OH SB144

Appropriates $200,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $0 in fiscal year 2017 from the Dedicated Purpose Fund to the Department of Education for a Middle School STEM Initiatives Pilot Project.

Distributes funds to the Lake County Educational Service Center to support innovative STEM initiatives for middle school students in Geauga and Lake counties, including robotics contests and after-school teams partnering with businesses in the Alliance for Working Together.

Provides students early access to programming, engineering design, and problem-solving skills with the goal of building a regional pipeline of future manufacturing workers for high-paying, sustainable positions in automated manufacturing.

Requires the Lake County Educational Service Center to submit a progress report by April 30, 2016 to the House and Senate standing committees responsible for economic development issues, including the number of participating students.

Directs the Director of Budget and Management to establish accounts for the appropriation and makes the funds subject to all applicable provisions of the main operating appropriations act of the 131st General Assembly.