OH SB165

Applies to school districts that had academic distress commissions established in 2013 and again under current law, requiring the auditor of state to complete a performance audit within 60 days of enactment.

Requires district boards to develop and submit an academic improvement plan within 90 days, in consultation with stakeholders and the academic distress commission, to operate for three school years with annual and overall academic benchmarks.

Grants district boards full powers to implement the approved plan while the academic distress commission continues in an advisory capacity without operational or managerial control during the three-year implementation period from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2025.

Allows districts that fail to meet a majority of benchmarks to apply for up to two one-year extensions; districts failing to meet benchmarks after five years return to full academic distress commission control.

Dissolves the academic distress commission if the district meets a majority of improvement benchmarks at initial evaluation or after an approved extension, restoring full powers to the district board.