O'Brien Champions Bill to Help Ashtabula Students

COLUMBUS— State Senator Sandra O'Brien (R-Ashtabula) strongly supported House Bill 43 as it passed overwhelmingly today by the Ohio Senate. It will allow seniors in the Ashtabula City School District to graduate following the severe disruptions caused by destructive snowstorms this winter.

"Devastating circumstances should not be something that prohibit students from receiving their diplomas," said Senator O'Brien. "HB 43 allows these seniors to graduate on time and maintains Ashtabula City Schools’ eligibility for state funding for the next school year. Emergency waivers for schools have previously been granted in similar circumstances as no contingency plan could have covered this kind of emergency."

House Bill 43 waives the minimum number of hours needed for student graduation and for funding of the Ashtabula City School District, which are both necessary due to a series of unusual and unpredictable circumstances during the winter. Rather than completing minimum hours, seniors will be required to take a state competency assessment through the Department of Education and Workforce to graduate.

House Bill 43 now goes to the Governor's desk for his signature.