OH SB183

Amends section 3314.35 of the Revised Code to add an exemption from mandatory closure for community schools where a majority of enrolled students have been diagnosed with a behavioral health problem and are receiving services from agencies licensed by the Department of Mental Health, Department of Job and Family Services, or Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services.

Modifies the existing exemption language in division (A)(3)(b) to create two separate categories: schools serving students with disabilities receiving special education services, and schools serving students receiving behavioral health services.

Maintains existing closure requirements for community schools that fail to meet academic performance standards based on academic emergency status and insufficient academic growth in reading or mathematics.

Preserves existing exemptions for schools operating dropout prevention and recovery programs that have received waivers under section 3314.36.

Retains provisions allowing the Department of Education to reevaluate schools directed to close and exempt them from closure if they no longer meet closure criteria after excluding performance ratings from their first two years of operation.