Chillicothe and other school boards preparing to buck HB 315

ChillicotheGazette.com, December 29, 2007
5 Questions for 2008: Local School Systems

What changes in education from state and federal mandates may be coming in 2008? School staffing background checks are going to continue to tighten and schools are cross-checking with Education Management Information Systems in different areas as well to ensure they are getting highly qualified teachers. Schools also will be looking at a new measurement on the state report card called value added. The new measurement will show the growth, or lack of growth, a group of students make from one period to the next.

School districts and teachers may take a hit to the wallet as legislators are looking at proposing a bill that would require both to contribute more to the State Teachers' Retirement System (STRS). The reason is rising health insurance costs that could leave the retirement system in dire need of funding for health insurance in a few years if more money is not generated. District boards of education, such as Chillicothe City Schools, already are making resolutions to oppose the proposal.

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