Wednesday, January 12, 2000
Voucher rule OK'd by Senate
Schools in program could not get waivers
The Associated Press
COLUMBUS — The Senate on Tuesday passed and sent to the House a bill mandating that participants in Cleveland's school voucher system follow the same rules as students in other nonpublic schools.
Meanwhile, the House passed and sent to the Senate a bill that would exempt people who work in a city for 12 days or less from paying municipal income taxes to that city. In addition, testimony began on a bill requiring safe storage of firearms.
The voucher bill, sponsored by Sen. C.J. Prentiss, D-Cleveland, received bipartisan support, passing 32-1 with the only dissenting vote coming from Sen. Lynn Wachtmann, R-Napoleon.
He said the Legislature's focus should be on Ohio's public schools, adding that the conditions of those schools led to creation of voucher schools and other alternative education programs.
The bill would eliminate the state superintendent of public instruction's authority to exempt schools in the voucher program from meeting state standards for nonpublic schools. It also would require the department to make at least one on-site inspection of each school every year.
The state-funded voucher program, which operates only in Cleveland, gives low-income parents as much as $2,250 in tuition assistance per child to pay for a private school education.
Mr. Prentiss' bill was inspired by problems with the now-defunct Islamic Academy School of Arts and Science.
State Auditor Jim Petro released a report last week that accused officials of the school of collecting tuition for twice as many students as attended classes. The school owes the state more than $85,000, the report said.
The academy was one of five schools to receive waivers easing state regulations.
The House on Tuesday began hearings on a bill requiring gun owners to keep firearms out of the reach of children. Failure to do so would be a misdemeanor. If the child caused harm to himself or others, a felony charge could be filed.
FWW bridge needs a redo
It's politics as usual in county race
Golfers, skiers enjoy wacky weather
Race agency defends work
St. Vincent DePaul stops special shopping
Toxic emissions down 8%
Last magnet scramble Feb. 5
Maccabi Games to attract 2,500 to Tristate in August
Penguin eggs surprise aquarium
Rumpke rewards county for cracking crime
Screening TV for kids
One family's rules for kids' 'screen time'
Two firms accused of holding checks
Woman may be second homicide
Auditor doesn't trust prosecutor to be her counsel
Fatal blaze caused by coffee maker or circuit
GET TO IT
Hot Summer Nights forms 'Chorus Line'
Loveland grad bases TV series set on her old school
Annexation plan dissected
Blaze routs 10 families
City OKs loans for renovations
City could sell downtown lot
Forest Park looks to reel 'em in
Kenton surplus may help boost bailiffs
Mall planners push zone change
Mid-Miami vote likely a welcome for Lebanon
OSHA studying fallen wall
Time up for children's board to quit or be fired
Tornado relief streamlined
Training chases many EMTs
TRISTATE DIGEST
Voucher rule OK'd by Senate
Witness testifies she saw shooting
