue checks upon the depositories payable to the treasurer of the board for the aggregate amounts stated in such payrolls. The treasurer may thereupon make payments to employees and officers in cash, or the board may provide that the sums called for by such checks, instead of being paid to the treasurer, shall be transferred to special payroll accounts established in depositories by the board upon such terms with the respective banks as to interest upon daily cash balances in said special payroll accounts, and under such other conditions as the board prescribes. In the event such special payroll accounts are established by a board, such accounts may be drawn against by check of the treasurer of the board according to such procedure as the board may prescribe. In the event a board creates a payroll account, any bond given by the depository, under section 135.18, 135.181, or 135.182 of the Revised Code, shall also be for the protection of such special payroll account as may be deposited in said bank. The aggregate of all board deposits in a bank, including special payroll accounts as authorized in this section, must not exceed the aggregate of the bond given by the bank. The aggregate of all deposits in a bank, including special payroll accounts, shall be subject to sections 135.01 to 135.21 of the Revised Code.

Section 3315.09 | Contracts for special instruction.

• Effective: September 29, 1995
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 117 - 121st General Assembly

The boards of education of any city, exempted village, local, or joint vocational school districts or the governing boards of educational service centers may enter into contracts for a term not exceeding one year, upon such terms as each board deems expedient, with each other, or with the trustees or other authorized officials of any college or university, legally organized, for the purpose of obtaining in such school district or educational service center instruction in the special, technical, professional, or other advanced studies which may be pursued in such college or university beyond the scope of the public high school. In like manner such boards may contract for a term, not exceeding one year, with each other or with a private corporation or association not for profit, maintaining and furnishing a museum of art, science, or history, or providing musical instruction, for the purpose of obtaining in such school district or educational service center such instruction or other educational services as can be rendered to the schools by such private corporation or association.

Section 3315.091 | Contracts for driver education instruction.

• Effective: October 11, 2002
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 407 - 124th General Assembly

The boards of education of any city, exempted village, local, or joint vocational school districts or the governing boards of educational service centers may enter into contracts for a term not exceeding one year, upon such terms as each board deems expedient, with each other, or with a private driver training school licensed under section 4508.03 of the Revised Code, for the purpose of providing instruction in driver education under section 3301.17 of the Revised Code.

Section 3315.10 | Management and control of property held in trust for educational purposes.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The custody, management, and administration of all estates or funds, given or transferred in trust to any municipal corporation for the promotion of education, and accepted by the council thereof, and any institution for the promotion of education so founded, other than a university, shall be committed to, and exercised by, the board of education of the school district including such municipal corporation. Such board shall be the representative and trustee of such municipal corporation in the management and control of such estates and funds so held in trust and in the administration of such institution, excepting funds and estates held by any municipal corporation which are used to maintain a university.

For the uses and purposes of such board in administering the trusts, the council of such municipal corporation annually may levy taxes on all the taxable property of such municipal corporation to the amount of three tenths of one mill on the dollar valuation thereof.

Section 3315.11 | Replacement fund - purpose.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The board of education of any city, exempted village, or local school district may establish and maintain a replacement fund, and for that purpose, set aside annually out of its revenue such sum as is necessary for said purpose. In case of total or partial destruction of any of the property of said board from any cause or in case, because of the unfitness of such property, it becomes necessary at any time to demolish the same in whole or in part, such replacement fund may be used to rebuild, on the original site or elsewhere, or to restore, repair, or improve the property so damaged, demolished, or destroyed and for said purposes the board may sell or use any of the securities or moneys of such replacement fund.

Section 3315.12 | Investment of the fund.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The replacement fund provided for in section 3315.11 of the Revised Code may be invested in the same manner as is provided for the investment of the sinking fund of any school district having a bonded indebtedness, and all interest received from such investments, shall form a part of said fund and may be invested in like manner.

Section 3315.13 | How money drawn from fund.

• Effective: May 16, 1979
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 113th General Assembly

Money shall be drawn from the replacement fund by orders only, passed by a majority vote of the full membership of the board of education, signed by the president, or by the vice-president in his absence, and the treasurer. All securities or evidence of debt, held by said board as a part of the replacement fund, shall be deposited with safe deposit companies within the school district, or, if none exists, then in a place of safety to be indicated or furnished by the board, and when so deposited they shall be drawn only upon the application of such board and in the presence of three designated members of such board.

Section 3315.14 | When replacement fund may be reduced, disposed of, or expended.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The replacement fund shall not be reduced, disposed of, or expended for purposes other than those specified in section 3315.11 of the Revised Code, except by a strict compliance with sections 5705.15 and 5705.16 of the Revised Code. Whenever the replacement fund reaches the maximum amount deemed necessary by the board of education for the purposes specified in section 3315.11 of the Revised Code, the interest received from investments of said fund may be used by the board for any authorized school purposes.

Section 3315.15 | Service fund set aside.

• Effective: November 21, 1997
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 269 - 122nd General Assembly

Any city, local, or exempted village board of education may by resolution set aside each year from the general fund a sum not to exceed two dollars for each child enrolled in the district, or twenty thousand dollars, whichever is greater. Any educational service center governing board may by resolution set aside each year from the educational service center fund a sum not to exceed twenty thousand dollars. The amount set aside shall be placed in a fund known as the "service fund," which shall be used only in paying the expenses of members of such boards of education and educational service center governing boards actually incurred in the performance of their duties, or in paying the expenses of members-to-be of such boards actually incurred in training and orientation to the performance of their duties from the date of election or appointment to the date of administration of the oath of office. Such payments shall be made only in such amount as may be approved by the board on statement of the several members or members-to-be furnished at the next succeeding regular meeting of such board. No board shall appropriate or expend a sum greater than sixty thousand dollars in any one school year from such service fund.

Section 3315.17 | Computer Science and Technology Fund.

• Effective: March 23, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 170 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) The board of education of each city, local, exempted village, and joint vocational school district and the governing board of each educational service center may establish a computer science and technology fund to support computer science programs and professional development related to those programs operated by the district or service center. The fund may consist of district or service center moneys that legally may be used for that purpose and that are not otherwise designated for other purposes. It also may consist of private moneys donated to the district or service center or any future state moneys allocated to the district or service center for that purpose. The district or service center board may use any amount in the fund to leverage or match any additional private donations that may be made to the district or service center for that purpose.

(B) Moneys in the fund may be used for any of the following:

(1) Professional development related to computer science programs;

(2) The delivery of online assessments, including instruction and data that support online assessment readiness;

(3) Wireless connectivity in school buildings;

(4) Network services, such as improving bandwidth capacity and filtering devices;

(5) The purchase of computers, tablets, and equipment.

Section 3315.18 | Capital and maintenance fund.

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

(A) The board of education of each city, exempted village, local, and joint vocational school district shall establish a capital and maintenance fund. Each board annually shall deposit into that fund an amount derived from revenues received by the district that would otherwise have been deposited in the general fund that is equal to three per cent of the statewide average base cost per pupil for the preceding fiscal year, as defined in section 3317.02 of the Revised Code, or another percentage if established by the auditor of state under division (B) of this section, multiplied by the district's student population for the preceding fiscal year, except that money received from a permanent improvement levy authorized by section 5705.21 of the Revised Code may replace general revenue moneys in meeting the requirements of this section. Money in the fund shall be used solely for acquisition, replacement, enhancement, maintenance, or repair of permanent improvements, as that term is defined in section 5705.01 of the Revised Code. Any money in the fund that is not used in any fiscal year shall carry forward to the next fiscal year.

(B) The director of education and workforce and the auditor of state jointly shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code defining what constitutes expenditures permitted by division (A) of this section. The auditor of state may designate a percentage, other than three per cent, of the statewide average base cost per pupil multiplied by the district's student population that must be deposited into the fund.

(C) Within its capital and maintenance fund, a school district board of education may establish a separate account solely for the purpose of depositing funds transferred from the district's reserve balance account established under former division (H) of section 5705.29 of the Revised Code. After April 10, 2001, a board may deposit all or part of the funds formerly included in such reserve balance account in the separate account established under this section. Funds deposited in this separate account and interest on such funds shall be utilized solely for the purpose of providing the district's portion of the basic project costs of any project undertaken in accordance with Chapter 3318. of the Revised Code.

(D)(1) Notwithstanding division (A) of this section, in any year a district is in fiscal emergency status as declared pursuant to section 3316.03 of the Revised Code, the district may deposit an amount less than required by division (A) of this section, or make no deposit, into the district capital and maintenance fund for that year.

(2) Notwithstanding division (A) of this section, in any fiscal year that a school district is either in fiscal watch status, as declared pursuant to section 3316.03 of the Revised Code, or in fiscal caution status, as declared pursuant to section 3316.031 of the Revised Code, the district may apply to the director of education and workforce for a waiver from the requirements of division (A) of this section, under which the district may be permitted to deposit an amount less than required by that division or permitted to make no deposit into the district capital and maintenance fund for that year. The director may grant a waiver under division (D)(2) of this section if the district demonstrates to the satisfaction of the director that compliance with division (A) of this section that year will create an undue financial hardship on the district.

(3) Notwithstanding division (A) of this section, not more often than one fiscal year in every three consecutive fiscal years, any school district that does not satisfy the conditions for the exemption described in division (D)(1) of this section or the conditions to apply for the waiver described in division (D)(2) of this section may apply to the director for a waiver from the requirements of division (A) of this section, under which the district may be permitted to deposit an amount less than required by that division or permitted to make no deposit into the district capital and maintenance fund for that year. The director may grant a waiver under division (D)(3) of this section if the district demonstrates to the satisfaction of the director that compliance with division (A) of this section that year will necessitate the reduction or elimination of a program currently offered by the district that is critical to the academic success of students of the district and that no reasonable alternatives exist for spending reductions in other areas of operation within the district that negate the necessity of the reduction or elimination of that program.

(E) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in Chapter 4117. of the Revised Code, the requirements of this section prevail over any conflicting provisions of agreements between employee organizations and public employers entered into after November 21, 1997.

(F) As used in this section, "student population" means the average, daily, full-time equivalent number of students in kindergarten through twelfth grade receiving any educational services from the school district during the first full school week in October, excluding students enrolled in adult education classes, but including all of the following:

(1) Adjacent or other district students enrolled in the district under an open enrollment policy pursuant to section 3313.98 of the Revised Code;

(2) Students receiving services in the district pursuant to a compact, cooperative education agreement, or a contract, but who are entitled to attend school in another district pursuant to section 3313.64 or 3313.65 of the Revised Code;

(3) Students for whom tuition is payable pursuant to sections 3317.081 and 3323.141 of the Revised Code.

The department of education and workforce shall determine a district's student population using data reported to it under section 3317.03 of the Revised Code for the applicable fiscal year.

Last updated August 21, 2023 at 11:08 AM

Section 3315.181 | Sources of revenue for capital and maintenance fund.

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

As used in this section, "securities" has the same meaning as in section 133.01 of the Revised Code.

Notwithstanding division (A) of section 3315.18 of the Revised Code, the board of education of a city, exempted village, local, or joint vocational school district, in meeting the amount required by that division to be deposited in the district's capital and maintenance fund, may replace general fund revenues with proceeds received from a permanent improvement levy authorized by section 5705.21 of the Revised Code only to the extent the proceeds are available to be used for the acquisition, replacement, enhancement, maintenance, or repair of permanent improvements as defined in section 5705.01 of the Revised Code. In addition, the board may replace general fund revenues with proceeds received from any of the following sources in meeting the amount required by that division to be deposited in the fund:

(A) Proceeds received from any securities whose use is limited to the acquisition, replacement, enhancement, maintenance, or repair of permanent improvements;

(B) Insurance proceeds received as a result of the damage to or theft or destruction of a permanent improvement to the extent a board of education places the proceeds in a separate fund for the acquisition, replacement, enhancement, maintenance, or repair of permanent improvements;

(C) Proceeds received from the sale of a permanent improvement to the extent the proceeds are paid into a separate fund for the construction or acquisition of permanent improvements;

(D) Proceeds received from a tax levy authorized by section 3318.06 of the Revised Code to the extent the proceeds are available to be used for the maintenance of capital facilities;

(E) Proceeds of certificates of participation issued as part of a lease-purchase agreement entered into under section 3313.375 of the Revised Code;

(F) Proceeds of any school district income tax levied under Chapter 5748. of the Revised Code for permanent improvements, to the extent the proceeds are available for the acquisition, replacement, enhancement, maintenance, or repair of permanent improvements;

(G) Any other revenue source identified by the auditor of state, in consultation with the department of education and workforce, in rules adopted by the auditor of state.

Last updated August 21, 2023 at 11:09 AM

Section 3315.19 | Board electing to comply with former provisions of law concerning fund for capital and maintenance.

• Effective: July 1, 2011
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 30 - 129th General Assembly

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 3315.18 of the Revised Code as it exists after July 1, 2001, the board of education of any school district annually may elect to set aside funds for capital and maintenance in accordance with the provisions of that section as it existed prior to July 1, 2001, and the rules adopted under that section. Any district board making such an election under this section shall notify the auditor of state within ninety days after the beginning of the fiscal year whether the district intends to comply with the provisions of former section 3315.18 of the Revised Code. A school district making an election under this section shall not be required to comply, during the fiscal year of the election, with the provisions of section 3315.18 of the Revised Code as it exists after July 1, 2001.

Section 3315.20 | Deficits in special funds.

• Effective: March 30, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 276 - 126th General Assembly

A school district may have a deficit in any special fund of the district only if both of the following conditions are satisfied:

(A) The district has a request for payment pending with the state sufficient to cover the amount of the deficit and there is a reasonable likelihood that the payment will be made.

(B) The unspent and unencumbered balance in the district's general fund is greater than the aggregate of deficit amounts in all of the district's special funds.

Section 3315.29 | Payment when county line divides township.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

If parts of an original surveyed township or fractional township are situated in two or more counties, the amount of interest on common school fund due to such township shall be paid in the manner provided in sections 3315.27 and 3315.28 of the Revised Code to the county treasurer of the county wherein the greatest relative portion of such township is situated. If it is uncertain in which county such portion is situated, the amount of interest due to such township shall be paid to the county treasurer of the oldest county in which any part of the township is situated.

Section 3315.30 | Apportionment when county line divides an original surveyed township.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

When an original surveyed township or fractional township is situated in two or more counties, and the land granted thereto by congress for the support of public schools has been sold, the county auditor of the county to whose treasurer the interest on the proceeds of such sale is paid must apportion such interest to the counties in which such township is situated in proportion to the youth of the township enumerated in each. Such auditor shall certify to the auditor of each of the other counties the amount so ascertained to belong to the part of the township situated in his county, and transmit to the county treasurer of each such county an order on the treasurer of his own county for such amount. The auditor of each county shall apportion the amount of such interest belonging to the part of the township in his county, to the districts or parts of districts entitled thereto as is provided for the apportionment of the state common school funds.

Section 3315.31 | Duty of the county auditor.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The county auditor of each county shall collect all fines and other money for the support of common schools in his county, and pay them to the county treasurer. He also must inspect all accounts of interest accruing on account of lands reserved by congress in each township for school purposes, or other school lands, whether it is payable by the state or by the debtors; and take all proper measures to secure to each school district in his county the full amount of school funds to which it is entitled.

Section 3315.33 | Ohio scholarship fund for teacher trainees.

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

There is hereby established a fund to be known as the Ohio scholarship fund for teacher trainees for the public purpose of relieving the existing teacher shortage in public schools, to be administered and expended as prescribed in sections 3315.33 to 3315.35 of the Revised Code. Appropriations by the general assembly for the purpose of scholarships for teacher trainees shall be paid into this fund.

Each scholarship for a teacher trainee shall have a maximum value of five hundred dollars annually and shall be awarded as follows:

(A) The department of education and workforce shall prescribe standards and requirements which shall be met by persons who are eligible for such scholarships. Scholarships shall be allocated among the counties of the state on an equitable basis by the department, provided that not less than three such scholarships shall be available annually to residents of each county of the state. If, on the first day of September in each year, the department finds that the number of eligible persons recommended from any county is less than the number of scholarships allocated to that county, it may reallocate the remaining scholarships among the counties in which the number of eligible persons exceeds the number of scholarships allocated. Such reallocation as may affect a county in one year shall not prejudice in any way the allocation to it in succeeding years.

(B) In accordance with the requirements of sections 3315.33, 3315.34, and 3315.35 of the Revised Code, the educational service center superintendent in each educational service center as committee chairperson shall appoint a committee consisting of one high school principal, one elementary school principal, and one classroom teacher. This committee shall select and recommend, on the basis of merit, a number of high school graduates, not to exceed the number allocated to each county by the department, who are interested in teaching and whose work and qualifications are such as to indicate that they possess the qualities which should be possessed by a successful teacher. Such persons shall not have previously been enrolled in any college of education or have majored in education in any college or university. Such other college training shall be considered in determining such person's qualifications to become a successful teacher.

(C) The scholarship fund for teacher trainees shall be disbursed to scholarship holders upon their application as approved by the department upon vouchers for that purpose. Such scholarships shall be paid in equal installments at the beginning of each quarter or semester while college is in session to each person who has been awarded such a scholarship when the following requirements are met:

(1) Such person shall be a bona fide student in the college of education or department of teacher training in an Ohio institution of higher learning.

(2) Such person shall pursue a course of study in elementary education in said college of education or department of teacher training approved by the department of education and workforce.

Last updated August 21, 2023 at 4:15 PM

Section 3315.34 | Promissory note of scholarship fund recipient - renewal of scholarship.

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

Each person who receives a scholarship shall execute a promissory note which shall be endorsed by some responsible citizen, and shall deliver said note to the department of education and workforce or to its representative. Each such note shall be made payable to the treasurer of state for the amount of the quarterly or semi-annual payment, and shall bear interest at the rate of five per cent per annum from the date of the note. The department shall hold said note until it has been paid or cancelled as prescribed in section 3315.35 of the Revised Code.

Each person awarded a scholarship under the terms of sections 3315.33 to 3315.35 of the Revised Code shall be eligible upon the completion of satisfactory work during the first year, under rules and regulations promulgated by the department, to have the scholarship renewed for a period not to exceed one additional year.

Last updated August 21, 2023 at 4:54 PM

Section 3315.35 | Statement of service - cancelled and uncancelled notes.

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

At the expiration of each school year of service as a teacher in the public schools of Ohio by a person who has benefited from a scholarship granted under sections 3315.33 to 3315.35 of the Revised Code, such person shall submit to the department of education and workforce a statement of service on a form provided for that purpose and certified by the superintendent of the school district in which the person has taught. Upon receipt of such statement in proper form, the board shall cancel the oldest notes given by such person covering the scholarship for one year and the interest accrued thereon. If for any reason a recipient of a scholarship ceases or, after licensure, fails to teach in the public schools of Ohio, except for death or total disability, or fails to file with the board by July first of each year a statement concerning the recipient's previous year's employment and address for the ensuing year, any and all unpaid or uncancelled notes and interest thereon shall become due and payable and the board shall transmit all such notes promptly to the treasurer of state and the treasurer of state shall enforce collection of the principal amount of any uncancelled or unpaid notes held by the treasurer of state and the interest thereon and shall deposit said sums so collected in the general revenue fund.

Last updated August 21, 2023 at 4:18 PM

Section 3315.37 | Teacher education loan program.

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

The board of education of a school district may establish a teacher education loan program and may expend school funds for the program. The program shall be for the purpose of making loans to students who are residents of the school district or graduates of schools in the school district, who are enrolled in teacher preparation programs at institutions approved by the chancellor of higher education pursuant to section 3333.048 of the Revised Code, and who indicate an intent to teach in the school district providing the loan. The district board may forgive the obligation to repay any or all of the principal and interest on the loan if the borrower teaches in that school district.

The district board shall adopt rules establishing eligibility criteria, application procedures, procedures for review of applications, loan amounts, interest, repayment schedules, conditions under which principal and interest obligations incurred under the program will be forgiven, and any other matter incidental to the operation of the program.

The board may contract with a private, nonprofit foundation, one or more institutions of higher education, or other educational agencies to administer the program.

The receipt of a loan under this section does not affect a student's eligibility for assistance, or the amount of such assistance, granted under section 3315.33, 3333.122, 3333.22, 3333.26, 5910.04, or 5919.34 of the Revised Code, but the board's rules may provide for taking such assistance into consideration when determining a student's eligibility for a loan under this section.

Last updated September 7, 2023 at 9:17 AM

Section 3315.40 | Board may establish education foundation fund.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

The board of education of a city, local, exempted village, or joint vocational school district or the governing board of any educational service center may establish an education foundation fund. Moneys in the fund shall consist of proceeds paid into the fund under division (B) of section 3313.36 of the Revised Code. In addition, by resolution adopted by a majority of its members, a city, local, exempted village, or joint vocational board may annually direct the school district treasurer to pay into the education foundation fund an amount from the school district general fund not to exceed one-half of one per cent of the total appropriations of the school district as estimated by the board at the time the resolution is adopted or as set forth in the annual appropriation measure as most recently amended or supplemented; and any governing board, by resolution adopted by a majority of its members, may annually direct the service center treasurer to pay into the education foundation fund an amount not to exceed one-half of one per cent of the funds received by the governing board pursuant to an agreement entered into under section 3313.843 or 3313.845 of the Revised Code.

Income from the investment of moneys in the fund shall be paid into the fund. A board, by resolution adopted by a majority of its members, may accept a trust created under section 3315.41 of the Revised Code for the investment of money in the educational foundation fund and direct the school district or service center treasurer to pay to the trustee, the initial trust principal contemplated by the instrument creating the trust. A board that has accepted a trust created under section 3315.41 of the Revised Code may do any of the following by resolution adopted by a majority of its members: direct the school district or service center treasurer to pay additional amounts to the trust principal, amend the trust, revoke the trust, or provide for payment of compensation to the trustee.

Moneys in the fund shall be expended only by resolution adopted by a majority of the members of the board for operating or capital costs of any existing or new and innovative program designed to enhance or promote education within the district or service center, such as scholarships for students or teachers.

A board of education or governing board may appoint a committee of administrators to administer the education foundation fund and to make recommendations for the use of the fund. Members of the committee shall serve at the discretion of the appointing board. Members shall receive no compensation, but may be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties.

Section 3315.41 | Board may create trust for investment of money in education foundation fund.

• Effective: June 13, 1990
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 292 - 118th General Assembly

A board of education may create a trust for investment of money in the education foundation fund created pursuant to section 3315.40 of the Revised Code. The instrument creating such a trust shall do all of following:

(A) Appoint a nonprofit foundation that is exempt from income tax under section 501(a) of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C. 501(a), as amended, and that is described in section 501(c)(3) of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3), as amended, as trustee; designate the school district education foundation fund as the beneficiary; and describe the initial trust principal, which shall not be less than one dollar;

(B) Specify that additional amounts may be added to the trust principal from the education foundation fund;

(C) Prohibit invasion of the principal of the trust;

(D) Require the trustee to administer the trust, including but not limited to, holding, investing, and reinvesting the trust principal; collecting the income from the investments; and, after deducting the costs of administering the trust and, if applicable, the trustee's compensation, paying the net income to the school district treasurer for payment into the school district education foundation fund as beneficiary;

(E) Specify the conditions under which the trust is revocable. Upon revocation, the principal of the trust shall revert to the board of education.

(F) Provide for amendment of the trust if the board concludes that an amendment will better enable the objectives of the trust to be achieved;

(G) Other provisions the board considers necessary or advisable for successful administration of the trust and achievement of its objectives.

The board may provide for the payment, from the trust income or otherwise, of a reasonable fee to the trustee in compensation for its services.

If the principal of the trust created under this section reverts to the board of education the board shall direct the school district treasurer to accept and pay the principal into the education foundation fund created under section 3315.40 of the Revised Code.

Unless provided otherwise in the trust instrument, a trust created under this section is not subject to Chapter 135. of the Revised Code and shall not be considered a charitable trust under sections 109.23 to 109.33 or Chapter 1719. of the Revised Code.

Section 3315.42 | Inapplicability to certain school districts.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

Sections 3315.40 and 3315.41 of the Revised Code do not apply to either of the following:

(A) A school district that has received funds for a project under Chapter 3318. of the Revised Code, so long as the purchase price to be paid by the board for the state's interest in the project has not been paid;

(B) A school district that has an outstanding loan under section 3313.483 of the Revised Code.