OH SB158

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 behavioral health services from agencies licensed or certified by the department of mental health, department of job and family services, or department of alcohol and drug addiction services.

Maintains existing closure criteria for community schools based on academic performance metrics, including academic emergency status, failing grades in literacy or overall performance, and insufficient academic growth in reading or mathematics.

Establishes different closure thresholds depending on the effective date: schools meeting criteria between July 1, 2009 and July 1, 2011; between July 1, 2011 and July 1, 2013; and on or after July 1, 2013.

Preserves existing exemptions for community schools with majority enrollment in dropout prevention and recovery programs and schools where a majority of students are children with disabilities receiving special education services under Chapter 3323.

Requires schools subject to closure to permanently close at the conclusion of the school year in which they first meet closure criteria and prohibits the governing authority from entering into contracts with other sponsors after closure.