Ingram Criticizes Student Expulsion Bill

Today, state Senator Catherine Ingram (D-Cincinnati) voted no on House Bill 206, which would allow school districts to suspend students who pose an “imminent and severe endangerment” to the safety of students or staff for 180 days or longer. Additionally, this bill was amended with numerous provisions, from school closure parameters to the reallocation of dollars to the state’s universal voucher program.

“I have spoken with some of our superintendents and understand the need for these types of tools to protect the safety of all of our students,” said Ingram. “My concern is that the legislation still lacks clarity in numerous ways as to where the child goes once they are expelled, the subjectivity of certain language in the bill, and who will be the people involved in overseeing this process. I offered ten amendments to address concerns raised in committee. Of those ten, one amendment was included in the final bill to ensure that due process would be followed.”

House Bill 206 allows schools to expel a student for up to 180 days if their actions meet the criteria outlined in the bill. The superintendent must set conditions for reinstatement, including an assessment by a psychiatrist or psychologist to determine if the student is a danger. These conditions must be provided in writing to the student, their guardians, and the school board at the start of the expulsion.

Additional provisions added to the bill on the last day of session included school choice program administration funding, community school automatic closure exemptions, and storage and use of drugs used to treat seizures.

House Bill 206 now awaits a concurrence vote in the Ohio House.