Rep. Miller's bipartisan legislation to end academic distress commissions receives first hearing

COLUMBUS—State Reps. Joe Miller (D-Amherst) and Al Cutrona (R-Canfield)  had their first hearing yesterday on House Bill (HB) 54 in the House Primary & Secondary Education Committee. HB 54 is a re-introduction of Sub. HB 154 from the 133rd General Assembly, and it would dissolve Academic Distress Commissions (ADCs), requiring improvement plans instead for certain low-performing school buildings. Sub. HB 154 passed the House in a bipartisan fashion in May of 2019 by a vote of 83-12. 

“When school districts such as Lorain are torn apart by a state-appointed CEO, it’s our kids who suffer the consequences. When Columbus labels our teachers and administrators as failures for not being able to solve problems that we all know extend well beyond the classroom, it’s our schools that lose out when talented individuals find jobs at other districts or leave the profession entirely. It’s our families, our futures, our communities on the line here. We need the chance to be part of the solution, which is why I am more than ready to continue the fight to repeal state takeovers in the 134th General Assembly,” said Rep. Miller.

HB 54 now awaits its second hearing in the House Primary & Secondary Education Committee.