Ohio Senate Passes Bill Providing Millions in Pandemic Relief to Ohio's Schools

COLUMBUS—Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima) announced this week the Senate's unanimous passage of Senate Bill 111, providing nearly $912 million to support Ohio’s schools and other educational providers as they transition back to the classroom. The bill promotes safe, effective learning for students as Ohioans emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. “My colleagues in the Senate have worked hard to fast track this critical funding," said Senate President Huffman. "Following such a challenging school year, this money will help districts confidently bring students back to the classroom, who may have been lost in the fog of an online learning environment." The funding for schools and educational providers in Senate Bill 111 includes:

• $683.1 million for Ohio’s public schools
• $209.8 million for Ohio's private schools
• $19 million for Educational Service Centers, Joint Vocational Schools and Ohio's County Boards of Developmental Disabilities

Additionally, the bill provides pandemic funding for the Ohio Department of Health and National Guard:

• $173 million for ODH to continue to expand COVID-19 vaccine distribution and testing efforts.
• $8 million for the Adjutant General to allow additional deployment of Ohio National Guard rapid response personnel and resources to serve older Ohioans.

To date, more than $2.5 billion in funding has been approved by the General Assembly for Ohio’s communities and schools as they continue to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senate Bill 111 will now be sent to the House for further consideration.